PADI IDC (Instructor Development Course) on Utila
Only a handful of the 15 Dive Shops on Utila have the ratings and qualifications to offer Instructor Training (known as the IDC- Instructor Development Course). This is because you need to have a PADI Course Director to lead this course. In theory, all PADI Course Directors are trained to the same standard and prohibited from straying from the IDC material, which means the same high standard should be maintained where ever you go. However, there are of course differences in teaching style, personality, shop “vibe”, amount of experience you can expect to get, etc. Shop around, ask divers from different shops about their experiences and opinions to find out which place is right for you.
Here are the Utila shops that offer PADI Instructor Certification (PADI IDC) and other professional scuba diving courses:
- Underwater Vision- (PADI 5 Star IDC, offering monthly Instructor Development Courses, MSDT courses and internships)
- Bay Islands College of Diving IDC
- Coral View IDC (IDCs don’t run monthly so ask for specifics)
- Utila Dive Center

Looking for a fun, affordable Caribbean island to get your Scuba Divemaster or Instructor Status so you can work as a professional in the scuba diving industry? Then check out the dive mecca of Utila! Utila is known as a popular training ground for achieving your professional Scuba Diving Status, and it’s a fantastic island to spend some time at while getting your training~
Divemaster Training in Utila
Most of the Utila Scuba shops offer the PADI or SSI equivalent Professional Divemaster Training (DMT) course. Before signing on to a particular shop or putting down a deposit, we suggest doing your homework. If you are new to the island and haven’t done your previous training on Utila, shop around and do a few dives at or at least hang out at the dive shops you are interested in and get a feel for the vibe and general atmosphere. Get to know who will be your fellow DMTs and potential co-workers. As your time spent as a DMT will be some of the most memorable in your life, it’s worth it to spend a bit of time figuring out which place suits you the best. Divemaster courses start daily, all year long.
For more details on getting your divemaster on Utila:
- Take a look at the Utila Scuba dive shops
- Check out the great information at Underwater Vision– a fun, lively and busy place which is great for getting loads of experience. Check Out their Facebook page for IDCS too!
- Take a look at Go Pro Utila– featuring step by step details and information on what you need to do to get your PADI divemaster on Utila
Instructor Training (IDC) on Utila
Only a few Utila Dive Shops offer Scuba Instructor Training (known as the IDC- Instructor Development Course). This is because you need to have a highly trained PADI Course Director to lead this course. In theory, all PADI Course Directors are trained to the same standard and prohibited from straying from the IDC material, which means the same high standard should be maintained where ever you go. However, there are of course differences in teaching style, personality, shop “vibe”, amount of experience you can expect to get, etc. Do your homework. Shop around as advised with the DMT program above, go on some fun dives, hang out and ask divers from different shops about their experiences and opinions to find out which place is right for you.
Following is a list of the Utila dive shops that offer PADI Instructor Certification (PADI IDC) and other professional scuba diving courses:
- Underwater Vision- (PADI 5 Star IDC, offering monthly Instructor Development Courses, MSDT courses and internships)
- Bay Islands College of Diving IDC
- Coral View IDC (IDCs don’t run monthly so ask for specifics)
- Utila Dive Center
