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Instructor Development Course (IDC)

PADI Scuba Professional

Instructor Development Course (IDC)

Become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor in Golfo Aranci, Sardinia, with Course Director Luca Pelizzari and a team of Master and IDC Staff Instructors.

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10 daysDuration
€900.00Price from
• 18 years or older • PADI Divemaster (or equivalent leadership rating) • Certified diver for at least 6 months • 60 logged dives to start, 100 to sit the IE, including night, deep and navigation experience • EFR Primary and Secondary Care training within 24 months • Medical statement signed by a physician within 12 monthsPrerequisites
SardiniaLocation
5 – 14 May 2027Next date

Sardinia

Upcoming course dates

Pick a date to see the packages and book your place.

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05May 2027Instructor Development Course (IDC)Golfo Aranci, Italy8 spacesBook →
14Jul 2027Instructor Development Course (IDC)Golfo Aranci, Italy8 spacesBook →
20Oct 2027Instructor Development Course (IDC)Golfo Aranci, Italy8 spacesBook →

About this course

Instructor Development Course (IDC)

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The PADI IDC trains Divemasters to become PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors. It is led by Course Director Luca Pelizzari, supported by 4 Master Instructors and 4 IDC Staff Instructors.

How it works

  • e-Learning: four weeks of theory from home, with twice a week live Zoom sessions.

  • In person in Golfo Aranci: 10 days including a 2-day IDC Prep, with classroom, confined-water and open-water workshops and a dedicated EFR Instructor day.

  • Instructor Examination: run independently by a PADI Examiner, usually in the two days after the IDC.

You must meet every performance requirement in the workshops before you can sit the IE.

Included specialties

Enriched Air Diver, Emergency Oxygen Provider and PADI/DAN Advanced Oxygen Provider Instructor are included at no extra training cost, taught at the end of the IDC. PADI certification fees apply.

Languages

Workshops run in English and Italian; presentations can be given in either. Other languages can be arranged in advance. Groups are 4 to 8 candidates.

Before you book

What's included

What's included

• IDC e-Learning with live support Zoom sessions
• 2-day IDC Prep with skills and dive theory refresher
• Classroom, confined-water and open-water workshops
• EFR Instructor course
• Enriched Air, Emergency Oxygen and Advanced Oxygen Provider Instructor ratings
• Help finding work after certification

Prerequisites

• 18 years or older
• PADI Divemaster (or equivalent leadership rating)
• Certified diver for at least 6 months
• 60 logged dives to start, 100 to sit the IE, including night, deep and navigation experience
• EFR Primary and Secondary Care training within 24 months
• Medical statement signed by a physician within 12 months

Packages

Choose your package

Every package includes your course - pick the extras that suit you, then book your date.

Basic IDC Package

€900per person

What's included

  • PADI - Instructor Development Course (IDC) Course

What's required

  • IDC Digital Learning Materials€680.00

Optional extras

  • IDC Prep€200.00
  • EFR - Instructor€350.00
  • 3 Included Specialities€350.00
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Bronze IDC Package

€1,400per person

What's included

  • IDC Prep
  • PADI - Instructor Development Course (IDC) Course
  • EFR - Instructor
  • 3 Included Specialities

What's required

  • IDC Digital Learning Materials€680.00
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Popular

Silver IDC Package

€1,800per person

What's included

  • IDC Prep
  • PADI - Instructor Development Course (IDC) Course
  • EFR - Instructor
  • 3 Included Specialities
  • Master Scuba Diver Trainer Preparation Upgrade
Book

Gold IDC Package

€2,400per person

What's included

  • IDC Prep
  • PADI - Instructor Development Course (IDC) Course
  • EFR - Instructor
  • 3 Included Specialities
  • Master Scuba Diver Trainer Preparation Upgrade
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Questions

Good to know

Quick answers to what divers ask us most about this course.

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What is the PADI IDC (Instructor Development Course)?

The IDC turns Divemasters into PADI Open Water Scuba Instructors. It combines instructor-level theory, teaching workshops and confined and open water training, and prepares you for the PADI Instructor Examination (IE).

What are the prerequisites to start the IDC?

You need to be 18 or older and a PADI Divemaster (or equivalent), with 60 logged dives to start (100 to be certified), a medical statement and first aid/CPR training from the last 24 months.

How long does the IDC take?

About four weeks of e-Learning with live Zoom sessions, then 10 days in person in Golfo Aranci - 2 days of IDC Prep and 8 days of IDC. The Instructor Examination follows, usually within two days.

What is included in your IDC training?

Teaching workshops and presentations, confined and open water teaching practice, standards and risk management, IE preparation, a dedicated EFR Instructor day and three Instructor Specialties: Enriched Air, Emergency Oxygen Provider and Advanced Oxygen Provider.

Is the IDC taught in English, Italian, or both?

Both. Live e-Learning sessions run in Italian on Mondays and Thursdays and in English on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the in-person IDC is taught in English or Italian - bilingually when the group needs it.

Do I need to be a Divemaster before the IDC?

Yes - the pathway is Divemaster, then IDC, then the IE. If you are a professional with another agency, ask us about a Crossover to PADI.

How do I know if I'm “ready” for the IDC?

If you can demonstrate core skills comfortably, control your buoyancy and trim and explain things clearly, you're ready. Feeling rusty? 1-to-1 tutoring with an IDC Staff Instructor closes the gaps before day one.

What happens after the IDC?

You sit the PADI Instructor Examination, run independently by a PADI Examiner. Once you pass, you can teach PADI courses up to your instructor rating.

Can I become an MSDT after the IDC?

Yes. Add five Specialty Instructor ratings and certify 25 divers to become a Master Scuba Diver Trainer - many candidates start straight after the IE with the specialties included in their IDC.

What if I'm travelling from abroad? Do you help with logistics?

Yes - we help with arrival, accommodation (rooms in a hotel B&B 20 metres from our base or a shared apartment), equipment and your study plan.

What should I prepare before arriving?

Finish your e-Learning, practise your core skills to demonstration quality, and make sure your medical statement and first aid/CPR training are current.

How do I apply for the IDC in Sardinia?

Choose your dates on the course page and book, or contact us for a quick eligibility check and a step-by-step plan.

Your professional pathway

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From our community

Divers on
Instructor Development Course (IDC)

Reviews from divers who trained on this course with our partner centres.

Student stories →
“🌊 IDC No. 8 – April-May 2026: AMAZING! 🌊 An incredibly intensive course that truly prepares you to become the kind of instructor you wish you had when you first decided to breathe underwater 🤿 It lasted nearly a month online and 10 days in person.💪💪💪 You need to trust the process, because the program is designed not only to teach diving skills, but also to help you grow into a more professional, confident, and responsible person 💪 During these 10 days, you’ll be so focused on learning and improving that you probably won’t even have time to take photos 📚🔥 The entire IDC Sardinia staff is always there for you — guiding, supporting, motivating, and helping you through every challenge. They seem to have a sixth sense for knowing exactly when you need encouragement, and they won’t let you give up, even when the summit feels far away 🌟 And don’t worry… there will also be moments of…”
Instructor Development Course (IDC) · IDC SardegnaGreta ValotiSardinia · Google review★★★★★
“I just did my IDC with IDC Sardegna and it was the most amazing experience in my life. I love all of the staff with all my heart. The support, the training, the organisation and in generall every day was structured perfect. It was a challengig time, but I fully enjoyed it and was able to do a big step in my diving live. Special thanks to the Course Director Luca, who is one of the most inspiring persons I met in my whole life. Lets see what time does, but if I ever gonna do a contiuing education I will do it with him. Grazie”
Instructor Development Course (IDC) · IDC SardegnaSimon SablotnySardinia · Google review★★★★★
“I did the IDC with them and everything was truly fantastic. They're professional, helpful, and ready to help you both with the course and if you have any issues with the equipment. They truly take care of every detail. Luckily, I don't have to do it again 😄 ✌🏼, but if I did, I'd definitely choose them again.”
Instructor Development Course (IDC) · IDC SardegnaChristian FalcettelliSardinia · Google review★★★★★
“Becoming a diving instructor has recently become my biggest dream in life :) And this dream has finally come true, largely thanks to the wonderful team at IDC Sardegna, who shared all their love and knowledge of diving with me in the best possible way! I can only recommend that you take an instructor course with them so that you too can join this wonderful world in the most beautiful way possible 🙂”
Instructor Development Course (IDC) · IDC SardegnaEnzo MenichiniSardinia · Google review★★★★★

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