SDI Master Scuba Diver
Reach the highest non-professional level in recreational diving
SDI Master Scuba Diver Certification in Nanaimo
Reach the highest level of recreational diving and become one of the most skilled divers in the water.
The SDI Master Scuba Diver Development Program is the pinnacle of non-leadership diving. This achievement reflects experience, dedication, and the ability to dive confidently in a wide range of environments. Completing the program means you’ve earned four SDI, TDI, or ERDI specialties, completed the SDI Rescue Diver course, and logged at least 50 dives.
Training through Nanaimo Dive Outfitters adds another layer to your development, giving you real cold-water experience in one of the most diverse diving regions in Canada. Cold-water mastery here translates into smoother, easier diving anywhere in the world.
Who is the Master Scuba Diver program for?
The SDI Master Scuba Diver Development Program is designed for divers who want to:
-
- Build advanced skill sets across multiple specialty areas
- Strengthen situational awareness, rescue capability, and dive planning
- Achieve the highest level of recreational certification
- Gain confidence and experience through a broad mix of diving environments
Requirements to participate:
-
- Minimum age 18, or 15 with parental consent
- SDI Open Water certification or equivalent
- Completion of four SDI/TDI/ERDI specialties
- SDI Rescue Diver certification
- A minimum of 50 logged dives
This program is ideal for divers who are committed, curious, and invested in becoming capable, well-rounded, and self-reliant underwater.
What to expect in the Master Scuba Diver program
This program isn’t a single course. It’s a structured pathway that you complete at your own pace. Our team will help you choose a specialty combination that fits your goals, schedule, and diving interests.
A typical pathway includes:
-
- Four specialty courses such as Deep, Navigation,
- Nitrox, Night, Wreck, Drysuit, or Sidemount
- SDI Rescue Diver certification
- 50 logged dives, including training dives and personal experience dives
- Skill refinement sessions where your instructor helps strengthen buoyancy, trim, emergency response, and dive planning
- Progress reviews to ensure you’re meeting requirements and building the skills expected of a Master Scuba Diver
This flexible approach allows you to train year-round, take specialties in any order, and build experience as you go.
Skills you’ll build on your Master Scuba Diver path
The Master Scuba Diver program includes three major components:
#1. Specialty training
You will complete four SDI, TDI, or ERDI specialties of your choice. These may include:
-
- Deep Diver
- Navigation
- Night/Limited Visibility
- Nitrox
- Wreck Diver
- Drysuit
- Sidemount
- Advanced Buoyancy
- Drift Diver
- And more
Each specialty deepens your comfort, capability, and adaptability in different environments.
#2. Rescue Diver certification
You’ll learn:
-
- Diver stress recognition
- Self-rescue and emergency prevention
- Panicked diver and unresponsive diver management
- Search patterns and incident response
- Safe, controlled rescue planning
This course is widely considered the turning point where divers become more aware, confident, and capable of handling challenging situations.
#3. Experience through logged dives
You must log at least 50 dives, giving you:
-
- Time to refine buoyancy, trim, and equipment use
- Experience in cold water, currents, limited visibility, and varying conditions
- Practice using specialty skills in real-world settings
- Confidence to dive independently within recreational limits
By the end, you’ll be a well-rounded diver ready for almost any recreational environment.
Gear expectations for the Master Scuba Diver program
Because this program spans several specialties, the gear you use varies depending on the training. Throughout your development you may use:
-
- Mask, snorkel, fins
- BCD or specialty systems like sidemount
- Regulator set with alternate air source
- Dive computer
- Cylinders and appropriate weighting
- Drysuit exposure protection for local cold-water diving
- Specialty gear such as lights, SMBs, reels, or redundant systems
Most training at Nanaimo Dive Outfitters takes place in drysuits due to our 8°C to 10°C water temperatures. Our team ensures proper fit and configuration throughout your development.
Train with purpose, dive with confidence
British Columbia’s cold-water environment is one of the best training grounds in the world. If you can demonstrate competence here, warm-water diving feels effortless.
Master Scuba Diver training in Nanaimo builds:
-
- Superior buoyancy and trim
- Strong navigation habits
- Confidence in varied environments
- Experience managing real conditions like currents, depth, and low visibility
Once completed, your certification is recognized globally and places you among the most experienced recreational divers in the community.
What’s included
-
- All SDI, TDI, or ERDI specialty eLearning modules
- Rescue Diver academic and practical training
- Instructor guidance throughout your development
- Access to specialty equipment depending on the course
- Low instructor-to-student ratios for personalized training
- Progress tracking and support as you complete your logged dives
Student perks: You’ll receive ongoing discounts on gear purchases, plus access to club dives, mentorship, and continued training discussions with our team.
Coming from out of town?
Many divers travel to Nanaimo specifically to complete their Master Scuba Diver development due to our diverse cold-water conditions and access to year-round diving. We can finish any remaining specialties or Rescue Diver training through a multi-agency referral.
If you’re traveling for work, vacationing on Vancouver Island, or planning a dedicated training trip, we offer flexible scheduling and support to help you complete your pathway efficiently. Contact us for availability and planning assistance.
Master Scuba Diver Program FAQ
How long does it typically take to complete the Master Scuba Diver program?
Most divers complete it over several months to a year, depending on specialty availability and how quickly they log their required dives.
Do my previously earned specialty certifications count toward the program?
Yes. Any SDI, TDI, or ERDI specialties you’ve already completed are applied toward your four required specialties.
Can I take the Rescue Diver course at any point during the program?
Yes. Many divers take it early since the skills help with every other specialty.
Do dives logged before starting the program count toward the 50 required dives?
Yes. Any properly logged dive counts, regardless of when it was completed.
Can I complete all four specialties back-to-back?
You can, but we often recommend spacing them out so you gain real experience using each specialty skill in between courses.
Is Master Scuba Diver required before entering professional-level training?
No, but many divers choose to complete it first because it builds confidence and expands their knowledge.
What’s the most common specialty combination divers choose?
Do dives from trips outside Canada count?
Yes. Logged dives from anywhere in the world are accepted.
Does the program include any leadership training?
No. Leadership training begins at the Divemaster level, which is a separate professional pathway.
What happens after becoming a Master Scuba Diver?
You can continue with more specialties, move into technical training, or transition into professional-level training like Divemaster.
Ready to become a certified diver?
Scuba diving opens the door to new experiences, travel, and friendships. Training with Nanaimo Dive Outfitters gives you confidence in one of the richest cold-water ecosystems in the world.
Start your SDI eLearning today or contact us to reserve your spot in an upcoming class.
Start Your Adventure
Are you ready to start your journey to becoming a Master scuba diver?
