2026 SDI Instructor Development Course + Instructor Evaluation Course in Curaçao
Begin your SDI instructor development online from wherever you live, then join Mammoth Dive Academy and Elite Diving Curaçao in Willemstad for hands-on instructor development and evaluation in the Caribbean.
Become the Instructor Other Divers Remember
You do not have to live in Texas to begin this program. The 2026 Curaçao IDC is built around a blended pathway: structured online preparation first, then in-person instructor development and evaluation in Curaçao.
Start From Anywhere
Begin your academic preparation, standards review, teaching assignments, and candidate coaching online before traveling to Curaçao.
Train in the Caribbean
Move from online preparation into classroom, confined-water, and open-water instructor development with Elite Diving Curaçao in Willemstad.
Develop for the Real World
The focus is not simply completing an evaluation. The focus is developing teaching control, judgment, communication, rescue readiness, student management, and professional decision-making.
Eight Candidates. One Caribbean Class.
The 2026 Curaçao program is intentionally limited to eight candidates so the instructor-development team can maintain meaningful coaching, feedback, and candidate interaction throughout the program.
Two Educators. Two Training Environments. One Goal.
Your development is led by an SDI Course Director and an SDI Instructor Trainer working together to prepare candidates for instructor-level teaching, leadership, and evaluation.
Randy Lublinski
Randy brings SDI professional-development leadership together with the perspective of a working Caribbean dive operation and Curaçao training environment.
Jason Burleson
Jason brings a strong focus on mentorship, standards, real-world teaching, safety, and preparing candidates to become capable working instructors rather than simply preparing for an evaluation.
Developing Better Instructors
Mammoth Dive Academy and Elite Diving Curaçao combine structured online preparation with in-person Caribbean development so candidates arrive ready to learn, perform, receive feedback, and grow.
Your 2026 Instructor Development Pathway
1
Apply & Confirm Prerequisites
Contact Mammoth Dive Academy so we can review your current professional rating, logged dives, required certifications, medical documentation, and SDI eligibility before you commit to travel.
2
Online Instructor Development Begins — November 2
Begin structured online preparation from home, including SDI standards, academic development, teaching assignments, professional topics, and instructor-level preparation before the Curaçao phase.
3
Curaçao Instructor Development — November 9–15
Join the instructor-development team in Willemstad for the in-person phase, including classroom, confined-water, open-water, teaching, problem-solving, and professional-development work required by the program.
4
SDI Instructor Evaluation Course (IEC)
Complete the SDI evaluation process and demonstrate the academic, confined-water, open-water, judgment, and professional competencies required for successful completion.
Take Your Instructor Development Into a Caribbean Dive Environment
The destination is more than a backdrop. Curaçao gives candidates the opportunity to move from online preparation into an ocean-based dive-center environment while completing instructor-level development.
Ocean Training
Develop and demonstrate instructor-level skills in an ocean environment during the in-person phase.
Caribbean Dive Operations
Experience professional development in the setting of a working Curaçao dive operation.
Different Training Environment
Apply the planning, control, communication, and problem-solving developed online to a new real-world environment.
International Perspective
Build professional experience outside your home market while developing relationships across the Mammoth and Elite training network.
Do I Qualify for the SDI Instructor Development Course?
SDI instructor candidates must meet current agency prerequisites before beginning the program. Mammoth will review your documentation and eligibility before registration is finalized.
Core SDI Prerequisites
- Minimum age of 18.
- Certified diver for a minimum of 6 months.
- Proof of at least 100 logged dives completed in multiple environments and varying depths.
- SDI Divemaster, SDI Assistant Instructor, or equivalent professional certification.
- Current qualifying first response / emergency care and oxygen administration credentials, or equivalent, as required by current SDI standards.
- Required SDI administrative and medical documentation completed before the course.
Already a Divemaster With Another Recognized Agency?
You may qualify through an equivalent professional rating. Send us your current agency, rating, certification history, and logged-dive information and we will review the pathway with you before you register.
Candidate requirements are governed by current SDI Standards and Procedures. Final eligibility is confirmed by the instructor-development team.
What You Will Develop During the Program
Teaching & Presentation Skills
Develop classroom, confined-water, and open-water presentations with an emphasis on clear communication, control, and student learning.
Instructor-Level Watermanship
Prepare for demonstration-quality skills, rescue performance, problem solving, and the watermanship requirements of the SDI instructor pathway.
Professional Judgment
Strengthen planning, risk management, standards knowledge, student supervision, ethics, and sound decision-making expected at instructor level.
Successful Completion
Candidates who meet SDI requirements and successfully complete both the Instructor Development Course (IDC) and Instructor Evaluation Course (IEC) complete the SDI Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor pathway.
Online Preparation. Caribbean Application. Professional Development.
Structured Preparation
Begin before you travel so valuable Curaçao time can focus on instructor development, application, feedback, and performance rather than starting from zero.
Small-Cohort Mentorship
Limiting the 2026 class to eight candidates supports meaningful coaching and candidate interaction through both phases of the program.
Two Training Perspectives
Mammoth Dive Academy and Elite Diving Curaçao bring different operational environments together around one goal: developing better instructors.
Early Registration Rewards Candidates Who Plan Ahead
Register by September 15, 2026
$2,7992026 early-registration tuition.
Regular Tuition
$3,000Applies after September 15, 2026, subject to remaining availability.
Before You Pay, Know Exactly What Your Package Includes
Candidate-specific agency materials, registration requirements, travel arrangements, and other program expenses can vary. Mammoth Dive Academy will confirm the current tuition package, required SDI materials/fees, and candidate-specific requirements in writing before registration is finalized.
Unless specifically included in your written package, airfare, lodging, meals, local transportation, personal expenses, and optional additional diving or training are separate.
Optional Diving & Training Opportunities
Candidates who want to extend their Curaçao experience can ask Elite Diving Curaçao about additional diving or training opportunities available around the IDC schedule.
Optional activities are separate from the IDC/IEC tuition unless specifically included in writing. Availability, prerequisites, scheduling, and pricing should be confirmed directly before making travel plans.
2026 Curaçao IDC / IEC FAQ
Do I have to live in Texas to join the program?
No. The first phase begins online, allowing qualified candidates to start from home before traveling to Curaçao for the in-person phase.
Can a Divemaster from another training agency apply?
Potentially. Current SDI prerequisites allow an SDI Divemaster, SDI Assistant Instructor, or equivalent professional certification. Contact Mammoth so your specific credentials can be reviewed before registration.
When does the 2026 program begin?
Online instructor development begins November 2, 2026. The Curaçao in-person development and evaluation phase is scheduled for November 9–15, 2026.
How many candidates will be accepted?
The 2026 Curaçao cohort is limited to eight candidates.
What is the early-registration tuition?
Early-registration tuition is $2,799 through September 15, 2026. Regular tuition is $3,000 after September 15, subject to remaining availability.
Are airfare and lodging included?
Unless specifically included in your written registration package, airfare, lodging, meals, local transportation, personal expenses, and optional activities are separate.
What should I do before booking travel?
Contact Mammoth Dive Academy first so the instructor-development team can confirm your professional prerequisites, required documentation, current package details, and next steps.
What is the difference between the IDC and IEC?
The Instructor Development Course (IDC) is the development and preparation phase. The Instructor Evaluation Course (IEC) is the evaluation phase required by SDI for the Open Water Scuba Diver Instructor pathway.
Start From Home. Finish in Curaçao.
If you are ready to take the next step from dive leader to instructor, start by confirming your eligibility. We will review your current rating, prerequisites, preparation needs, and registration pathway before you make travel commitments.
Mammoth Dive Academy • 330 N Dixie Dr Bldg F, Lake Jackson, TX 77566
