PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) in Cozumel, Mexico

Complete your PADI IDC with Dive Boutique Cozumel and prepare for real-world teaching beyond the PADI Instructor Exam.

Led by PADI Course Director Phillip Hetherington, our 14-day IDC focuses on teaching practice, review of dive theory, confined-water and open-water workshops, student control, standards application, and the confidence needed to begin teaching after the IE.

IDC at a Glance

• Course: PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)
• Location: Cozumel, Mexico
• Duration: 14 days
• Next Start Date: Monday, August 31, 2026
• Includes: Digital IDC Crewpac, Optional 2-day prep course, Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty Instructor course, and more (see below)

Contact Phillip

View Our 2026 IDC Schedule

More Than Passing the PADI Instructor Exam

At Dive Boutique Cozumel, our PADI Instructor Development Course goes beyond the PADI Instructor Examination. Passing the IE is important, but becoming a confident, capable, and professional scuba instructor requires more than preparing for an evaluation.

Our 14-day IDC focuses on real-world teaching skills, in-water control, student management, understanding dive theory, standards application, and the confidence needed to begin teaching after the IE. The goal is not simply to help you pass the exam. The goal is to help prepare you to step into your role as a PADI Scuba Instructor with confidence.

Our all-inclusive IDC offers expert training, ample time to practice and review dive theory, and the coaching you need to become a successful PADI Instructor - in one of the world's most renowned diving destinations.

Our PADI IDC is split into two parts: the first week focuses on the Assistant Instructor (AI) Course, and the second week dives into the Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) Course. After completing the IDC, you will take your PADI Instructor Examination (IE) to demonstrate your skills and knowledge, ensuring you're prepared for your next career step as a PADI Instructor.

IDC Packages and Costs

Our IDC pricing is designed to be transparent. Each package shows the course price paid to Dive Boutique Cozumel, the estimated 2026 PADI fees paid directly to PADI, and the Total IDC Investment, so you can clearly compare the full cost of your instructor training.

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PADI PRO Silver

Our PADI PRO Silver IDC is our standard IDC course, designed for individuals who already hold an active EFR Instructor or CPR/First Aid Instructor rating from another agency.

Includes your Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty Instructor Course

$1800.00

PADI Fees Due at IE $1060.00

Total IDC Investment $2860.00

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PADI PRO Gold
Our most popular option

Our PADI PRO Gold IDC includes everything in our PADI PRO Silver IDC and adds your Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI) course to your program.

$2100.00

PADI Fees Due at IE $1206.00

Total IDC Investment $3306.00

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PADI PRO Platinum

Our PADI PRO Platinum IDC is your complete Instructor Development Package.

The PADI PRO Platinum IDC Package includes everything in our PADI PRO Gold IDC, and five additional PADI Specialty Instructor Specialties. This package is for the Instructor who wants to teach PADI Specialty Courses and work towards the PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT) rating.

$2500.00

PADI Fees Due at IE $1672.00

Total IDC Investment $4172.00

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During your Instructor Development Course, you will learn how to:

• Confidently run confined water teaching sessions
• Deliver academic presentations clearly
• Conduct open water training dives
• Manage student control, buoyancy, and problem-solving
• Minimize risk with effective risk management techniques

What's Included in the PADI IDC Package?

Along with hands-on training and the expertise of our instructional team, our PADI IDC package includes:

• PADI Digital IDC Crewpac (includes PADI eLearning)
• An optional two-day prep course to review dive theory
• Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty Instructor Course (including PADI fees)
• EFR Digital Start-Up Pac (Included with our PADI PRO Gold and PADI PRO Platinum Packages)
• EFR Instructor Course (Included with our PADI PRO Gold and PADI PRO Platinum Packages)

For the Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty Instructor Course, candidates must already hold an Enriched Air certification and have at least 10 logged dives on Enriched Air. This course will enable you to teach the Enriched Air Nitrox Specialty, perfect for divers wanting to extend their bottom time.

Additionally, the PADI Digital IDC Crewpac includes:

• PADI Guide to Teaching (PDF)
• IDC eLearning
• PADI Peak Performance Buoyancy and Project AWARE Specialty Course Instructor Guides (PDF)
• Open Water Diver Quizzes and Exams (PDF)
• Rescue Diver Final Exams (PDF)
• Divemaster Final Exams (PDF)
• Aquatic Cue Cards (for Open Water Diver, Adventures in Diving, Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and Discover Scuba Diving)
• Skill Development Preparation Slate
• Diving Knowledge eLearning
• PADI Backpack

PADI Fees

The following are the 2026 PADI fees due at the PADI Instructor Exam. 

• Instructor Examination (IE) fee: $825.00
• Instructor Application Fee: $235.00
• Specialty Instructor Application Fee: $92.00 per specialty
• EFR Instructor application fee: $146.00

PADI fees are paid directly to PADI and are not included in the course price. They are shown in the Total IDC Investment, so you can clearly see the estimated full cost of completing your IDC and Instructor Examination process.

Instructor Development Course Prerequisites

To join our PADI IDC in Cozumel, you must meet the following prerequisites:

• Dive Leader certification: Divemaster or leadership-level certification with another recognized recreational diver training organization
• Minimum age: 18 years old
• Minimum 60 logged dives to begin the IDC
• Minimum 100 logged dives at the time of the Instructor Examination (IE)
• Physical fitness: Attested by a PADI Medical Statement signed by a physician within the previous 12 months

    Download Medical Statement 

• Certified diver for at least six months
• EFR Primary & Secondary Care training (or other current, equivalent certification) completed within the last 24 months. Note: online-only courses are not acceptable.
• Complete diver rescue skills assessment as per Divemaster course (if not a PADI Divemaster)
• Personal dive insurance. You can purchase DAN insurance here.

Payment and Cancellation

• To reserve your spot, a non-refundable $750.00 USD deposit is due at the time of booking.
• Balance of your IDC is due on the start date of your IDC.
• We accept all major credit cards: M/C, Visa, American Express, and Discover. We also accept cash, US Dollars, or Mexican Pesos. If paying in cash, please contact us for the current exchange rate.

Cancelation Policy

• The deposit is non-refundable
• Once your IDC has started, there are no refunds on any monies paid.

If you do not feel comfortable sitting the PADI Instructor Exam at the end of your IDC, you can come back and attend another IDC at no additional cost.

Contact Phillip

​​​​​​Start your adventure today! Signing up for one of our Instructor Development Courses is easy.

Join a team of experienced dive professionals committed to your success as a PADI Instructor in Cozumel.