PUERTO RICO SCUBA FIELD GUIDE
4–5 Weeks to PADI Divemaster: an Internship That Puts You on Deck and Underwater in Puerto Rico
A 4/5‑week internship that combines PADI Advanced Open Water, Rescue, Emergency First Response and the Divemaster program with daily boat and beach dives — this guide explains what to expect and how to plan.
4–5 Weeks to PADI Divemaster: an Internship That Puts You on Deck and Underwater in Puerto Rico.
Become a PADI pro and kick-start a dive career by living and working from the dive centre for four to five weeks: days begin early with kit prep, two morning dives from boat or beach and afternoons that alternate extra dives, course study and hands‑on diver‑centre duties.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A full PADI progression from Advanced Open Water to Divemaster
The internship bundles the PADI Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver courses, Emergency First Response, and the Divemaster course with manuals and certification — plus unlimited diving aimed at reaching a minimum of 60 dives during the program.
Boat and beach diving with practical center duties
A typical day starts around 8:30 a.m. preparing and loading equipment for boat or beach departures, usually completing two morning dives and returning to the dive centre around 1:30–2:00 p.m., with afternoons for a possible extra dive or independent study; tank filling and kit washing are part of the internship routine.
Shared accommodation and included equipment hire
The package includes shared lodging with communal bathroom and kitchen, and free equipment hire for the internship (note that a dive computer is not included in the free hire).
What the day feels like
What the internship actually feels like
Expect a work‑intensive, immersion‑style experience: five weeks living at the dive centre, diving most days (typically 5–6 days per week), slotting formal courses into the calendar while assisting instructors and helping with essential dive‑centre tasks — long dive days, early starts and steady hands on gear form the rhythm.
THE TRAINING
A full PADI progression from Advanced Open Water to Divemaster
The internship bundles the PADI Advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver courses, Emergency First Response, and the Divemaster course with manuals and certification — plus unlimited diving aimed at reaching a minimum of 60 dives during the program.
THE DAILY RHYTHM
Boat and beach diving with practical center duties
A typical day starts around 8:30 a.m. preparing and loading equipment for boat or beach departures, usually completing two morning dives and returning to the dive centre around 1:30–2:00 p.m., with afternoons for a possible extra dive or independent study; tank filling and kit washing are part of the internship routine.
THE LIVING
Shared accommodation and included equipment hire
The package includes shared lodging with communal bathroom and kitchen, and free equipment hire for the internship (note that a dive computer is not included in the free hire).
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this internship suits — and who should think twice.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Bring personal items and budget for a dive computer rental if you don’t own one (free equipment hire does not include a dive computer); food and personal expenses are not included.
Plan to pay for diving insurance (≈40 euros for one year) and a local dive medical (≈20 euros); the Divemaster application fee and any instructor application fees are not included.
Accommodation is provided in a shared room with communal bathroom and kitchen; the package includes free equipment hire (excluding dive computers).
Days typically start around 8:30 a.m.; participants should be prepared for a workday that usually ends around 5:00 p.m. though times may vary with workload.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the internship?
The program runs for four or five weeks, with the description indicating a five‑week period during which courses and practical dive time are completed.
How many days per week will I be expected to participate?
Participants are asked to join the centre between 5 and 6 days per week during the internship.
Which PADI courses and certifications are included?
The package includes PADI Advanced Open Water, PADI Rescue Diver, Emergency First Response, the Divemaster course and associated manuals, slates and certifications as listed.
Is equipment provided?
Free equipment hire is included, but a dive computer is not covered by the free hire and must be rented separately if needed.
What additional costs should I expect?
Not included items listed are diving insurance (≈40 euros for one year), the Divemaster application fee, a local dive medical (≈20 euros), rental dive computer (if needed), food, and flights or travel costs.
How many dives will I do?
The internship offers free unlimited diving with a goal of reaching a minimum of 60 dives during the program.
Will I have to help with centre chores?
Yes; tank filling and equipment washing are part of the internship routine, though the description notes participants are not treated as 'slaves' and tasks are shared among the team.