There are plenty of options available for those scuba addicts among us that want to join the ranks of scuba professionals. Training to become a Divemaster is a challenging and rewarding experience. The length of time that you take to complete all the elements isn't fixed, so you can do it over a year with your local dive shop - perhaps combining e-learning with weekend pool or open water sessions. Or you can technically complete all the tasks in a couple of weeks of intense study and activity. How to decide? I did a lot of research before deciding what to do. Read on for my research criteria as well as my experience as a DiveMasterTrainee!
When I was picking where to do my training I had the following criteria:
All these things, and a desire to visit Mexico as a backpacker, led me to XTC dive center which is located in the village of Xcalak on the Yucatan Peninsular. Their website had lots of helpful information. The diving in that part of Mexico is world famous and they are based in a little village with no other dive centres. Their programme allowed me to pick how long to do the course (1, 2, or 3 months) for the same cost meaning, I’d get plenty of diving and plenty of experience for my money. The location in a remote village wouldn’t have suited everyone - a few tiny stores and a visiting veggie truck were the only shopping opportunities, but I was too busy diving, running through the mangrove forests and sleeping to do much else.
When I was picking where to do my training I had the following criteria:
- Amazing diving - I wanted to experience a famous dive destination with amazing marine life.
- Live in a real place - I didn’t want to be stuck in a resort place, but somewhere that felt like real a community. I wanted to use it as an authentic travel experience.
- Work experience - the ability to gain experience with real clients is very important if you want to work in this industry
- A reputable operation - obviously I wanted to read reviews and communicate with the dive centre before committing large amounts of money!
All these things, and a desire to visit Mexico as a backpacker, led me to XTC dive center which is located in the village of Xcalak on the Yucatan Peninsular. Their website had lots of helpful information. The diving in that part of Mexico is world famous and they are based in a little village with no other dive centres. Their programme allowed me to pick how long to do the course (1, 2, or 3 months) for the same cost meaning, I’d get plenty of diving and plenty of experience for my money. The location in a remote village wouldn’t have suited everyone - a few tiny stores and a visiting veggie truck were the only shopping opportunities, but I was too busy diving, running through the mangrove forests and sleeping to do much else.
Tarpon - giant silver fish - the celebrities of La Poza dive site
The divemaster training is demanding. Within hours of arriving I was learning to fill tanks and prepare kit, with in-between moments spent studying the divemaster textbook. Before I arrived, I was nervous about the five swim tests. I was soon distracted from worrying by the incredible marine life I saw on my first few dives, turtles and manatees were my favourite, without even mentioning the bright corals and sponges teaming with colour fish that we saw on every single dive. And fish whose names I was starting to learn through my studying. Within a week I was assisting instructors with clients, precisely the experience I had come to get. The swim tests, when they came, were demanding. I did cry at one point. But with patient instructors I managed to get through all the requirements before being forced home by some pandemic or other.
The remote location of Xcalak, amidst the mangroves of the Mexico-Belize border, isn’t the only thing that makes XTC so special. An added bonus for me was the number of divemaster trainees. I wasn’t aware there would be others training at the same time (I didn’t think to ask!), but it was great to share experiences with my fellow students. It meant we could help each other, pair-up for skills practice and pretend to be unresponsive divers for each other. Not to mention the social aspect of hanging out together when the work was done. I’ve made forever friends in Xcalak.
If you’re thinking about becoming a divemaster then I would suggest researching all the different options. Do you have 6 months to spare? Then you can find full internships where you work until you've paid off your training. If you are doing it alongside your regular work, then your local dive shop will be able to organise online theory sessions with open water training sessions as and when they can happen. For me, I wouldn't have picked anywhere else. XTC has great facilities, fantastic diving and excellent instructors and course director. I loved living in a remote village and immersing myself in the world of being a dive professional. Now, when can I go diving next....
Have you decided to take on divemaster training? Did you complete your training somewhere special? Do you want advice on how to pick somewhere? Comment below.
The remote location of Xcalak, amidst the mangroves of the Mexico-Belize border, isn’t the only thing that makes XTC so special. An added bonus for me was the number of divemaster trainees. I wasn’t aware there would be others training at the same time (I didn’t think to ask!), but it was great to share experiences with my fellow students. It meant we could help each other, pair-up for skills practice and pretend to be unresponsive divers for each other. Not to mention the social aspect of hanging out together when the work was done. I’ve made forever friends in Xcalak.
If you’re thinking about becoming a divemaster then I would suggest researching all the different options. Do you have 6 months to spare? Then you can find full internships where you work until you've paid off your training. If you are doing it alongside your regular work, then your local dive shop will be able to organise online theory sessions with open water training sessions as and when they can happen. For me, I wouldn't have picked anywhere else. XTC has great facilities, fantastic diving and excellent instructors and course director. I loved living in a remote village and immersing myself in the world of being a dive professional. Now, when can I go diving next....
Have you decided to take on divemaster training? Did you complete your training somewhere special? Do you want advice on how to pick somewhere? Comment below.
Divemaster life
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