Course overview

The SSI Divemaster rating is your first professional certification, qualifying you to guide certified divers and support instructors. Across Zanzibar's reefs you sharpen supervision and guiding skills in the calm coral gardens off Stone Town and on the marine-rich reefs of Mnemba Atoll and Tumbatu through the reliable July-to-February season.

What you’ll learn

• Guide certified divers safely on reef and wall sites
• Support an SSI Instructor with students in the water
• Deliver thorough dive briefings and manage dive logistics
• Demonstrate core scuba skills to professional standard
• Handle in-water problems and dive-leader rescue scenarios
• Apply dive theory through the SSI digital learning platform

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 18
• SSI Advanced Adventurer / Stress & Rescue (or equivalent)
• SSI Diver Stress & Rescue and Science of Diving recommended/required
• Current first aid, CPR and oxygen-provider training
• Logged dives meeting SSI Divemaster standards (typically 40+)
• Diver medical clearance signed by a physician

What's included · What's not

Probability of sightings · month-by-month

What you're likely to see each month, based on historic operator logs.

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day1
   Academics & theory

   Work through SSI Divemaster modules and dive theory plus swim/stamina assessments.
2. Day2
   Skills & rescue

   Demonstration-quality skills and the dive-leader rescue assessment in open water.
3. Day3
   Guiding practice

   Lead briefings and guide certified divers on reefs off Stone Town and Mnemba.
4. Day4
   Project & certification

   Complete a dive-management project and final sign-offs for your Divemaster rating.

Verified through iDive

Every partner school in the iDive network is vetted on safety, instructor credentials, equipment standards and student feedback. Talk to a iDive dive pro on WhatsApp for current availability and reviews specific to Zanzibar.

Frequently asked questions