Why not starting your PADI IDC at the Gili Islands in Indonesia? With so many different locations offering PADI Instructor Development Courses (IDCs) it can be overwhelming to know which location is best for you. Nowadays you can become a PADI Diving Instructor in almost any country around the world. But how do you pick the best place to begin your career as a diving instructor?
We know that the PADI IDC is a big investment. But we strongly believe you should decide where based on which location and centre is best for you and your future, not on price. Selecting the right place to do your IDC will help you kick start your life as an instructor and ensure a return on that investment. Here’s a few questions you should ask yourself when choosing where to do your PADI Instructor Development Course.
What are the diving conditions like at this IDC location?
Do you want to be diving in warm or cool waters? Is the water fresh or salt water? What is the visibility like? Are conditions calm or are there large swells? Is there strong current? Will you be diving from the shore or on a boat? Do the boats come back between each dive or are you out all day?
These are all questions you want to ask when selecting a location for your IDC. Diving varies greatly around the world. It’s important to consider what type of diving you enjoy and what conditions you want to be learning to teach in. We will be honest, we prefer tropical climates, but we understand that’s not for everyone.
The diving conditions around the Gili Islands
Gili Air in Indonesia is the whole year open for diving. The water temperature is between the 27 and 30 degrees Celsius. In the dry season the visibility will be around 30 meters. During the rainy season 15 meters.
Most of the dive sites are suitable for all level of divers, from beginners till advanced. And all dives are drift dives. This means we don’t have to dive back to the boat, but the boat will pick us up.
Where do you plan to work as a dive instructor after your Instructor Course?
As well as considering the conditions you like to dive in, it’s also beneficial to complete your Instructor Development Course in conditions similar to those you plan to work in. At least when you first start teaching. For example, if you plan to teach in Northern Europe where it’s often low visibility and requires a dry suit, you might not want to do your IDC in warm, crystal clear tropical waters. Before, during and after your IDC you have the opportunity to network and build connections in that location. You will also already be familiar with the dive practices specific to that area. You can then gain valuable experience in familiar dive conditions before moving on to a location.
What other professional dive training is available at this Instructor Training location?
In addition to the PADI Instructor Development Course, you often have the chance to complete further training to enhance your skills and employability. Have a look at what additional courses different IDC locations offer you, for example team teaching, Instructor Specialities, Master Scuba Diver Trainer Programs. All of these can help stand out from other new instructors and are often offered at special rates for IDC candidates. If you know you want to work towards becoming a PADI Staff Instructor, and perhaps Course Director, check out whether the IDC location or Course Director offer these opportunities.
PADI IDC Gili Islands and Master Scuba Diver Trainer program
PADI Course Director Sander offers a variety of extra training from free prep workshops to Instructor Specialities, MSDT training and even Disabled Divers International (DDI) Instructor training.
The diving around the Gili Islands gives Sander the opportunity to teach you all different kind of instructor specialties. If you are interested in wreck diving, Sander can take you to the wreck “Glenn Nusa” located at the North West side of Gili Trawangan. Would you like to know more about diving with disabled persons, remember that Sander is a Disabled Divers International Instructor Trainer Examiner. He can teach you all kind of different teaching techniques when you are diving with disabled persons. Or would you like to become sidemount specialty instructor, a self reliant diver specialty instructor, drift diver instructor or more, Sander will help you.
What is the experience of the PADI Course Director teaching the IDCs in this location?
One factor to consider is how experienced is the Course Director who will be teaching you. But experience is hard to quantify. It’s not just about the length of time someone has been a Course Director or how many IDCs they’ve taught. It’s also good to know where your Course Director has worked, do they experience teaching a variety of courses in different conditions?
Your Course Director plays a pivotal role in your development as an instructor. So it’s important you find the right one for you. Not only will you spend a couple of weeks training with them, but they will continue to be your mentor throughout your career. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with your potential Course Directors. They are there to answer your questions. If you don’t feel comfortable or reassured corresponding with your PADI Course Director, then it’s probably a sign to look for a different one.
PADI IDC Gili Islands with PADI Course Director Sander Buis
Not only does our Course Director Sander Buis have over 15 years of experience, he has also dived and taught in a huge variety of conditions. From the strong currents of Indonesia to the open ocean off Mozambique. Sander doesn’t teach you to pass the PADI Instructor Examination. He teaches you to become a confident scuba dive instructor!
What are the IDC facilities and accommodation like at this location?
To learn effectively, you need to be in the right environment. A spacious classroom, quiet areas for independent study and easy access to the water are all beneficial to your training. Does the location you are considering have adequate and spacious facilities?
- Is there a suitable training pool on site or do you prefer confined sessions to take place in the ocean?
- How good is the WIFI connection?
- Would you find adequate accommodation at this location?
- Do you want to stay at the IDC Centre or would you prefer offsite accommodatio
PADI IDC Gili Islands with Oceans 5 Gili Air
At our PADI IDC centre we have dedicated facilities specifically designed for teaching IDCs with air-conditioned classrooms, areas for independent study, large swimming pools and specific IDC boats. We strive to ensure you can train in a comfortable and relaxed environment. Oceans 5 Gili Air can offer accommodation onsite at our IDC location, or we can support you in finding different options offsite.
What is the location itself like?
You’re going to be living in this location for at least a few weeks, so you want to like the town, island or city you’ll be based in. Do you prefer a quiet tropical island, or do you like somewhere with more amenities and activities? As well as the actual PADI IDC centre, have a look at the location in which it is situated and make sure it suits your personality.
PADI IDC Gili Islands on Gili Air
Oceans 5 Gili Air is a beautiful coconut paradise island. You can find Gili Air at the North West dide of Lombok. Gili Air is part of the island group Gili Indah, or the Gili Islands.
Gili Air is famous because we don’t have cars and motorbikes on the island.
Take time to find the right IDC location for you.
The PADI Instructor Development Course is a big investment, not only financially, so it’s important you pick a location and Course Director that is right for you personally. Take time to consider what you want and need during your IDC, and when in doubt, go with your gut. It’s normally right.
PADI IDC Gili Islands in Indonesia
With a passionate Course Director Sander, Oceans 5 Gili Air offers an IDC location to suit everyone’s tastes and career aspirations. Choose from an extensive range of additional training including Speciality ratings, MSDT programs and even DDI Instructor training.