P/01 — Pricing & Transparency

Transparent pricing. Three packages. Two locations.

No hidden costs, no package maths. Course fee, PADI fees and optional extras are spelled out line by line — including a side-by-side comparison of TSK Zürich and SeaExplorers Dauin. All figures below are starting prices for the course fee; a precise, up-to-date quote comes with the free Info Pack.

Three IDC packages.

The course itself — Course Director, curriculum, small group of up to 8 candidates — is identical across all three packages. Differences appear in additional Specialty Instructor ratings, accommodation, and post-course support. All figures are starting prices excluding PADI fees.

Basic
IDC + IE
From · Zürich CHF 1,990 or from PHP 71,600 · Dauin

The pure training route. Full IDC, IE preparation, Instructor Examination.

  • +IDC 10–14 days · max. 8 candidates
  • +IE prep with mock IEs
  • +Instructor Examination (IE)
  • +PADI Digital Crew-Pak included
  • +Choice of Zürich or Dauin
Plus PADI fees separate · see components below
Gold
Full Package · with Internship
From · Dauin (all-in) PHP 185,000 ≈ CHF 2,870 · incl. 2-week internship

The full career route. Silver + two-week internship at a partner dive centre + priority job referrals.

  • +Everything from Silver
  • +2-week internship at a partner centre
  • +Priority job referrals from my network
  • +Lifetime alumni support
  • +Gold package details →
Gold is Dauin-only · individually configured
Transparency first. The figures above are starting prices for the course fee (Course Director + IDC centre). PADI Digital Crew Pack incl. eLearning (CHF 1,371.40), Application Fee (approx. CHF 280) and IE Fee (approx. CHF 950) are billed separately by PADI and the examiner — because these amounts do not go to me or the training centre, but directly to PADI. The complete bill including accommodation, flights and any additional courses is laid out in the free Info Pack.

Zürich & Dauin · component comparison.

Both locations deliver the same IDC quality, the same Course Director, the same curriculum. Prices differ mainly because of local cost-of-living and accommodation. Here is the Basic IDC line by line.

Switzerland · Europe base
TSK Zürich

PADI 5 Star IDC Center. Classic European course logistics, fully equipped showroom at Stauffacherquai, on-site pool sessions.

IDC course feeCourse Director + TSK facility
CHF 1,990
PADI Digital Crew Packincl. eLearning · IDC online theory
CHF 1,371.40
PADI Application Feeapproximate
CHF 280
IE Fee (PADI examination)to the Instructor Examiner
CHF 950
Basic total · Zürich
from CHF 4,591
Philippines · Asia base
SeaExplorers Dauin

PADI 5 Star Career Development Center in Negros Oriental. Warm water, up to 10 dives per day, muck-diving capital of the world.

IDC course feeCourse Director + SeaExplorers facility
PHP 71,600
PADI Digital Crew Packincl. eLearning · IDC online theory
CHF 1,371.40
PADI Application Feeapproximate
CHF 280
IE Fee (PADI examination)to the Instructor Examiner
CHF 950
Basic total · Dauin
from ~CHF 3,700

What the price is made of.

The total bill for an IDC has three recipients: the Course Director and IDC centre, PADI as the training agency, and optionally third-party providers for accommodation, transport, or equipment. Here's how it breaks down.

01
Course fee IDC + IE
Course Director honorarium, classroom, pool time, boat time, on-site materials. The actual training — everything that happens during the 10–14 days. Goes to TSK (ZH) or SeaExplorers (PH).
CHF 1,990Zürich fromPHP 71,600Dauin from
02
PADI Digital Crew Packincl. eLearning
The PADI Digital Crew Pack is not included in the course fee and is purchased separately directly from PADI. It comprises the IDC eLearning (online theory modules), the digital PADI Instructor Manual and all other digital course materials. Used before and during the IDC. Paid directly to PADI, price identical across all countries.
CHF 1,371.40PADI direct · per TSK price list
03
PADI Application Fee
One-time registration fee to PADI for IDC participation. Location-independent. Exact amount varies with CHF/USD exchange rate.
~CHF 280PADI direct
04
IE Fee · Instructor Examination
The two-day examination under an independent PADI Instructor Examiner. The fee goes to the examiner or to PADI, not to the Course Director.
~CHF 950Examiner / PADI
05
MSDT Specialty ratings
Optional, included in Silver/Gold. Five Specialty Instructor qualifications of your choice. Zürich: CHF 140–520 per specialty (depending on dives and group size) + CHF 62 PADI Application. Dauin: included in package.
from CHF 140per specialty · ZH
06
Accommodation
The Silver/Gold Dauin package includes accommodation only — meals are not included. Candidates currently receive a 20% discount on food & beverages at the resort. A simpler F&B solution is in the works. In Zürich you organise accommodation yourself — TSK can recommend partner hotels.
in packageaccommodation only · Dauin
07
Internship · 2 weeks
Gold only. Two-week work placement at a partner dive centre after passing the IE. You are already working as an Instructor, embedded in the team, with structured support. Significantly accelerates career entry.
in packageGold · Dauin
08
Flight, visa, insurance
Philippines only. Swiss citizens don't need a visa for stays under 30 days. There are no direct flights Zürich–Cebu — connection options: Emirates via Dubai or Singapore Airlines/Scoot via Singapore to Cebu. Alternative (often better): fly to Manila, then continue with Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines to Dumaguete. Dive accident insurance (DAN) is recommended for the IE.
individualyour responsibility

Complementary courses.

Before the IDC: Divemaster. After the IDC: MSDT, IDC Staff Instructor, Specialty Instructor trainings. Some candidates combine several courses — for example Divemaster directly followed by IDC.

PADI Divemaster
The prerequisite for the IDC. Can be combined at the same location. Zürich runs across several weekends, Dauin as a 16-day or 21-day course.
CHF 1,150 + materials Zürich · TSK
PHP 44,900 – 59,900 Dauin · SeaExplorers
IDC Staff Instructor
For already certified PADI Instructors. The next career step — you assist Course Directors and become part of the Instructor training yourself.
CHF 990 + materials CHF 642 + app CHF 150 Zürich · TSK
Specialty Instructor
Individual Specialty ratings (Sidemount, Deep, Nitrox, Wreck, etc.) outside the IDC. Prices vary by dives and group size (group 4+ / private 2–3 / VIP 1).
CHF 140 – 520 + CHF 62 app per specialty · Zürich
Assistant Instructor only
The first part of the IDC — certified as a standalone qualification. Useful for candidates who only need AI rating or want to train in stages.
CHF 990 Zürich · TSK
OWSI only
The second part of the IDC (Open Water Scuba Instructor) for already certified Assistant Instructors. Classic upgrade route.
CHF 1,190 Zürich · TSK
Combo packages Philippines
SeaExplorers offers Go-Pro packages combining Divemaster and IDC. Multi-week tracks including dives and Specialty extensions.
PHP 125,000 – 139,000 Go Pro · Dauin

Pricing questions.

The most common questions on costs, payment, packages and side expenses. For details specific to your situation — instalment plans, early-bird conditions, upgrades during the course — WhatsApp is the fastest channel.

The answers cover standard scenarios. If your situation is unusual — mid-Divemaster training, cross-over from another agency, instalments over several months — we'll talk through it personally.

How much does the PADI IDC cost in Switzerland? +
The IDC at TSK Zürich costs from CHF 1,990 in course fees. PADI fees are added separately (Digital Crew Pack incl. eLearning CHF 1,371.40, Application approx. CHF 280, IE Fee approx. CHF 950) for a total from approximately CHF 4,591. These fees go directly to PADI and the examiner — not to the Course Director.
How much does the PADI IDC cost in the Philippines? +
At SeaExplorers Dauin the course fee is PHP 71,600 (approximately CHF 1,100 depending on exchange rate). Plus the same PADI fees of approximately CHF 2,600. Total from approximately CHF 3,700 — excluding flights and accommodation. In the Silver/Gold package accommodation is already included.
What additional costs come on top of the IDC? +
PADI Digital Crew Pack (incl. eLearning), Application Fee and IE Fee are always separate. Depending on package and location, additionally: accommodation (Zürich self-organised, Dauin included from Silver onward — room only, meals not included; candidates receive 20% off F&B at the resort), flights (no direct Zürich–Cebu route; common options via Dubai/Singapore or via Manila with a domestic connection to Dumaguete), dive accident insurance (DAN recommended), optional Specialty Instructor ratings outside the MSDT package.
Which package fits me best? +
Basic if you just need the Instructor qualification and no career change is planned. Silver as the standard — MSDT with 5 Specialty ratings raises your chances of being hired by dive centres considerably. Gold if you're serious about working as an Instructor: the 2-week internship speeds up career entry by months.
Are there early-bird discounts or instalment options? +
Early-bird conditions vary per course and are communicated in the Info Pack. Instalment payment is possible in coordination with TSK or SeaExplorers — typically 30% on booking, remainder before course start. Details via WhatsApp or in the Info Pack conversation.
How much does the Divemaster course cost as preparation? +
At TSK Zürich: CHF 1,150 course fee + CHF 558.85 materials + approx. CHF 160 PADI Application. At SeaExplorers Dauin: PHP 44,900 (eLearning, own equipment, 16 days) to PHP 59,900 (traditional 21 days with rental equipment). Divemaster is a prerequisite for the IDC.
Do Specialty Instructor ratings cost extra? +
Individually yes — in Zürich between CHF 140 (theory-only specialty, group of 4+) and CHF 520 (2 dives, VIP single) plus CHF 62 PADI Application per specialty. In the Silver and Gold packages 5 Specialty ratings are already included — significantly cheaper than booking individually.
Who receives my money? +
The course fee goes to TSK Zürich or SeaExplorers Philippines — including my Course Director honorarium. PADI fees go directly to PADI. Accommodation, flights, insurance to their respective providers. You receive a separate invoice for each position — full traceability.

Partner transparency.

Official price lists from the two training centres — linked directly, because transparency comes first. The figures on this page are starting prices; day-to-day, package combinations and Specialty prices at the provider can vary slightly.

TSK Tauchsport Käser AG

PADI 5 Star IDC Center · Stauffacherquai 54, 8004 Zürich. Full pricelist for Divemaster, IDC, Staff Instructor, Specialty Instructor trainings and equipment.

visit tsk.ch

SeaExplorers Philippines

PADI 5 Star Career Development Center · Washington St., Dauin, Negros Oriental. Pricelist valid until September 2026, including IDC, Divemaster, Go-Pro packages and dive packages.

visit sea-explorers.com
Next step

Your free Info Pack with exact prices.

Up-to-date pricing for Basic, Silver, Gold — including PHP/CHF exchange rate, current accommodation options, possible early-bird conditions and your specific timeline. One PDF, no surprises.