SDI Divemaster
A practical route from recreational to technical diving.
- Duration
- 14 days
- Training dives
- 60
- Maximum depth
- 40 m
- Group size
- Max 2
- Minimum age
- 18+
- Languages
- English · Arabic · German
Why take Divemaster with SDI?
Take your SDI course in Hurghada with computer-led, practical instruction, calm Red Sea training sites and a clear pathway toward technical diving with TDI.
Choose SDI if you value a direct technical-diving pathway. Your course includes the same local expertise, equipment, boat logistics and safety standards as our other agency options.
Why Hurghada is the smartest place to do your DM
A Divemaster course is measured in dives and in exposure to real students. Hurghada gives you both: calm year-round conditions, dozens of sites within 40 minutes of the marina, and a steady stream of courses running every week for you to assist on. Add European-standard prices and a cost of living that lets you stay longer on the same budget, and it's no accident that so many working dive pros started right here.
What happens after you certify
Divemaster is the gateway to paid work in the dive industry. With a DM card you can guide certified divers, assist on student courses for a day rate, and apply for Instructor Development Courses (IDC) to become a full scuba instructor. Many of our alumni go straight into work with us or with partner shops in the Red Sea, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean.
Day by day.
A clear, calm progression from theory and confined-water skills to confident Red Sea dives.
- 1 Days 1–2
Orientation & skill baseline
Meet your mentor, tour both bases, review every logged dive, and complete the 24-skill demonstration circuit to a professional standard. You'll redo anything that's rusty.
- Skill circuit
- Equipment station
- Professionalism standards
- 2 Days 3–5
Dive theory & physics
Classroom mornings, boat afternoons. Dive physics, physiology, decompression theory, the RDP/eRDPml, dive equipment, and the Dive Theory Exam.
- Dive theory exam
- Decompression planning
- Equipment specialist
- 3 Days 6–8
Rescue refresh & workshops
Re-run the Rescue scenarios to a leader's standard. Deep dive scenario, search & recovery workshop, navigation workshop, and skin-diving workshop.
- Rescue assessment
- Search & recovery
- Deep scenario
- 4 Days 9–11
Practical application — assisting students
You'll shadow and assist on live Open Water and Advanced courses — briefing, leading underwater, supervising from behind the group, and debriefing. This is where the role clicks.
- Student supervision
- Briefings
- Debriefings
- 5 Days 12–13
Mapping project & leading certified divers
Survey, measure, and produce a publishable map of a Hurghada dive site. Plan and lead a group of certified divers as the in-water guide, with your mentor observing.
- Dive site mapping
- Guide certified divers
- Independent briefings
- 6 Day 14
Final exams & certification
Final written exams, stamina swims (400 m swim, 800 m snorkel, 100 m tired-diver tow, 15-minute tread), and the paperwork. You finish as a certified Divemaster.
- Watermanship
- Final exam
- Certification
Everything arranged for your course.
What's included
- Full digital learning materials and Divemaster manual
- Unlimited boat dives during the course
- Full equipment rental for the entire course
- Dedicated Course Director / Staff Instructor
- All workshops and practical assessments
- Assisting on real student courses
- Dive site mapping project support
- Hotel pickup and drop-off every dive day
- Hot lunch and soft drinks on every dive day
- DAN dive insurance for the duration
- International Divemaster certification card
Not included
- Agency application and crew-pak fees (€180–€260, paid to PADI/SSI/SDI directly)
- EFR instructor certification if needed (€150)
- Tips (optional)
- Accommodation
Skills that stay with you.
- ✓24-skill demonstration to professional standard
- ✓Briefing and debriefing groups of certified divers
- ✓Leading and supervising certified divers in open water
- ✓Assisting instructors on Open Water and Advanced courses
- ✓Dive site surveying and mapping
- ✓Search & recovery patterns and lift bag use
- ✓Deep dive scenario planning and execution
- ✓Equipment specialist station management
- ✓Risk assessment and emergency management
- ✓Dive operations logistics — loading boats, tank management, guest flow
Your Divemaster in the Red Sea.
Real training, real reefs and the people who will guide you through the course.
About SDI Divemaster.
I only have 40 dives — can I start?
Yes. You can begin the course with 40 logged dives and you'll reach the 60 required to certify during the programme itself. We'll build in enough fun dives to get you there.
How long does it really take?
The intensive path is 10–14 days of focused work. Most candidates take 3–4 weeks to enjoy it properly — blending theory, assisting on courses, and plenty of fun diving. If you're doing the internship route, plan on 6–8 weeks.
PADI, SSI or SDI — which should I pick?
All three are fully recognised worldwide and cost roughly the same. PADI has the most globally-recognised brand, SSI has the best free digital materials, SDI is computer-diving-first and slightly more technically rigorous. We teach all three and will give you an honest take once we know your goals.
Do I need my own equipment?
No — we provide everything for the duration of the course. That said, most candidates choose to buy their own mask, fins, computer and exposure suit during the programme. It makes you faster and cleaner underwater, and it's a long-term investment.
Will I definitely get work after?
Nothing is guaranteed, but the dive industry is chronically short of good Divemasters. If you finish with strong assessments and a good attitude, you'll have realistic paid options here in the Red Sea and elsewhere. We write honest references.