Life as a PADI Dive Instructor at Oceans 5 Gili Air: A Story of Passion, Progression, and Purpose
Life as a PADI Dive Instructor at Oceans 5 Gili Air
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| PADI Dive Instructor at Oceans 5 Gili Air | PADI IDC Indonesia |
In the diving world, where seasonal contracts and short-term employment are often the norm, it’s rare to find a dive shop where instructors stay for years, grow in their careers, and become integral parts of a thriving dive community. Oceans 5 Gili Air breaks that mold. Located in the heart of the harbor on Gili Air, Indonesia, this PADI Career Development Centre (CDC) has become more than just a place to dive—it’s a place to grow.
With a team of instructors who have been with the dive center for years, Oceans 5 has built a solid foundation of experience, trust, and continuity. While many of the instructors started their professional journey with the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) at Oceans 5, each one has a unique story to tell. This article explores the daily life, career evolution, and shared philosophy that binds the team together.
A Dive Shop Built on People, Not Just Facilities
Oceans 5 Gili Air has developed an outstanding reputation over the last 15 years for its professionalism, commitment to quality, and environmental consciousness. As a PADI Career Development Centre, Oceans 5 runs monthly Instructor Development Courses, drawing passionate divers from around the world. The consistent training schedule means that fresh talent is always nearby—but rather than constantly rotating staff, Oceans 5 has chosen another path: investing in long-term team members.
The real success of Oceans 5 isn’t just in its spacious pools, modern compressor room, or strategic location—it lies in its people. The instructors are the heartbeat of the dive shop. Their consistency, knowledge, and shared values ensure that every diver—whether beginner or professional—receives the best possible training and experience.
The Instructor Team: Stories of Growth and Dedication
Tama & Yunus: From Student to Mentor
Tama and Yunus represent a powerful example of how Oceans 5 supports Indonesian dive professionals. Both took part in a special IDC for Indonesian citizens in 2021, held during the COVID pandemic by Course Director Sander Buis. The initiative aimed to provide opportunities during a time when tourism—and jobs—had all but disappeared.
Yunus had already been working at Oceans 5 since 2012, supporting dive operations in various roles. When the opportunity came to become a PADI Instructor, he didn’t hesitate. After passing his IDC and IE, he transitioned seamlessly into teaching and quickly became a respected team member. Today, Yunus holds more than five PADI Instructor Specialties and is certified as a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer (MSDT), a mark of experience and teaching versatility.
Tama took a slightly different path. After the IDC, he spent a few years gaining broader experience by working in other regions of Indonesia. But like many instructors who experience the difference at Oceans 5, he returned in 2024 and rejoined the team with fresh energy and new perspectives. Now also an MSDT, Tama brings a calm, professional approach to teaching and mentoring, especially for Indonesian dive candidates looking to follow in his footsteps.
Ary: From IDC Candidate to TDI Tech Instructor
Ary’s journey with Oceans 5 began in 2015 when he completed his PADI IDC with Course Director Sander. Not long after becoming an instructor, Ary showed a special interest in going beyond the recreational level. Over the years, he worked his way up to become a PADI IDC Staff Instructor, helping mentor new instructors during IDCs.
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| PADI Dive Instructor at Oceans 5 Gili Air | PADI IDC Indonesia |
But Ary’s true passion lies in the depths—technical diving. In 2024, he took a significant step forward and became a certified TDI Tech Instructor, allowing him to teach technical diving up to Decompression Procedures. His dedication to skill mastery and his love for exploration make him a role model not only for aspiring tech divers but for any diver who believes in pushing boundaries while prioritizing safety.
Chika: The Passionate Educator
Chika is the only female instructor on the team and also the only non-Indonesian instructor currently working at Oceans 5. She joined the team in 2023, just after the world reopened post-COVID. After completing her IDC at Oceans 5 with Sander, it was clear that she had a talent for teaching and a passion for helping students feel confident in the water.
Within a year, she advanced to become a PADI IDC Staff Instructor, assisting with instructor development and mentoring divemaster candidates. Chika brings a nurturing, positive energy to the team and serves as a powerful role model for female divers across the Gili Islands. Her journey shows that even those who are newer to the industry can quickly become leaders when placed in the right environment.
Chelle: From Instructor to Operational Director
Chelle’s story highlights one of the unique advantages of working at Oceans 5—career growth beyond teaching. After completing her IDC in 2018 with Course Director Sander, she became an instructor and quickly grew into the role of dive shop manager. Over time, her strong organizational skills and leadership qualities led her to take on broader responsibilities, and she is now the Operational Director of Oceans 5 Gili Air.
Even though her role has shifted from full-time teaching to management, Chelle is still an active instructor and a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer. She’s the person who ensures everything behind the scenes runs smoothly—from logistics and scheduling to customer service and staff development. Her presence is a daily reminder that great instructors can wear many hats and still shape the diving industry in meaningful ways.
Waz: The Dream to Become a Course Director
Every dive instructor dreams of one day reaching the top of the professional diving ladder. For Waz, that dream became reality in 2024 when he completed the prestigious PADI Course Director Training Course. Although he did not complete his original IDC at Oceans 5, he has been closely connected to the dive center for years and chose to take the final steps of his career journey there.
Now the lead Course Director at Oceans 5, Waz trains the next generation of dive professionals with a calm demeanor, a deep understanding of PADI standards, and a fresh perspective on modern dive education. Under his guidance, Oceans 5 continues to maintain its position as one of the top PADI CDCs in the region. His journey also exemplifies that while the paths may vary, the destination remains the same: growth, excellence, and mentorship.
A Stable Team in a Rotating Industry
In most tropical diving destinations, it’s common to see dive instructors come and go with the seasons. Contract work, visa limits, and the lure of new locations often create high staff turnover. But not at Oceans 5 Gili Air.
The decision to maintain a stable instructor team is intentional. Long-term staff create better course consistency, stronger relationships with repeat guests, and a better training environment for students at all levels. It also fosters a true family atmosphere within the dive center—one of mutual support, growth, and shared values.
Having a consistent team allows Oceans 5 to offer more than just dive courses. It allows mentorship, tailored IDC programs, realistic instructor training, and a deeper integration of environmental responsibility into every dive and every lesson.
Life as a Dive Instructor: More Than a Job
So what is life really like as a PADI Dive Instructor at Oceans 5 Gili Air? It’s more than just a career—it’s a lifestyle. Each day brings early mornings, boat rides to stunning dive sites, laughter with students, and moments of awe underwater. But it also comes with responsibility: for safety, for quality instruction, and for representing the values of the dive shop.
Instructors are not just teaching dive skills—they’re teaching confidence, environmental awareness, and a deep respect for the ocean. They are guides, mentors, and often lifelong friends to the people they teach.
At Oceans 5, instructors are also empowered to grow. Whether that means gaining more specialties, becoming an IDC Staff Instructor, moving into tech diving, or taking on leadership roles, the opportunity is there. And because the team is stable, every instructor knows they’re not just passing through—they’re building something.
From IDC to Career: The Oceans 5 Pathway
What makes Oceans 5 Gili Air particularly unique is its ability to offer a complete professional pathway. Many of the instructors started their journey at Oceans 5 as divemasters or IDC candidates. They received training, mentorship, and support—and in return, they became loyal team members who now give back by mentoring others.
It’s a powerful cycle. With monthly IDCs and a constant flow of candidates, Oceans 5 doesn’t need to look far for talent. The dive center already knows its future team members—they’re learning in the classrooms, practicing in the pools, and proving themselves in the ocean.
For IDC candidates, it’s incredibly motivating to train alongside real instructors who walked the same path. They don’t just see a possible future—they meet it in person.
The Heartbeat of Oceans 5: People First
In the end, buildings can be upgraded, and equipment can be replaced—but the people make the difference. Oceans 5 Gili Air’s success story is rooted in its people-first philosophy. By investing in their instructors, offering long-term opportunities, and creating a space where people can grow both professionally and personally, Oceans 5 has created something rare in the diving world: a true team.
Whether it’s Yunus mentoring new Indonesian instructors, Ary guiding the next generation of tech divers, or Waz turning divemasters into confident instructors, every team member contributes to the heartbeat of the dive shop.
Conclusion: Life as a Dive Instructor at Oceans 5 Gili Air
Being a PADI Dive Instructor at Oceans 5 Gili Air is about more than just leading dives. It’s about belonging to a team that believes in quality over quantity, mentorship over rotation, and career development over quick fixes. It’s about waking up every day in paradise, knowing that what you do matters—not just to your students, but to the ocean, the island, and the dive center that supports you.
If you’re dreaming of becoming a dive instructor, look no further than Oceans 5 Gili Air. Here, you’ll find more than a course—you’ll find a community. You won’t just become an instructor. You’ll become part of something bigger.
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