10 Things I Learned During My Divemaster Course in Utila

If you're thinking about becoming a Divemaster and dreaming of sunny days, clear warm waters, and a new career in paradise, stop right here: Utila, in Honduras, is your place. But before you pack your bags, let me give you the real talk.

Doing my Divemaster course in Utila was one of the most intense and transformative experiences of my life — and also one full of surprises. Many of the things I learned weren’t in the manuals or instructor briefings. They happened backstage — in bar chats, training mistakes, and moments of physical and mental exhaustion.

Here are 10 things I learned during my Divemaster training in Utila that no one tells you (but you'll be glad to know before you dive in).

10 Things I Learned During My Divemaster Course in Utila

1. You don’t just choose a dive shop — you choose your mentors

The Divemaster course is your first professional step in diving. It's the moment you stop being just a diver and start observing (and mirroring) how your instructors behave underwater and on the surface.

So, choose carefully where — and with whom — you’ll study. Go beyond pretty Instagram pictures: watch how the instructors act, the kind of diving they value, their professionalism. These are the people who will shape, in part, the kind of diver you become.

2. Your body will work harder than you think

Early mornings, carrying tanks, setting up and breaking down gear, diving four or five times a day, helping students, rinsing equipment, repeat. If you think being a Divemaster is just about diving, get ready for a demanding routine. As my friend TaliTrilhas says, working in diving isn't just about “looking at the fishies.”

And yes, this lifestyle requires energy — lots of it. Eating well, getting enough sleep, and cutting back on alcohol (or skipping it altogether) will make a huge difference.

Utila is known for its parties, true, but it’s smart to pace yourself. Especially if, like me, you’re over 30 and know that hangovers and deep dives don’t mix :)

3. Budget wisely (spoiler: it’s not just about the course fee)

It is true that the Divemaster course in Utila is cheaper than in many other destinations. But it still requires some financial planning. On top of the course fee, you’ll need to cover accommodation, food, certification fees, and — let's not forget — you diving gear.

If you have a remote job, great. That can help ease the pressure on your bank account. But keep in mind: the course demands your time and energy almost full-time. Having a savings cushion can save your sanity (and your dives).

4. Your gear is your partner — and it’s worth investing in your own

You’ll be diving so much during your course that you’ll wish you had your own equipment. I bought mine early on, and it was one of the best decisions I made.

Being familiar with your gear helps massively in the day-to-day life of a Divemaster, especially when doing multiple dives in a row and going through repetitive training. It improves your buoyancy, safety, and performance as a future dive professional.

Buying second-hand but well-maintained gear is a great place to start — you don’t need a fancy wing or the Ferrari of regulators to begin your career.

5. Diving (a lot!) is the best way to learn

You can read all the manuals, watch every video, and memorize your briefings. But true learning comes from time underwater. The more you dive, the better you understand your body, your air consumption, your buoyancy control, and the actual dynamics of a dive.

So if there’s a free spot on the boat and you’ve got the morning off? Go. Diving is your new lab.

6. Skill circuits are boring — until you have to demo them

As a DMT, you’ll be expected to demonstrate many skills with clarity, calmness, and precision — as if you’re teaching a complete beginner. That takes more than just knowing how to do it; it means being able to show it step by step, confidently and smoothly.

A great tip I got was to practice in front of a mirror, just like a flight attendant does their safety demo. YouTube videos also help, like this one below from Utila Dive Center:

Remember: from now on, you're not just practicing for yourself — you’re practicing to lead and inspire confidence in future divers.

7. People are part of the package (and not all are easy)

During your training, you’ll assist with all kinds of divers — from complete beginners to salty veterans with way more dives than you.

Some will forget what a fin is. Others will panic when removing their mask. And others will feel confident enough to chase a shark with their GoPro. Guess who’s there to help? That’s right — you <3

Developing empathy, patience, and clear communication is just as important as knowing how to set up a BCD with your eyes closed.

8. Community makes a huge difference

You’ll meet people from all over the world and build connections that go far beyond the course. These folks become your support system, your study group, your confidants — and sometimes, your lifelong friends.

Utila is a tiny island. You’ll share boats, beers, and stories with the same people for weeks. Make the most of it.

The community vibe is one of the most rewarding parts of the Divemaster course — and one of the most impactful for your diving career.

9. Frustration is part of diving (and of life)

Not every day is sunny. Sometimes the sea is rough, you're tired, you mess up a simple task, or you feel like you're not improving. Some skills will be harder to demonstrate than you expected (shoutout to the rescue skill #7 that I had to repeat 18 times in a day, lol).

Even my most experienced classmates, with hundreds of dives, forgot basic things when giving their first briefings or leading Discover Scuba sessions.

Failure, frustration — they’re all part of the process. Acknowledging those moments and pushing through is one of the biggest lessons, both as a diver and as a human.

10. You start thinking like a pro (and never dive the same again)

After the course, you’ll never “just jump in the water” again. Everything changes: you’ll start reading the ocean, understanding the importance of dive planning, monitoring other divers, and anticipating problems before they arise.

A solid Divemaster course teaches you to think like a leader — and that forever changes your relationship with diving. It’s like going backstage at your favorite concert: you see everything differently — and if you’re lucky, you’ll love it even more.

Dive in — with your head and your heart

Doing the Divemaster course in Utila was a rollercoaster. There were exhausting days, breakthrough moments, frustration, and pure joy. It’s not just about diving — it’s about growing as a person and a professional.

If you’re considering this step, come prepared — but come. And bring an open heart, ready to learn and transform.

What you learn from the ocean, no one can ever take away.