Recognition Earned Underwater: PADI Certificates of Excellence Awarded to Oceans 5 Gili Air Instructors
PADI Certificates of Excellence Awarded to Oceans 5 Gili Air Instructors
It was a proud and emotional day at Oceans 5 Gili Air when PADI Region Manager Neil visited the dive center to present a very special form of recognition — the PADI Certificate of Excellence. These certificates are not simply acknowledgments from within the industry; they represent the voices of students who have experienced the PADI courses firsthand and have been deeply impacted by the quality of their dive education. This time, four of Oceans 5’s instructors — Tama, Warren, Unus, and the owner and PADI Course Director Sander — were awarded this rare honor.
A moment like this isn’t just a milestone. It’s a reflection of a dive center’s values, its approach to teaching, and the passion of the instructors who pour their hearts into every course. Oceans 5 Gili Air has long held the belief that high-quality dive education is not about rushing through checklists or fitting students into a tight schedule. Instead, the center has carved its reputation by teaching in small groups, giving personal attention, and letting students learn at their own pace. The recognition from PADI — and more importantly, from students — proves that this philosophy resonates.
What Is a PADI Certificate of Excellence?
The PADI Certificate of Excellence is a prestigious recognition awarded to instructors based on direct feedback from students who complete their PADI courses. After every course, students are invited to fill out surveys evaluating their experience — not just with the dive center, but with their individual instructor. When a PADI professional consistently receives outstanding reviews and commendations, a Certificate of Excellence is issued.
It’s worth noting that this recognition is not automatically given. It is not based on how many certifications an instructor issues or how many students they teach. Instead, it highlights the rare instructors who make a lasting impression on their students — those who go above and beyond to ensure their students feel safe, confident, and inspired.
For Oceans 5 to have not just one, but four instructors recognized in this way is no small feat. It speaks volumes about the dive center’s consistency, commitment to quality, and the shared philosophy that underpins its team.
A Team of Educators Who Inspire
The instructors who received this honor are each unique in their background and teaching style, but they all share one key trait: a passion for transforming divers into confident underwater explorers.
Instructor Tama, known for his calm demeanor and encouraging energy, has a reputation for guiding nervous divers through their first underwater breaths with grace and patience. His students often mention how safe and supported they felt, even when struggling with skills or buoyancy. Al’s strength lies in creating a stress-free learning environment, helping students become comfortable in their own time.
Instructor Warren, who also holds the title of PADI Course Director, brings a wealth of experience to the classroom and the ocean. His students describe him as both knowledgeable and relatable, someone who combines professionalism with a great sense of humor. Warren has the rare ability to balance high standards with relaxed communication, allowing his students to meet PADI requirements while genuinely enjoying their time underwater.
Instructor Unus, a local Indonesian instructor, is one of Oceans 5’s proudest success stories. Starting as a divemaster, he worked his way up through the ranks, gaining experience and skill with every certification. His journey is especially inspiring for local students who dream of building careers in diving. Today, Unus is known for his strong connection with students from all backgrounds, especially those diving in Indonesia for the first time. He brings a deep knowledge of the local marine environment, and his enthusiasm for conservation is infectious.
PADI Course Director and Oceans 5 owner Sander received his certificate from one of his former IDC candidates — a full-circle moment that embodies what dive education is all about. Sander’s dedication to instructor training is the reason why Oceans 5 has gained the prestigious PADI Career Development Centre status. His mentorship of future instructors is not just about passing exams, but about building character, resilience, and a love for the ocean. For Sander, receiving a Certificate of Excellence from someone he once mentored was a particularly meaningful honor.
A Philosophy That Puts Students First
What sets Oceans 5 Gili Air apart isn’t just the talent of its instructors — it’s the shared teaching philosophy that guides every course. From beginner Open Water courses to professional IDC programs, the dive center insists on small group sizes, plenty of in-water time, and personal attention for each diver.
Courses at Oceans 5 are not designed to be rushed. Whether it’s a student who needs more time to equalize, or someone who struggles with buoyancy control, instructors at Oceans 5 never pressure students to “just get it done.” Instead, they adapt the schedule to fit the pace of the student, allowing confidence and competence to develop naturally.
This approach may seem simple, but in an industry where speed and quantity can often overshadow quality, it’s a brave and commendable choice. And clearly, students have taken notice.
Time and time again, students leave glowing reviews not just about the dive sites and equipment, but about how seen and supported they felt by their instructors. For many, diving can be intimidating at first. But with the right support, it becomes transformative.
Excellence Through Consistency
Being awarded a Certificate of Excellence once is an honor. But for Oceans 5 to consistently have multiple instructors recognized speaks to something deeper — a culture of excellence that runs throughout the dive center.
At Oceans 5, new instructors are mentored carefully. Whether they’ve just finished their IDC or are coming from another location, they learn the Oceans 5 way: quality over quantity, patience over pressure, and student-centered teaching. The dive center doesn’t just hand out teaching assignments. Instead, instructors work closely with Course Directors and senior staff to ensure that they are prepared, aligned with the center’s values, and fully supported in their professional development.
This culture is part of what makes Oceans 5 Gili Air such a special place to learn — not just for students, but for instructors as well.
A Moment of Pride
The day of the awards was filled with smiles, handshakes, and a sense of validation for the years of hard work each instructor has put into their craft. Neil, the PADI Region Manager, took the time to speak with each recipient, recognizing not only their teaching ability but also their contribution to the broader PADI community in Indonesia.
The Certificates of Excellence were handed out in front of staff, interns, and students — a fitting audience for a dive center that sees itself as a family. Applause broke out as each name was called, and more than a few eyes glistened with emotion.
For Sander, it was a particularly meaningful day. As both owner and Course Director, he has spent over a decade building Oceans 5 from a small dive shop into the only PADI Career Development Centre on Gili Air. To see three of his instructors — and himself — recognized in this way confirmed that the vision he’s worked so hard to create is not just working, but thriving.
Why It Matters
Recognition from students is the most genuine form of praise an instructor can receive. It’s not about awards for display or numbers on a certificate wall. It’s about knowing that you made a difference — that someone overcame their fear, fell in love with the ocean, or even found a new life path because of your guidance.
For Oceans 5, this recognition also reinforces their mission to keep quality at the core of everything they do. Whether it’s introducing someone to diving for the first time or preparing future instructors, the center’s priority remains the same: to teach well, to teach responsibly, and to teach with heart.
What’s Next for Oceans 5?
As the 2025 season approaches, Oceans 5 Gili Air continues to innovate and improve. The dive center recently upgraded its compressor room and introduced new training programs in marine conservation, technical diving, and underwater photography. The focus on environmental responsibility is stronger than ever, with weekly beach cleanups, collaborations with the University of Mataram, and conservation-themed courses embedded into every professional-level training.
Instructors are encouraged to keep learning, too. At Oceans 5, teaching is never static. New specialties, professional development workshops, and continuing education are part of everyday life. It’s this continuous pursuit of growth that keeps the dive center — and its instructors — ahead of the curve.
For students who choose Oceans 5, whether for their Open Water course or their IDC, they can trust that they are learning from some of the best in the industry. And now, there’s a little extra proof — straight from PADI and straight from the students.
Final Thoughts
The Certificates of Excellence awarded to Tama, Warren, Unus, and Sander are more than framed pieces of paper. They are symbols of trust, gratitude, and recognition from the people who matter most — the students.
In an industry where divers have many choices, Oceans 5 Gili Air stands out not just because of its location, its facilities, or its accolades, but because of its heart. A heart that beats through every instructor, every dive, and every moment spent under the waves. The team at Oceans 5 doesn’t just teach people to dive — they teach them to love the ocean, to trust in themselves, and to explore the world beneath the surface with confidence.
So to Tama, Warren, Unus, and Sander — congratulations. Your passion and excellence are seen, appreciated, and celebrated. And to the rest of the Oceans 5 team: keep diving, keep teaching, and keep making a difference, one student at a time.