In the Candidates in the Spotlight series, we talk to our PADI IDC candidates about their experiences during and after the IDC.

This time, we talk to Sergei from Russia, who did his PADI IDC in Koh Lipe, Thailand!

What made you decide to become a diving instructor?

I was working in one of the dive shops on Koh Lipe as a divemaster. As soon as I found out that they were organizing the IDC course, I realized that this was a great chance for me to grow further in my professional career.

Why did you choose to do it in Koh Lipe?

I didn’t choose where my course would take place. Fate decided for me🤣. In fact, I was incredibly lucky that the course started in the dive shop where I already worked.

Can you tell us about the IDC? Was it difficult or fun?

Of course it was fun😄. At the same time, everything was organized and carried out at a very high level.

What do you think is the most important thing that you’ve learned during the IDC?

If you take four people diving, then you should bring four people back. These can be other divers, but it must be 4 😄. I’m kidding of course. Seriously, the most important thing I learned during the course is that the safety of my students comes first for me as an instructor.

What do you like about Koh Lipe?

I like living in Lipe because it reminds me of my hometown. Far from civilization, small and cozy. Where everyone knows each other. Diving in Lipe is simply wonderful. Crystal clear water, divine soft corals, seahorses, nudibranchs, and at certain times of the year whale sharks and mantas. I have already done more than 1000 dives in Lipe, and every time I discover something new.

You started working as a diving instructor in Koh Lipe, straight after the IDC. How did your first courses go?

It was fun! I was teaching a ten-year-old boy to dive, and listening to all the latest news from the world of computer games in between exercises 😄.

What do you like best about the instructor life? Any negatives?

It’s a dream job! You go diving, and you get paid for it😄

Any advice for divers that want to become PADI instructors, like you?

Just do it! That’s the only advice I can give.

Become a PADI diving instructor in Koh Lipe

Nestled in the southern Andaman Sea, Koh Lipe is often called the “Maldives of Thailand” for its powdery white sands and crystal-clear waters. While it may not have the bustling dive industry of Phuket, Koh Lipe offers something even more enchanting: a chance to work in a pristine paradise that feels like a hidden gem. It is a perfect place to do your PADI IDC and become a diving instructor!

Interested in joining us? Get in touch!