Divemaster Course in Sharm El Sheikh: Full Guide
Sharm El Sheikh is one of the world's best-value places to go professional. A divemaster course in Sharm El Sheikh pairs year-round Red Sea diving, low living costs and a huge pool of student divers to guide and assist — everything you need to build real experience fast.
This guide covers prerequisites, what the PADI Divemaster course actually involves, how long it takes, intensive course vs internship formats, typical structure and how to choose a dive center in Sharm El Sheikh.
What Is a Divemaster Course in Sharm El Sheikh?
The PADI Divemaster course is the first professional rating in recreational diving. In Sharm El Sheikh it typically runs as either an intensive course (4–6 weeks) or a longer internship, combining classroom theory, watermanship skills, supervised practice leading dives and hands-on work at a dive center.
You need Rescue Diver certification, current EFR (first aid), at least 40 logged dives to start (60 to certify) and to be 18 or older.
Why Sharm El Sheikh for Your Divemaster
Sharm El Sheikh has become one of the top global destinations for aspiring dive professionals, for a few concrete reasons:
- Low cost of living: Food, accommodation and daily expenses are significantly cheaper than Caribbean or European dive hubs, so a multi-week program is affordable beyond the course fee itself.
- Diveable year-round: The Red Sea rarely drops below 21°C even in winter, so there is no off-season pause in your training.
- Ras Mohammed and Tiran as your classroom: Few interns anywhere train on sites like Ras Mohammed National Park and the Tiran Straits — dramatic walls, strong currents and big pelagics that build real skill fast.
- Constant student turnover: Sharm sees a steady stream of Open Water and Advanced students year-round, which means plenty of real courses to assist and guide during your internship.
1. Prerequisites: Rescue Diver & EFR
Before starting a Divemaster course in Sharm El Sheikh, PADI requires Rescue Diver certification and a current EFR (Emergency First Response), or equivalent CPR/first-aid qualification completed within the last 24 months. You also need at least 40 logged dives to begin the course and 60 dives to certify. Most Sharm dive centers recommend arriving with 50+ logged dives so training days focus on skill-building rather than catching up on dive count.
Best for: Divers who already hold Advanced Open Water and Rescue and are ready to commit to a professional pathway.
2. What the Course Covers
The PADI Divemaster program combines four core areas: knowledge development (physics, physiology, dive theory, the RDP and equipment), watermanship skills (timed swims, tows, snorkel tests and stamina exercises), practical skills (demonstrating and refining every Open Water skill to a professional standard) and supervised experience — planning and leading dives, assisting instructors, mapping dive sites and running the surface interval logistics that keep a boat running smoothly.
Quick info: Expect classroom sessions, pool/confined water work and open water days on real Red Sea sites, not just theory.
3. Duration & Formats: Intensive vs Longer Programs
Most Sharm El Sheikh dive centers offer an intensive Divemaster course running about 4–6 weeks, focused on completing the standards and minimum dive requirements as efficiently as possible. Centers that also run a full internship stretch the same standards over 8–12 weeks or longer, adding more guiding hours, specialty courses and mentoring time before you sit the final exams.
Best for: The intensive format suits divers on a fixed timeline; internships suit those who want deeper mentoring and a stronger CV before applying for jobs.
4. Course vs Internship — Which to Choose
A standalone Divemaster course gets you certified as fast as the standards allow — ideal if you already have strong diving experience and just need the qualification. A Divemaster internship adds structured work experience: more days assisting real courses, guiding certified divers, shop duties and often a path straight into an Instructor Development Course (IDC). Internships cost more and take longer, but leave you far more employable.
Quick info: If you plan to work as a dive professional afterward, the extra weeks of an internship usually pay for themselves in job readiness.
5. How to Choose a Dive Center in Sharm
Sharm El Sheikh has a large number of PADI 5-Star centers, so compare carefully. Look for verified reviews, a manageable intern-to-instructor ratio, a clear route into IDC, staff who are still actively teaching (not just running the desk) and transparent pricing that states exactly what is included — course materials, PADI fees, accommodation, boat fees and equipment rental.
Best for: Divers who want real mentoring rather than the cheapest listed price.
6. Daily Life & Living Costs
A typical training day starts with an early boat briefing, followed by assisting or leading dives at sites around Ras Mohammed, the Tiran Straits or the local house reefs, then equipment maintenance, logbook work and evening study for knowledge reviews and exams. Outside the course fee, budget for accommodation, food and transport — Sharm El Sheikh is noticeably cheaper than most European or Caribbean dive hubs, and many candidates share an apartment with fellow interns to cut costs further.
Best for: People ready for a physically active, early-morning routine rather than a relaxed holiday pace.
7. Career Path After Certifying
Once you certify as PADI Divemaster you can work as a dive guide almost anywhere in the world. Many Sharm El Sheikh centers offer an IDC immediately afterward for candidates who want to teach Open Water courses themselves. Some newly certified Divemasters stay on for a season, guiding and saving toward the IDC before moving to Instructor level.
Quick info: Ask your dive center about IDC scheduling before you commit — some run it only a few times a year.
When to Start & How the Process Works
The Red Sea is diveable every month of the year, but timing still affects your experience:
- Best months: April to June and September to November for warm water and fewer crowds.
- Peak season: July–August and the winter holidays bring busier boats and more student divers to assist — good for logging supervised experience quickly.
- How it works: Arrive with Rescue + EFR and 40+ logged dives → meet your instructor → complete knowledge development and watermanship → assist courses and guide divers → finish skills circuits and exams → certify as PADI Divemaster → optionally continue straight into IDC.
Most centers start candidates on a rolling basis, so you rarely need to wait for a fixed course date.
FAQ: Divemaster Course in Sharm El Sheikh
How long does the Divemaster course take in Sharm El Sheikh?
An intensive Divemaster course usually takes 4–6 weeks. Centers that run a full internship extend the same standards over 8–12 weeks or longer to add guiding hours and mentoring.
What are the prerequisites for the Divemaster course?
You need Rescue Diver certification, a current EFR or equivalent first-aid qualification, at least 40 logged dives to start (60 to certify), and to be 18 or older.
How much does a Divemaster course in Sharm El Sheikh cost?
Pricing varies by dive center and by whether you choose an intensive course or a full internship with accommodation and unlimited diving. Compare current listings from Sharm El Sheikh dive centers to see exact packages and inclusions.
Course or internship — which is better?
A standalone course is faster and cheaper if you already have strong dive experience. An internship takes longer and costs more but builds far more guiding experience and usually leads directly into an Instructor Development Course.
Can I work in Sharm El Sheikh after certifying?
Yes — many newly certified Divemasters find seasonal work guiding for the center where they trained or nearby shops. Continuing to Instructor level through an IDC significantly widens your job options across the Red Sea and beyond.
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