Turn Your Passion for Diving Into a Professional Career

Are you an Indonesian citizen with a Rescue Diver certification who dreams of becoming a professional Divemaster?

Perhaps you want to guide divers around Indonesia’s incredible reefs. Maybe you dream about working in Raja Ampat, Komodo, Bali, the Gili Islands or another famous Indonesian diving destination. Or perhaps becoming a Divemaster is only the first step toward your ultimate goal of becoming a scuba diving instructor.

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we believe motivated Indonesian divers should have the opportunity to build a professional career in their own country’s diving industry.

That is why Oceans 5 Gili Air offers a special four-month SSI Divemaster Internship scholarship exclusively for Indonesian citizens.

And when we say scholarship, we mean it.

There is no Divemaster course fee charged by Oceans 5 Gili Air. Candidates only need to pay the required SSI Divemaster digital learning materials and SSI professional registration/membership fees.[1]

There are no hidden Oceans 5 training fees.

There is no obligation to work for Oceans 5 after completing the program.

Most importantly, this is not a program where candidates work for months simply in exchange for receiving a certification at the end.

This is a proper professional SSI Divemaster course and internship.

Our objective is simple: to develop excellent Indonesian dive professionals who are ready to enter the diving industry.

Why Oceans 5 Created the Indonesian Divemaster Scholarship

Indonesia is one of the world’s most important scuba diving destinations.

The Indonesian archipelago sits within the Coral Triangle, an area internationally recognized for its extraordinary marine biodiversity.[2] Destinations such as Raja Ampat, Komodo, Bunaken, Bali and the Gili Islands attract divers from around the world.

That creates opportunities for Indonesian dive professionals.

However, becoming a professional diver requires training, experience and professional certification. For some talented Indonesian divers, the financial cost of professional-level education can make taking the next step difficult.

Oceans 5 Gili Air wants to help remove part of that barrier.

Instead of simply talking about supporting local employment, we decided to create a practical pathway into the diving industry.

Our Indonesian Divemaster Internship gives motivated Indonesian Rescue Divers the opportunity to spend approximately four months developing themselves into professional SSI Divemasters.

It is an investment in Indonesian dive professionals and, ultimately, in the future of Indonesia’s diving industry.

This Is Not Work in Exchange for Certification

There is an important difference between a genuine Divemaster internship and using Divemaster candidates as free workers.

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, our philosophy is clear:

You are here to learn.

Of course, part of becoming a Divemaster is understanding how a professional dive center operates. Candidates need experience with equipment preparation, dive organization, customer service, boat procedures, dive briefings, safety procedures and many other aspects of professional diving.

These activities are part of your professional education.

Candidates do not receive their Divemaster certification simply because they have spent four months at Oceans 5.

You have to train, study and develop.

You must demonstrate the required diving skills, knowledge, professionalism and leadership abilities and successfully meet the applicable SSI training standards.[1]

The objective is not to create someone who only knows how to carry tanks, prepare equipment or wash diving gear.

The objective is to create a knowledgeable, confident, safety-conscious and employable Indonesian dive professional.

That difference is extremely important.

Why Is the Internship Four Months?

Why does Oceans 5 make the Indonesian Divemaster Internship approximately four months long?

Because becoming an excellent Divemaster takes time.

A Divemaster certification should represent much more than completing a checklist of minimum requirements.

During four months at Oceans 5, candidates experience the daily reality of a professional dive center.

You meet beginner divers, experienced divers, instructors, Divemasters and professional candidates. You observe different diving situations and learn how experienced professionals organize and supervise activities.

You learn about briefings, dive planning, equipment, boats, customer service, safety and the responsibilities that come with becoming a dive professional.

Most importantly, you gain experience.

The Gili Islands provide an excellent environment for this type of training because diving conditions can vary. Currents are common around the islands, meaning Divemasters need to develop awareness of changing underwater conditions.

A professional Divemaster should not simply memorize a route around a dive site.

A good Divemaster observes the conditions, understands the environment, makes appropriate decisions and keeps the group together and safe.

Those abilities develop through training and experience.

What Will You Learn During the SSI Divemaster Internship?

The SSI Divemaster pathway represents an important transition from recreational diver toward becoming a dive professional.[1]

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we want candidates to understand that professional diving involves much more than simply being comfortable underwater.

Candidates develop their diving abilities, theoretical knowledge, leadership skills, environmental awareness and professional attitude.

You gain experience in areas such as:

• Dive planning and organization
• Dive-site briefings
• Assisting instructors
• Equipment preparation and organization
• Diver supervision
• Underwater navigation
• Emergency procedures
• Boat diving procedures
• Customer communication
• Environmental awareness
• Professional dive-center operations

You will also develop something that cannot simply be downloaded from a digital manual:

professional judgment.

When should a dive plan be changed?

How can you recognize that a diver is uncomfortable?

What should you do when the current is different from what you expected?

Where should you position yourself while guiding a group?

How do you manage divers with different levels of experience?

How do you make a dive enjoyable while still maintaining safety and control?

These are the details that separate someone who simply holds a Divemaster certification from someone who is genuinely ready to work as a professional Divemaster.

Train at an SSI Instructor Training Center

Oceans 5 Gili Air is an SSI Instructor Training Center, which means professional education is an important part of our daily operation.

Divemaster candidates train in an environment where future SSI instructors are also educated.

This creates an atmosphere where teaching, professional development and continuing education are part of everyday life.

Candidates have opportunities to observe experienced Divemasters, instructors and instructor trainers.

You are therefore not only learning how to become a Divemaster. You are surrounded by people at different stages of the professional diving pathway.

For candidates who eventually want to become instructors, this can be extremely valuable.

From Divemaster Training to Employment

Getting certified is one thing.

Finding your first job is another.

Oceans 5 Gili Air therefore also tries to help Indonesian Divemaster graduates make the transition from training into employment.

When suitable opportunities become available, we are happy to help connect our graduates with dive centers looking for professional Indonesian Divemasters.

And the results of the program are something we are extremely proud of.

In 2025, 10 Indonesian candidates became Divemasters through Oceans 5 Gili Air.[3]

In 2026, we have already welcomed another eight Indonesian candidates into the pathway, with two more candidates graduating today.[3]

Our former candidates are now working in some of Indonesia’s most famous diving destinations.

Oceans 5 graduates have found opportunities in Raja Ampat, Komodo and the Gili Islands.[3]

The two Indonesian candidates graduating today have already found Divemaster positions here on Gili Air.[3]

That is exactly what we want this program to achieve.

Training should create opportunities.

Your Divemaster Certification Belongs to You

There is another important principle behind the Oceans 5 Indonesian Divemaster Internship.

Once you have successfully completed your training, you are free to work wherever you want.

There is no obligation to stay at Oceans 5.

There is no employment contract requiring you to work for us because we provided your training scholarship.

You can look for opportunities on Gili Air, Gili Trawangan, Bali, Komodo, Raja Ampat or elsewhere, subject to the professional and employment requirements applicable to the position.

We are proud when former candidates find jobs at other dive centers.

For us, that means the program is succeeding.

Creating More Indonesian Dive Professionals

Indonesia does not only have some of the world’s best diving. It also has something international divers can never bring with them: local knowledge.

Indonesian Divemasters understand their country, culture, communities and marine environment.

Developing more highly trained Indonesian dive professionals strengthens the Indonesian diving industry.

It creates employment opportunities and career pathways.

Today’s Indonesian Divemaster could become tomorrow’s instructor, instructor trainer, dive-center manager or business owner.

Professional education can therefore have an impact far beyond a single certification.

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we believe the future of diving in Indonesia should include strong Indonesian professionals at every level of the industry.

Divemaster Doesn’t Have to Be the End

For some candidates, becoming an SSI Divemaster is the ultimate goal.

For others, it is only the beginning.

After working as a Divemaster, you may discover that you enjoy helping and teaching other divers.

Your next ambition could then be becoming an SSI Open Water Scuba Instructor.

As an SSI Instructor Training Center, Oceans 5 Gili Air can help suitable Divemasters understand the next steps toward instructor-level training.[1]

But there is no need to rush.

First, become an excellent Divemaster.

Gain experience.

Work with real divers.

Develop your confidence.

Learn from experienced professionals.

Then, when you are ready for your next step, we can help you explore the pathway toward becoming a dive instructor.

Who Can Apply for the Free Indonesian Divemaster Internship?

The Oceans 5 Gili Air scholarship is specifically designed for Indonesian citizens who are serious about developing a professional career in diving.

Candidates should already hold a Rescue Diver certification or recognized equivalent and meet the applicable SSI Divemaster entry requirements.[1]

But qualifications are only part of what we are looking for.

Attitude matters.

We want people who genuinely want to learn.

Being a professional Divemaster means accepting responsibility. It requires reliability, communication skills, professionalism, attention to safety and a willingness to continue learning.

You don’t have to arrive at Oceans 5 as the perfect diver.

That is why you are joining a training program.

But you should arrive motivated to become the best dive professional you can be.

What Does “Free Divemaster Internship” Actually Mean?

We want to be completely transparent about the word free.

Oceans 5 Gili Air does not charge Indonesian scholarship candidates a Divemaster course/training fee for the four-month internship.

Candidates are responsible for paying the required SSI Divemaster digital training materials and applicable SSI professional registration/membership fees.[1]

There are no additional hidden Oceans 5 Divemaster course fees suddenly added halfway through the program.

The purpose of the scholarship is not to make money from Indonesian Divemaster candidates.

The purpose is to educate them.

Become Part of the Next Generation of Indonesian Dive Professionals

Imagine where your Divemaster certification could take you.

Today you might be a Rescue Diver wondering whether a professional career in diving is realistic.

Four months later, you could be an SSI Divemaster preparing for your first professional job.

You could eventually find yourself guiding divers through the reefs of the Gili Islands, working in Komodo, exploring Raja Ampat or continuing your professional education toward becoming an SSI Instructor.

Oceans 5 Gili Air has already helped Indonesian divers make that transition.

Ten Indonesian candidates became Divemasters with us in 2025.[3] Eight more have already joined the pathway this year, and today two more Indonesian candidates are graduating and preparing to work professionally on Gili Air.[3]

Maybe the next success story will be yours.

Are you an Indonesian citizen?

Are you already a Rescue Diver?

Would you like to turn your passion for scuba diving into a professional career?

Then the four-month free SSI Divemaster Internship scholarship at Oceans 5 Gili Air could be your opportunity.

Come to Gili Air.

Train properly.

Gain real experience.

Become a professional.

And become part of the next generation of Indonesian dive professionals.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is the SSI Divemaster Internship really free for Indonesian citizens?

Yes. Oceans 5 Gili Air waives the Divemaster course/training fee for accepted Indonesian scholarship candidates. Candidates still need to pay the required SSI Divemaster digital learning materials and applicable SSI professional registration/membership fees.[1]

2. How long is the Indonesian Divemaster Internship?

The scholarship program lasts approximately four months. We deliberately provide a longer training period because our goal is not simply to complete certification requirements. We want candidates to gain practical experience and develop into confident and employable dive professionals.

3. Do I need to be an Indonesian citizen?

Yes. This particular free Divemaster scholarship is specifically designed for Indonesian citizens.

4. What certification do I need before applying?

You should already hold a Rescue Diver certification or recognized equivalent and meet the current SSI Divemaster entry requirements.[1] Your previous certification does not necessarily have to be from SSI if it is recognized as an equivalent qualification.

5. Is this work in exchange for a Divemaster certification?

No. This is a professional training program. Candidates participate in dive-center activities because learning how a professional dive operation functions is part of becoming a Divemaster. The purpose of the internship is education and professional development, not obtaining free labor in exchange for certification.

6. Do I have to work for Oceans 5 after becoming a Divemaster?

No. Once you successfully complete your program, you are free to look for work wherever you want. There is no obligation to work for Oceans 5 Gili Air.

7. Does Oceans 5 help graduates find jobs?

Where possible, yes. We are happy to help connect successful graduates with opportunities in the Indonesian diving industry. Previous Oceans 5 Indonesian Divemaster candidates have gone on to work in destinations including Raja Ampat, Komodo and the Gili Islands.[3]

8. Can I become a dive instructor afterwards?

Yes. Becoming a Divemaster can be an important step in a professional diving career. Oceans 5 Gili Air is an SSI Instructor Training Center, so candidates interested in continuing their professional education can discuss the pathway toward becoming an SSI Instructor.[1]

9. Why should I do my Divemaster training at Oceans 5 Gili Air?

The four-month program gives you time to gain experience instead of rushing through the certification. You train in a professional dive-center environment alongside experienced Divemasters, instructors and instructor trainers while experiencing real diving conditions around the Gili Islands.

10. How can I apply?

Indonesian Rescue Divers interested in the scholarship can contact Oceans 5 Gili Air and introduce themselves, explain their diving experience and provide information about their current certifications.

WhatsApp: +62 853 3339 7823
Email: [email protected]

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References

[1] Scuba Schools International (SSI) – SSI Training Standards, professional training requirements, Divemaster pathway, digital learning and professional education information. Current SSI standards and requirements should always be consulted when determining eligibility and certification requirements.

[2] Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF) – Information on the Coral Triangle, marine biodiversity and the importance of Indonesia within one of the world’s most biologically diverse marine regions.

[3] Oceans 5 Gili Air internal training records (2025–2026) – Indonesian Divemaster scholarship participation, graduate numbers and employment destinations referenced in this article.

SSI training standards, fees and professional registration requirements can change. Candidates should contact Oceans 5 Gili Air for the latest requirements and costs before enrolling.