For anyone who loves the sea and has ever dreamed of turning that love into a job.
I’ve spent many years working as a dive instructor in Eilat, and I want to share what I’ve actually learned — why this can be one of the best jobs in the world, and why it’s sometimes far less glamorous than it looks in the highlight reels.
The dream vs. the office
Picture it: the Red Sea, white beaches, clear water, sunshine almost year-round, and people coming to you for the best experience of their lives. And when one place gets old — Australia, Thailand, the Philippines, Egypt. Sounds like a dream, right?
So why do most people still choose an office? Stability, a fixed salary, benefits, paid holidays. And I completely understand — those things matter. Diving works differently: there’s a high season and a low season. In high season there’s so much work you barely rest; in low season it can almost disappear, and the income drops sharply. Add the responsibility — this is working with people underwater, where the cost of a mistake is high.
That’s exactly why I want to give you the full, honest picture — especially if you’re weighing up a Divemaster or instructor course. Once you see both sides, you’ll make the right decision for yourself, not one made on emotion.
Why listen to me?
Because I walked this road from the very bottom. I started my career speaking just one language — and not even one that was common in the region. I did every job in the dive center: washing gear, hauling tanks, greeting guests — anything to stay near the water and earn a chance to dive.
Then the first low season came, and I realized I couldn’t keep going like that. I worked two jobs, learned languages at night, went abroad to work, came back, and more than once was on the edge of quitting diving for good. But every time I stayed. I worked harder than others, kept studying, took advanced and professional courses — and eventually went freelance. Today I teach as a PADI Course Director, the highest instructor rating in the system. It took years, but it was worth it.
The skill that matters most: getting your own clients
I’ll be honest: the most valuable skill in this job isn’t perfect technique underwater — it’s the ability to find clients.
At first you work at a dive center. People come, especially in high season, and you’re never short of work. But the moment the high season ends, the flow of clients from the center dries up, and so does the income. So what do you do? You follow the season: when it’s winter here, it’s peak summer in Thailand; in Australia a student visa lets you work a full year. There are far more options around the world than it seems from Eilat.
From my experience, instructors fall into two types: some are excellent divers with a high international level but no sales skills; others have basic technique but are great with people. The paradox is that the second type often earns more. The lesson is simple: a client you bring in yourself is worth many times more than one handed to you by a center. Learn to communicate, run social media, build a reputation — that’s part of the job too.
How the path really works
At the start you learn the trade as an employee at different centers — and the more places you pass through, the wider your perspective and skill set become. Every center, every country, every instructor beside you will teach you something.
Once you have enough knowledge and experience, you start exploring the local diving market and finding clients on your own. This is the road to real freedom — working for yourself, choosing who and when you dive — but it takes time, patience and discipline. It won’t happen fast, and that’s normal.
And even if one day you decide to switch fields or go get a degree, diving stays with you: you can teach on your holidays, pick up work while travelling, stay part of the community. For anyone just out of the army, it’s an ideal option — see the world and do something truly alive while you figure out what’s next.
Ready to take the first step?
That’s it for now — I hope it’s been honest and useful. If you have questions, or want specifics for your situation, reach out anytime.
Your first professional step is the PADI Divemaster course, which I teach personally as a Course Director. From there the path leads to Assistant Instructor and full Instructor (OWSI). A bit about my own road is on the About Us page.
The next instructor course starts at the end of August. I keep groups small — so if this feels like your path, message us on WhatsApp and we’ll talk about your dates and goals.
