Ten Weeks in Raja Ampat: My Divemaster Journey with IOP

I did my Divemaster training with IOP in Raja Ampat over 10 weeks this past November, and it was the best time of my life. Choosing IOP was one of the best decisions I've made. Their instructors knew exactly what they were doing, and I learned far more than I expected, both in and out of the water.

Life in the jungle wasn't easy. Between the heat, the basic living conditions, and the physical demand of the course, there were moments that tested me. But every hard day was worth it. The camp itself was stunning, and some of my favourite memories are the simplest ones: sunsets from the jetty after a long day of diving, and snorkel sessions floating over the reef.

What set the course apart was how comprehensive it was. It wasn't just about mastering dive skills, the program wove in real ecological and marine conservation education, and that knowledge has changed the way I look at the ocean.
Diving in Raja Ampat is unlike anywhere else. The currents can be genuinely challenging, and learning to work with them made me a far more confident diver. My favourite dives were the coral restoration and maintenance dives, purposeful yet calming, knowing the work was contributing to something bigger than myself. Add to that mantas, devil rays, corals for miles, and more fish than I've ever seen in one place, and it felt like being dropped into a different world every day, one where I was diving with a real sense of purpose.

To anyone considering their Divemaster training, I highly recommend IOP. You'll be in incredibly capable hands and have the time of your life.

A huge thank you to the IOP staff, Kevin, Gita, and Selene, for making this experience unforgettable.