Benchmarking Independent Scuba Diving Instructors: 2024 Forecast and 2023 Revenues, Profits & Business Activity Profile of Dive Instructors in Europe & USA
This scuba diving industry market report brings more light to how independent instructors, specifically, operate.
This 2024 dive industry market report is part of a series of eight scuba diving industry market reports from the annual State of The Dive Industry survey.
In early 2024, the Business of Diving Institute conducted the second annual State Of The Industry (SOTI) survey of the dive industry in collaboration with InDEPTH Magazine. We looked at 2023 results for dive certifications, scuba diving equipment sales, and dive travel compared to the prior year. We also surveyed expectations and forecasts for 2024.
We extend a special thank you to all those of you who participated in this effort to provide the dive industry with more readily available market data. Considering the positive response and extensive participation, we intend to make it an annual study to be executed in January.
You can find a complete list of 8 market reports from the State of The Dive Industry 2023 study here. Subscribe to stay in the know.
Business Profile of Independent Scuba Diving Instructors
As part of the State of The Dive Industry (SOTI) survey, we asked independent scuba diving instructors to answer a few questions about the way they teach.
Among independent dive instructors who answered the survey,
- 21% worked full-time in the dive industry
- 28% worked part-time in the dive industry
- 43% were involved only occasionally
- 8% were only involved as volunteers (no remuneration)
You may consult the number of respondents per dive business category and geographic region here.
Unfortunately, we can only provide statistics on independent scuba diving instructors in the USA and Western Europe because we did not get enough participation in other geographical regions to provide statistically valid results. We are working on fixing this issue for the 2025 survey – with your help!
Participating in our surveys and inviting your colleagues to do the same can help us provide you with better dive industry market reports.
For additional market data on scuba diving instructors, you may consult:
Revenues & Profits of Independent Scuba Diving Instructors
Results for 2022 and 2023. Forecasting trends for 2023 and 2024.
Independent Dive Instructors’ REVENUES
For scuba diving instructors in the USA, 2023 results fell short of expectations.
- 40% of independent dive instructors in the USA reported a revenue decrease in 2023, while only 13% had forecasted a decline.
- 69% of independent scuba diving instructors in Western Europe reported a revenue increase in 2023, while 56% had forecasted an increase.
That being said, dive instructors experienced a wide range of sales results.
- 31% of dive instructors in the USA reported sales growth, while 40% had a decrease in revenues.
- 69% of dive centers in Western Europe experienced growth, while 23% had a decline in revenues.
In both regions, despite the many challenges of 2024, reporting dive instructors are very optimistic about the future.
- 52% of American scuba diving instructors expect revenue growth in 2024.
- 69% of Western European dive instructors expect revenue growth in 2024.
Independent Dive Instructors’ PROFITS
Independent scuba diving instructors have the ability to control their costs when facing a decline in revenues.
- While 40% of dive instructors in the USA experienced a decline in revenues in 2023, only 21% reported a decrease in profits.
- While 23% of dive instructors in Western Europe saw revenue declines in 2023, only 15% reported decreased profits.
The percentages in the graphs below indicate how many survey respondents reported or forecasted a decrease, flat, or increase in revenues or profits.
The green columns represent the actual results (2022 & 2023), while the orange-brown columns represent the forecasts (2023 & 2024). Both columns for 2023 are wrapped by a black dotted line to facilitate comparisons between projections and actual results.
Benchmarking Independent Scuba Diving Instructors
Dive Shops & Independent Dive Instructors
With how many dive centers do you regularly interact in your activities as an independent instructor (for any reason like student recruitment, rental gear & fills)?
The reduction in the average number of dive shops used by dive instructors may be related to dive centers going out of business.
Services Offered by Independent Scuba Diving Instructors
Do you offer the following services to your students/clients?
In both markets, in 2023, ‘day trips’ gained importance while ‘dive vacations’ declined. It may be related to a trend we noticed in scuba divers booking dive vacations at the last minute, making it challenging for independent instructors to organize groups.
Scuba Diving Equipment Retailing & Independent Dive Instructors
As an independent dive instructor, do you sell scuba diving gear besides training course material? For instance, a rebreather instructor may sell rebreathers.
Dive Boats & Independent Scuba Diving Instructors
Do you also own & operate a day-trip dive boat?
Where do student-divers come from?
What percentage of your dive training students come from out of town (requiring them to stay at least one night near the location where you provide training)?
When discussing independent scuba diving instructors with dive industry colleagues, it is often assumed that these instructors serve a local clientele, usually in the region where they live.
But the results from this survey indicate that independent dive instructors get a fair amount of student divers from out-of-town.
It would require more study, but I assume that quality dive instructors attract scuba divers from out-of-town, especially in specialized training like rebreathers and cave diving.
I’m certain quality matters on that front.
Types & Quantity of Dive Certifications
How many and what types of scuba diving certifications are offered by independent instructors? Which dive training agency is most frequently used?
We addressed these questions in
There are eight scuba diving industry market reports prepared from the results of the State Of The Industry (SOTI) survey of the dive industry.
The State of The Dive Industry annual market study is part of a series of scuba diving industry surveys by the Business of Diving Institute in collaboration with InDEPTH Magazine with support from DAN Europe, Shearwater, GUE, and most importantly, YOU!
Besides participating in the surveys, please let us know if you would like to add your name to the official list of “supporters who are supporting the industry!”
You can help the dive industry by taking part in ongoing surveys.
Results from our past scuba diving market studies are also available here.
Other Scuba Diving Industry Resources:
Check our dive industry books.