PADI Conscious Dive Career Development Internship

The Conscious Dive Career Development Internship is for anyone who wants to build the confidence, practical ability, and discipline needed to work in the dive industry. 

Candidates must be:

• 18 years or older
• Passionate about diving and the marine environment
• Interested in building a future in diving or marine tourism
• Ready to commit to a structured full-time programme
• Comfortable in a professional, public-facing environment
• Looking for a more meaningful and career-focused training journey

It is especially well-suited to candidates who want to move beyond recreational diving and start building a genuine professional foundation.

The Conscious Dive Career Development Internship offers two core professional pathway options, depending on the level candidates wish to achieve.

8-month pathway: Divemaster

• Month 1: Curatorial immersion
• Months 2 - 3: Open Water to Rescue
• Month 4: Divemaster preparation
• Month 5: Experience building and skill consolidation
• Month 6: Divemaster course
• Months 7 - 8: Divemaster duties and experience

From Month 2 onward, interns also gain ongoing exposure with the Turtle Conservation Centre.

12-month pathway: Instructor

This pathway includes the full Divemaster track, followed by progression to Instructor level. 

• Months 1 - 8: As per the Divemaster pathway
• Month 8: Transition into the IDC (Instructor Development Course)
• Months 9 to 12: Instructor training, teaching practice, and professional experience

Programme phases 

Together, these phases create a more complete pathway - one that supports both dive progression and broader professional development in a meaningful and intentional way.

Phase 1: Curatorial immersion (Month 1)

The programme begins with a month in the Aquarium’s Curatorial Department, who are esponsible for the care, management, and oversight of the living exhibits and the wider operational systems that support them. This phase provides behind-the-scenes exposure to animal care, exhibit management, and aquarium operations.

This phase builds a broader understanding of the marine environment and establishes a strong foundation before dive training begins.

Phase 2: Dive training and professional development (Months 2+)

From Month 2 onward, interns enter the core dive pathway while also gaining exposure to the Turtle Conservation Centre.

This phase includes:

• Progressive dive training (Open Water to Divemaster)
• Practical, real-world dive experience
• Ongoing mentorship and skills development

For those on the Instructor pathway, this phase continues into instructor-level training and teaching experience.

• Age: Candidates must be at least 18 years old.
• Dedication: Commit to the internship programme at your chosen level.
• Own gear: All equipment will be provided for the duration of the internship, except for wetsuits, fins, and masks. By the start of Divemaster training, candidates must have their own full set of dive equipment. We are more than happy to assist with suitable options and advice.
• Transport: Candidates must have their own transportation for flexibility.
• Valid driver’s licence: Candidates must hold a valid driver’s licence for the duration of the internship.
• Accommodation: Arrange your own lodging during the internship, but we are more than happy to assist by providing options.
• Medical fitness: Candidates must be medically fit for scuba diving.
• DAN Dive Insurance: Required for the duration of the internship.
• PADI Divemaster water skills: Candidates must be comfortable in the water and capable of meeting the required PADI Divemaster water-skill assessments during training. These include a 400-metre swim, 15-minute tread/float, 800-metre mask, snorkel and fin swim, 100-metre tired diver tow, and the ability to complete a diver equipment exchange underwater.

The Conscious Dive Career Development Internship offers a range of programme pathways to suit different starting points and career goals. Whether a candidate is working toward the Divemaster level or continuing through to Instructor, each pathway is designed to provide structured professional development at the Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School.

*Please note that certain PADI professional application, examination, and registration fees are not included in the programme pricing and are paid directly to PADI via payment links, based on 2026 pricing.

PADI registration fees for 2026

Divemaster

Instructor level

Payment plan option

Payment plans may be available for approved candidates.

A deposit is required to secure placement, and the remaining balance may then be paid in monthly instalments over the duration of the programme, subject to approval.

Below is an example of how the eight-month Conscious Dive Career Development Internship may be structured for a candidate progressing from beginner level through to PADI Divemaster.

Month 1 - Curatorial immersion

The programme begins with time in the Aquarium’s Curatorial Department, offering behind-the-scenes exposure to animal care, exhibit management, and Aquarium operations. This builds a broader understanding of the marine environment before entering the dive-training pathway.

Months 2 to 3 - Open Water to Rescue

Interns progress through Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Emergency First Response, and Rescue Diver. The focus is on building strong fundamentals, including: Confidence in the water; equipment familiarity; situational awareness and problem-solving; and safe and responsible diving practices. From Month 2 onward, interns also gain exposure to the Turtle Conservation Centre.

Month 4 - Divemaster preparation

This month bridges the transition from recreational to professional-level diving. Key areas of development include: Logged dives and water comfort; buoyancy control and dive organisation; dive theory consolidation; and professional mindset and readiness for leadership training.

Month 5 - Experience building and skill consolidation

This is a dedicated period to strengthen consistency and confidence through practical diving. Interns continue to build logged dives, refine control and awareness underwater, and gain experience within a working dive environment.

Month 6 - Divemaster course

This is the month where the internship shifts fully into the professional training phase, and interns enter the PADI Divemaster course. They focus on: Dive leadership and supervision; demonstration-quality skills; problem-solving and dive theory; and professional standards and expectations.

Months 7 to 8 - Divemaster duties and experience

This final phase focuses on applying skills in a real-world setting. Interns gain practical dive-school experience, exposure to professional operations, and confidence in performing Divemaster duties. This valuable stage transitions candidates from training into real experience, helping them develop into capable and employable dive professionals.

The Conscious Dive Career Development Internship is designed to offer far more than normal dive training.

• Structured career development pathway: Follow a guided route from entry level through to professional development.
• Professional training: Receive high-quality training and mentorship from experienced PADI professionals.
• Hands-on experience: Gain real-world exposure in a working dive school and Aquarium-linked environment.
• Curatorial immersion: Begin the programme with dedicated time in the Curatorial team to build a broader understanding of the Aquarium environment.
• Turtle conservation exposure: From Month 2 onward, gain meaningful exposure to the wider marine environment through time connected to the Turtle Conservation Centre.
• Minimum of 60 dives, depending on your level: Build valuable in-water experience throughout the programme.
• CMAS Compressor course: Gain added operational knowledge and supporting industry skills.
• PADI Equipment Speciality qualification: Develop a stronger understanding of dive equipment, care, and setup.
• Custom training progression: Training and practical development are structured according to your chosen pathway and current stage in the programme.
• Diverse dive environments: Explore a range of underwater environments, from reefs and kelp forests to wrecks and other Cape Town dive sites.
• Team environment: Work alongside a passionate team of divers and professionals.
• Industry networking: Build relationships with fellow divers and professionals in the marine and diving space.
• Globally recognised qualifications: Progress through internationally recognised PADI certifications that can support future opportunities worldwide.
• Professional readiness: Develop the confidence, discipline, and practical experience needed to move toward Divemaster or Instructor level with a stronger professional foundation.

The Conscious Dive Career Development Internship is a professional development programme.

While it includes valuable exposure to the broader Aquarium environment, including the Curatorial department and the Turtle Conservation Centre, its primary purpose is to support structured dive development and professional growth. It should therefore be understood as a career development pathway rather than a volunteer programme.

All Aquarium- and marine-related exposure takes place within a professional environment and according to relevant safety and operational standards.

Very few programmes can offer the combination of professional dive training and institutional exposure that comes with training through the Two Oceans Aquarium Dive School.

• A structured and professional environment
• Greater mentorship and guided development
• A broader and more meaningful experience
• Exposure beyond diving alone
• An intentional and career-focused pathway 

This is not just about learning to dive. It is about developing within an environment that encourages professionalism, awareness, and long-term growth.