Take the next step in your diving journey with our Divemaster program! As a professional development course, it is designed to elevate your skills and open doors for future growth.
This is a rare opportunity as we only run this course once per year and accept just four candidates per class. Our focus isn’t on the quantity of students. It’s on delivering exceptional instruction and ensuring every participant gets the most out of the experience. This course produces highly skilled, confident, and professional divers who are prepared to lead dives and mentor others.
Information Sessions
Our interest session is a great time to sit down with the course instructor, Patrick, and go over your goals and expectations for a professional diving course.
January 17th, 2026
2 pm – 3 pm
Gypsy Divers Aquatic Center
3561 Bastion Ln, Raleigh, NC 27604
Information Session Sign-up!
The Dive Guide course
This program will take place this spring and includes the Dive Guide and Science of Diving courses. It consists of 5 classroom and pool sessions and 4 open water workshops.
Price: $1,400*
*Professional Courses and Programs are non-refundable
Certification Requirements:
- Meet active status SSI Professional Requirements
- Pass SSI Science of Diving final exam
- Pass the dive guide final exam
- Pass evaluations, including
- Tread water for 15 minutes without using any aids or floatation of any kind
- Swim 800 yards with mask, fins, and snorkel within 20 minutes
- Swim underwater 25 yards using a mask, fins, and snorkel
- Perform unconscious diver on the surface rescue for 100 yards within 8 minutes
- Swim 400 yards within 12 minutes (Gypsy standard)
What can Divemasters do?
Divemasters are taught to lead already certified divers on underwater tours and assist with courses.
While completion does not guarantee employment, it provides the foundation for pursuing advanced certifications and career opportunities in the diving industry. At the end of the course, we’ll review your progress and discuss personalized next steps to help you continue your professional development.
What prerequisites do I need?
To become a Divemaster, you need to be at least 18 years old and have:
- Equipment that includes a Total Diving System, exposure protection, SMB, finger reels, lights, and a navigation system
- 60 logged dives for at least 40 hours
- Master Diver rating
- Specialties:
- Navigation
- Night & Limited Visibility
- Deep Diving
- Enriched Air Nitrox
- Stress and Rescue
- Current RSTC Medical Statement Form, signed off by an MD/DO in the past 12 months on SSI
- Certifications
- CPR
- First-Aid
- Oxygen First-Aid