As a diving instructor you will find that it is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, but it can also be quite tough. All depending on where you work, but we can talk about that a little more later.

Some people don’t think of it a “real” job at all – only a hobby / pleasure that you get paid for, but what’s wrong with that?

Marc Anthony famously said

“If you do what you love, you'll never work a day in your life.”

So, let’s have a closer look at some misconceptions that people have about working as a diving instructor…

Diving instructor is not a “real” job– it’s a hobby!

Who says it’s not a real job! Being a PADI Dive Instructor is great and yes, it is a job, and can be very demanding one at times – both physically and emotionally.

Mostly you will work 6 or sometimes 7 days a week and the hours are not always 9 to 5, especially if you are working in a seasonal region, where you have the highs and the lows in guest flow. But the slow days make up for the busy days making everything equal and an easy life overall.

During the working day not only do you have to dive (that is the easiest part) but there are plenty of other tasks to do. These include assuming responsibility for your divers from the beginning to the end of their experience, transport, logistics and equipment and don’t forget diver’s safety.

Every dive is great…. Or is it?

As a PADI Diving Instructor or guide, you will not get to discover new diving locations every day and you will get to know your daily dives like the back of your hand.

Hopefully you will get to dive the “best” dives in your region, nevertheless things might get a little same same. The key to keeping it fresh is to focus on your guests as they will make every day a bit different, with the possibility to see different creatures (they move), and just maybe you’ll discover something that will surprise you.

You will have a bad days, but that happens in every job and to everyone! But luckily you always have a chance to revisit that dive site and have a nicer experience.

You’re a Diving Instructor because you cannot do anything else!

You’re a PADI Diving Instructor because you can! Some people think becoming a diving instructor is easy and anybody can do it, this is not the case. Just by talking to any diving instructor will show you how much effort, persistence and learning it takes to become one. Very often people who decide to become instructors are highly educated, speak a several languages and maybe even had a ‘proper’ job, before seeing the light.

Becoming a PADI Instructor gives you the opportunity create an enjoyable life and a different way to make a living. You need to remember you do something daily that others work for 50 weeks a year of their world, just to have 2 weeks in your world.

Diving instructors earn a lot of money

The truth is you won’t earn a fortune, but you can earn enough for a good, happy, and relaxed life. But there are ways to make more money now online or have the online skills that you can bring to the table in addition to your diving and language skills.

Plus, if you are living on a paradise island, what do you need more than a pair of sandals anyway? Unless you want to spend it on a new dive of equipment…

Diving instructors know everything about… everything

Not true, but that’s not important! The truth is that some diving instructors know a lot about equipment, others are experts at marine life, but nobody knows everything. So, when you have students and they ask you a question that you have no idea how to answer, just send them to your colleague who knows more!

Play to your strengths, but don’t let this put you of from becoming a PADI Instructor on The Waterhoppers IDC, you will be learning the knowledge you need to be able to teach with confidence. Your extra knowledge and skills are a bonus.

You must be a strong, fit and a guy to be a PADI Instructor.

Not true, Diving is available to practically everybody, although being a diving instructor does require a bit more than just being a diver. If you want to be an instructor, you should be relatively fit and healthy but there’s no need to spend all your free time in the gym! PADI Dive Instructors are normal people, with a passion for diving, who want to share that passion with others.

You must be crazy to do it

Some people think diving is dangerous, strenuous and crazy, so people who work in diving industry must be absolutely mad. Who would willingly spend a few hours underwater, carry heavy tanks and still smile at the end of the day?

The secret is – diving instructors are not crazy, they are just passionate about what we do. No matter what people say, being a diving instructor can be the best job in the world, giving levels of satisfaction and happiness beyond that of “real” job.

So, now you want to be a PADI Instructor, that’s great! It just so happens we have an IDC in April. For more information contact Jill via email on info@waterhoppers.com and start creating you best life.

Plus, at The Waterhoppers, we only work 6 days a week in general, 7 days if you want. With our 35 years of experience, we know how to run a stress-free operation, giving the best experience to our guests and team.

If you would like to be part of The Waterhoppers team, we would love to hear from you, contact Toni via email with CV to toni@waterhoppers.com.

Blog inspired by https://blog.padi.com/diving-instructor-is-it-really-the-easiest-job-in-the-world/