Curious about life as a PADI Instructor? We totally feel you; every one of us was once right where you are now, daydreaming about ocean life and salty vibes! Those divetastic days filled with sun, sea, and sharing the magic of the underwater world with new divers? That’s how it all begins! Guiding a first-time diver to spot their very first turtle, helping Open Water students crush goals they didn’t think possible, inspiring new ocean ambassadors, or leading a crew through a wreck adventure dive; each day is its own epic adventure, rewarded by the excitement and spark in a diver’s eyes!
So come along and check out what a typical day looks like for Jerome AKA Fuuu, one of our instructors here at Coral Grand Divers!
5:45 AM - Rise and Shine
It’s early, but Jerome’s up and ready! He’s already had a quick breakfast of fresh mango, a croissant (yep, he’s French), and a strong coffee to kick-start his day. Now, he’s cruising through Koh Tao’s wild beauty, soaking in the stunning views on his way to the dive centre while the sky is painting itself in shades of orange as the sun peeks over the horizon.
6:00 AM - Dive Shop Prep
Jerome’s day starts at the dive shop, where he preps gear for his students’ last two dives of their Open Water Diver course. He goes over the day’s plan, brushing up on any skills or briefings he’ll be guiding them through.
6:30 AM - Briefing
As the students arrive, Jerome kicks off the morning briefing. He covers everything they need to know; the skills they’ll need to demonstrate, essential hand signals, possible marine encounters (who doesn't love a whale shark sighting?), and, of course, safety procedures. With everyone prepped and pumped for the morning trip, it’s off to the boat!
7:00 AM - First Dive of the Day
The boat arrives at Chumphon Pinnacle, one of Koh Tao’s iconic dive spots. All students execute their giant stride entries flawlessly, and later, they successfully complete all required skills. Jerome and his students did an amazing job and are rewarded with sightings of massive barracudas patrolling the area.
8:00 AM - Surface Interval
Back on the boat, it’s snack time; coffee, tea, and biscuits. Jerome debriefs the first dive and preps his students for their next dive!
9:30 AM - Second Dive
The second dive takes place at White Rock. Jerome ensures his students are comfortable and in control, checking that their buoyancy and dive limits are on point, making sure they can safely enjoy the dive within recreational limits. This dive is often called a “fun dive”, no skills practice here, just pure fun and the thrill of exploring the underwater world!
10:40 PM - Lunch Break
Back at the dive center, it’s time for the final exam and to process those shiny new Open Water Diver certifications! Afterward, Jerome and his freshly certified divers dig into a delicious local lunch at the Coral Grand Resort restaurant. They enjoy some Pad Krapow Moo (pork & holy basil stir-fry with rice), swapping stories about their morning dives. Jerome gets them all excited for the new adventures waiting for them around the world as certified divers!
3:00 PM - Afternoon Pool Session
Next up is a refresher session for a couple of divers who haven’t been in the water in two years. Jerome reintroduces them to the basics and essential safety procedures so they’ll feel confident and ready for their next scuba adventure. They go over some dive theory, equipment setup, mask clearing, buoyancy control, and other essentials in our on-site pool. About 1 hour and 30 minutes later, these divers are prepped and pumped for tomorrow’s afternoon 2-dive trip!
4:30 PM - Equipment Set-Up
Almost done for the day, Jerome preps and packs all the gear needed for tomorrow’s dives, making sure everything’s set for him and his divers. He lingers a bit at the dive center, chatting and sharing laughs with everyone around before heading out.
5:30 PM - Unwind!
With the day officially wrapped up, Jerome heads to a local bar with some of the Coral Grand Divers crew to relax and enjoy a quick beer. There, they meet mates from other dive shops, the dive community in Koh Tao is huge, so it’s always great to catch up and share a laugh. They keep it mellow; he’s got a Bubblemaker Program with two kiddos at 9 AM the next morning! After some fun and good vibes, he heads home to recharge and dig into a well-deserved dinner.
Being a PADI Instructor is more than just a job - it’s a way of life. It’s diving in incredible locations, passing on knowledge, sharing your passion with others, and meeting awesome people along the way. The days can be long, but ask any of us; it’s one of the best jobs out there! If you’re ready to turn your love for diving into a career, reach out to us about becoming a PADI Instructor!
