Divemaster & Marine Biology

Training Program

Mossel Bay, South Africa

"Training with a purpose"

 

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This program combines the PADI Divemaster training with an intro to marine biology. It’s designed to build confident, safe dive pros while giving a solid overview of marine biology concepts and projects.

 

Once certified, the candidates can proudly work as PADI SCUBA professionals, equipped with a deeper understanding of the marine environment and may even choose to further their education and pursue careers in Marine Science.

 

Participating in Research work experience abroad or local will set students’ résumé apart and help focus their research interests.

Moreover, it will provide a unique and diverse skill set that can be applied to any future job and best of all it all happens right here in the heart of the White shark capital of the world! Program runs monthly from the 1st of the month,  March till November.

 

Program Highlights: (included in the 1 Month & 2 Month option)

• ELMO Elasmobranch Egg Case Collection and Analysis

• Sea Fishing - Tag and Release

• B.R.U.V. (Baited Remote Underwater Video) Analysis through PADI Project Aware Coral Reef Conservation Program

• Intertidal Transect Studies

• Microplastics sampling & processing via Density Separation

• Seabird and Penguin Rehabilitation Centre (SAPREC)

• Skippers training & Seamanship Orientation.

• PRE-SEA: Small Vessel Safety Induction Training & certification (required by law to work on any commercial vessel)

• PADI Aware Dive Against Debris® specialty -  Beach Cleanup & Cleanup Dives with Data Collection...PIC Cert optional.

• PADI Nudibranch Research Diver specialty - and related sea slug dives with data collection to determine reef health...PIC Cert optional.

• SCUBA Diver Training and qualification via the sought after PADI SCUBA diver training courses at our 5-star Instructor Development Centre

• Emergency First Responder (EFR) First Aid Training – you will become a certified First Aid Provider.

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Shark Week Program Highlights: (included in the 2 Month option)

• PADI Aware Shark Conservation specialty – "Sharks in Peril and why should we care"
  • Classroom session, Learn about the challenges sharks face and what we can do to protect them. PADI AWARE Shark Conservation Diver Specialty certification optional extra.​

• Discover Scuba Diving Experience (for non-certified divers), Complete the PADI Discover Scuba Diver program & learn scuba basics and dive under the direct supervision of a qualified PADI Instructor. (Baited shark dive for qualified divers)

• Shark Tagging with ORI (Oceanographic Research Institute), Head out aboard deep sea vessel "Salt Life Fishing" , Learn hands-on how to catch, handle, measure, tag, and safely release sharks, Participate in a citizen science tagging initiative.

• Baited Shark Dive + B.R.U.V. Operation, Scuba dive with shy sharks and deploy and retrieve a Baited Remote Underwater Video (B.R.U.V.). Learn how to set up and operate this tool used to observe shark behaviour.

• Video Review + E.L.M.O Egg Case Session,  Review your B.R.U.V. video,lLearn how to identify species and understand shark presence in local waters.  ELMO: Elasmobranch Egg Case Collection and Analysis, collect, rehydrate, measure and document shark egg cases.

• White Shark Cage Diving with White Shark Africa. Depart on shark cage dive vessel “First Strike” & experience Mossel Bay’s Great White Sharks from a cage.

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PADI Dive Training:

Included in our program is training as a PADI Open Water Scuba Diver, PADI Advanced Diver, and PADI Rescue Diver  (1 month option) conducted at our 5-star IDC PADI dive school, Garden Route Scuba.

Participants have the option to extend their stay and pursue a PADI DiveMaster rating (2 month option) enabling them to work as a DiveMaster globally, with the option to further progress to PADI Dive Instructor.

 

Ocean Conservation Focus:

Aligned with PADI® and Project AWARE® initiatives, our program emphasizes ocean conservation through active participation in data collection and environmental stewardship. Divers play a crucial role in addressing key ocean threats such as habitat destruction, climate change, overfishing, and pollution.

 

 

 

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Additional Activities:

Beyond marine research and diving, participants can engage in a variety of optional activities, including horse riding safaris, game drives, lighthouse hiking trails, skydiving, sailing trips, and wine tasting at local vineyards.

Optional scuba dive specialties such as Nitrox, Deep, Underwater Navigation, Shark Aware Diver, Altitude diving, Search and Recovery, Boat, and Night Diver certifications are also available.

 

Accommodation and Logistics:

Accommodation and airport transfers are available upon request, ensuring a seamless experience throughout your training. Accomodation can be arranged for you at about R6000 per month. (About $340) *subject to availability

 

 

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Fees and Contact:

OPTION 1 – 1 Month:

Padi Open Water Diver + Advanced Diver + Rescue Diver + SAMSA Skippers Training and Seamanship Orientation + Emergency First Responder (EFR) + Program highlights as set out above.

$2350 – R41900 (subject to change and exchange rate dependent)

 

OPTION 2 – 2 Months: (Divemaster option) - Recommended

Padi Open Water Diver + Advanced Diver + Rescue Diver + SAMSA Skippers Training and Seamanship Orientation + Emergency First Responder (EFR) + PADI DIVEMASTER + Program highlights as set out above + Shark Week Program highlights !

$4230 – R75900 (subject to change and exchange rate dependent)

 

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Contact Information:

• Reel van der Merwe - +27664300354 (whatsapp)

• Email: gardenroutescuba@gmail.com

• Instagram: @gardenroutescuba1

• Facebook: @gardenroutescuba

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Train with a purpose, dive into conservation, and embark on an unforgettable journey with our Divemaster & Marine Biology Training Program.