Marcel van den Berg is a PADI Platinum Course Director based on Koh Tao, Thailand, with nearly two decades of experience in the scuba diving industry.
Originally from the Netherlands, Marcel began his professional diving career in 2007 and progressed from PADI Divemaster and Dive Instructor through the professional ranks before becoming a PADI Course Director in 2011.
Today, he trains Divemasters and Dive Instructors at Sairee Cottage Diving on Koh Tao, where his work focuses not only on teaching people how to dive, but on developing the next generation of scuba diving professionals.
Over the years, Marcel has received extensive recognition within the PADI system and has repeatedly achieved PADI Platinum Course Director status. His dedication extends across recreational diver education, Divemaster development and Instructor training, with professional-level education becoming one of the central focuses of his diving career.
Alongside teaching, Marcel created ScubaDivingTips.net to share practical scuba diving advice with divers around the world, drawing on the lessons, mistakes, experiences and knowledge accumulated throughout his career.
From Recreational Diver to a Career in Scuba Diving
Marcel’s journey into diving began before it became his profession.
After discovering scuba diving, what started as an interest quickly developed into something much bigger. In 2007, he became a PADI Divemaster and Dive Instructor and began working professionally in the diving industry.
He continued progressing through PADI’s professional levels, becoming an IDC Staff Instructor, Master Instructor and eventually a PADI Course Director in 2011.
Becoming a Course Director changed the focus of his career.
Instead of only teaching recreational divers, Marcel could now train the people who would go on to teach thousands of divers themselves.
That responsibility became one of the parts of diving he enjoyed most.
PADI Platinum Course Director
A major part of Marcel’s professional career has been dedicated to PADI Instructor Development.
As a PADI Platinum Course Director, Marcel teaches the PADI Instructor Development Course (IDC) at Sairee Cottage Diving on Koh Tao, preparing Divemasters to make the transition into professional scuba diving instructors.
His approach to Instructor Development goes beyond preparing candidates simply to pass the PADI Instructor Examination.
The goal is to develop confident, safe and employable Dive Instructors who understand how to teach real students, manage risk, solve problems, work as part of a dive centre and build a successful career in the diving industry.
Marcel has also contributed feedback to PADI on Instructor Development training. PADI has featured his experience with the revised IDC curriculum and its real-world workshops, as well as his perspective on IDC eLearning and professional diver acquisition.
PADI IDC Courses on Koh Tao
Marcel currently teaches a PADI IDC course on Koh Tao every month at Sairee Cottage Diving.
Koh Tao has long been one of the world’s best-known destinations for scuba diver education, providing an environment where future instructors can train while being surrounded by an active diving community.
Marcel’s IDC training combines the official PADI curriculum with additional workshops, practical experience and career preparation designed to help candidates make the transition from Divemaster to working Dive Instructor.
→ Learn more about Marcel’s PADI IDC on Koh Tao
Divemaster Training and Professional Development
Instructor Development is only part of Marcel’s work.
He has spent many years training and mentoring PADI Divemasters, helping divers make the transition from recreational diving into their first professional role.
Divemaster training is about much more than completing skills and meeting certification requirements. A good Divemaster needs judgement, awareness, professionalism, customer-service skills, problem-solving ability and, above all, the right attitude.
That philosophy continues into Marcel’s Instructor-level training.
His focus on Divemaster and Instructor Development has become one of the defining parts of his career and a major reason he continues working in professional-level dive education.
→ Learn more about PADI Divemaster training on Koh Tao
Recognition and PADI Awards
Throughout his career, Marcel has received extensive recognition for his work in diver education and professional development.
He achieved PADI Platinum Course Director status within his early years as a Course Director and has continued receiving high-level PADI recognition over the years.
His awards reflect more than recreational scuba certifications. A major part of his work has been his long-term dedication to developing Divemasters and training new PADI Instructors.
For Marcel, however, the number of certifications has never been the only measure of successful training.
The more important result is what happens afterwards: seeing former students and Instructor candidates working around the world, teaching divers of their own, managing dive operations and building careers in the industry.
Teaching Philosophy
Marcel’s approach to professional dive training is based on a relatively simple idea:
Training should prepare somebody for the real world, not just the exam.
Passing an examination is important, but professional development also involves learning how to communicate with students, make good decisions, manage risk, solve unexpected problems and work effectively with other people.
Technical knowledge and diving ability matter.
But so do patience, professionalism and attitude.
That is why real-life scenarios, workshops and career preparation form an important part of Marcel’s approach to Divemaster and Instructor training.
Scuba Diving Tips
Marcel created ScubaDivingTips.net to make practical diving knowledge available to a much wider audience.
The website covers scuba diving skills, equipment, safety, marine life, professional diving and advice designed to help divers become more knowledgeable and confident underwater.
The goal is not to make diving unnecessarily complicated.
It is to explain important concepts in a practical way that divers can actually understand and use.
Many of the articles and guides are based directly on questions Marcel has been asked by students throughout his years of teaching.
Scuba Diving Videos and YouTube
Marcel also creates educational scuba diving videos covering recreational diving, professional training, Divemaster development, Instructor training and careers in the dive industry.
Video makes it possible to demonstrate skills and explain diving concepts that can sometimes be difficult to communicate through text alone.
→ Watch Marcel van den Berg on YouTube
→ Watch Scuba Diving Tips on YouTube
Helping Divers Build Careers in the Dive Industry
One subject Marcel is particularly passionate about is helping new dive professionals understand the realities of working in the scuba diving industry.
Becoming a Divemaster or Dive Instructor can open the door to working and travelling around the world, but certification alone doesn’t guarantee a job.
Professionalism, additional skills, networking, timing, presentation and attitude can all influence the opportunities available to a new dive professional.
Marcel shares this experience through his professional training and career resources, including his free guide:
How to Find a Divemaster Job
Marcel created the free How to Find a Divemaster Job guide to help new Divemasters understand how to look for work, create a professional CV, approach dive centres, prepare for interviews, understand salaries and stand out from other applicants.
→ Free Divemaster Job Guide – Coming Soon
Reviews and Testimonials
Over the years, Marcel has trained divers, Divemasters and Dive Instructors from around the world.
[testimonial_view id=”2″]
Marcel van den Berg and Sairee Cottage Diving
Marcel is based at Sairee Cottage Diving on Koh Tao, Thailand, where he works primarily with the professional training team.
Sairee Cottage Diving offers training from entry-level recreational diving through Divemaster and Instructor Development, allowing Marcel to remain involved with divers at different stages of their development.
Koh Tao has also been Marcel’s home for many years, combining his professional life in scuba diving with one of Thailand’s best-known diving communities.
Connect With Marcel
Divers can follow Marcel’s educational content, videos and professional diving updates through Scuba Diving Tips and his social media channels.
YouTube – Marcel van den Berg
YouTube – Scuba Diving Tips
Facebook – Marcel van den Berg
Facebook – Scuba Diving Tips
Instagram – Marcel van den Berg
Pinterest – Marcel van den Berg
Frequently Asked Questions About Marcel van den Berg
Who is Marcel van den Berg?
Marcel van den Berg is a PADI Platinum Course Director and professional scuba diving educator based on Koh Tao, Thailand. He has worked professionally in the diving industry since 2007 and has been a PADI Course Director since 2011.
Where does Marcel van den Berg teach scuba diving?
Marcel teaches at Sairee Cottage Diving on Koh Tao, Thailand, where he specializes in professional-level scuba diving education, including PADI Divemaster and Instructor Development training.
Is Marcel van den Berg a PADI Course Director?
Yes. Marcel became a PADI Course Director in 2011 and has repeatedly achieved PADI Platinum Course Director recognition during his career.
Does Marcel van den Berg teach PADI IDC courses?
Yes. Marcel teaches PADI Instructor Development Courses (IDC) at Sairee Cottage Diving on Koh Tao. His Instructor Development training focuses on preparing candidates not only for the PADI Instructor Examination but also for working as professional Dive Instructors.
Does Marcel van den Berg teach Divemaster courses?
Yes. Divemaster training and professional diver development have been major parts of Marcel’s diving career. He works with the professional training team at Sairee Cottage Diving, helping divers progress toward careers in the scuba diving industry.
How long has Marcel van den Berg worked in scuba diving?
Marcel has worked professionally in the scuba diving industry since 2007. He became a PADI Course Director in 2011 and has spent much of his career training Divemasters and Dive Instructors.
What is ScubaDivingTips.net?
ScubaDivingTips.net is Marcel’s educational scuba diving website. It provides practical information about scuba skills, safety, equipment, marine life, professional diving and other topics designed to help divers improve their knowledge and confidence.
Where can I watch Marcel van den Berg’s scuba diving videos?
Marcel publishes scuba diving videos through his Marcel van den Berg and Scuba Diving Tips YouTube channels, covering recreational diving advice, professional training and careers in scuba diving.
How can I train with Marcel van den Berg?
Divers interested in professional training with Marcel can join PADI Divemaster or PADI Instructor Development training through Sairee Cottage Diving on Koh Tao, Thailand.