PADI Freediving Instructor Course in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
– Lead the Freediving Adventure –
You’ve discovered the magic of freediving. You’ve put in the hours, faced the challenges, and achieved things you’re genuinely proud of. Now it’s time to share that passion — and there’s no better place in the world to take that next step than here, in the cenotes of Mexico’s Riviera Maya.
The Go Pro Family offers the PADI Freediver Instructor Training Course in Playa del Carmen — an extended, personalised program taught by an experienced PADI Instructor Trainer in some of the most spectacular freediving environments on earth
Why Become a PADI Freediving Instructor?
Freediving is one of the fastest-growing water sports in the world. As interest in adventure, wellness and ocean connection continues to grow, so does demand for qualified, professional freediving instructors. PADI’s global brand recognition, trusted educational system and worldwide network of dive centres gives you a significant advantage as you launch your teaching career.
Becoming a PADI Freediving Instructor means you can turn your passion into your profession — teaching others to breathe, relax and explore the underwater world in a way that transforms their relationship with the ocean.
Why Take Your Freediving Instructor Course with The Go Pro Family?
There are freediving instructor courses available all over the world. Here’s why Playa del Carmen — and The Go Pro Family — is worth making the journey for:
World-class open water training in the cenotes Mexico’s cenotes are among the finest freediving environments on the planet — crystal-clear water, zero current, a constant 25-26°C temperature, and extraordinary visibility, all nestled within the jungle of the Yucatán Peninsula. Becoming a freediving instructor here is an experience unlike any other.
An Instructor Trainer who truly understands the journey Jo brings something rare to instructor training: she is both a PADI Course Director (having trained hundreds of scuba instructors) and an experienced freediver. She knows what it feels like to learn freediving as an adult, to progress slowly and steadily, and to fall in love with the underwater world all over again. That dual perspective — passionate freediver and professional educator — shapes everything about how she teaches.
An extended program that builds real confidence Our PADI Freediver Instructor training course runs over 8 to 9 days — longer than the minimum duration required by PADI. That extra time isn’t padding. It’s what makes the difference between a candidate who is technically qualified and one who feels genuinely ready to teach their first students. You’ll have time to develop your strengths, work through any challenges, and practise in real-world teaching situations.
Purpose-built facilities with on-site accommodation Our PADI 5-Star Career Development Center and Eco Center in Playa del Carmen was designed specifically for professional-level training. Training pool, classrooms, and private on-site accommodation mean everything you need is in one place. Read more about our facilities here
Post-course support Our relationship with our instructor candidates doesn’t end when the course does. We’re here to answer questions, offer guidance and support your career long after you leave Playa del Carmen.
What to expect on the course
The PADI Freediving Instructor Training Course is a mixture of classroom, pool and open water sessions held in the cenotes of the Riviera Maya.
It is expected that you arrive with excellent freediving skills — but you will have dedicated time to refine these to the standard required, and Jo’s feedback throughout the course is designed to be constructive, clear and encouraging.
Duration: 8–9 days depending on candidate numbers, plus 2 optional days for the EFR Instructor course.
You will:
- Study PADI freediving standards, philosophy and student-centred teaching approach
- Review freediving physiology and psychology theory
- Practise and refine your own freediving skills to role-model level
- Develop student coaching techniques for low-stress, safety-oriented, learner-centred courses
- Equalization Workshop – a unique addition to our program
- Learn group supervision and risk management from a professional perspective
- Take part in role-playing sessions and friendly, interactive workshops
- Teach in real-world situations to build genuine confidence before your first independent course
Equalization Workshop — A Unique Addition to Our Program
Equalization problems are the single most common challenge beginner freedivers face — and for a new instructor, watching a student struggle while not knowing how to help can be genuinely demoralising.
That’s why we include a dedicated equalization workshop in our PADI Freediver Instructor Course. Jo will give you practical tools to identify the most common beginner equalization issues and the techniques to help your students work through them. You’ll leave this course better equipped to support your students through one of freediving’s biggest hurdles — and more confident as a result.
Your Instructor Trainer — Jo Armitage
Jo began her underwater life as a scuba diver and has been training PADI scuba instructors as a Course Director since 2013. She discovered freediving in 2016 and fell in love with the underwater world all over again — this time in silence, on a single breath.
She is a firm believer in the slow and steady approach to freediving progression: with a focus on technique and enjoyment, the depth and times take care of themselves. She draws on her own development as a freediver, her experience competing in freediving events, and her background training hundreds of scuba instructors to bring a wealth of knowledge and a calm, clear teaching style to every Instructor Training Course.
“I feel so lucky to be able to share my passions (freediving and teaching) with others. Creating safe, competent and successful freediving instructors is more than a job – I feel a personal responsibility to get the best out of each of my students.”
Prerequisites for the PADI Freediving Instructor Course
To enrol in the PADI Freediver Instructor Training Course you will need:
- PADI Master Freediver certification (or qualifying equivalent from another agency)
- Minimum age: 18 years
- Current EFR Primary and Secondary Care training (within 24 months) — or qualifying first aid certification
- Medical statement signed by a physician (within 12 months)
Are you a PADI scuba instructor? If you hold a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) rating or higher, and have a PADI Advanced Freediver certification plus a current EFR Instructor rating, you may qualify to enrol via a slightly different pathway. Contact us and we can advise you on the best route.
Not yet at Master Freediver level? Take a look at our PADI Freediving Courses — we offer all levels from beginner through to Master Freediver right here in the cenotes.
EFR Instructor Course
We offer the EFR Instructor Course, which we will run over 2 days after each PADI Freediver Instructor Training course. Being an EFR Instructor will open more teaching opportunities as you share your life-saving skills with freedivers and non-freedivers. We also include the PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider Specialty Instructor Course as part of this course.
PADI Freediver Instructor Course pricing
Your PADI Freediving Instructor Training Course is a career-defining step, and we want you to have complete clarity on costs before you commit. Here’s a full breakdown:
Book at least one month in advance and save 10% on all training fees
| Full price | With 10% early booking discount | |
|---|---|---|
| Instructor Training Course (see inclusions below) | $1,600 USD | $1,440 USD |
Course fee includes: your PADI Freediver Instructor Guide and teaching slates for all three PADI Freediver courses.
PADI fee (paid directly to PADI at the end of training — 2026 pricing, may increase for 2027)
| PADI Freediver Instructor application fee | $130 USD |
Optional add-ons
We offer two add-on options to extend your qualifications. Both are recommended — being an EFR Instructor significantly broadens your teaching opportunities.
| Training fee | With 10% early booking discount | PADI fees (paid direct to PADI) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Option A — Emergency O2 Provider Specialty Instructor | $125 USD | $112 USD | $51 USD* |
| Option B — EFR Instructor + Emergency O2 Provider Instructor (recommended) | $425 USD | $382 USD | $203 USD* |
Option B includes your EFR Instructor materials and Emergency O2 Provider Instructor materials.
*PADI application fee may differ if you are already a PADI scuba instructor — contact us to confirm.
Your total investment at a glance:
| Base course only | Base course + Option B (recommended) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training fees (with early booking discount) | $1,440 USD | $1,822 USD |
| PADI fees | $130 USD | $333 USD |
| Total | $1,570 USD | $2,155 USD |
Any questions about what’s right for your situation? Contact Jo and she’ll walk you through everything.
FAQs
Read on to find answers to the Frequently Asked Questions about our PADI Freediver Instructor Course.
No — the PADI Freediving Instructor pathway is open to experienced freedivers who hold a Master Freediver certification, regardless of whether they have a scuba background. However, if you are a PADI scuba instructor, there is an alternative entry pathway — contact us for details.
The cenotes of the Riviera Maya are widely regarded as one of the finest freediving environments in the world — and learning to teach in them gives you an experience that simply isn’t available elsewhere. Constant water temperature, extraordinary visibility and zero current means you can focus fully on your skill development. And the magical surroundings will make your instructor training feels as inspiring as it is educational. Many of our candidates combine the course with time to explore the wider region.
We keep numbers deliberately small (maximum 4) to ensure a genuinely personalised experience. You will receive direct, individual feedback and attention throughout.
Absolutely — we have private on-site accommodation available at reduced rates for course candidates. (See our facilities)
We have the following courses planned for 2026. Places are limited due to the small group numbers.
31 August – 8 September
7 – 15 November
These dates don’t include the optional add-ons which take place after the instructor training course.
Ready to Go Pro in Freediving?
Join Jo and The Go Pro Family for a comprehensive, expert-led PADI Freediving Instructor Training Course in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. We’ll send you a full information pack and then schedule a call to talk through everything.
