Pricing · Transparent
The course itself — Course Director, curriculum, small group of up to 8 candidates — is identical across all three packages. Differences appear in additional Specialty Instructor ratings, accommodation, and post-course support. All figures are starting prices excluding PADI fees.
IDC + IE
From · Zürich
CHF 1,990
or from PHP 71,600 · Dauin
The pure training route. Full IDC, IE preparation, Instructor Examination.
Plus PADI fees separate · see components below
IDC + MSDT + Accommodation
From · Dauin (no flights, no meals)
PHP 130,000
≈ CHF 2,015 · course + accommodation
The standard package. Basic + MSDT prep with 5 Specialty Instructor ratings + on-site accommodation. Meals not included — candidates receive 20% off F&B at the resort.
Plus PADI fees · F&B separate · Silver Zürich on request
Full Package · with Internship
From · Dauin (all-in)
PHP 185,000
≈ CHF 2,870 · incl. 2-week internship
The full career route. Silver + two-week internship at a partner dive centre + priority job referrals.
Gold is Dauin-only · individually configured
Transparency first. The figures above are starting prices for the course fee (Course Director + IDC centre). PADI Digital Crew Pack incl. eLearning (CHF 1,371.40), Application Fee (approx. CHF 280) and IE Fee (approx. CHF 950) are billed separately by PADI and the examiner — because these amounts do not go to me or the training centre, but directly to PADI. The complete bill including accommodation, flights and any additional courses is laid out in the free Info Pack.
Zürich & Dauin
Both locations deliver the same IDC quality, the same Course Director, the same curriculum. Prices differ mainly because of local cost-of-living and accommodation. Here is the Basic IDC line by line.
Switzerland · Europe base
PADI 5 Star IDC Center. Classic European course logistics, fully equipped showroom at Stauffacherquai, on-site pool sessions.
Philippines · Asia base
PADI 5 Star Career Development Center in Negros Oriental. Warm water, up to 10 dives per day, muck-diving capital of the world.
Breakdown
The total bill for an IDC has three recipients: the Course Director and IDC centre, PADI as the training agency, and optionally third-party providers for accommodation, transport, or equipment. Here's how it breaks down.
Course Director honorarium, classroom, pool time, boat time, on-site materials. The actual training — everything that happens during the 10–14 days. Goes to TSK (ZH) or SeaExplorers (PH).
CHF 1,990 · Zürich from / PHP 71,600 · Dauin from
The PADI Digital Crew Pack is not included in the course fee and is purchased separately directly from PADI. It comprises the IDC eLearning (online theory modules), the digital PADI Instructor Manual and all other digital course materials. Used before and during the IDC. Paid directly to PADI, price identical across all countries.
CHF 1,371.40 · PADI direct, per TSK price list
One-time registration fee to PADI for IDC participation. Location-independent. Exact amount varies with CHF/USD exchange rate.
~CHF 280 · PADI direct
The two-day examination under an independent PADI Instructor Examiner. The fee goes to the examiner or to PADI, not to the Course Director.
~CHF 950 · Examiner / PADI
Optional, included in Silver/Gold. Five Specialty Instructor qualifications of your choice. Zürich: CHF 140–520 per specialty (depending on dives and group size) + CHF 62 PADI Application. Dauin: included in package.
from CHF 140 · per specialty, ZH
The Silver/Gold Dauin package includes accommodation only — meals are not included. Candidates currently receive a 20% discount on food & beverages at the resort. A simpler F&B solution is in the works. In Zürich you organise accommodation yourself — TSK can recommend partner hotels.
in package · accommodation only, Dauin
Gold only. Two-week work placement at a partner dive centre after passing the IE. You are already working as an Instructor, embedded in the team, with structured support. Significantly accelerates career entry.
in package · Gold, Dauin
Philippines only. Swiss citizens don't need a visa for stays under 30 days. There are no direct flights Zürich–Cebu — connection options: Emirates via Dubai or Singapore Airlines/Scoot via Singapore to Cebu. Alternative (often better): fly to Manila, then continue with Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines to Dumaguete. Dive accident insurance (DAN) is recommended for the IE.
individual · your responsibility
Complementary
Before the IDC: Divemaster. After the IDC: MSDT, IDC Staff Instructor, Specialty Instructor trainings. Some candidates combine several courses — for example Divemaster directly followed by IDC.
The prerequisite for the IDC. Can be combined at the same location. Zürich runs across several weekends, Dauin as a 16-day or 21-day course.
For already certified PADI Instructors. The next career step — you assist Course Directors and become part of the Instructor training yourself.
Individual Specialty ratings (Sidemount, Deep, Nitrox, Wreck, etc.) outside the IDC. Prices vary by dives and group size (group 4+ / private 2–3 / VIP 1).
The first part of the IDC — certified as a standalone qualification. Useful for candidates who only need AI rating or want to train in stages.
The second part of the IDC (Open Water Scuba Instructor) for already certified Assistant Instructors. Classic upgrade route.
SeaExplorers offers Go-Pro packages combining Divemaster and IDC. Multi-week tracks including dives and Specialty extensions.
Questions
The most common questions on costs, payment, packages and side expenses. For details specific to your situation — instalment plans, early-bird conditions, upgrades during the course — WhatsApp is the fastest channel.
The IDC at TSK Zürich costs from CHF 1,990 in course fees. PADI fees are added separately (Digital Crew Pack incl. eLearning CHF 1,371.40, Application approx. CHF 280, IE Fee approx. CHF 950) for a total from approximately CHF 4,591. These fees go directly to PADI and the examiner — not to the Course Director.
At SeaExplorers Dauin the course fee is PHP 71,600 (approximately CHF 1,100 depending on exchange rate). Plus the same PADI fees of approximately CHF 2,600. Total from approximately CHF 3,700 — excluding flights and accommodation. In the Silver/Gold package accommodation is already included.
PADI Digital Crew Pack (incl. eLearning), Application Fee and IE Fee are always separate. Depending on package and location, additionally: accommodation (Zürich self-organised, Dauin included from Silver onward — room only, meals not included; candidates receive 20% off F&B at the resort), flights (no direct Zürich–Cebu route; common options via Dubai/Singapore or via Manila with a domestic connection to Dumaguete), dive accident insurance (DAN recommended), optional Specialty Instructor ratings outside the MSDT package.
Basic if you just need the Instructor qualification and no career change is planned. Silver as the standard — MSDT with 5 Specialty ratings raises your chances of being hired by dive centres considerably. Gold if you're serious about working as an Instructor: the 2-week internship speeds up career entry by months.
Early-bird conditions vary per course and are communicated in the Info Pack. Instalment payment is possible in coordination with TSK or SeaExplorers — typically 30% on booking, remainder before course start. Details via WhatsApp or in the Info Pack conversation.
At TSK Zürich: CHF 1,150 course fee + CHF 558.85 materials + approx. CHF 160 PADI Application. At SeaExplorers Dauin: PHP 44,900 (eLearning, own equipment, 16 days) to PHP 59,900 (traditional 21 days with rental equipment). Divemaster is a prerequisite for the IDC.
Individually yes — in Zürich between CHF 140 (theory-only specialty, group of 4+) and CHF 520 (2 dives, VIP single) plus CHF 62 PADI Application per specialty. In the Silver and Gold packages 5 Specialty ratings are already included — significantly cheaper than booking individually.
The course fee goes to TSK Zürich or SeaExplorers Philippines — including my Course Director honorarium. PADI fees go directly to PADI. Accommodation, flights, insurance to their respective providers. You receive a separate invoice for each position — full traceability.
Partner transparency
Official price lists from the two training centres — linked directly, because transparency comes first. The figures on this page are starting prices; day-to-day, package combinations and Specialty prices at the provider can vary slightly.
PADI 5 Star IDC Center · Stauffacherquai 54, 8004 Zürich. Full pricelist for Divemaster, IDC, Staff Instructor, Specialty Instructor trainings and equipment.
visit tsk.chPADI 5 Star Career Development Center · Washington St., Dauin, Negros Oriental. Pricelist valid until September 2026, including IDC, Divemaster, Go-Pro packages and dive packages.
visit sea-explorers.comNext step
Up-to-date pricing for Basic, Silver, Gold — including PHP/CHF exchange rate, current accommodation options, possible early-bird conditions and your specific timeline. One PDF, no surprises.