How to Become a Weekend Warrior Scuba Instructor

Love diving but not looking to quit your day job? Becoming a weekend warrior scuba instructor might be the perfect fit. At Eco Dive Center in Los Angeles, many of our instructors work full-time during the week and teach scuba on weekends simply because they love it. Teaching scuba doesn’t have to mean a career change. It can be a rewarding side gig that keeps you in the water, sharpens your skills, and lets you stay connected to the dive community.

From Student to Instructor - A Very Common Story

For many Eco Dive Center instructors, the journey didn’t start with a plan to “go pro.” It started with signing up for Open Water or Advanced Open Water, discovering how good California diving really is, and wanting to keep going.

They kept diving locally.
They joined trips.
They built skills, confidence, and community.

Over time, diving became more than a certification - it became a regular part of their life. Becoming a Divemaster, and eventually an instructor, felt like the natural next step. Many of our instructors love that they now get to bring people into scuba the same way it was introduced to them: calmly, safely, and with real support.

What Is a Weekend Warrior Instructor?

A weekend warrior instructor is someone who teaches scuba primarily on weekends while maintaining a regular weekday job. At Eco Dive Center, our class schedule makes this especially realistic. Most entry-level courses follow a consistent structure:

• Pool sessions on Saturdays

• Ocean dives on Sundays

This setup allows instructors to teach complete certification courses without needing weekday availability. It’s ideal for professionals, parents, freelancers, or anyone who wants scuba to stay fun rather than turning into a full-time career.

The Professional Path to Instructor

Becoming a scuba instructor is a progression, not a leap, and Eco Dive Center supports divers at every professional level. The typical path includes:

• Divemaster – Learn to assist instructors, guide certified divers, and develop leadership skills.

• Assistant Instructor – Start teaching parts of courses while gaining instructional experience.

• Open Water Scuba Instructor (OWSI) – Teach full certification courses independently.

Eco Dive Center also offers continuing professional development beyond instructor. You can move through the process at a pace that works for your life, whether that’s quickly or spread out over time.

Why Eco Dive Center Works So Well for Weekend Instructors

Eco Dive Center has been training divers in Southern California for over 20 years and runs one of the largest, most consistent class schedules in the region. That matters if you want to teach regularly without overcommitting.

Weekend instructors benefit from:

• Reliable weekend class schedules that fit a Monday–Friday work life

• A large student base, so instructors aren’t chasing classes

• Strong mentorship and Course Director support

• Local ocean diving, not rushed resort-style instruction

You’re joining an established teaching community, not starting from scratch.

Teaching as a Hobby That Gives Back

For many instructors, teaching scuba isn’t about changing careers - it’s about giving back. Instructors love meeting new people, building confidence in brand-new divers, and watching students experience their first ocean dives.

Teaching also keeps your own skills sharp and deepens your understanding of diving. It’s a social, active, and genuinely rewarding way to stay involved in the sport, especially if your weekdays are spent in an office or behind a screen.

Who Is This Path Best For?

You might be a great fit for weekend instruction if you:

• Fell in love with diving after Open Water or Advanced

• Want to stay active in the California dive community

• Work a traditional weekday job

• Enjoy teaching and mentoring others

Many Eco Dive Center instructors are engineers, healthcare professionals, creatives, business owners, and parents. There’s no “type” — just people who love diving and want to share it.

Thinking About Taking the Next Step?

If you’re curious about Divemaster or Instructor training, check out our professional levels page or stop by the shop. We’re always happy to talk diving.