What You Can Do During the PADI IDC Indonesia at Oceans 5 Gili Air

The PADI IDC Indonesia at Oceans 5 Gili Air

What You Can Do During the PADI IDC Indonesia at Oceans 5 Gili Air

Becoming a PADI Instructor is a major milestone in any diver's life. It represents the transition from recreational diver to professional educator, and with it comes responsibility, dedication, and a passion for the ocean. But the road to becoming an instructor—also known as the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC)—can be a stressful and challenging experience, especially when packed into short, intense days with endless homework and pressure to perform.

At Oceans 5 Gili Air, we’ve designed our PADI IDC Indonesia program to be different. Instead of rushing candidates through a short course overloaded with information, we spread the Instructor Development Course over 20 relaxing yet productive days. Our IDC structure is carefully built to reduce stress and maximize learning, while still leaving time to enjoy everything the beautiful island of Gili Air has to offer.

A 20-Day IDC Designed to Reduce Stress

The PADI IDC at Oceans 5 Gili Air stands out for many reasons, but perhaps the most important is its thoughtful pace. Most IDCs around the world run for 10–14 days, often cramming in full days of lectures, pool sessions, confined water practice, open water evaluations, and long evenings of homework.

At Oceans 5, we believe that quality education doesn’t come from pressure—it comes from understanding, reflection, and the space to breathe. That’s why we run our IDC over 20 days, starting every day at 8:30 AM and finishing around 5:00 PM. We avoid long evening study sessions by incorporating theory into the schedule in a manageable way. This allows candidates to focus during the day and relax during the evening.

The result? Our candidates not only pass the PADI Instructor Examination (IE) with confidence, but they also enjoy the journey of becoming instructors, building strong bonds with their peers, and learning in a healthy, balanced environment.

Two In-House Course Directors for Personalized Support

One of the cornerstones of our PADI IDC is the presence of two full-time, in-house Course Directors: Sander Buis and Warren Beyers. Having two Course Directors allows us to give every candidate the attention they deserve. Whether you need extra practice on a skill circuit, help with your knowledge development presentation, or just want to chat about teaching strategies, you’ll find support every step of the way.

Candidates have the opportunity to practice outside of scheduled sessions with either Sander or Warren. This open-door policy ensures that no one is left behind and that everyone can progress at their own pace. It also adds an extra layer of security and comfort—knowing that help is always available if you need it.

Free Diving and Practice Opportunities

Diving during the IDC is completely free at Oceans 5 Gili Air. This is an incredible benefit for candidates who want to build more confidence in the water, fine-tune their buoyancy, or just explore the beautiful dive sites around the island.

Many of our IDC candidates take advantage of this by joining fun dives or even participating in night dives for free. A favorite dive among our students is the night dive in the harbor of Gili Air. This site may not sound like much, but it’s a muck diving paradise teeming with rare and unusual critters—ghost pipefish, cuttlefish, frogfish, seahorses, and more. With our experienced dive guides and small groups, every night dive becomes a memorable underwater adventure.

Explore the Tranquility of Gili Air

The IDC schedule is structured so that candidates have plenty of time to unwind after class. And there’s no better place to relax than Gili Air. Unlike its neighboring islands—Gili Trawangan (known for its parties) and Gili Meno (which is very quiet)—Gili Air strikes a perfect balance between vibrancy and serenity.

From the dive shop, it’s only a short walk or bike ride to a range of relaxing and rejuvenating activities. One of the most popular things to do is to head to the west side of the island and enjoy the breathtaking sunsets. As the sun dips below the horizon, the sky lights up with shades of orange, pink, and purple—casting a magical glow over Gili Meno, Gili Trawangan, and the majestic silhouette of Mount Agung in Bali.

Grab a fresh coconut or a cold Bintang, find a seat on a beanbag at one of the beachside cafes, and let the view clear your mind after a day of learning. Many IDC candidates say this daily ritual becomes one of the highlights of their experience.

Indulge in Massages, Yoga, and Meditation

Training your body and mind is essential during the IDC. While your brain will be working hard during theory sessions and teaching workshops, your body will also feel the effects of long pool days, skills demonstrations, and diving.

Luckily, Gili Air has plenty of places where you can rest, recharge, and take care of yourself. You’ll find a number of spas and massage studios offering traditional Indonesian massages, deep tissue therapy, and relaxing treatments with coconut oil and local herbs. Just an hour on the massage table can help you recover from physical fatigue and leave you feeling refreshed for the next day’s work.

If you prefer mental rejuvenation, there are several yoga studios and meditation spaces on the island. Though Gili Air doesn’t have the same reputation as Ubud, you’ll be surprised at how many high-quality yoga classes are available—whether you’re into Hatha, Vinyasa, or Yin yoga. Some studios also offer guided meditation, sound healing, and breathwork sessions, which can help calm nerves and improve focus before your Instructor Examination.

Healthy Island Food to Fuel Your Brain

Good food is essential during the PADI IDC, and Gili Air offers a range of culinary options to suit every taste and dietary need. Whether you’re looking for healthy smoothie bowls, vegan meals, Indonesian classics, or international comfort food, the island has it all.

Many IDC candidates enjoy their meals just a few steps from the beach, often right after class. Sharing dinner with fellow candidates becomes a bonding experience—whether it's at a small warung or a trendy beachfront bistro. This relaxed dining culture encourages laughter, friendship, and the kind of support system that turns classmates into lifelong friends.

And let’s not forget dessert. Gili Air has several ice cream and gelato shops that serve the perfect post-dive treat. It’s the little things—like sharing a scoop of mango sorbet with your new dive buddy—that make the IDC experience so special.

Enjoy Island Life at a Slower Pace

Island life runs at a different pace than the rest of the world, and that’s part of what makes doing your PADI IDC on Gili Air so magical. There are no cars or motorbikes on the island, only bicycles and horse carts. The streets are sandy paths lined with coconut trees and smiling faces. The vibe is calm, welcoming, and inspiring.

During your free time, you can explore the island by bicycle, snorkel along the reefs, read a book in a hammock, or simply watch the stars light up the night sky. The simplicity of life here creates the perfect environment for learning, reflection, and transformation.

A Supportive Community at Oceans 5 Gili Air

Oceans 5 isn’t just a dive center—it’s a community. Everyone, from instructors and divemasters to shop staff and boat crew, is invested in your success. The moment you join the PADI IDC, you’re not just a student—you’re part of the Oceans 5 family.

We believe that learning should be collaborative, not competitive. That’s why we encourage group discussions, peer reviews, and shared experiences. It’s also why we keep our IDC groups small. With a maximum of six IDC candidates per course, you’ll receive personalized attention and develop real connections with your classmates.

The friendships you build during the IDC often continue long after the course is over. Many of our graduates go on to teach together, travel together, or meet again in dive destinations around the world. Some even return to Gili Air to assist on future IDCs or pursue their next professional step.

Conservation and Eco-Initiatives During Your IDC

As a conservation-minded dive center, Oceans 5 incorporates environmental awareness into every aspect of the IDC. Candidates are encouraged to think not only as dive instructors but as ocean ambassadors. We discuss best practices for protecting marine life, sustainable tourism, and how to integrate eco-conscious teaching into your courses.

If you want to get more involved, you can participate in weekly beach cleanups, marine debris surveys, and reef monitoring. For those interested in making conservation part of their career, we offer additional workshops and specialty training related to marine protection.

This alignment with nature and sustainability is another reason why so many aspiring dive professionals choose Oceans 5 for their IDC.

Reflect, Relax, and Prepare to Lead

Your time at Oceans 5 Gili Air during the IDC isn’t just about passing an exam—it’s about transforming into a confident, capable, and compassionate dive instructor. The supportive learning environment, slower pace, beautiful island surroundings, and access to resources make this journey one of the most memorable of your life.

You’ll graduate from the IDC not just with a certification, but with the experience, mindset, and confidence to teach PADI Courses anywhere in the world. And you’ll carry with you the memories of sunset dinners, night dives in the harbor, spontaneous laughter with classmates, and quiet moments of reflection by the sea.

Ready to Start Your IDC Journey?

If you’ve been dreaming of becoming a PADI Instructor, there’s no better place to start than Oceans 5 Gili Air. With our 20-day stress-reducing program, personalized support from two experienced Course Directors, and access to everything the island has to offer, your instructor journey can be as enjoyable as it is empowering.

Come dive with us. Train with us. Relax with us. And start your next adventure on the sun-kissed shores of Gili Air.