A Day in the Life of a Dive Master in the Cayman Islands

Have you ever wondered what a normal day looks like to a Dive Master? 

Well, wonder no more as I will take you through a day in the life of myself while working in the Cayman Islands over summer as a Divemaster.

                              

Firstly, no day is ever the same when diving simply because, you can never guarantee what you'll see... a turtle, Eagle Rays or even hammerhead sharks.

However they typically go like this:

Wake up: 6 a.m. alarm. My day as a dive master starts early. By 6:30 a.m., I’m out the door. I don’t eat much in the morning, just a quick orange to kickstart my day.

 

Once I arrive at the dive shop, the first task is checking the manifest. This is important as it tells me each of the diver’s certification level, previous number of dives and what gear is needed. 

 

7:30 a.m. - The Captain and I would then go wake the boat up and put it on the dock.

I'll start prepping all the dive gear. I check tanks, regulators, BCDs, and masks/fins to ensure everything is in perfect working order and already set up for our guests who are renting equipment— no room for error when you’re diving! 

 

Around 8 a.m. , the divers start rolling in. I always really enjoy meeting the guests, introducing myself and hearing where they’re from, and gauging their experience levels. For some, it’s their first dive and there nervous, while others are seasoned veterans. Regardless, my role is to make sure they’re comfortable and excited. I go over the dive plan, answer any questions, and offer tips to help everyone feel at ease. Mainly making there experience as relaxed and easy as possible.

Sadly, not everyday is sunny.

12:30 p.m. we are typically back from our morning 2 tank dive. Once we've said bye to the guests it's time to unload the boat, rinse and dry the gear, and clean everything down. It’s really crucial to keep all the equipment in top condition to ensure safe dives and a smooth experience for everyone. After this, I usually grab lunch with the team—something light and refreshing to keep my energy up for the afternoon.

2 p.m. - Afternoons can vary depending on the day, but often we’ll head back out for another dive, run a training boat, or lead a snorkelling safari for those interested in seeing the reefs from above. If we’re on a dive, I guide guests to some of the most breathtaking spots, pointing out marine life like schools of fish, coral formations, or hidden creatures in crevices.

By 5 p.m.  we’re wrapping up for the day (when not doing a night dive). Back at the shop, there’s more cleaning and organising to do, as well as a final check on the manifest to log the day’s dives and any certifications or special achievements by guests. 

It can be exhausting especially when doing 3-4 dives day, but its very rewarding to end each day knowing I helped others discover and appreciate the ocean.