Course overview

Move into teaching scuba with the SSI Open Water Instructor program on Ambergris Caye, set along the Belize Barrier Reef. Candidates refine teaching presentations in the protected, clear water inside the reef near San Pedro before the SSI Instructor Evaluation. You leave qualified to certify divers throughout this Caribbean diving region.

What you’ll learn

• Teach SSI academic, pool and open-water sessions to standard
• Apply the SSI total-teaching system and digital training tools
• Demonstrate and correct student skills with professional precision
• Plan and manage dive flows and diver risk
• Deliver clear briefings, supervision and debriefs
• Prepare for the SSI Instructor Evaluation

Prerequisites

• Minimum age 18
• SSI Divemaster or equivalent leadership certification from another agency
• Certified diver for at least 6 months
• Logged dives per SSI standard (typically 75+ for instructor level)
• Current first-aid and CPR provider rating
• Diver medical clearance signed by a physician

What's included · What's not

Not included? Sort the rest of your trip

Flights and accommodation aren’t part of the course price, here’s how to book them around your dates.

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
   SSI teaching system

   Orientation to the SSI total-teaching method and digital platform, plus first academic presentations.
2. Day2
   Pool teaching workshops

   Rehearse skill demonstrations and confined-water teaching in the calm shallows inside the reef.
3. Day3
   Open-water teaching

   Lead open-water teaching circuits under trainer evaluation at sheltered reef sites.
4. Day4
   Standards & operations

   Cover SSI standards, risk management and the business side of dive operations.
5. Day5
   Theory assessment

   Complete science-of-diving and instructor theory exams.
6. Day6
   Evaluation prep

   Mock presentations and a full briefing for the SSI Instructor Evaluation.

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 Ambergris Caye.

Frequently asked questions