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PRO PATHWAY  ·  SSI DMI

SSI Divemaster
Instructor

The complete instructor package. Full ITC (AI + OWI) plus 5 Specialty Instructor ratings at diveshack Malta. Train over 12 days, qualify as an Open Water Instructor with the specialty ratings required for Divemaster Instructor recognition.

Certified by SSI
DMI Package From
1,550+826SSI DMI eLearning
Total all-inclusive: €2,376
Full ITC: AI + OWI training (€1,150)
5 Specialty Instructor ratings (€400)
SSI DMI eLearning bundle (€826, saves 20% vs separate kits)
All ITC exams and knowledge reviews
OWD, AOW, EANx, DSR, Dive Guide teaching auth
Use of diveshack training facilities
Reserve My Place
Not included (paid directly to SSI):
  • Instructor Evaluation (IE): €500 + VAT (2-day assessment by SSI Regional Evaluator)
  • SSI Pro Registration: €100 + VAT (one-time fee, if applicable)
12
Days total
75+
Dives for ITC entry
5
SI ratings included
DM
Prerequisite
25
Certs for DMI
ISO
24802-2 certified

The fastest route to Divemaster Instructor

SSI Divemaster Instructor is not a separate course. It is an automatic recognition rating awarded by SSI to Open Water Instructors who hold the required specialty instructor ratings and have issued 25 student certifications.

The diveshack DMI package gives you everything you need to qualify. The Full ITC (AI + OWI) runs over 12 days, with 5 Specialty Instructor ratings completed during or alongside the programme. Once you pass the IE and issue 25 certifications, SSI automatically recognises you as a Divemaster Instructor.

  • Earn SSI Assistant Instructor and Open Water Instructor certifications
  • Gain 5 Specialty Instructor ratings in a single programme
  • Teach OWD, AOW, EANx, DSR, and Dive Guide from day one
  • Teach 5 SSI specialty courses independently
  • Pathway to automatic DMI recognition after 25 certifications
  • Train on Malta's active dive sites in real teaching conditions
  • Prepare for the independent SSI Instructor Evaluation
Teaching Authorisation

The courses you can run as a Divemaster Instructor

On completing your ITC, IE, and specialty instructor ratings you are authorised to independently teach the following. DMI recognition is awarded automatically by SSI after you issue 25 certifications.

Try Scuba and Scuba Diver

Introductory programmes run in confined water and limited open water. High volume, beginner-facing. Core commercial revenue for resort dive centres.

Supervised OW · up to 12m

Open Water Diver

The SSI flagship entry-level certification. Academic sessions, confined water, and four open water dives to 18m. Full certification with digital card on completion.

Certified OW · 18m max

Advanced Open Water Diver

SSI's advanced-level recreational course. Deep Diving and Navigation are core dives, plus three further specialty dives to 30m.

Certified OW · 30m max

Diver Stress and Rescue

Teaches divers to recognise, manage, and respond to stress and accidents in the water. Includes surface and submerged rescue scenarios. Required for Divemaster entry.

Certified AOW · Rescue skills

Enriched Air Nitrox

Teach divers to plan and execute dives using enriched air nitrox up to 40% O2. One of the most popular continuing education courses worldwide.

EANx · up to 40% O2

Dive Guide

Lead certified divers on guided underwater tours. Plan dive briefings, manage groups, and supervise divers across a range of environments and conditions.

Guided dives · Certified divers

5 Specialty Instructor ratings included in DMI package:

Navigation Night and Limited Visibility Deep Diver Wreck Diver Perfect Buoyancy

Navigation, Night/LV, and Deep Diver are the three mandatory specialties for SSI Divemaster Instructor recognition. Wreck Diver and Perfect Buoyancy are recommended for Malta-based instructors. You can adjust the selection at enrolment.

What you need before the DMI package

Prerequisites apply at two points: ITC entry and IE participation. The dive log requirements are different for each, so plan your dive activity accordingly if you are close to the minimum thresholds.

  • RequiredSSI Divemaster certification or recognised equivalent from another agency
  • RequiredMinimum age 18 at the time of the ITC start date
  • RequiredSSI Enriched Air Nitrox 40 certification (or equivalent)
  • RequiredValid medical certificate issued within the past 12 months
  • RequiredMinimum 75 logged dives totalling 50 hours to begin the ITC
  • RequiredMinimum 6 months of certified diving experience
  • IE onlyMinimum 100 logged dives totalling 65 hours to sit the 2-day Instructor Evaluation
  • DMI25 issued certifications required for automatic Divemaster Instructor recognition

Not yet at Divemaster level?

The SSI Divemaster programme at diveshack typically takes 5-7 days for candidates who hold Advanced Open Water and Diver Stress and Rescue certifications with 40+ logged dives. Diver Stress and Rescue is a prerequisite for the Divemaster course. Contact us to plan your full pathway from current level to Divemaster Instructor.

DMI recognition checklist

  • Step 1Complete Full ITC (AI + OWI) at diveshack
  • Step 2Complete 5 Specialty Instructor ratings (included)
  • Step 3Pass the SSI Instructor Evaluation
  • Step 4Issue 25 student certifications
  • AutoSSI awards Divemaster Instructor recognition
2026 Course Dates

Upcoming ITC start dates

The DMI package follows the Full ITC schedule. Each ITC runs for 12 consecutive days. Specialty Instructor ratings are completed during or alongside the ITC. The Instructor Evaluation (2 days, separate) is scheduled approximately 4-6 weeks after ITC completion.

September 2026
6 September 2026
12-day Full ITC / Concludes 17 September
IE: October 2026 (TBC with SSI Regional)
October 2026
3 October 2026
12-day Full ITC / Concludes 14 October
IE: November 2026 (TBC with SSI Regional)
November 2026
1 November 2026
12-day Full ITC / Concludes 12 November
IE: December 2026 (TBC with SSI Regional)
Custom
Request a Date
Flexible scheduling for groups of 2+

All ITC dates are subject to minimum group size of 2 candidates. If your preferred date is full or does not suit your schedule, contact diveshack to discuss a custom ITC start date outside of the published schedule.

Fees

DMI package pricing

Group / Centre Discount
Contact

Two or more candidates booking together

  • Discounted rate for groups of 2 or more
  • Custom ITC dates outside published schedule
  • Option to add Divemaster as a combined pathway
  • Tailored specialty mix for your teaching context
  • Priority booking for future IE dates
  • Group rates confirmed on enquiry

The IE fee (€500 + VAT) is paid directly to SSI and scheduled by SSI Regional independently from the ITC booking. The SSI Pro Registration fee (€100 + VAT) is a one-time fee payable if this is your first time registering as an SSI Professional. diveshack coordinates IE timing on your behalf.

Certification Standard

SSI: one of the largest dive training agencies globally

FAQ

Common questions

What is SSI Divemaster Instructor?

SSI Divemaster Instructor is an automatic recognition rating. It is not a separate course. SSI awards Divemaster Instructor status to Open Water Instructors who hold Navigation, Night and Limited Visibility, and Deep Diving Specialty Instructor ratings and have issued a minimum of 25 student certifications. The diveshack DMI package includes the Full ITC plus the 5 specialty ratings that cover these requirements.

Which 5 Specialty Instructor ratings are included?

diveshack recommends Navigation, Night and Limited Visibility, Deep Diver, Wreck Diver, and Perfect Buoyancy. This combination covers the three mandatory specialties for DMI recognition (Navigation, Night/LV, Deep) plus two commercially valuable Malta-relevant specialties. You can adjust the selection at enrolment.

How long does it take to reach Divemaster Instructor?

The ITC takes 12 days. The 5 Specialty Instructor ratings are completed during or alongside the ITC. After the ITC, candidates sit the 2-day Instructor Evaluation (typically 4-6 weeks later). Once qualified as an OWI with the required specialty ratings, you need to issue 25 certifications before SSI automatically recognises you as a Divemaster Instructor.

Is the Instructor Evaluation included in the price?

No. The IE is a separate fee of €500 + VAT, payable directly to SSI. The IE is a 2-day evaluation run by an independent SSI Regional Evaluator, typically scheduled 4-6 weeks after ITC completion. diveshack coordinates the IE timing on your behalf.

Can I take the DMI package with a PADI Divemaster?

Yes. SSI accepts Divemaster or equivalent professional certifications from other recognised agencies. Depending on your agency background, additional standards bridging may be required before you sit the IE. A one-time SSI Pro Registration fee of €100 + VAT is payable directly to SSI if you are not already registered as an SSI Professional.

Can I work at diveshack after qualifying?

diveshack actively supports instructors trained through our centre. Seasonal positions are available subject to operational demand, and we maintain a network of contacts at dive centres across Malta and Gozo. Many of our ITC graduates have gone on to work full seasons at Malta-based centres. Contact us during or after your ITC to discuss availability.

SSI Divemaster
Instructor

Locationdiveshack, Sliema, Malta
Duration12 days (ITC + SI ratings)
Group SizeMax 5 per instructor
Price from€1,550 course + €826 eLearning
Deposit50% to book your place

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