Dive instructor jobs in the Maldives: PADI and SSI levels, pay and permits (2026)

Maldives dive centres hire at two professional levels: divemaster, who guides certified divers, and instructor, who teaches and certifies them. The listings we read asked for a PADI instructor rating and experience, and some for Russian, Chinese or German.

1,599 vacancies are open in the Maldives on CareersMV as of 7 Oct 2026: 1,096 at 123 resorts and 398 in government and the public sector.

What a dive instructor does at a Maldives resort

A resort dive instructor teaches courses to guests and guides boat dives on the house reef and nearby sites. Briefing divers on currents and marine life is part of the job. The same person checks equipment, fills in paperwork and sells courses and dive packages.

Some resort dive centres are run by dive companies rather than the resort itself, and both kinds of employer advertise. Senior instructors move up to run the centre: listings use titles such as dive base leader and dive centre manager.

The career ladder

The dive ladder has two parts: the certification ladder you climb with PADI or SSI, and the job ladder at the dive centre.

The certification ladder, using PADI's levels:

1. 01Open Water Diver
2. 02Advanced Open Water Diver, certified to 30 metres (PADI)
3. 03Rescue Diver, which needs first aid and CPR training
4. 04Divemaster, the first professional level
5. 05Assistant Instructor
6. 06Open Water Scuba Instructor
7. 07Master Scuba Diver Trainer
8. 08IDC Staff Instructor
9. 09Master Instructor
10. 10Course Director

The job ladder at a resort dive centre:

1. 01Divemaster or dive guide
2. 02Dive instructor
3. 03Senior instructor
4. 04Dive base leader or dive centre manager

What each PADI level lets you do

PADI sets the prerequisites and the limits of each rating. This table summarises what PADI states on its own pages.

Sources: PADI's pro FAQs, professional levels and IDC page. Divemasters can also teach some programmes, such as ReActivate and snorkelling courses, according to PADI.

SSI levels

SSI uses a similar ladder with different names. Its Divemaster programme asks for 60 logged dives (40 hours underwater), SSI's Professional Dive Guide certification and Science of Diving. An SSI Divemaster may lead certified divers, assist instructors and run ecology programmes.

An SSI Open Water Instructor completes the Instructor Training Course and then the Instructor Evaluation. SSI says the rating lets you teach independently in all its core programmes. Instructor Trainer is the last step on SSI's instructor path.

What resorts ask for

The dive instructor listings we read in October 2026 named PADI where they named an agency:

• one asked for a PADI instructor certificate and at least a year of teaching and guiding in the Maldives
• one asked for a PADI instructor able to teach up to Divemaster, with valid dive insurance
• one asked for experience in a similar role and Russian

Bring your certification card, logbook and proof of dive insurance to interviews. Check each listing: requirements differ from centre to centre.

Languages that help

Dive listings open in October 2026 included jobs for Russian-, Chinese- and German-speaking instructors. Those languages match who comes to the Maldives.

China (14.7%), Russia (12.4%), the UK (9.0%), Germany (7.5%) and Italy (6.8%) sent the most tourists in 2025 (Ministry of Tourism). The listings we read also asked for fluent English.

Quotas for foreign dive instructors end in 2029

Regulation 2025/R-120 phases out work permit quotas for dive instructors four years after it took effect on 14 December 2025. At that point existing quotas for the post are cancelled and no new ones are issued (Schedule 2, Article 26).

The same schedule ends quotas for the post of diver after three years, from December 2028. The Department of Foreign Labour's summary sets out the same timetable. The list has already been amended once, so check the current version on the Xpat system before you plan beyond 2028.

Until then, a foreign instructor works on a work permit that the employer applies for and pays for. See hiring foreign workers in the Maldives for the employer's side.

Dive jobs open now

Pay

Resorts and dive centres rarely advertise pay, so expect to ask at interview. The table shows advertised pay where enough listings state it.

Tourism businesses must charge at least 10% service charge and share it equally among all employees (Employment Act, section 52). Ask your employer how it is paid.

Questions people ask

Can I do a divemaster internship in the Maldives?

You can take a divemaster course at a dive centre; PADI's course needs Rescue Diver, 40 logged dives to start and first aid training.

Working is different. Any foreigner employed in the Maldives needs a work permit, which the employer applies and pays for under Regulation 2025/R-120. Ask the centre in writing if you will be a student or an employee.

How much does a dive instructor earn in the Maldives?

Few listings say. Resorts and dive centres rarely advertise pay, so the table above shows only what has been advertised. Ask about basic salary, service charge, commission on courses, accommodation and flights before you accept.

Do I need to be an instructor to work at a Maldives dive centre?

No. Centres also hire divemasters, who can guide certified divers and assist instructors but cannot teach scuba courses.

PADI or SSI: which do Maldives resorts want?

The listings we read named PADI. If you hold SSI ratings, check whether the centre teaches SSI before you apply.

Can foreigners still work as dive instructors in the Maldives?

Yes, for now. Under Regulation 2025/R-120, quotas for foreign dive instructors are due to end four years after 14 December 2025. Check the Xpat system for the current list.