Eco Divemaster Program
Become a Conservation Leader
You want to start your PADI Divemaster Course, but you also want to understand the ocean on a deeper level? Its ecosystems, its inhabitants, and the challenges it faces. Most importantly, you want to inspire others to protect it.
That’s why we created the Dive with a Purpose Eco Divemaster Program: a training path for ocean advocates who want to go beyond the Divemaster Course. This program combines the PADI Divemaster Course with a strong foundation in marine biology, citizen science, and sustainable dive practices.
The Eco Divemaster Program includes hands-on marine research, field projects, interactive lectures, and land-based experiences in partnership with NatureMind-ED. You’ll graduate as a confident dive leader, equipped to integrate conservation into every aspect of your work.
Why should I sign up for this course?
As a future divemaster, you’ll interact with divers from all over the world. At a time when the ocean faces growing challenges, such as coral bleaching, plastic pollution, and mangrove loss, you are in a unique position to inspire change.
This course empowers you to lead by example, encourage responsible diving, and invite others to take part in meaningful conservation initiatives. The knowledge and experience you gain will turn your passion into impact. You don’t need to be a marine biologist to protect the ocean. But you do need the right knowledge to make your motivation count.
Based in Ao Nang, you’ll learn in an exceptional natural classroom. From mangroves to coral reefs, the diverse local ecosystems offer the perfect setting to learn through observation and hands-on action. You’ll contribute directly to conservation efforts and take these skills and insights with you wherever your diving journey leads next.
We have incorporated conservation into many aspects of your divemaster experience:
Ecological Roles
Identify and explain the ecological roles of coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangroves, reef fish, invertebrates, turtles, elasmobranchs, and megafauna in the Andaman Sea.
Citizen Science Programs
Participate in and contribute to citizen science programs such as CoralWatch, Reef Check, Seagrass Watch, Dive Against Debris, Shark Trust, and more.
Sustainable Diving Practices
Apply and model sustainable diving practices in professional dive operations.
Integrated In Our Daily Activities
Design and deliver engaging eco-briefings, conservation talks, or workshops for certified divers and local communities.
Not Only In Our Oceans
Take part in land-based environmental projects (permaculture, habitat restoration, youth conservation camps, community engagement).
Dive In An Eco-friendly Way
At Fast Manta, environmental responsibility is at the core of everything we do. From reducing single-use plastics on our boats to teaching neutrally buoyant (no kneeling on the sand) and following Green Fins practices, you’ll learn to dive responsibly. You’ll also take part in some of our conservation initiatives, such as Dive Against Debris or beach cleanups.
Course Duration
The Eco Divemaster Program typically runs for 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the season, weather conditions, and your personal preferences.
Each week generally includes around 4 days dedicated to the divemaster program, 2 days focused on the conservation workshops, and 1 day off for self-study, independent reviews, updating your personal dive log, and some well-deserved rest. Dive days generally start around 7AM and finish early, usually between 2PM and 3PM, leaving your afternoons free for other activities.
While the schedule remains flexible, you can view a typical 8-week schedule. The course wraps up with the famous snorkel test.
Typical 8-week schedule
| Week | Divemaster focus | Conservation focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | – Course orientation & logistics – Dive theory introduction – Peak performance buoyancy workshop – Beach clean-up or dive against debris | – Foundations module – Foundations field or dive activity |
| 2 | – Assist Open Water Diver course – Dive site setup & management workshop – Dive briefing workshop – Water skills exercises – Skills circuit practice – Coral observation & monitoring dive | – Coral reefs module – Coral reefs field or dive activity |
| 3 | – Assist Discover Scuba Diving sessions – Rescue scenario workshop – Dive briefing & guiding practice – Fish ID in dive briefings | – Fish & invertebrates module – Fish & invertebrates field or dive activity |
| 4 | – Assist Advanced Open Water course – Search & recovery workshop – Skills circuit practice – Dive briefing & guiding practice | – Seagrass & mangroves module – Seagrass & mangroves field or dive activity |
| 5 | – Emergency assistant plan – Conduct emergency scenario drills – Dive briefing & guiding practice – Theory Exam 1 | – Sharks & megafauna module – Sharks & megafauna field or dive activity |
| 6 | – Deep dive workshop – Skills circuit practice – Dive briefing & guiding practice – Theory Exam 2 | – Human impacts module – Human impacts field or dive activity |
| 7 | – Dive site mapping workshop – Dive briefing & guiding practice – Final skills circuit – Final knowledge reviews | – Conservation leadership module – Conservation leadership field or dive activity |
| 8 | – Final dive briefing & guiding under supervision – Snorkel test! | – Project week module – Capstone & reflection |
Divemaster vs. Eco Divemaster
What’s the Difference?
| Aspect | Divemaster | Eco divemaster |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 4-6 weeks | 6-8 weeks |
| Weekly schedule | 5 diving days, 2 days off | 4 diving days, 2 conservation days, 1 day off |
| Focus | Professional dive leadership | Professional dive leadership & marine conservation |
| Conservation | Integrated but limited | Weekly structured conservation modules |
| Final Outcome | PADI Divemaster | PADI Divemaster & eco leadership experience |
Price
75,000 THB
What's included?
- Divemaster course with a personal mentor
- Eco workshops with our marine biologist
- Community & environmental discovery events
- All required PADI eLearning materials
- PADI Divemaster slates
- Fast Manta T-shirt, scuba mask, and mask strap
- Suunto mesh bag
- Dive insurance up to 1 million THB
- Lunch on board during open water dive days
- Special rates on PADI Specialty and PADI Freediver courses
- Guidance on dive equipment purchases and career development
What's not included?
- National park fees
- PADI divemaster application fee, around $275 AUD to be paid directly to PADI
- Annual PADI Pro membership fee
- Daily expenses such as accommodation, transport, and food
Read our blog post to get a better idea of the cost of daily life in Ao Nang.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conservation
Do I need any conservation background knowledge?
No. No prior conservation knowledge is required to join the course.
What’s the difference between the PADI Eco Divemaster and the Conservation Specialties?
The Eco Divemaster Program does not include PADI Eco Conservations Specialty certifications. However, your schedule can be adapted to include these specialties if you wish.
The conservation workshops you’ll take part in, such as shark awareness or fish identification, may overlap with some specialty content (we promise not to invent new shark species), but they are custom-designed for our Eco Divemaster Program by our in-house marine biologist.
Do I need extra equipment for the course?
For your PADI Divemaster Course, you are required to have your own diving gear. In addition, we recommend that you bring an underwater slate and pencil for data recording. You’ll also receive a Suunto mesh bag for our Dive Against Debris initiatives.
