PADI IDC Dive Resort Oceans 5 Gili Air Blog Posts
PADI IDC Dive Resort Oceans 5 Gili Air Blog Posts
Choosing the Right Dive Center on Gili Air When it comes to scuba diving around the Gili Islands, Gili Air stands out as a favorite destination for divers from all over the world. This small, charming island offers an impressive variety of dive centers to …
Dive Organizations When people think about learning to dive, one of the first questions that comes up is: “Which certification is better—PADI, SSI, RAID, NAUI, CMAS, NOB?” It’s an understandable question. Each dive organization has its own logo, course materials, and system of rules. But here’s the …
Since opening its doors in 2010, Oceans 5 Gili Air has embraced a philosophy that goes far beyond teaching scuba diving. From the very beginning, conservation and community have been at the heart of its operations. Oceans 5 was built on the idea that a dive center should not only showcase the beauty of the ocean but also actively protect it, while giving back to the local people who make Gili Air such a special place.
One of the earliest commitments Oceans 5 made was to ensure fair opportunities for locals. To avoid creating jealousy between the island’s five families, Oceans 5 hired at least one staff member from each family. This decision fostered long-term trust and relationships, and the owner, Sander, remains close to the community—attending weddings, funerals, and local ceremonies as a valued friend, not just a business owner.
Over the years, Oceans 5 has launched several programs to uplift Indonesian citizens through education and opportunity. In 2021, the dive center gave 12 Indonesians the chance to become professional dive instructors. Many of them are now working across Indonesia’s dive industry, and two remain part of the Oceans 5 team.
In 2025, Oceans 5 took this vision further with the launch of a free Divemaster Internship for Indonesian citizens. The initiative has already proven transformative, with graduates finding work on Gili Air, in Labuan Bajo, Nusa Lembongan, and even Raja Ampat. Watching local divers achieve their dreams and explore some of Indonesia’s most iconic dive destinations is one of Oceans 5’s proudest accomplishments.
Oceans 5 Gili Air also recognizes the importance of scientific research for the protection of marine ecosystems. The dive center supports students from the University of Mataram’s Faculty of Marine Science, providing them with boats, dive equipment, lunches, transport, and professional dive guides. Importantly, Oceans 5 does not interfere with the projects or the outcomes, ensuring that research remains independent and unbiased.
By partnering with Marine Conservation Indonesia, Oceans 5 guarantees that these students have the resources and training they need to conduct reliable and meaningful studies. This work helps deepen knowledge of the Gili Islands’ marine ecosystems and lays the foundation for better protection strategies in the future.
Every Friday, Oceans 5 organizes a beach cleanup in Gili Air’s harbor—the very first place visitors see when they arrive on the island. The harbor is not only the gateway for tourists but also a key area for shaping the island’s image. Volunteers, often led by Oceans 5’s divemaster interns, collect bags of rubbish with gloves and tools provided by the dive center. This simple yet powerful initiative has been running since 2010, keeping the island cleaner and raising awareness among locals and tourists alike.
What sets Oceans 5 apart is that all of these initiatives are fully self-funded. Oceans 5 does not accept donations, grants, or financial support from NGOs. This independence allows the dive center to stay true to its mission without outside influence or hidden agendas. Every conservation and community project is made possible by the dive center’s own revenue, and by divers and guests who choose to stay and dive with Oceans 5.
Perhaps the most common question is: How can I support these projects?
The answer is simple: Dive or stay with Oceans 5 Gili Air.
By choosing Oceans 5, you directly support their conservation and community work. Every Discover Scuba Diving program, Open Water Course, Divemaster Internship, or IDC course helps fund beach cleanups, local scholarships, marine science research, and opportunities for Indonesian dive professionals. Guests not only experience Oceans 5’s commitment to high-quality, safe, and environmentally aware diving but also contribute to long-lasting positive change on the island.
Supporting Oceans 5 Gili Air means more than enjoying world-class diving in a marine park. It means becoming part of a bigger vision: protecting the reefs, uplifting the community, and building a sustainable future for the Gili Islands. With every dive and every course, you help keep this philosophy alive.
The ocean gives us so much—it’s time we give something back.
Giving Back to Gili Air Gili Air is more than just a tropical paradise for divers and holidaymakers—it’s a small, close-knit island where the environment, the community, and local businesses are deeply connected. Life here depends on a delicate balance: the health of the ocean …
Community in Action: 65kg of Rubbish This week, a massive beach cleanup took place at the harbor of Gili Air, organized by Oceans 5 Gili Air’s very own divemaster, Zain. With the wind picking up in the afternoons and the swell carrying more and more …
After 20 days of dedication, growth, and hard work, Jo, Dania, Nata, and Filippo have officially become PADI Instructors. Their journey at Oceans 5 Gili Air started with passion and ambition, and it ended with the successful completion of the PADI Instructor Examination (IE) on the shores of Gili Air. Under the guidance of PADI Course Director Waz, these four divemasters transformed into confident instructors, ready to teach PADI programs from beginner level all the way up to Divemaster.
The PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) is no small undertaking. It requires determination, resilience, and a willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone. Over 20 intensive days, Jo, Dania, Nata, and Filippo immersed themselves in dive theory, teaching methodology, confined and open water presentations, rescue workshops, and skill circuits.
They didn’t just learn how to pass the PADI Instructor Examination. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, the focus is on turning candidates into complete instructors — instructors who can adapt their teaching to real-world situations, care for their students, and act as ocean ambassadors. All four candidates absorbed these principles and rose to the challenge with enthusiasm and teamwork.
The final test came during the PADI Instructor Examination, which took place over two days right here on Gili Air. A PADI Examiner flew in to evaluate each candidate’s knowledge, teaching ability, rescue skills, and professionalism. It’s always a nerve-wracking moment — the culmination of weeks of preparation — but Jo, Dania, Nata, and Filippo handled the pressure with confidence and success.
Passing the Instructor Examination is not just a milestone — it’s a gateway to a new career underwater.
While the four instructors wait for their official teaching status from PADI — which usually takes between 5 to 10 working days — the possibilities for their careers begin to open. The next step? Finding a job in one of the most beautiful dive destinations in the world.
The Gili Islands are known for vibrant reefs, turtles, and drift diving — a paradise for both fun divers and dive professionals. But working in Indonesia requires a valid working permit (KITAS) issued and supported by a registered dive center. Immigration checks are becoming more frequent, and the authorities are tightening regulations to protect the integrity of the diving industry. That’s why having legal working status is crucial for any instructor wanting to work in the country.
Oceans 5 Gili Air supports the highest standards in the industry and encourages all instructors to follow the correct legal pathways. Once everything is arranged, these new instructors will have the opportunity to live their dream and teach diving in one of the most stunning marine environments on earth.
One of the greatest things about becoming a PADI Instructor is the global opportunity that comes with it. Jo, Dania, Nata, and Filippo are now part of a worldwide network. Their certification isn’t limited to Indonesia. Whether they dream of teaching in Thailand, the Maldives, Egypt, Mexico, Australia, or somewhere completely unexpected, the door is wide open.
And for Dania, this moment is extra special. As the first Gili Air-born female PADI Instructor, she’s not just following her dream — she’s making history and inspiring a new generation of local divers to believe that anything is possible.
If reading about their journey inspires you, why not start your own?
The next PADI Instructor Development Courses at Oceans 5 Gili Air start on:
Spots are limited to ensure quality training and personalized attention. And they are filling up quickly.
This could be your chance to change your life — to trade a desk for a dive boat, and to inspire others to explore the ocean. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, you’re not just earning a certification — you’re becoming part of a dive family, learning from experienced mentors, and developing the confidence to teach anywhere in the world.
To reserve your place in one of our upcoming IDCs, contact us via:
📱 WhatsApp: +62 853 3339 7823
📧 Email: [email protected]
Congratulations again to Jo, Dania, Nata, and Filippo. We are proud of you and can’t wait to see where your journey as PADI Instructors takes you next. The ocean is your classroom — go and inspire the world!
What’s Next After Becoming a PADI Instructor? Becoming a PADI Instructor is a milestone achievement — the result of weeks (or even months) of dedication, study, and training. For those who complete their Instructor Development Course (IDC) at Oceans 5 Gili Air, the journey doesn’t …
The Gili Matra Marine Park The Gili Islands — Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air — are more than just stunning tropical getaways with white sand beaches and turquoise waters. They are located within one of Indonesia’s top ten marine parks, the Gili Matra Marine Park, …
The Divemaster Internship at Oceans 5 Gili Air is more than just another box to tick on your path to becoming a dive professional — it’s an investment in quality training, fair employment, and a sustainable future for the local community.
Over 6 to 8 weeks, Oceans 5’s Divemaster Internship program transforms certified rescue divers into confident, knowledgeable dive professionals ready to guide others beneath the waves. But unlike many dive centers offering unpaid internships in exchange for free labor, Oceans 5 does things differently — and proudly so.
Some people might wonder: Why should I pay for a Divemaster Internship when other dive shops offer it for free in exchange for work? It’s a fair question — and the answer goes to the heart of Oceans 5’s values.
First, paying for your internship creates a clear, professional agreement between you and the dive center. When you pay for your course, Oceans 5 has an obligation to deliver exactly what you signed up for: a complete, standards-based PADI Divemaster course that does not cut corners or turn you into free labor for the business. Every skill, workshop, dive, and briefing is taught thoroughly, ensuring you finish your internship not just as a Divemaster on paper but as a capable, confident dive leader in real life.
Second, paying for your internship means your instructors are paid, too. At Oceans 5, instructors are motivated to train you properly because they are compensated fairly for their time and expertise. When dive professionals know they’re being paid to teach — not just to get help with boat work or equipment washing — they can focus entirely on your development.
Too often, free internships rely on candidates to work long hours in exchange for occasional training, leaving them underprepared and often exhausted. Oceans 5 rejects this model. Instead, the team ensures every Divemaster candidate gets dedicated instruction, clear feedback, and meaningful in-water experience under the guidance of instructors who take pride in producing top-quality Divemasters.
There’s another important reason Oceans 5 does not offer free Divemaster internships: fairness to the local community. When unpaid interns replace paid staff, local jobs disappear — especially for tasks like equipment handling, boat crew work, or assisting guests. Many free internships end up benefiting visitors from abroad at the expense of the local economy.
At Oceans 5 Gili Air, the opposite is true. The dive center proudly employs and trains local staff and instructors, ensuring that the community benefits from the opportunities the dive industry provides. By choosing to pay for your training, you help keep the dive shop a sustainable business that supports its team — and you do your part to ensure local jobs stay local.
Over six to eight weeks, Divemaster candidates at Oceans 5 don’t just log dives and tick off requirements. They work side by side with experienced instructors, assist on real courses, and learn how to brief, guide, and manage real divers in real conditions. This hands-on, properly structured experience is the foundation for a future career anywhere in the world — whether you go on to become a PADI Instructor or build a career as a dive guide in top diving destinations.
As a PADI Career Development Centre, Oceans 5 Gili Air has built its reputation on high-quality training and strict adherence to PADI’s standards. This means your Divemaster Internship is about learning to do things right — from mastering your own buoyancy to ensuring your divers’ safety and protecting the underwater environment.
You’ll leave not just with a certification but with the confidence and competence that only come from proper training, real mentorship, and meaningful time underwater.
Choosing to pay for your Divemaster Internship at Oceans 5 Gili Air means choosing quality, integrity, and sustainability. You’ll get the training you deserve, your instructors will be rewarded fairly for their work, and the local community will continue to benefit from responsible tourism that creates real jobs.
When you’re ready to take the next step in your diving career, Oceans 5 Gili Air is ready to help you become not just a Divemaster, but a true dive professional.
Transform Your Diving Career: Upcoming PADI Instructor Development Courses at Oceans 5 Gili Air If you’ve ever dreamed of swapping your office chair for a wetsuit and turning your passion for the ocean into a rewarding career, now is the time to take the plunge. …