🏅 PADI Platinum Professional Development Award 2026 🏆 Only 5★ IDC Dive Resort in Labuan Bajo

Become a PADI Instructor in Komodo —
Trained Directly by Two Resident Course Directors

17-day IDC starting April 17, 2026 at Dragon Dive Komodo — with daily coaching from resident Course Directors Elise Laffourcade and William Baillet, supported by a multilingual in-house IDC team in one of the best real-world environments to become a confident instructor.

👥 2 Resident Course Directors 🌍 English · French · Chinese · German ⏱ 17-Day Extended Program 🤿 Komodo National Park
Check My Eligibility with Elise & William

Fast personal reply  ·  No commitment required  ·  Honest eligibility check

Explore the April 17 Intake ↓

Not sure if you're ready for the April IDC?

Message Elise & William directly and get an honest assessment of your prerequisites, dive count, timing, package choice, and whether the April 17 intake is the right fit for you.

💬 Am I Eligible for the April 17 IDC?

Recognition & Accreditation

PADI Platinum Professional Development Excellence Award 2026
PADI Platinum Award
Professional Development Excellence
Awarded 2026
PADI 5 Star IDC Dive Resort - Dragon Dive Komodo
PADI 5★ IDC Dive Resort
Highest PADI Rating
Only one in Labuan Bajo
Green Fins Silver Member - Dragon Dive Komodo
Green Fins Silver Member
UN-Backed Marine Conservation
Independently Audited

The PADI Platinum Professional Development Excellence Award recognises centers that demonstrate the highest commitment to training quality, candidate outcomes, and instructor education standards. This distinction reflects Dragon Dive Komodo’s commitment to training quality, candidate outcomes, and professional development standards.

👥
2 Resident CDs
In-house, every day
🏆
5★ IDC Center
Only one in Labuan Bajo
🌍
4 Languages
EN · FR · ZH · DE
⏱️
17-Day Program
17-day format including IE
🌿
Eco Certified
Green Fins · AWARE
🛡️
Pass Guarantee
Free retake if needed

Your Training Team

You're Not Choosing a Dive Center.
You're Choosing the Mentors Who Will Shape You.

Most IDC centers offer access to one Course Director. At Dragon Dive Komodo, you train with two resident Course Directors and three dedicated IDC staff — on site, in-house, and fully invested in your 17-day journey.

PADI Course Director · Platinum

Elise Laffourcade

PADI Course Director · 5+ Years Training Professionals

"I don't just prepare you to pass the IE — I prepare you to become the instructor you dream of being. Confident, adaptable, and ready for real teaching anywhere in the world."

🇫🇷 French 🇬🇧 English 📍 On-site daily
💬 Message Elise
PADI Course Director

William Baillet

Resident Course Director & Founder-Level Mentor

"I pursued my Course Director rating to give students something rare: a mentor who built this center from scratch and is on site every single day. I'm not passing through — this is my home, and your success is my reputation."

🇫🇷 French 🇬🇧 English 📍 On-site daily
💬 Message William

One center. Two resident Course Directors. Three IDC staff. Daily feedback, small groups, and mentorship that doesn't clock out at 5pm.
This is what personalized professional training actually looks like — present, consistent, and invested beyond the timetable.

Your IDC. In Your Language.

Four dedicated IDC staff ensure no candidate is ever lost — technically or linguistically.

🇬🇧

James

IDC Staff · Native English

Crystal-clear explanations from someone who's been exactly where you are.

🇨🇳

Rocky

IDC Staff · Mandarin Chinese

Full immersion support — zero language barrier at your most critical career moment.

🇫🇷🇩🇪

Alexandre

IDC Staff · French & German

Precise support in French and German when technical details matter most.

🏆

Daily Mentorship Layer

Your Course Directors remain accessible across the entire IDC, reinforcing every workshop, presentation and feedback loop.

💬 Talk Directly with Elise & William

Fast reply · April 17 availability · Honest guidance, no hard sell

🌿 Green Fins Silver Member 🌊 PADI AWARE Partner

We Train Instructors to Higher Standards For the ocean. For their students. For the future of diving.

At Dragon Dive Komodo, environmental responsibility is built into the way we train future instructors — not treated as an afterthought. Because professional standards do not stop at skills and theory. They also show in how you lead divers in the ocean.

🌿

Green Fins Silver

Green Fins is the world’s leading sustainability standard for dive operations, backed by the UN Environment Programme. Our Silver certification means our practices have been independently assessed against strict marine conservation criteria. As an IDC candidate, you train inside that standard from day one.

🌊

PADI AWARE Mindset

We integrate PADI AWARE values into the way we brief, teach and lead. That means learning how conservation fits into real instructor work — not just as a specialty topic, but as part of professional dive leadership in the field.

🐠

Real-World Standards in Komodo

Training in Komodo means learning in one of the most sensitive and spectacular marine environments on Earth. That naturally raises the standard: better briefings, better awareness, better habits underwater, and better leadership around fragile marine life and protected areas.

Conservation Topics We Value in Professional Development

🗑️ Dive Against Debris 🪸 Coral Reef Conservation 🐟 Fish ID 🦈 Shark Conservation 🌍 Project AWARE

The ocean does not need more dive instructors. It needs better ones — trained to lead by example, every dive, every student, every year. That is the standard we hold ourselves to — and the one we will hold you to.

💬 Talk Directly with Elise & William

2026 Schedule

Next Featured Session: April 2026 IE: May 4 & 5, 2026

If you are serious about becoming a PADI Instructor in 2026, this is the intake to look at first. Applications usually close 4–6 weeks before the start date, so it is worth planning early.

Can’t make May? — Other 2026 Intakes

June 2026

IE: July 15–16, 2026

IDC Start: June 28, 2026

Check Availability →

September 2026

IE: September 23–24, 2026

IDC Start: September 5, 2026

Check Availability →

December 2026

IE: December 2–3, 2026

IDC Start: November 15, 2026

Check Availability →

Training Environment

Komodo Builds More Confident Instructors

There are many places to complete an IDC in Indonesia. The real question is not just where you get certified — it is who you become in the process. Komodo gives you something controlled environments cannot: real conditions, real marine life, and real teaching pressure in one of the most inspiring dive regions on Earth.

Strong currents. Giant mantas. Reef sharks. A UNESCO World Heritage marine environment as your classroom.

When you train in Komodo, you develop sharper situational awareness, more confident briefings, better in-water composure, and a stronger ability to adapt to real-world diving conditions. That kind of confidence is hard to build in purely calm, predictable environments.

If you can teach with confidence in Komodo, you will feel better prepared to work almost anywhere in the world.

Komodo training environment for future dive instructors

If you want a high-volume IDC, there are many options. If you want focused mentorship and real-world preparation, Komodo is different.

Higher-Volume IDC Environments

  • Larger candidate groups can mean less individual feedback
  • Course Director access may be more limited depending on the setup
  • Calmer, more predictable conditions can offer less real-world preparation
  • Busier dive sites can reduce the feeling of focus and immersion

Dragon Dive Komodo IDC

  • Small groups and daily feedback from two resident Course Directors
  • William and Elise on site and directly involved throughout the IDC
  • Real currents, drift diving, and stronger real-world skill development
  • Protected marine park setting that feels inspiring, focused, and memorable
🦈
Reef Sharks
Frequent sightings
Manta Icon
Giant Mantas
Iconic Komodo encounters
🌊
Drift Diving
Real-world skill building
🪸
Rich Biodiversity
A world-class marine environment
🏝️
UNESCO Setting
Protected national park
🐉
Komodo Dragons
The only place on Earth

Program Structure

Inside Your 17-Day Komodo IDC

Intense, yes — but structured, supported, and designed for real growth. Every day has a purpose. Every phase builds on the last.

1

Preparation Days — Setting the Foundation

Before the formal IDC begins, William and Elise identify your strengths and the areas that need focus. You review standards, refresh key theory, and settle into the pace of the course — so the IDC starts with clarity and confidence, not confusion.

Standards review Dive theory refresh Baseline assessment
2

Core IDC Training — Building the Instructor

This is the heart of the program: daily workshops, theory, standards, confined water practice, open water presentations in Komodo, and detailed feedback after every session. You do not just “cover” the IDC — you build the habits and confidence of a real instructor.

Daily workshops Pool sessions Open water teaching Daily feedback EFR Instructor Specialty workshops

Typical Day Structure

☀️ MorningTheory, standards, knowledge development
🤿 MiddayConfined or open water presentations
📋 AfternoonDebriefs, coaching, skill refinement
🌙 EveningAssignments and next-day preparation
3

Instructor Examination (IE) — You’re Ready

By the time the IE arrives, you have already rehearsed the structure, standards, and performance expected. The goal is simple: no surprises, no panic — just a solid performance built on preparation and repetition.

Written exams Knowledge development Confined water skills Open water scenarios
+

After the IE — Beyond Certification

The programme does not end with certification. You celebrate with two free dive days, and you can continue with optional MSDT preparation, CV support, career guidance, and introductions that help you take the next professional step.

2 free dive days MSDT prep (optional) CV coaching 20% off liveaboard Job placement support

Prerequisites at a Glance

✓ PADI Divemaster (or qualifying certification)
✓ 18+ years old
✓ Medical clearance under 12 months
✓ EFR within 24 months
✓ 60 logged dives to start the IDC
✓ 100 dives required for the IE

Not sure if you meet the requirements? Message William for a quick eligibility check.

Investment

Two Paths. One Goal: Your Instructor Career.

Both packages include the same mentorship quality, the same team, and the same Komodo training environment. The difference is how far you want to go from day one.

Start Your Career

PADI OWSI · First IDC Pack

1,199
  • Complete 17-day IDC program
  • Daily coaching from 2 resident Course Directors
  • EFR Instructor Course included
  • Free O2 Provider Course
  • CESA, DSMB, Nitrox and Rescue workshops
  • 2 free dive days after the IDC
  • 50% off dorm accommodation during IDC
  • 20% off liveaboard after the IE
  • Pass guarantee — free course retake if needed*
  • Dragon Dive merchandise

Not sure which package fits your goals?

William can recommend the right option based on your experience level, budget, and career plans — no guesswork needed.

💬 Ask William Which Pack Suits Me

Transparent Pricing

Exactly What You Pay — and to Whom.

No hidden costs. Here is a clear breakdown of what is included in your Dragon Dive package, what is paid directly to PADI, and what you should budget for personally.

Included with Dragon Dive

  • IDC preparation, full IDC course, and EFRI
  • 2 free dive days after the IDC
  • 50% off dorm accommodation during the IDC
  • Discounted private rooms (subject to availability)
  • Tea, coffee, and refreshments during training
  • Basic equipment: BCD, regulator, wetsuit, fins, and mask
  • 10% off restaurant and bar during the IDC
  • 20% off liveaboard after the IE
  • 30% off fun diving after the IE
  • Dragon Dive merchandise
  • Pass guarantee — free course retake if needed*

💳 Paid Directly to PADI

These fees are paid by you directly to PADI by credit card and are separate from the Dragon Dive package.

IDC + IE + EFRI
PADI registration and exam-related fees
~1,750 AUD
Specialty Applications
Pro Pack only · per specialty
~139 AUD each

PADI fees are paid at registration and may change over time. Ask William for the most current figures.

👤 Personal & Optional Costs

  • EFRI and IDC eLearning (online self-study)
  • IDC slates (if purchased separately)
  • Komodo National Park fees
  • Meals (especially breakfast and dinner)
  • Personal dive equipment such as dive computer, compass, SMB, and cutting tool
  • Dive insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Airport transfers

Want a realistic picture of your total investment before committing? Message William and get a simple, honest cost breakdown for the May 2026 intake.

💬 Get a Full Cost Breakdown on WhatsApp →

Frequently Asked

Still Wondering If This IDC Is Right for You?

Honest answers to the questions we hear most often. If yours is not here, William is one WhatsApp message away.

To join the IDC, you need to be at least 18 years old, hold a Divemaster-level certification, have 60 logged dives to start the IDC, and reach 100 dives before the IE.

  • PADI Divemaster or equivalent
  • Minimum 60 logged dives to start
  • 100 dives required for the IE
  • EFR within 24 months, or we can help include it
  • Medical clearance signed by a physician within 12 months

Not sure if you qualify yet? Message William for an honest assessment before you commit.

Yes, if you already have at least 60 dives to begin the IDC and can realistically reach 100 before the IE.

If you are close, William can help you map out the best path based on your current dive count and timing.

No, your English does not need to be perfect — but you do need working-level English for the IE, written work, and presentations.

Dragon Dive Komodo supports non-native speakers with multilingual IDC staff in English, French, German, and Chinese, so you are not left alone while building confidence.

No. Komodo is demanding, but that is exactly why it helps candidates become more adaptable and confident instructors.

The progression is managed carefully by William, Elise, and the team, so you do not get thrown into conditions without support.

Recent Dragon Dive Komodo cohorts have had strong IE outcomes, and we are proud of that.

More importantly, we only want candidates walking into the IE when they are genuinely ready. That is also why we offer a pass guarantee on the course side if needed.

Basic equipment is included, but as a professional candidate it is better to have your own core setup if possible.

For the IE and professional training, you should plan for items such as a dive computer, compass, SMB, whistle, and cutting tool.

IDC candidates receive 50% off on-site dorm accommodation during the program.

Private rooms may also be available at a special IDC rate, depending on availability.

Yes — and you should.

William can check your eligibility, talk through your goals, explain the packages, and tell you honestly whether the May 2026 intake is the right fit for you.

Yes. Once you pass the IE and complete the required PADI registration steps, you can start working as a PADI Instructor.

Dragon Dive Komodo also supports candidates with CV guidance, career advice, and industry introductions.

Dragon Dive Komodo is a Green Fins Silver Member and a PADI AWARE partner, which reflects a higher standard of marine responsibility in the way the center operates and trains.

That mindset is integrated into the IDC through briefing quality, underwater habits, conservation awareness, and professional standards around teaching in Komodo National Park.

Your question is not listed here?

Send a WhatsApp message to William and get a direct answer about the May 2026 IDC.

💬 Send Your Question to William

May 2026 Intake · Small Group · Applications Open

Ready to Train in Komodo with William & Elise?

If you are serious about becoming a PADI Instructor in 2026, send a message now and let’s find out whether the May 2026 intake is the right fit for you. One conversation. No commitment. Just honest guidance from the team.

Fast reply · Eligibility check · May 2026 availability · No hard sell

May 2026 IDC · Komodo
Train with William & Elise
💬 Check Availability