Thinking about becoming a PADI instructor? We get it, we did it too! So to give you an idea of what this is like, let's dive into a typical day in the life of one of our PADI Instructors at Purple Dive, the lovely Ardi.
6:00 AM - Rise and Shine
The day starts early for Ardi. The sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon, painting the sky in pink and orange. A quick breakfast of fresh tropical fruits and strong Balinese coffee provides the energy needed for the day ahead!
7:00 AM - Dive Shop Prep
Arriving at the dive shop, our instructor begins by checking the day's schedule and preparing the necessary equipment. Ardi checks their guest's paperwork and prepare any skills or briefings they need to explain to their students that day.
7:30 AM - Briefing
As students begin to arrive, Ardi conducts a thorough briefing, covering the day's dives and skills, potential marine life encounters, and safety procedures. Once everyone is up to speed, it's time to jump in the truck and head out to the boat.
8:30 AM - First Dive of the Day
The boat arrives at Manta Point, one of Nusa Penida's most famous dive sites. Ardi leads a group of Advanced students on their navigation dive. His students complete the navigation skills with ease, and are rewarded with several manta ray sightings along the way!
9:30 AM - Surface Interval
Back on the boat, it's time for a surface interval. Coffee or tea and biscuits for all, while enjoying the views of Nusa Penida's coastline. Ardi uses this time to debrief the skills from the first dive, and prepare for our second Advanced dive of the day, the Fish ID dive.
10:30 AM - Second Dive
The second dive of the day takes place at Crystal Bay, known for its crystal-clear waters and the possibility of encountering the elusive mola mola (sunfish). Ardi guides the students on the dive site, while the register the fish they are seeing at they go along.
12:30 PM - Lunch Break
After returning to shore and the dive center, there's time for a tasty local lunch that is already waiting for them. Ardi enjoys some nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice) while chatting with students about their morning dives. After lunch, they log the dives together and discuss the dive plan for the next day.
2:30 PM - Afternoon Pool Session
Ardi is now done with his Advanced students, and he is getting ready to conduct a refresher session in the pool for a couple of divers that have not been diving for a couple of years. They go over equipment set up and some basic skills like mask clearing, buoyancy, alternate regulator use. After 90 minutes, the divers are ready to go diving tomorrow!
4:00 PM - Equipment Set Up
As the day winds down, it's time to prepare all the diving equipment for tomorrow. Ardi packs everything that is needed for tomorrow's dives for himself and his divers.
5 PM - Go Home!
Ardi is now done for today and is ready to go home and unwinds! He goes along the coast of Nusa Penida on his way home, driving the coastal road and enjoying the view. Now it's time for a well deserved dinner and some rest before tomorrow's dives!
Being a PADI Instructor is more than just a job—it's a lifestyle. It combines the thrill of diving in world-class locations with the satisfaction of sharing knowledge and passion with others. While the days can be long and physically demanding, we can honestly say it's one of the best jobs in the world! If you've ever dreamed of turning your love for diving into a profession, get in touch with us to become a PADI Instructor!
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