Frequently Asked Questions

We are offering various IDC packages, starting from every level, either from Open Water-, Advanced Open Water-, Rescue Diver- or Divemaster level.

Starting at any of these levels, you have the option at PADI IDC level to choose from a Basic, Deluxe or Prime packages whereby each package is an extension from the previous package.

All our packages includes the Prep IDC course, the IDC and the EFR Instructor course.

A Deluxe and Prime package includes the Prep IDC course, the IDC and the EFR Instructor course and the MSDT prep course which includes 5 PADI Instructor Specialties of your choice and also dorm or single room in a resort.

We are now including your PADI Nitrox Instructor rating and PADI Dive Against Debris Instructor rating for FREE in all Instructor level courses and internships (this offer does not include required PADI materials for becoming a PADI Nitrox diver or a PADI Dive Against Debris diver and it does not include any Nitrox fills or PADI Instructor application fees).

IDC Philippines’ packages are based on a course or package fee.

Costs for required PADI materials are included but can of course be deducted if you already got a crew pak.

The PADI application fees are directly payable to PADI by cheque or credit card and are not included in the IDC and/or package prices.

The more extensive the packages are, the higher the costs for application fees and required PADI materials will be.

Pending on what PADI Instructor Specialties courses you choose, additional costs may occur for either required PADI materials or equipment rental. Since these choices vary from person to person and are usually not made until the Specialty Instructor training starts, these costs can’t be calculated before the start of Instructor Specialty training.

We can provide a costing for each package (Basic, Deluxe or Prime) starting at each level, Open Water-, Advanced Open Water-, Rescue Diver- or Divemaster or straight IDC level upon request.

No, deposits are not refundable under any circumstance.

We do understand that your circumstances may change, not allowing you to start or finish a course, therefore we are very flexible about your starting and completion date.

You can delay the start of your program(s) as much as you need, this is no problem, as long as you keep us informed about your change of plans.

As with any university or training facility, deposits and full payments are not refundable but once you commit to our courses, you will see that we are commitment as well and will be there to help you complete your courses.

It’s fairly easy, go to any page, press contact us up in the right hand corner and fill out the information or also press the RED button in the down right corner  and we will get back to you with the required information and/or booking forms that include the payment options.

There are a number of different options that we can offer you depending on what you are looking for; budget, self-catering or a bit of luxury during your training.

We have 9 rooms of our own for just 2250 Peso per night good for 2 pax in each room. The rooms have a split type aircon, hot and cold shower and with international wall plugs that fits most European countries and US chargers. We are happy to give out our rooms to our IDC candidates with a 20% discount.

We have a good selection of accommodation options available in Moalboal, ranging from dorm style backpacker lodges, or bungalow style bungalows, through to luxury AC cottages. Nightly, weekly or Monthly rents are available. If you would like us to book something for you please indicate your preferences and we will take care of that on behalf of you.

Self service monthly rentals are always available and vary in price dependent on your requirements and the time of year. As an example very simple local bungalows can be found upwards of 10,000.00 PHP per month. As there is so much variation, the best approach will be to check into a hotel for one to two nights while you check out what is on offer. We are more than happy to help you with this.

The resort has 30 air-conditioned rooms, some of which have stunning views of Sabang Bay and Small Lalaguna Beach. The rooms include with hot water showers, complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and fully stocked minibars. El Galleon also has a restaurant on the beach, a gorgeous outdoor spa, a coffee shop, a wine refrigerator, and a swimming pool. The  restaurant extends to the water’s edge, offering great value in local and international
cuisine.

There are a number of different options that we can offer you depending on what you are looking for; budget, self-catering or a bit of luxury during your training.

Devocean dive shop is located on premises of Hippocampus Beach and Dive Resort! Right on the main beach of Malapascua, Bounty Beach.  Stay here and experience the convenience of staying, unwinding, eating, drinking, watching sunsets on the beach AND diving, all in the same place!  Experience the dive resort way!

Hippocampus offers a typical boutique beach resort atmosphere. No need to wear shoes as there is sand everywhere. The resort has altogether 18 rooms that have been integrated into a lush tropical garden with coconut trees and various colorful plants and flowers. All rooms have their own veranda and offer a spacious double bed or alternatively two single beds.

Should the Hippocampus Beach and Dive Resort not be able to accommodate you, then of course there are alternatives. The most convenient place to stay then would be our neighbor the Malapascua Legend Resort.

We are usually starting the course day at 08:30 AM and finish it up around 05:00 PM so there will be plenty of time for some homework or even a dive after class.

Yes, absolutely. You may have friends or relatives coming over and want to spend time with them or you need or want to go back home to spend Christmas or any other event with your beloved ones, that’s all no problem, as long as you communicate with us and let us know about your plans.

Once you’re back in the Philippines or have time again to continue the courses, just let us know and we start scheduling you in again.

Here’s a time schedule for the various courses:

The Open Water diver course is 3 to 4 days.

The Advanced Open Water diver course is 2 days.

The Rescue Diver and EFR course are 4 days.

The Divemaster course internship is scheduled to last 4 – 6 weeks.

The IDC is conducted over 12 days, including the EFR Instructor course and the PADI IE is conducted over 2 days.

Specialty Instructor Training is approximately 3 to 4 days, pending on what program you participate in.

After the PADI IE it’ll take about 10 working days before you receive Teaching Status from PADI, during which time frame we will be conducting Specialty Instructor training.

As of now we do not offer any free training in exchange of work.

As for split payments, this is not possible, before the start of the first course you participate in, you will have to pay the full balance of the remaining course fees and required PADI materials obtained through us.

No, they are not. There are so many variables, options and prices that we can’t include these into our package prices.

You will have to book your own flight to and once you arrive here, we can help you out with finding or arranging for local transportation to your course location.

If you have a general good health and you’re reasonably fit, there should be no problem for you to take up diving.

Once you turn a DMT (Dive Master Trainee) you will need to get a physical examination here, which costs around 300 Php. You will have to fill out a PADI Medical Statement in order to be signed off for your Divemaster course.

PADI has a general rule that you need a completely filled out Medical Statement before you begin a course (which is a really good policy!). In the Philippines this statement doesn’t need to be verified by a physician, unless you answer one of these questions with a ‘Yes” answer or if participate in a Divemaster and/or Instructor course (IDC).

Before you book a course, have a look at the PADI Medical Statement to see if there are any problems. Keep in mind that the majority of people who need to see a physician because they answered a question with ‘Yes’, are able to continue with their dive course.

If you have a different Medical Statement than the PADI Medical Statement, make sure that your statement reads that you are ‘fit to dive’, that your medical statement doesn’t have any restrictions, is not older than 12 months and is signed and dated by a physician. You can find PADIs Medical Statement form here

All the scuba tanks used during courses with either Bongo Bongo Divers or Neptune Diving Resort have INT valves and adapters are available in case you don’t have or bring your own adapter.

It’s always a good idea to have insurance.

Basic travel insurance is almost a must, however this may be expensive and you may be restricted in the duration of your travel insurance. There for we suggest using an international medical package through Bupa (BUPA.COM) or any other reputable insurance company.

Although insurance isn’t required in the Philippines, it’s worthwhile checking out your options for diving insurance. Not all general health insurances will cover diving. For diving insurance we suggest to look at DAN or Divers Alert Network or Diveassure.

For your general health insurance, make sure that you’re covered for driving motorcycles up to 125CC. The motorbikes that you rent here will most likely be around 80 to 100 or even 125 CC.

Cebu island supports two hyperbaric chambers. Both are located in Cebu city.

Their are some different ways to get to Moalboal from the airport in Cebu city.

The best and easiest way is of course to take a taxi or a van directly from the airport to our diveshop in Moalboal, if you do not want to organize it your self we are more then happy to help you arrange a car or a van for you.

You can also go get down to Moalboal with the local bus, all you have to do is to take a taxi from the airport to the South Bus Terminal to Moalboal, when you reach Moalboal you just take a motorbike or a Tricycle directly to the Dive Center.

After completion of the courses, all PADI certifications are valid and accepted worldwide and you can start working as either a PADI Divemaster or PADI OWSI.

You will be affiliated with PADI, the largest recreational dive organization in the world who holds a 70% worldwide market share within the recreational dive industry and is considered to be the market leader.

Various Facebook groups and websites have the option to post your resume and look for worldwide jobs in all great dive locations that you ever heard of. Once you are a PADI member (Divemaster or higher) you will also gain access to PADI’s employment board at the PADI Member part of their website which lists many DM and Instructor jobs around the world.

Our Facebook group  is also a good way to stay in touch with your fellow IDC candidates and help each other with job searches around the world.

• Copies of all certification cards from Open Water through to Divemaster (if NON PADI certifications)
• Copy of the last page of your log book showing proof of 100+ dives
• EFR certification dated within the past 2 years. Alternative first aid/CPR certification may be acceptable but please check with us in advance
• Medical statement confirming/stating you are fit to dive dated within the past year and signed by a physician. This can be done at location, providing you answer all questions with no, if you answer a question with yes I recommend getting a medical in your home country ideally with a dive medically trained physician. Without a valid medical on day one of the IDC, you will not be allowed to join any in-water activities until a valid medical has been produced.
• A copy of your medical used during the DM course can be used, if no changes in your medical status have occurred and is signed and dated by a physician within the past year, covering the date of the PADI IE.
• Any PADI books and materials you have already purchased
• Your credit card – PADI fees cannot be paid in cash
• RDP Table and ‘Instructions for use’ booklet (optional)
• eRDPml and ‘Instructions for use’ booklet
• A calculator
• Any personal diving equipment you may have (please note that whilst we offer equipment hire throughout your IDC and PADI IE, we strongly recommend that you purchase and/or bring your own).

Your equipment should consist of:

• Regulator with octopus, console with depth gauge in metres & SPG
• BCD with power inflator
• Wetsuit
• Mask, snorkel, fins
• Timing device (some skills have time limits and you need to be able to check the exact duration of a skill)
• Dive knife, compass, whistle, blank slate, safety sausage (SMB)
• Pocket mask
• Dive computer

If you have a DIN connection on your first stage, please bring an adapter. In the South East Asian region INT valves are the norm. DIN – adapaters are available for sale.