SDI Instructor Training Center in Central Florida
Florida Dive Company is an SDI Instructor Development Center in Orange City, Florida. We train divers all the way from Divemaster to Assistant Instructor, Open Water Scuba Diving Instructor and Course Director, and we handle instructor crossovers from other agencies.
Courses are semi-private, so you get real time with your Instructor Trainer, and you can elect a fully private course at an additional cost. You train where we work every day: Blue Spring State Park, Central Florida's springs and caverns, and Atlantic drift dives, wrecks and reefs off Palm Beach.
Start when you are ready. Most candidates begin any week of the year, and if a class is already running you can often join it. Finish your eLearning and academics online, then come to us for the in-person and in-water work.
Pool sessions, academics and skill circuits from our Divemaster and instructor programs.
Professional courses and pricing
Every course is semi-private, with a private option available at an additional cost, and includes air fills, certification processing, your hard card and digital card, gear discounts and dive club entry. No hidden fees.
Step 1
SDI Divemaster
From $1,800
Your first professional rating. Lead certified divers, assist on courses and work in the industry.
Prerequisites: Minimum age 18 · SDI Advanced Adventure Diver or equivalent (deep, navigation, night) · Rescue Diver or equivalent · CPR, First Aid and O2 Provider · 40 logged dives
Course details and enrollmentStep 2
SDI Assistant Instructor
From $1,500
Teach under an instructor, build lesson plans and run academic presentations. The bridge to the instructor rating.
Prerequisites: Minimum age 18 · Certified SDI Divemaster or equivalent · CPR, First Aid and O2 Provider · 60 logged dives, or 50 dives and 25 hours underwater
Course details and enrollmentStep 3
SDI Open Water Scuba Diving Instructor
From $2,300
The full IDC and IEC. Certify your own students anywhere in the world.
Prerequisites: Minimum age 18 · Certified 6 months or more · SDI Divemaster or Assistant Instructor, or equivalent · CPR, First Aid and O2 Provider · 100 logged dives in varied depths and environments
Course details and enrollmentCrossover
Instructor Crossover to SDI/TDI/ERDI/PFI
From $599.95
Already an instructor with another agency? Cross over with no final exams, no dive theory presentations and, in most cases, no in-water evaluation.
Prerequisites: Active instructor rating in good standing with a recognized agency · Price covers application fees, teaching materials and conversion of your existing ratings
Course details and enrollmentStep 4
SDI Course Director
From $2,500
Module one of the SDI Instructor Trainer program. Run your own Instructor Development Courses.
Prerequisites: Minimum age 21 · 200 logged dives · Active SDI Instructor or equivalent for 2 years, no QA issues in the past 12 months · 150 certifications issued · Preapproval from SDI, which we coordinate for you
Course details and enrollmentStart any week of the year. Most candidates begin whenever they are ready, and when a class is already running you can often join it. Not sure which rating is next? Call (386) 663-8030 or email reservations@floridadivecompany.com.
We can run your course at your facility
Own a dive center or teach independently, and want to train pros without sending your candidates out of state? We travel. Our Instructor Trainer comes to your region and runs the program with your team, on your schedule.
What we can run on site
- Instructor Development Course (IDC)
- Instructor Evaluation Course (IEC)
- Course Director program, with SDI preapproval
- Divemaster and Assistant Instructor programs
- Instructor crossovers to SDI, TDI, ERDI and PFI
What you provide
- Classroom space and pool or confined water
- Open water access for the in-water sessions
- Your candidates, and your staff if they want to sit in
- Tanks and fills for the group
How it works
- Tell us the program, your dates and how many candidates
- We quote one price that covers travel, and you know it up front
- Candidates finish eLearning and academics before we arrive
- We handle certification paperwork with SDI headquarters
Based in Orange City, Florida. Travel anywhere in Florida, the Southeast and beyond, including international, by arrangement.
Why go pro with us?
With global recognition, your certifications and training open doors to diving adventures around the world!
Innovative Educational Experience
Tailored to our students learning styles, and our Instructors take the time to ensure every student develops the skills they need at their own pace.
Save Time & Money
Transform your learning journey and eliminate the need for extensive travel and unnecessary lodging costs, all while benefiting from a blend of virtual and hands-on education. After finishing your eLearning, accomplish the required academic coursework online alongside your Instructor Trainer. Save both time and money by participating in your in-person and in-water practical sessions when ready. Embrace a future where learning is accessible, cost-effective, and customized for your success.
Location
Our distinctive location provides students with opportunities to experience a variety of dive styles. Whether exploring renowned cave systems and caverns, inland fresh water springs or engaging in open ocean drift dives, wreck exploration, and reef adventures, we offer a comprehensive range of diving experiences right at our doorstep.
Up Front Pricing
Our straightforward approach ensures that you know exactly what to expect, eliminating any surprises along the way. With us, there are no hidden costs or unexpected charges.
Veterans: use your GI Bill® benefits
Our professional programs are VA approved, from entry level scuba through instructor ratings. We will walk you through the paperwork.
See VA-approved programsTurn your Passion into a career!
What are our Students saying?
Professional training FAQ
How long does it take to become a scuba instructor?
It depends on where you start and how fast you can train. Divemaster usually takes a few weeks of part-time work, and Assistant Instructor and the Instructor Development Course each take one to two weeks of focused training. Because we run semi-private classes, we build the schedule around you instead of a fixed calendar.
When do your professional courses start?
Any week of the year. Most candidates start when they are ready, and if a class is already in progress you can often join it. Contact us and we will set your dates.
Do I have to travel and stay somewhere for weeks?
No. You complete your eLearning and academic work online with your Instructor Trainer, then come to us for the in-person and in-water sessions. That keeps travel and lodging costs down.
What does the price include?
Your semi-private class, air tank rentals, certification processing, a certification hard card and digital card, gear discounts and dive club entry. CPR, First Aid and O2 Provider training, park or boat fees, tips and personal gear are not included.
Can I take the course privately instead of semi-private?
Yes. Every professional course can be run as a fully private course for an additional cost. Tell us when you enroll and we will quote it.
Do I need my own gear?
You need personal gear: a scuba-quality mask, fins, snorkel, boots, surface marker buoy and dive slate, plus a BCD, regulator set and wetsuit. We sell and service gear at a professional discount and can help you put a set together.
Where do the training dives happen?
Central Florida springs and caverns, including Blue Spring State Park where we run our tours, plus Atlantic drift dives, wrecks and reefs off Palm Beach. Training in several environments is part of what makes a well-rounded pro.
I am already an instructor with another agency. What is involved in crossing over?
The crossover is an online familiarization program with no final exams, no dive theory presentations and, in most cases, no in-water skill evaluation. The price covers application fees, teaching materials and conversion of your existing instructor ratings.
Can I use my GI Bill® benefits?
Yes. Our certifications and professional-level programs are VA approved. See our GI Bill page for the full list of programs and how to apply.
Talk to an Instructor Trainer
Tell us where you are in your diving and what you want to teach, and we will map out the fastest route. Call (386) 663-8030, email reservations@floridadivecompany.com, or use the form below.