Turn Your Passion Into a Diving Career
Become a PADI Instructor at one of the Philippines' premier dive resorts. Train in the world-renowned Verde Island Passage with experienced Course Director James Morton and a professional training team focused on building real-world teaching confidence.
Why Go Pro at Lalaguna Villas
More than just an IDC — it's a complete professional diving experience in one of Asia's top dive destinations.
Verde Island Passage
Train in one of the world's most biodiverse marine environments, with year-round access to drift, reef, wreck, deep, macro, and Verde Island diving.
Luxury Beachfront Resort
Stay, train, dive, eat, and relax all in one place with premium accommodation, pool, gym, spa, restaurant, and beachfront access included throughout your IDC.
Small Group Training
Smaller group sizes mean more personal coaching, closer mentoring, more teaching practice, and better preparation for both the IE and real-world instruction.
Career Mentorship
Our focus is not just on helping candidates pass the IE. We help build confident, employable instructors through mentoring, CV guidance, job advice, and post-IDC support.
Modern Equipment
Train with quality equipment from Scubapro, Gull, and Ocean Reef, with access to purpose-built training facilities, confined water areas, and Puerto Galera's best dive sites.
Multi-Lingual Support
Instruction is available in both English and Tagalog, helping support both international and Filipino candidates throughout the program.
Meet Your Course Director
Your IDC is only as good as the person leading it.
James Morton
James Morton has been part of Lalaguna Villas for five years and has played a major role in growing the dive centre into one of Puerto Galera's leading professional training facilities.
His focus is on developing instructors who are not only capable of passing the Instructor Examination, but who are genuinely confident teaching in real-world dive centre environments.
James is a PADI Course Director, Master Instructor, IDC Staff Instructor, and Master Scuba Diver Trainer, with specialty instructor ratings in Sidemount, Wreck, Night, Drift, Deep, Emergency Oxygen Provider, Dive Against Debris, Peak Performance Buoyancy, PADI AWARE, Coral Reef Conservation, Care for Children with AED, Enriched Air, and Diver Propulsion Vehicle.
He also holds a New Zealand Level 5 Certificate in Adult Education and Training, giving him additional expertise in teaching, coaching, and professional development.
Jessica Atienza
Jessica Atienza is a PADI Master Instructor and IDC Staff Instructor with more than 770 certifications and multiple PADI Elite Instructor Awards. Having progressed through all professional levels in Puerto Galera, she provides valuable support in mentoring, academic reinforcement, and helping candidates meet both local and international instructor standards.
IDC Packages
Choose the package that best suits your training goals, accommodation preferences, and development needs.
BRONZE
- 16 nights shared air-conditioned dorm accommodation at the DM Lodge
- Coral Reef Conservation, PADI AWARE, and Peak Performance Buoyancy specialties
- 10% F&B discount at LLV Restaurant
SILVER
- 16 nights private room accommodation at the DM Lodge
- Coral Reef Conservation, PADI AWARE, Peak Performance Buoyancy
- Choice of 2 extra specialties: Enriched Air, DPV, Deep, Wreck, Sidemount, or Drift
- 15% F&B discount
- 20% Scubapro retail discount
GOLD
- 16 nights Superior Studio accommodation at Lalaguna Villas
- Coral Reef Conservation, PADI AWARE, Peak Performance Buoyancy
- Choice of 3 extra specialties: Enriched Air, DPV, Deep, Wreck, Sidemount, or Drift
- 15% F&B discount
- 20% Scubapro retail discount
PLATINUM
- 16 nights Premium Suite accommodation at Lalaguna Villas
- Coral Reef Conservation, PADI AWARE, Peak Performance Buoyancy
- MSDT package included
- 5 additional specialties: Enriched Air, DPV, Deep, Wreck, Sidemount, or Drift
- 15% F&B discount
- 20% Scubapro retail discount
PADI IDC application fee, IE fee, and EFR fee are excluded from all packages and payable separately to PADI.
- IDC Application Fee: $364 AUD
- IE Fee: $1,190 AUD
- EFR Fee: $252 AUD
What's Included
Everything you need to focus on your training. No hidden costs, no surprises.
2026 IDC Dates
| IDC Prep | IDC | IE | MSDT |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 9–10 | June 11–24 | June 25–26 | June 28 |
| August 27–28 | August 29 – September 11 | September 12–13 | September 15 |
| November 10–11 | November 12–25 | November 26–27 | November 29 |
Class sizes are limited — early booking is recommended.
What You'll Learn
The IDC program covers everything you need to become a confident, job-ready PADI Instructor — from standards and theory to real-world teaching practice.
Workshops
- PADI System and Standards
- Risk Management and Licensing
- Dive Theory
- Learning and Teaching
- Continuing Education
- Sales Techniques and Retail Experience
Teaching Practice
- Classroom teaching presentations
- Confined water presentations
- Open water teaching presentations
- Performing all 24 Open Water skills
IDC Prep
- Skill circuits
- Rescue review
- Dive shop experience
- Fun dives and team bonding
Assessments
- Five-part Dive Theory exam
- PADI System and Standards exam
- 400m swim
- 10-minute float
IDC Prerequisites
Not yet a Divemaster? Contact us about Divemaster-to-Instructor pathways and custom Go Pro packages.
Explore our Divemaster packages to start your professional journey.
What Our Graduates Say
Real stories from real instructors who trained at Lalaguna Villas.
"The IDC at Lalaguna Villas was an incredible experience. James' teaching style made complex topics easy to understand. The resort facilities are unmatched — it felt like training in paradise."
"Best decision I ever made. The small class size meant I got personal attention on every skill. The career mentorship after the IDC helped me land my first instructor job within two weeks."
"The Verde Island Passage is the best training ground you could ask for. World-class biodiversity and conditions. Add in the luxury resort and it's hard to imagine doing your IDC anywhere else."
Ready to Start Your Instructor Career?
Whether you're ready to reserve your spot or just want to learn more, we'd love to hear from you. Fill out the form and our Course Director will personally get back to you within 24 hours.
You can also download our free PADI IDC Guide for detailed information about the program, schedule, and what to expect.
Reserve Your Spot
Limited places available per IDC. Enquire early to secure your preferred dates.
Your Diving Career Starts Here
Join the next generation of PADI Instructors trained in the world-renowned Verde Island Passage at a PADI 5-Star IDC Centre.
RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW