Become a Professional PADI Instructor and Start Teaching Anywhere in the World

Are you ready to take the final step in your professional diving career? The PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) course is your gateway to becoming a fully certified PADI Instructor, enabling you to teach and inspire new generations of divers. With Diving Group Portofino, you will complete your training in the stunning surroundings of Portofino Marine Protected Area, one of the most renowned diving destinations in Italy and Europe.

Our Instructor Development Course (IDC) is designed to prepare and qualify you to succeed in the PADI Instructor Examination (IE) and to give you the skills and confidence to work as a dive professional anywhere in the world.

What is the IDC (Instructor Development Course)?

The IDC programme is the official PADI training pathway to become an instructor. It is divided into two main parts:

  • Assistant Instructor (AI) course — 3 days
  • OWSI (Open Water Scuba Instructor) course — 4 days

Together, they form a 7-day intensive training programme, after which you will be eligible to take the PADI Instructor Examination (IE).

You will also complete an online preparation (PADI eLearning) before the in-person training, equivalent to approximately 2 days of classroom work. This allows you to maximise your practical training time with our PADI Course Director, Alessandro Di Mase.

Why Choose Diving Group Portofino for Your OWSI Course?

At Diving Group Portofino, we are not a training factory — we focus on quality, not quantity. Our goal is to develop confident, knowledgeable, and skilled instructors who are fully prepared for a successful career in diving.

You will work closely with Alessandro Di Mase, our experienced and highly respected PADI Course Director, and his team of Master Instructors. With their personal guidance, you will face real-life teaching scenarios, develop professional-level skills, and gain a deep understanding of how to be an effective instructor — not just pass the exam.

What sets us apart:

  • Small groups for personalised attention and tailored feedback
  • Real-life scenarios and problem-solving exercises
  • Full focus on developing your strengths and improving weaknesses
  • A professional but supportive learning environment

What You Will Learn During the PADI OWSI Course

Our IDC programme covers everything you need to become a competent, professional PADI Instructor. You will learn how to:

1. Teach Academic Knowledge

  • Conduct classroom-based theoretical lessons
  • Adapt your teaching to different student needs

2. Conduct Confined Water Training

  • Manage students in shallow water environments
  • Demonstrate and evaluate dive skills clearly and effectively

3. Conduct Open Water Training

  • Supervise and instruct students during open water dives
  • Manage student safety and logistics in real dive environments

4. Plan, Sell, and Teach PADI Courses

  • Organise and conduct key PADI courses:
    • Open Water Diver
    • Advanced Open Water Diver
    • Rescue Diver
    • Divemaster
  • Promote and sell PADI programs and courses effectively

5. Operate as a PADI Instructor

  • Understand PADI’s standards, procedures, and educational philosophy
  • Use PADI services and tools to support your teaching
  • Learn how to manage risk and ensure diver safety
  • Develop professional conduct, communication, and customer service skills

What You Will Be Qualified to Teach as an OWSI

Once certified as a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, you will be authorised to teach a full range of PADI programs, including:

  • Discover Scuba Diving (DSD)
  • Scuba Diver
  • Open Water Diver
  • Advanced Open Water Diver
  • Rescue Diver
  • Divemaster
  • PADI Specialties (after completing specialty instructor training)

This qualification allows you to work worldwide in dive centres, resorts, and liveaboards — or even start your own diving business.

Our Personalised Approach and Support

From day one, Diving Group Portofino will offer 360-degree support during your training and stay in Santa Margherita Ligure. We will help you arrange:

  • Accommodation solutions (special deals for our candidates)
  • Local logistics and travel information
  • Ongoing mentoring and advice

You will be part of the Diving Group Portofino family, and we will assist you not only in passing the Instructor Exam, but also in preparing for a successful career as a PADI Instructor.

Our friendly but professional environment means you will get honest feedback, personal coaching, and real-life training situations that will challenge you to grow. We believe that constructive feedback is essential to helping you achieve your personal best — always with a smile and positive attitude.

Meet Your Course Director: Alessandro Di Mase

Alessandro Di Mase, PADI Course Director and head of instructor training at DGP, brings years of teaching experience to every course. His approach is based on practical, real-life preparation, ensuring that every candidate not only succeeds in the Instructor Examination, but also feels confident to start teaching independently from day one.

Alessandro and his team are passionate about mentoring the next generation of dive professionals, combining high standards with a supportive teaching style.

Prerequisites for Joining the OWSI Course

To enrol in the PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor course, you must:

  • Be a certified PADI Divemaster (or hold an equivalent leadership-level certification from another agency)
  • Have completed EFR (Emergency First Response) Primary and Secondary Care training within the last 24 months
  • Have logged at least 60 dives to start the course, and 100 dives to attend the Instructor Examination
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Hold a medical certificate signed by a physician within the past 12 months, stating you are fit to dive

Start Your Career as a PADI Instructor with Diving Group Portofino

Ready to take the leap and become a PADI Instructor? Contact us today for full details about course dates, availability, and prices for our IDC and OWSI programmes in Santa Margherita Ligure.

Take your diving career to the next level — train with the experts in one of Italy’s top diving destinations!