Travel as divemaster

[cassberk]

Hello all,
I am new to this site and hope to gain a lot of knowledge about diving as well as broadening my horizons of the sport. I am currently a college student and am interested in traveling after college. I don't have the funds to send myself around the globe, but figured that my love for diving could help me.
I was wondering how realistic it is to work around the world as a divemaster. I am not interested in making this a career, simply doing it for a year or two at different places around the world while putting a bit of money in my pocket. My main emphasis is on traveling but i love to dive and thought that integrating the two would be perfect. If anyone with any experience or knowledge on the subject could give me a realistic view on the matter id appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[String]

You need some money to get your flights. In some parts of the world if you're really lucky you might break even.

Don't forget the difficulty getting VISAs for lots of places as well. Also note working as a DM in lots of places is 12hours a day, 7 days a week.

Its a way of travelling cheaper than otherwise but thats about it.

 

[dkktsunami]

"Money in the pocket" is probably not likely.

 

[diver 85]

Hello all,
I am new to this site and hope to gain a lot of knowledge about diving as well as broadening my horizons of the sport. I am currently a college student and am interested in traveling after college. I don't have the funds to send myself around the globe, but figured that my love for diving could help me.
I was wondering how realistic it is to work around the world as a divemaster. I am not interested in making this a career, simply doing it for a year or two at different places around the world while putting a bit of money in my pocket. My main emphasis is on traveling but i love to dive and thought that integrating the two would be perfect. If anyone with any experience or knowledge on the subject could give me a realistic view on the matter id appreciate it. Thanks.

A wild guess here(& I base this on our son's 'adventures' as an instructor & UW photographer/ videographer working the dive business on Roatan for 3.5 years, left there on the Wind Star Cruises as a water sports director for 1.5 years, then finishing up working for Peter Hughes on 2 of his liveaboards for 1.5 years) but I think it would help ALOT if you were an instructor vs. a DM......I know his 1st 3 months on Roatan as a DM only(got his instructors' after the 1st 3 months) were really meek and very humbling---after that his opportunities really grew.......Good luck with your adventures but try for an instructor would be my advice......

 

[Thalassamania]

As an Instructor you might have a chance of scraping by.

 

[ChimChim75]

I recommend looking into English "teaching"... I did it and it's an awesome way to make good money and see the world. Usually only need a 4 year degree for teaching in Japan or Korea. Other countries may require a TESL or similar certification, but you can do it fairly quickly and cheaply online or in Thailand, etc... (Or get a fake one on Khao San Road... ) If you get that certification, you can always do that plus dive master. Neither is really a 40 hour work week.

A lot of times you are just entertaining lonely (loaded) housewives and (hot) young girls anyways.

A good online resource is Dave's ESL Cafe. Check it out. PM me if you want more info.

 

[Garrobo]

I think that teaching English in a foreign country would require that the teacher be able to converse in that country's native tongue. So you had better polish up your Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Swahili, etc. if you plan to travel around.

 

[Thalassamania]

I think that teaching English in a foreign country would require that the teacher be able to converse in that country's native tongue. So you had better polish up your Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Swahili, etc. if you plan to travel around.

Actually no. I know a number of people who teach ESL in Asia and they do no speak the native language.

 

[boulderjohn]

I think that teaching English in a foreign country would require that the teacher be able to converse in that country's native tongue. So you had better polish up your Spanish, French, Russian, Chinese, Swahili, etc. if you plan to travel around.

Most places will require a certificate for teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). It requires a little training, but it is easy to get. Here is one place to find out more: TEFL Courses with TEFL InternationalMany of the Asian countries are very hungry for this, so it will not be hard to get in.

In contrast, one of the problems with working as a divemaster in places like that is that it is not the same sort of thing as being a DM in many U.S. places. In many U.S. places, the DM is an assistant on the boat while the divers are on their own. In many of the prime resort places in the world, the DM is a knowledgeable diver who leads the dives and guides the tourists to the items of interest. It takes a while to pick up that local knowledge, so you can't just walk in and fill a spot.

Also, the advice to be an instructor is very good.

 

[cassberk]

Thank you for all your information and insight. I will definitely look into it. any further insight is also appreciated.