Professional & Vocational Scuba Training Program

Ready to train with the best? Every course listed below is delivered as scheduled and taught by world-class PADI Course Directors and Instructors, recognized throughout the global dive industry for their humility, exceptional training standards, and dedicated mentorship. We do not cut corners.  No pool-only certifications, no watered-down instruction.  Our training is conducted in real-world ocean conditions—supported by professional instruction, strong safety standards, and environmental responsibility.

Step aboard Oʻahu’s largest dive vessel and take your giant stride into real-world ocean safety and eco-professional training. This is where serious ocean guardians and dive leaders are made.

Our course calendar is listed below.

Please review the schedule and select the course or courses that best align with your professional goals.

The Divemaster course is the first PADI professional-level certification (click to see PADI Course Flow Chart).  Upon completion, students may choose to advance through the following professional development pathways. 

All courses require in-person, on-site instructional hours in accordance with PADI standards and are delivered at Waikiki Dive Center.

Professional Development Pathways 

Divemaster (DM)

Assistant Instructor (AI)

DAN Diver & Emergency First Response – Professional Level (EFR)

Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI)

Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT)

Dedicated Hawaiian Master Scuba Diver – Waikiki Diver Specialties (Hawaiian MSD)
A distinctive & exclusive PADI Specialty Program taught only at Waikiki Dive Center

Instructor Development Course Staff Instructor (IDC Staff)

Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI)

Diver Propulsion Vehicle Instructor (DPV)

Full Face Mask Instructor (FFMI)

Sidemount Instructor (SMI)

Self-Reliant Instructor (SRI)

Drysuit Diver Instructor (DDI)

Adaptive Techniques Specialty Instructor (ATSI)

Tec Sidemount Instructor (Tec-S)

ITI Cylinder Inspection Technician (ITI Cylinder)

Please note that each course is designed for independent enrollment.  Students are encouraged to progress consecutively into advanced levels upon successful completion of each course.

The Divemaster certification is the first level of the PADI Professional rating. At Waikiki Dive Center, our Divemaster course is intentionally designed to go far beyond the standard program offered by most scuba schools.  Our Divemaster curriculum bundles all required prerequisite, recreational level certifications—from beginner diver (DSD), to Open Water Diver (OW), Advanced Open Water Diver (AOW), Emergency First Responder (EFR), Rescue Diver (RD)—along with five instructor-level specialties, elevating professional readiness from day one.  These five specialties (Deep Specialty, Navigation Specialty, Peak Performance Bouyancy Specialty, Night Diver Specialty, and the best yet, Search and Recovery Specialty) significantly expand a candidate’s skill set, maximize the VA students’ GI Bill® value, and position our graduates ahead of even the most elite dive professionals—right from the start.  This cutting-edge integrated practice builds confidence, expertise, and leadership depth well ahead of the conventional minimum training framework most scuba schools still operate today.