Perry Institute for Marine Science

PADI Instructor Development Course With the Perry Institute for Marine Science
2025-08-01 - 2025-08-15 | Blue Ocean PADI 5 Star IDC Center, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas
Dates: August 1st-15th, 2025
Location: Blue Ocean PADI 5 Star IDC Center on New Providence, The Bahamas
Ready to take your diving skills to the next level and make a real difference for the ocean? Join us for a PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) in New Providence, The Bahamas, from August 1st-15th, 2025, to become a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI). This course is designed to give you the tools to become a dive instructor with a focus on marine conservation, all while enjoying some of the best diving in the world and learning from the Perry Institute for Marine Sciences experts!

Why This IDC?

Conservation-Focused Training: We’ve built this IDC around the idea that divers can make a big impact on preserving the ocean. Along with your instructor training, you’ll also earn instructor specialties that focus on key areas of marine protection.
5 Specialties Included:

Reef Rescue Diver (Coral Restoration Distinctive Specialty) with the Reef Rescue Network
Dive Against Debris
AWARE Shark Conservation
Sea Turtle Awareness
Emergency Oxygen Provider

Hands-On Learning: Gain real-world experience in conservation efforts that directly support marine biodiversity within coral reef ecosystems, including training with Perry Institute for Marine Science Coral Restoration Specialist’s learning coral nursery maintenance and outplanting techniques.
Emergency First Response Instructor: As part of your IDC, you’ll also become a certified Emergency First Response Instructor (EFRI) – an essential qualification for teaching CPR, first aid, and emergency care in diving and beyond.

Prerequisites:
Before you sign up, please ensure you meet the following requirements:

PADI Divemaster or:

An instructor member in good standing (renewed or eligible to renew) with another recognized recreational diver training organization
A leadership-level certification in good standing (renewed or eligible to renew) with another recognized recreational diver training organization
60 logged dives with documented experience in night diving, deep diving, and underwater navigation.

At least 18 years old.
Medical clearance attesting to dive fitness, signed by a physician within the previous 12 months, with no medical condition changes.
A certified diver for at least six months.
Completed the EFR Primary and Secondary Care course, or other qualifying training, within the last 24 months.
If not a PADI Divemaster, successfully complete the PADI Divemaster course diver rescue skills assessment.
Documentation of any non-PADI qualifying entry-level, advanced, rescue, and leadership-level certifications as required.

Who’s This For?
This IDC is perfect for anyone who wants to teach diving while also making an impact on ocean conservation. Whether you’re an experienced diver or relatively new to the scene, if you care about protecting the ocean and want to inspire others to do the same, this course is for you.

Location Perks:

New Providence offers beautiful dive sites, incredible visibility, and a vibrant marine ecosystem – all the perfect backdrop for training. For your specialty instructor training you can train at a local coral nursery, dive with Caribbean reef sharks, and observe sea turtles amongst the stunning coral reefs of The Bahamas.

Course Price:

USD $4,545

What’s Included?

All OWSI & EFRI training requirements for certification, including classroom, pool, and open water sessions.
All PADI OWSI & EFRI course materials & eLearning.
PADI OWSI and EFRI application fees
5 PADI Instructor Specialty courses including all training and PADI application fees.
PADI IE Fees

Not Included:

Flights to Nassau (New Providence, The Bahamas)
Accommodation and Meals
Local transport to and from the PADI 5 Star IDC Center (car hire/share recommended)

Where:
Blue Ocean 5 Star IDC Center at Albany Resort on the South West coast of New Providence.
*Exact location provided upon booking
If you’re looking for a meaningful way to dive into a career that combines your passion for the ocean with your love for teaching, this IDC is a great fit. Space is limited, so grab your spot and take the first step towards becoming a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor with a passion for protecting our ocean and marine inhabitants.

Questions or ready to sign up?
For additional information email our PADI Course Director Kate Harrison (kharrison@perryinstitute.org) who will be your instructor during this course, and will be happy to provide accommodation and local transport information and recommendations as well as answer any questions regarding the course.

Mangrove Propagule Collection Day
2025-09-20 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Vancouver) | Country Club Road, Coral Harbor, New Providence, New Providence, Bahamas
Join us for a hands-on volunteer opportunity to help restore The Bahamas’ mangrove ecosystems! As part of The Bahamas Mangrove Alliance’s mission to plant 300,000 mangroves by the end of the year, we’ll be collecting red mangrove propagules to support recovery efforts in Grand Bahama and Abaco, areas heavily impacted by hurricanes.
This is your chance to make a tangible difference for coastal protection, marine life, and community resilience.
What to Expect

Collect red mangrove propagules alongside our team and fellow volunteers.
Learn about the importance of mangroves in protecting shorelines, supporting fisheries, and storing carbon.
Contribute to one of the largest community-driven restoration efforts in The Bahamas.

What to Bring
✔️ 1 reusable water bottle✔️ Protective clothing: hat, long sleeves, long pants, and water shoes (things may get muddy!)✔️ Sun protection: reef-safe SPF sunscreen
How to Join

Register as a volunteer at www.perryinstitute.org/volunteer
Complete the volunteer waiver form sent via email.(A completed waiver is required for participation.)

Directions
From Coral Harbor Road, take the 4th right onto Hopkins Drive, slight right onto Country Club Road, and continue to the end of the road.
Contact
For questions, please contact:Danielle CartwrightEducation Coordinator, Perry Institute for Marine Science📧 dcartwright@perryinstitute.org
Volunteer with us and help plant the future of our coasts.

Mangrove Propagule Collection Day: Help Restore Bahamas Coastlines
2025-10-18 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Toronto) | Adelaide Village, New Providence, The Bahamas, Bahamas
The future of The Bahamas’ coastlines starts with the smallest of seeds.
Join the Perry Institute for Marine Science and The Bahamas Mangrove Alliance for a hands-on morning collecting red mangrove propagules – the floating seedlings that grow into the lifelines of our islands. Let’s turn thriving forests of New Providence into hope for communities in Abaco and Grand Bahama still recovering from Hurricane Dorian.
Event Description
Healthy mangroves are critical for protecting our coasts, supporting fisheries, and fighting climate change. During this volunteer event, you’ll wade through calm, shallow waters in beautiful Adelaide Village to gather red mangrove propagules, helping to restore the habitats that shelter marine life and buffer shorelines against storms. No experience is needed, just curiosity, teamwork, and love for the ocean.
After a successful first collection last month, we’re back for Round 2. Every propagule you collect brings us closer to re-greening the islands that need it most.
This community effort is part of our work with The Bahamas Mangrove Alliance, alongside co-founders Bonefish & Tarpon Trust and Waterkeepers Bahamas.
Please fill out your volunteer waiver before attending the event at perryinstitute.org/volunteer. We can’t wait to see you there!

Documentary Premiere: Seafood Nation
2025-12-10 18:30 (America/Toronto) | ECCHO, Baha Mar, New Providence, Bahamas
Documentary Premiere: Seafood Nation
You are cordially invited to the premiere of “Seafood Nation” — a compelling short documentary by Bahamian filmmaker Matt McCoy.
About the Documentary
From grouper fingers to conch salad, stew, and boiled fish, seafood is more than just a meal in The Bahamas. It is woven into our culture, identity, and livelihoods.
Our marine resources, from sea to serving plate, drive our economy and inspire our culture. If managed with care, they will provide for generations to come. Seafood Nation explores these deep connections through the voices of local fishers, vendors, consumers, managers, and scientists, sparking a vital conversation about the future of our fisheries.

Event Details

📅
December 10th, 2025

🕒
6:30 PM

📍
Eccho, Baha Mar
New Providence, Bahamas

🎤
Q&A with Matt McCoy
@kairosmatt

Don’t miss this opportunity to witness how science and storytelling come together to highlight the significance of seafood for our small island developing nation.
Register and Get Your FREE Ticket.

Christmas Coastal Cleanup
2025-12-13 10:00 (America/Toronto) | Montagu Beach, New Providence, Bahamas
Local to New Providence? Get Salty with us this Saturday!
Our ocean givse us so much. This holiday season, let’s give back. Join us for our Christmas Coastal Cleanup to remove debris from our beaches and make a positive impact before the year ends.

When: Saturday, December 13th @ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: Montagu Beach, New Providence
Bring: Reusable water bottle, sun protection, and energy!

This is our last volunteer event of 2025. [Click here to sign your waiver].
*Note ALL volunteers are required to have a completed waiver before attending our events.
