Master Scuba Diver

The Master Scuba Diver rating is the highest non-professional level in the PADI scuba diving education system. 

To become a PADI Master Scuba Diver, you have to meet the following criteria:

• Be at least 12 years old
• Have a Rescue Diver OR Jr. Rescue Diver certification
• Have completed 5 PADI Specialty Diver courses
• Have at least 50 logged dives

Once divers meet all the above requirements, they can apply for the Master Scuba Diver rating.

The PADI Master Scuba Diver rating is the highest level a recreational diver can achieve. Ing. It recognizes extensive training and experience but does not qualify a diver to lead or supervise other divers. 

The PADI Divemaster course is the first professional-level certification. PADI Divemasters are PADI Pros, meaning are trained to assist instructors, lead dive trips and mentor other divers. It's the first step into a career in the scuba diving industry.

To achieve the Master Scuba Diver rating, a diver needs to have at least 50 logged dives.

The time it takes to become a PADI Master Scuba Diver depends on several factors, including your current certification level, how often you dive and how quickly you complete the required courses. Most scuba divers are able to achieve the rating within a few weeks to a few months.

The PADI Master Scuba Diver rating is the highest level a recreational diver can achieve. It recognizes extensive training and experience but does not qualify a diver to lead or supervise other divers. 

The PADI Divemaster course is the first professional-level certification. PADI Divemasters are PADI Pros, meaning are trained to assist instructors, lead dive trips and mentor other divers. It's the first step into a career in the scuba diving industry.

To earn the PADI Master Scuba Diver rating, divers must complete a minimum of five PADI Specialty courses. With over 30 Specialty Diver courses and countless Distinctive Specialty Diver courses available, you have the flexibility to tailor your training to match your interests and diving goals. Every Specialty Diver course you complete counts toward your Master Scuba Diver rating.

Some popular PADI Specialty Diver courses include:

• Dry Suit Diver
• Enriched Air (Nitrox) Diver
• Peak Performance Buoyancy
• Underwater Navigator
• Night Diver
• Deep Diver
• Wreck Diver
• Emergency Oxygen Provider

Whether you’re drawn to deep wrecks, underwater photography or mastering buoyancy, there’s a PADI Specialty Diver course for every diver.

• Contest Period: 1 January to 31 December 2026
• The Grand Prize Winner will be awarded a dive trip of a lifetime to the Galápagos for two, including:
  • Roundtrip airfare for two to the Galápagos
  • 7-Night Liveaboard Trip in the Galápagos Islands for two people in a double occupancy upper deck cabin onboard the M/Y Galaxy Diver II
• The Second and Third Place Prize Winners will receive one recreational PADI eLearning course of their choice.
• Participants are entered into the contest by:
  • Signing up using the form on this page above for one entry to win.
  • Writing a short story on "Why do you want to become a PADI Master Scuba Diver?"
  • For every PADI course/rating/membership completed within the Contest Period, the participant will receive the following number of additional entries to the contest:
    • PADI Master Scuba Diver rating – 10 entries
    • PADI Rescue Diver certification – 5 entries
    • PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification – 3 entries
    • PADI Specialty Diver certification - 2 entries
    • PADI Open Water Diver certification - 1 entry
    • PADI Club member - 5 entries
    • PADI Certification Card purchase - 2 entries
    • Take the Save the Ocean Pledge - 1 entry
• For the full contest terms and conditions, click on one of the options below:
  • Master Scuba Diver Challenge Terms & Conditions

10% discount available for select PADI eLearning courses on padi.com. Valid 1 per customer. Code expires 30 days from email sign-up date.