PADI Instructor Internship
Choosing a PADI Instructor Internship is one of the biggest steps you can take in your diving career, and it’s a journey I’ve helped hundreds of divers succeed in.
I’m Gary Phillips, PADI Platinum Course Director, and for more than three decades I’ve trained instructors across Asia.
The goal of this internship is simple: to give you the skills, confidence, and teaching ability needed to guide new divers safely while developing your own professional identity along the way.
Becoming a PADI Instructor (OWSI) transforms your passion for diving into a global teaching career, you'll learn with me at our 5 star PADI IDC centre in Pattaya
This programme guides you from Divemaster into a confident, capable educator ready to teach and certify new divers worldwide.

OWSI Instructor Course - No Limit Divers PADI IDC
Core Instructor Skills
The internship teaches the fundamental skills every PADI Instructor must master:
- Teaching in confined & open water
- Learning development & coaching techniques
- Safety, control, and problem management
- Conducting PADI programmes from beginner to advanced
Professional Readiness
You’ll learn how to deliver clear briefings, support diverse students, and maintain high standards throughout training sessions.
Where You Will Train
Your instructor training is delivered at No Limit Dive Centre, a PADI 5★ Instructor Development Centre in Pattaya.
Expect:
- Daily mentorship from Gary
- Warm tropical water ideal for teaching
- A high-volume training centre where you gain real experience
Supportive, Real-World Development
Gary’s mentoring blends structure with confidence building. One candidate once said the turning point came when Gary reminded them:
“Teach the diver in front of you, not the page in the manual.”
Simple insights like that elevate your teaching style.
IDC Core Components
Your Instructor Internship includes the essential IDC elements:
- Knowledge development workshops
- Confined water presentation training
- Open water teaching scenarios
- Standards, procedures, and risk management
Additional Skills You'll Build
- Demonstration-quality skills
- Student assessment and control
- Course flow and session planning
The programme stays focused on shaping you into a confident, safety driven educator, without overwhelming you with unnecessary theory at this stage.
Entry Requirements
You can join the Instructor Internship if you:
- Are a certified PADI Divemaster (or equivalent)
- Hold current EFR training
- Have logged the required number of dives
- Are medically fit for diving
(You do not need deep academic knowledge before arrival, Gary will guide you step by step.)
Professional Opportunities
After completing your internship and Instructor Examination (IE), you can:
- Teach PADI courses worldwide
- Work in dive centres across Asia
- Continue your pathway toward MSDT and or Staff Instructor
How long is the PADI Instructor Internship?
Most candidates complete the IDC and IE within 2–3 weeks, with optional pre-study.
Do I need to be a strong public speaker?
No. Clear, simple communication is what matters. Gary helps you develop your own teaching style.
Is the Instructor Examination difficult?
It’s challenging but fair. With solid preparation, most candidates succeed on their first attempt.
Can I do Divemaster and Instructor Internship together?
Yes. Many divers choose the combined pathway.

Classroom Session - OWSI Instructor Course

Pool Session - OWSI Instructor Course

Ocean Session - OWSI Instructor Course
Take The Next Step
Every year I meet divers who dream of turning their passion into a career, and the PADI Instructor Internship is where that transformation takes place.
My approach is calm, structured, and focused on real teaching experience, because creating new divers is a responsibility that deserves solid training, not shortcuts.
Thailand remains one of the best places in the world to complete a scuba internship because we have warm water & great visibility year round.
A diverse marine life ideal for learning, the affordable living costs compared to the UK, EU & the USA and not forgetting a global community of divers.
I'm only a call away on WhatsApp
Gary Phillips, PADI Platinum Course Director - Owner No Limit Divers

2026 Instructor Internships - Will You Be Our Next Intern ?
