TDI Cavern Diving Instructor Development & Evaluation
The cavern is the classroom
Your judgment is the standard.
Take the next professional step in overhead-environment instruction with the TDI Cavern Diving Instructor Evaluation in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. This program is designed for qualified instructors who want to demonstrate the knowledge, control, judgment, and professionalism required to teach and certify students in the TDI Overhead Environment / Cavern Diver course.
At Divers UnderGround, you train and are evaluated in the Riviera Maya with a team specialized in cavern, cave, and technical diving. The center is a TDI/SDI 5-Star Professional Development Facility in the Riviera Maya, and Camilo García is listed by the site as a TDI Cavern Instructor Evaluator.
This is not just about passing skills. It is about proving that you can teach cavern diving safely, clearly, and to standard in a real overhead environment.
Pre-Evaluation Preparation Available
Not yet ready for the evaluation? We can help qualified candidates complete the required path toward eligibility, including:
- Assisting with 1 complete TDI Cavern Diver course with an active TDI Cavern Instructor
- Professional mentoring and performance review
- A recommendation for evaluation readiness, when standards are met
Prerequisites:
Required Certification
- Minimum age 21
- Active-status Open Water Instructor with a recognized agency for at least 1 year
- TDI Nitrox Instructor or equivalent
- TDI Full Cave Diver certification or equivalent
Plus
- Proof of at least 100 full cave dives
- Proof of teaching at least 4 SDI/TDI/ERDI courses
- Proof of assisting with at least 1 complete TDI Cavern Diver course with an active TDI Cavern Instructor
- Recommendation from a TDI Cavern Instructor confirming readiness for evaluation
Why do I need to take the TDI Cavern Diving Instructor Evaluation?
This evaluation is built to confirm that you can do more than dive well. It verifies that you can present a complete TDI Cavern Diver program, demonstrate required land and water skills, manage students responsibly, and maintain the right attitude toward safety and environmental protection.
At this level, precision matters. Your demonstrations, briefings, problem-solving, and in-water control must all reflect what you expect future cavern divers to emulate.
What to Expect
on the program
This evaluation is built to confirm that you can do more than dive well. It verifies that you can present a complete TDI Cavern Diver program, demonstrate required land and water skills, manage students responsibly, and maintain the right attitude toward safety and environmental protection.
Your evaluation combines academic review, teaching performance, land drills, and supervised cavern diving over two days. You must complete at least 2 supervised cavern dives.
This evaluation is demanding by design. The goal is to leave you ready to represent TDI with confidence, clarity, and sound judgment.
This evaluation is demanding by design. The goal is to leave you ready to represent TDI with confidence, clarity, and sound judgment.
WHERE OTHERS SEE WATER, WE SEE A PORTAL
What TDI Instructors develop during this course & evaluation
- Learn to structure and present a complete TDI Cavern Diver course
- Refine demonstration quality in real overhead-environment conditions
- Strengthen risk management, team control, and exit-focused emergency handling
- Improve communication with light, hand, and touch signals
- Build stronger judgment, professionalism, and environmental awareness
- Develop the confidence to teach cavern diving to a high standard
Why Train with Divers UnderGround
- Training with a TDI/SDI 5-Star Professional Development Facility
- Located in the Riviera Maya, Mexico, one of the world’s best-known cave diving regions
- Led by instructors specialized in cavern, cave, and technical diving
- Camilo García is the TDI Cavern Instructor Evaluator
- Since 2008, Divers UnderGround has guided certified divers and trained divers pursuing the next professional level
Details
Includes
- Transportation from Playa del Carmen, Puerto Aventuras, or Tulum
- Nitrox 32% or air
- Cenote entrance fees
- Water, lunch, and snacks
- Instructor evaluation and supervision
- Academic and standards review
- In-water assessment dives
- Performance feedback and debrief
Not Included
- TDI registration fees
- Personal dive equipment
- Travel and accommodation
Evaluation Duration:
Two days
Instructor Development and TDI Cavern Diver course assist
Three days and five dives prior to the evaluation course
Instructor Evaluation PricE
1 Candidate
USD 650
2 Candidates
USD 600
3 Candidates
USD 550
Development & Cavern Course Assist
1 Candidate
USD 650
2 Candidates
USD 600
3 Candidates
USD 550
If you have a dive center and want us as your allies to run your operation in the Riviera Maya, contact us. We have special rates for you.
Not quite there yet on the required qualifications? Reach out, we can help you build the right experience, and get you ready for evaluation.
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