Master’s degree1,500 h · Online · 11 modules

Master's in International Dive Center Management

This master's prepares you to lead and optimize dive centers anywhere in the world. You will learn everything from business strategy and digital marketing to risk management, underwater safety and environmental sustainability: the recreational and technical diving market, setting up and planning a center, dive operations, compressors and equipment maintenance, emergency management, instructor teams, finance, reef conservation and the international expansion of dive center chains and liveaboards.

Duration1,500 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules11
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About the program

What is the Master's in International Dive Center Management?

This master's covers the dive center as a complete business, from the first market study to a multi-site operation in several countries. You will study the international diving market, training agencies, customer segments, technical diving and freediving as business lines; location, investment, permits, insurance, facilities and boat selection; dive planning, briefings, instructor-to-student ratios, site selection and coordination with port authorities; rental equipment, regulators, cylinders, compressors, air quality and nitrox; ISO 24803, emergency plans, oxygen, decompression illness and incident investigation; course programs, instructor recruitment and pay; marketing, partnerships with hotels and tour operators; costs, seasonality and booking software; and the conservation practices expected of a responsible dive operation.

What sets this master's apart: it is built around the real day-to-day of a dive center rather than general tourism management, so compressor maintenance, hydrostatic testing, dive logs and oxygen kits sit alongside pricing, cash flow and online reputation; it treats safety and legal liability as a management system with audits and incident analysis; it gives sustainability its own module, from mooring buoys and Green Fins to protected-area fees and citizen science; it adds a module on international expansion, franchises, resort contracts and liveaboards; and it closes with a Final Project in which you write the business plan for an international dive center.

Program typeMaster’s degree
ModeOnline
Duration1,500 hours
Modules11
Start1 December

Program highlights

  • The diving industry: international market, training agencies, customer profiles, technical diving and freediving.
  • Opening a center: market study, location, investment, permits, insurance, facilities and boat selection.
  • Dive operations and equipment: planning, briefings, ratios, compressors, nitrox, inspections and maintenance logs.
  • Safety and emergencies: ISO 24803, oxygen, decompression illness, evacuation, liability and safety audits.
  • Marketing, finance, sustainability and international expansion, including franchises, resort contracts and liveaboards.
  • Final Project: a business plan for an international dive center.
Syllabus

Syllabus of the Master's in International Dive Center Management

11 modules. Select a module to see its content.

Module 1

The recreational and professional diving sector

  • 1.1. The international diving market
  • 1.2. Training agencies: PADI, SSI, CMAS and NAUI
  • 1.3. Customer profiles and segments
  • 1.4. Leading dive destinations
  • 1.5. Industry trends and sustainability
  • 1.6. Technical diving and rebreathers
  • 1.7. Freediving as a business line
  • 1.8. Industry associations and professional networks
  • 1.9. Economic impact of dive tourism
  • 1.10. Competitor analysis
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 2

Setting up and planning a dive center

  • 2.1. Market study and location
  • 2.2. Business model and value proposition
  • 2.3. Initial investment and equipment
  • 2.4. Licenses, permits and insurance
  • 2.5. The center's business plan
  • 2.6. Facility design: shop, classrooms and equipment area
  • 2.7. Boat selection
  • 2.8. Legal structure of the company
  • 2.9. Opening schedule
  • 2.10. Project risk analysis
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 3

Dive operations management

  • 3.1. Planning boat trips and dives
  • 3.2. Dive boat management
  • 3.3. Instructor-to-student ratios and briefings
  • 3.4. Dive logging and control
  • 3.5. Handling unexpected events
  • 3.6. Dive site selection
  • 3.7. Night and specialty dives
  • 3.8. Managing groups with mixed experience levels
  • 3.9. Dive planning with dive computers
  • 3.10. Coordination with port authorities and other agencies
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 4

Equipment, compressors and maintenance

  • 4.1. Selection of rental equipment
  • 4.2. Maintenance of regulators, BCDs and cylinders
  • 4.3. Compressors, air quality and nitrox
  • 4.4. Visual and hydrostatic inspections
  • 4.5. Inventory control
  • 4.6. Boat and engine maintenance
  • 4.7. Safety equipment on board
  • 4.8. Equipment renewal plan
  • 4.9. Maintenance records and traceability
  • 4.10. Suppliers and technical service
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 5

Safety, regulations and emergency management

  • 5.1. International regulations and the ISO 24803 standard
  • 5.2. Emergency plan and oxygen administration
  • 5.3. Decompression illness and hyperbaric chambers
  • 5.4. Civil liability and documentation
  • 5.5. Evacuation protocols
  • 5.6. Dive risk analysis
  • 5.7. First aid training for staff
  • 5.8. Accident insurance for divers
  • 5.9. Incident investigation
  • 5.10. Safety audits
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 6

Training and the human team

  • 6.1. Course programs and specialties
  • 6.2. Instructor selection and development
  • 6.3. Teaching quality
  • 6.4. Management of guides and support staff
  • 6.5. Team safety culture
  • 6.6. International recruitment of instructors
  • 6.7. Shift and season planning
  • 6.8. Pay and commissions
  • 6.9. Continuing staff training
  • 6.10. Performance evaluation
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 7

Marketing and sales

  • 7.1. Brand and positioning of the center
  • 7.2. Digital channels and social media
  • 7.3. Packages and partnerships with hotels and tour operators
  • 7.4. Customer loyalty
  • 7.5. Online reputation and reviews
  • 7.6. Annual marketing plan
  • 7.7. Underwater photography and video as a sales tool
  • 7.8. Industry trade shows and events
  • 7.9. Referral programs
  • 7.10. Campaign results analysis
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 8

Finance and economic management

  • 8.1. Cost structure and pricing
  • 8.2. Seasonality and cash management
  • 8.3. Profitability indicators
  • 8.4. Budget control
  • 8.5. Expansion and opening new locations
  • 8.6. Booking and management software
  • 8.7. International invoicing and payments
  • 8.8. Taxation of a dive center
  • 8.9. Equipment sales and the shop
  • 8.10. Investment plan
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 9

Sustainability and conservation in dive centers

  • 9.1. Impact of diving on marine ecosystems
  • 9.2. Code of conduct for responsible divers
  • 9.3. Green Fins programs and eco-labels
  • 9.4. Mooring buoys and reef protection
  • 9.5. Citizen science and conservation projects
  • 9.6. Underwater cleanups and waste management
  • 9.7. Environmental education for customers
  • 9.8. Marine protected areas and access fees
  • 9.9. Reducing the center's carbon footprint
  • 9.10. Partnerships with NGOs and public authorities
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 10

International expansion and management of dive center chains

  • 10.1. Expansion models: owned centers, franchises and partnerships
  • 10.2. Analysis of international destinations
  • 10.3. Liveaboard boats
  • 10.4. Multi-site management and standardization
  • 10.5. Contracts with resorts and hotels
  • 10.6. Management of expatriate staff
  • 10.7. International taxation and legislation
  • 10.8. Brand management on an international scale
  • 10.9. Funding the expansion
  • 10.10. Internationalization plan
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Module 11

Final Project

  • 11.1. Choice of topic and definition of the business problem
  • 11.2. Definition of the problem, objectives and scope of the project
  • 11.3. Formulation of objectives, hypotheses and scope of the work
  • 11.4. Review of the state of the art and the applicable regulatory framework
  • 11.5. Analysis of the applicable regulatory and technical framework
  • 11.6. Design of the methodology and work plan
  • 11.7. Methodology, resources and project planning
  • 11.8. Technical development and analysis of results
  • 11.9. Conclusions, feasibility and future lines of work
  • 11.10. Writing the project report and presenting it to an evaluation panel
At this stage
136 hestimated workload
11 wkweeks at your pace
Plan your pace

Duration and format of the Master's in International Dive Center Management

It is 1,500 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.

4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
29
months to finish
125 weeks
weeks in total

This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the installment plan.

Faculty

Academic leadership and faculty

The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programs.

Dra. Marina AlcoverDr. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesEng. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Capt. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerDr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatDr. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsEng. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaEng. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraEng. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration Coordinator
Objectives

Objectives of the Master's in International Dive Center Management

01Lead the commercial and operational strategy of a dive center, setting SMART objectives, allocating resources efficiently and monitoring key KPIs.
02Optimize customer experience and safety, anticipating operational and environmental risks and acting proactively according to procedures and good practice.
03Manage human and financial resources efficiently, optimizing budgets and staff administration with analysis and control tools.
04Develop and implement innovative marketing plans, identifying market trends and adapting strategies quickly with data analytics to optimize ROI.
05Build and maintain global strategic partnerships, identifying key partners, negotiating beneficial agreements and managing communication for mutual growth.
06Adapt operations to international rules, including maritime safety and pollution prevention requirements such as SOLAS and MARPOL where they apply to dive boats.
Careers

Career opportunities after the Master's in International Dive Center Management

01Dive center manageroverall management of the center, marketing, sales and human resources.
02Dive operations manager or senior instructordive planning, guiding and development of training programs.
03Dive tourism consultanttourism product development, risk assessment and sustainability.
04Marine conservation project managerproject planning, environmental education and collaboration with NGOs.
05Marketing and sales specialist for diving companiesstrategy, social media and customer service.
06Dive and snorkel tour operator or equipment manageritineraries, safety, maintenance and equipment sales.
Frequently asked questions

Questions about the Master's in International Dive Center Management

The diving industry, specifically the management and direction of recreational and technical dive centers in international destinations.

No, although a divemaster or instructor background is an advantage. The program is also designed for entrepreneurs, tourism and hospitality professionals, marine biologists and business graduates. The admission interview confirms that your profile fits.

No. Navalis Institute teaches how to manage a dive center; diving and instructor certifications are issued by the training agencies such as PADI, SSI, CMAS or NAUI. The program explains how these agencies work and how a center operates with them.

Yes. A full module covers rental equipment, regulator, BCD and cylinder maintenance, compressors, air quality, nitrox, visual and hydrostatic inspections and maintenance records.

Yes. You study expansion models such as owned centers, franchises and partnerships, destination analysis, liveaboards, resort contracts, expatriate staff and international taxation.

Online, with flexible access to the materials, international case studies and practical exercises focused on real dive center situations.

Through practical cases and assignments throughout the modules and a Final Project in which you write the business plan for an international dive center.

A Navalis Institute master's certificate and a complete dive center business plan that you can use to open, grow or professionalize an operation.

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Online admission

Admission process

No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enroll in the same session.

Entry requirements
  • Profile: a degree in tourism, business administration, marketing or a related field, or professional experience managing dive centers, as a dive instructor or in water activity management; a recognized diving certification at divemaster or instructor level is desirable.
  • Language: sufficient command of English to follow the classes and the technical documentation.
  • Technical resources: a computer with camera and microphone, a stable internet connection and basic computer skills.
  • Admission: online application, review of your profile and a short interview with the academic team.
  1. 01
    Application
    Your details, background and documents.
  2. 02
    Instant review
    We check that everything is complete and in order.
  3. 03
    Enrollment
    Choose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom $744 deposit

Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.

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