Turn your passion for diving into a professional career with the SSI Instructor Training Course at Oceans 5 Gili Air.
Our 16-day SSI ITC Indonesia program combines knowledge development, practical workshops, confined water teaching and open water presentations. Develop the skills and judgement needed to prepare for the SSI Instructor Evaluation and teach students after certification.
With a maximum of six candidates per course, you receive individual guidance, regular feedback and time to improve your teaching skills.
Course duration: 16 days
Group size: Maximum six candidates
Instructor Trainer: Warren “Waz” Beyers
Location: Oceans 5 Gili Air, Indonesia
Instructor Evaluation: Scheduled separately after the ITC
What Is the SSI Instructor Training Course?
The SSI Instructor Training Course prepares qualified Divemasters to progress towards becoming SSI Open Water Instructors.
The program includes the Assistant Instructor and Open Water Instructor training components. You develop your ability to explain diving theory, demonstrate skills, organise training sessions and manage students in the water.
At Oceans 5, we also focus on the decisions instructors make during real courses: recognising difficulties, adapting explanations and helping students progress at an appropriate pace.
Small Groups and Personal Guidance
Learning to teach takes practice, feedback and individual attention. Each ITC at Oceans 5 is limited to six candidates so your Instructor Trainer can follow your development closely.
You will have opportunities to practise presentations, review your performance and work on areas that need improvement. The aim is to help you develop a clear teaching approach and understand the reasons behind your instructional decisions.
Train with Instructor Trainer Waz
Warren “Waz” Beyers leads SSI Instructor Training at Oceans 5 Gili Air.
Throughout the course, Waz works with candidates on presentation skills, student management, problem-solving and professional judgement. His approach connects instructor training with the situations you may encounter when teaching your own students.
Ask questions, discuss different teaching approaches and use feedback to strengthen your skills throughout the ITC.
What You Will Learn
Your ITC combines classroom sessions, practical workshops and in-water teaching practice.
Knowledge Development
Practise presenting diving concepts clearly, using SSI teaching materials and checking student understanding. Learn how to connect theory with the decisions divers make before and during a dive.
Confined Water Teaching
Develop your skill demonstrations, positioning, communication and student supervision. Practise identifying common difficulties and helping students improve through clear guidance.
Open Water Teaching
Prepare briefings, organise teaching presentations and manage students in ocean conditions. Develop your awareness of positioning, buoyancy, group control and environmental responsibility.
Rescue and Problem-Solving
Strengthen your ability to recognise problems, respond appropriately and make considered decisions. Practical scenarios help connect your existing rescue skills with your responsibilities as an instructor.
SSI Standards and Professional Practice
Learn how to use SSI standards when planning and conducting training. Discuss course organisation, student records, feedback and the professional responsibilities involved in diver education.
Prepare for Teaching Real Students
Your training takes place within an active dive centre, where student courses, boat departures and changing ocean conditions form part of everyday operations.
Workshops help you consider how to adapt a session when a student needs more time, how to explain a skill differently and how to maintain awareness of the whole group.
Buoyancy control and environmental awareness are central to our approach. You will develop the ability to demonstrate and teach skills while maintaining control and setting a responsible example.
Instructor Training Facilities
Oceans 5 brings classroom, pool and ocean training together at one location on Gili Air.
- Two large training pools for confined water sessions and workshops
- A 25-metre main pool with different training depths
- Dedicated classroom space
- Diving equipment and an on-site compressor facility
- Dive boats for training around the Gili Islands
This setup gives you space to practise and helps you become familiar with the practical organisation of a working dive centre.
Who Can Join the SSI ITC?
To begin the SSI Instructor Training Course, you must meet the following entry requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have held an Open Water Diver certification or higher for at least six months before starting the ITC
- Have logged at least 60 open water dives totalling 40 hours or more
- Hold an SSI Divemaster certification or an equivalent from a recognised training agency
- Hold an SSI Enriched Air Nitrox 40 certification or an equivalent from a recognised training agency
The dive count and total underwater time are separate requirements: you need to meet both before starting the course.
If your Divemaster or Nitrox qualification was issued by another recognised training agency, send us your certification details so we can review your eligibility.
Before booking, our team will also review the applicable general professional requirements, including your emergency training, medical clearance and required documentation.
Not a Divemaster Yet?
Dreaming of becoming an SSI Dive Instructor but haven’t completed your Divemaster training? Oceans 5 Gili Air offers a professional SSI Divemaster Internship to help you take the next step in your diving career.
Gain practical experience in a working dive centre, develop your dive leadership skills and prepare for further professional education. Once you meet the required prerequisites, you can continue your journey through our SSI Instructor Training Course at Oceans 5.
The SSI Instructor Evaluation
After successfully completing the ITC, you can progress to the SSI Open Water Instructor Evaluation, provided you meet the evaluation prerequisites.
The Instructor Evaluation, also referred to as the IE, assesses whether you meet SSI’s required instructor standards.
Requirements Before Your Evaluation
- Have successfully completed the Instructor Training Course
- Have logged at least 100 open water dives totalling 65 hours or more
You can start the ITC with 60 open water dives and 40 hours of underwater time. Before attending the Instructor Evaluation, you must have reached at least 100 open water dives and 65 hours.
If you have not yet reached the evaluation requirements, contact us before choosing your course dates. We can discuss how much additional diving you need and help you plan your arrival. Do not assume that the ITC itself will provide all the dives needed to reach the required total.
Instructor Evaluations are scheduled on Gili Air, allowing you to complete your evaluation in familiar surroundings. Check the course calendar for the ITC and evaluation dates that match your plans.
Course Duration and Training Depth
SSI recommends 70–80 hours for completion of the Instructor Training Course. At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we organise the program over 16 days, allowing time for workshops, teaching practice, feedback and preparation for the evaluation.
The SSI standard sets a maximum open water depth limit of 40 metres for this program. This is a maximum limit, rather than a required depth for every training dive. Individual sessions are planned according to their objectives, conditions and applicable standards.
Teach with Marine Responsibility
Training in the Gili Matra marine protected area brings environmental awareness into everyday teaching.
Instructor candidates are expected to demonstrate controlled buoyancy, avoid unnecessary contact with the underwater environment and understand the example they set for students.
By connecting diving skills with responsible behaviour, you can help your future students become more aware and considerate divers.
Why Train on Gili Air?
The Gili Islands offer a range of diving conditions that support professional development, from reef dives to sites affected by currents.
These conditions give you opportunities to develop situational awareness, adapt your planning and consider how student needs influence your teaching decisions.
Outside course hours, Gili Air offers accommodation, restaurants and cafés close to the dive centre. Oceans 5’s location near the harbour also makes arrival and daily arrangements convenient.
Course Prices and Booking
Review the instructor course prices before booking. The price page separates the Oceans 5 training fee from SSI materials, registration and evaluation fees, and explains what is included.
Our team can help you confirm availability, check your prerequisites and plan your arrival before the course begins.
When contacting us, please include:
- Your age and preferred course dates
- The date you first became an Open Water Diver
- Your Divemaster and Nitrox certification details
- Your current number of logged open water dives
- Your total logged underwater hours
This helps us check both your ITC entry requirements and your readiness for the Instructor Evaluation.
Continue Developing After Your ITC
After qualifying as an SSI Open Water Instructor, you can continue expanding your teaching skills and instructor qualifications.
Additional Specialty Instructor Ratings
Our five-day Divemaster Instructor development package offers training in Drift Diving, Deep Diving, Navigation, Night Diving and one Ecology Specialty of your choice.
The package broadens your teaching portfolio and supports progression towards DMI recognition. The recognition itself requires you to meet SSI’s applicable instructor-rating and certification requirements.
Assistant Instructor Trainer
As you gain experience and meet the relevant prerequisites, you can consider Assistant Instructor Trainer training. This develops the coaching, presentation and evaluation skills used to support future dive professionals.
Ready to Become an SSI Instructor?
Take your next professional step with instructor training at Oceans 5 Gili Air. Develop your teaching skills through small-group training, individual feedback and practical experience.
Choose your preferred course dates, review the prices and contact us if you need help checking your qualifications.
Lily Hancock
I completed my Instructor Development Course (IDC) last year with Course Director Waz at Oceans 5. Waz made me feel very confident in my knowledge, and I felt very supported throughout the course. I have since returned to complete the Instructor Training Course (ITC) and received the same level of support throughout the 16-day programme.
Waz has an amazing level of knowledge and experience, which I found very reassuring while training with him to become a professional. There is never a dull day in the classroom, pool or ocean with him and Sander around.
The team teaching internship offered by Oceans 5 has allowed me to spend time gaining experience as an instructor, as well as learning valuable lessons from real-life situations and the instructors working here. This opportunity has helped me gain confidence in myself and prepared me to start my career in the diving industry.
The whole team at Oceans 5 is very friendly and welcoming, and I would definitely recommend this dive shop for any course, from beginner to professional level. After spending an extended amount of time on Gili Air, I have made many friends who I will stay in touch with for life, and I thank Oceans 5 for that 🩵