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.
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.

Automatic recognition: OWI + required specialties + 25 certs
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.
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 12mThe 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 maxSSI's advanced-level recreational course. Deep Diving and Navigation are core dives, plus three further specialty dives to 30m.
Certified OW · 30m maxTeaches 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 skillsTeach 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% O2Lead certified divers on guided underwater tours. Plan dive briefings, manage groups, and supervise divers across a range of environments and conditions.
Guided dives · Certified diversNavigation, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Total all-inclusive: €2,376
Two or more candidates booking together
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.
SSI Open Water Instructor meets the international standard for Level 2 Scuba Diving Instructor. Accepted across dive centres, liveaboards, and resorts worldwide.
SSI Divemaster Instructor is awarded automatically when you hold OWI + required specialty ratings + 25 issued certifications. No additional course or exam.
Navigation, Night/LV, and Deep are mandatory for DMI. Wreck and Perfect Buoyancy round out the Malta instructor toolkit. All five included in this package.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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