Masa Red Sea Diving Program: Your Path to Professional Scuba Diving in Eilat
If you’re seeking a life-changing experience that combines professional diving certification with Israeli cultural immersion, the Masa Red Sea Diving Program offers an unparalleled opportunity. Based in Eilat, Israel’s premier diving destination, this six-month program transforms complete beginners into certified assistant diving instructors while providing comprehensive benefits that make the experience both affordable and unforgettable.
Why the Masa Red Sea Diving Program Stands Out
Comprehensive Professional Training at World-Class Facilities
The Masa program partners with the world-renowned Manta Diving Training Center, located just steps from the beautiful Red Sea. Scuba diving in Eilat through this program means training in some of the world’s most consistent diving conditions, with warm water temperatures (21-27°C year-round), excellent visibility up to 30 meters, and minimal currents that create perfect learning environments.
The program sets fellows on the path for a career as a deep-sea diving instructor, with successful completion resulting in certification as an assistant diving instructor and the opportunity to stay on as an employee of the Manta Diving Center. This direct pathway from student to professional employment sets the program apart from typical vacation diving courses.
Interpersonal Skills Development
Working in the hospitality industry requires the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues and guests. Fellows will have the chance to develop their interpersonal skills collaborating as a team and interacting with various people. This professional development extends beyond diving certification to include customer service, teamwork, and communication skills essential for tourism industry success.
What’s Included: Complete Life Support Package
Housing: Fellows live in staff apartments on the grounds of the Isrotel Yam Suf hotel, which is just steps away from the Manta Diving Center. This premium accommodation eliminates housing stress and creates an instant community with other program fellows.
All Meals Provided: All meals are provided at the hotel staff dining room. This comprehensive meal plan means fellows can focus entirely on training and cultural experiences without worrying about food planning or preparation.
Health Insurance: Basic health insurance for non-pre-existing conditions is provided, ensuring peace of mind during your diving adventures and Israeli experience.
Substantial Financial Benefits Through Masa Grants
Masa Israel Journey offers eligible fellows grants of $500-$4,500 towards participating in programs in Israel, with study abroad fellows and those over 21 receiving $2,400-$4,500 depending on program length and cost. Additional needs-based scholarships up to $3,000 are available for qualifying fellows.
The grant application process is streamlined – applying to the diving program automatically serves as your Masa grant application, eliminating bureaucratic complications. Most fellows significantly reduce their program costs through these grants, making professional diving certification surprisingly affordable.
Complete Diving Certification Track
From Beginner to Professional in Six Months
The program is suitable for beginner and experienced divers who want to earn an international certificate and start a career in the diving industry. No previous diving experience is required – the program educates fellows and provides all skills needed to become assistant diving instructors.
The comprehensive SDI (Scuba Diving International) certification track includes:
Foundational Skills: Open Water Diver certification provides basic underwater skills and safety knowledge, allowing diving worldwide to 18 meters.
Advanced Techniques: Advanced Open Water expands capabilities with deep diving, underwater navigation, and specialty skills that build confidence and competence.
Emergency Response: Rescue Diver training develops critical thinking and emergency management skills essential for diving leadership.
Professional Leadership: Divemaster certification provides group management skills and dive supervision capabilities required for industry employment.
Instructor Development: Assistant Instructor certification opens doors to teaching opportunities and career advancement in the diving industry.
Extensive Practical Experience
The six-month program provides extensive practical experience through regular diving in Eilat’s Red Sea waters, building the skills and confidence that separate program graduates from weekend-course divers.
The diving takes place in scuba diving in Eilat’s world-famous Red Sea waters, home to over 1,200 species of fish and 250 species of coral. Every dive provides opportunities to encounter diverse marine life while building professional skills.
Why Scuba Diving in Eilat Is Ideal for Professional Training
Perfect Learning Conditions Year-Round
Eilat offers warm and calm water, excellent visibility all year round, few or no currents, and a huge variety of corals and beautiful marine life. These consistent conditions mean training schedules are rarely disrupted by weather, allowing for structured skill development without environmental complications.
The resort city has 12 kilometers of coastline that is scuba perfect, with water temperatures hovering around 21 to 25 degrees Celsius with little or no currents, and clear waters offering an average 20 to 40 meters of visibility.
Shore-Based Training Advantages
Most dive sites in Eilat are accessible from the shore, with reefs located close to the beach. Some sites can be reached by foot from diving centers, while shuttle services provide complementary transportation to sites located further away. This accessibility enables frequent diving and intensive training impossible at boat-dependent destinations.
Rich Marine Environment for Skill Development
Eilat’s Gulf of Aqaba offers hundreds of types of coral for divers to view, and some 800 varieties of sea life including octopi, stingrays, dolphins, barracudas, groupers, sea snakes, turtles, parrotfish, angelfish, butterfly fish and even whale sharks.
The gulf of Eilat is the most northerly point in the world where corals grow, making it a famous and popular diving site attracting visitors from all over the world. This unique geographic position creates diverse training opportunities within a compact area.
Beyond Diving: Complete Israeli Cultural Immersion
Language and Cultural Integration
Masa fellows have access to many unique benefits that promote building a connection to Israel as well as growing your community. Weekly tours will take you to new destinations around Israel. Locally organized social activities and programming will facilitate developing your network and Hebrew language instruction will help you navigate Israeli society like a local.
This cultural component distinguishes the Masa program from purely technical diving courses. fellows don’t just visit Israel – they become part of the community through language learning, volunteer opportunities, and social integration.
Educational Travel Throughout Israel
The program includes organized tours to diverse Israeli destinations, providing context for the country’s history, culture, and geography. These experiences extend learning beyond underwater environments to encompass the full Israeli experience.
Career Development and Employment Opportunities
Direct Employment Pathway
Successful graduates of the course will receive an invitation to work in the Manta diving club. Those who work in the club for six months or more will receive at the expense of the club training for the more advanced scuba diving instructor. This employment guarantee provides immediate career opportunities upon program completion.
The progression from student to employee to advanced instructor creates a clear professional development pathway that extends well beyond the initial six-month program.
International Career Recognition
SDI certifications earned through the program are recognized worldwide, opening career opportunities at diving destinations globally. The comprehensive training and extensive dive experience prepare graduates for employment at premium diving operations anywhere.
Professional diving careers can lead to specializations in technical diving, underwater photography, marine conservation, dive travel, and dive center management, providing diverse pathways for career growth.
Program Eligibility and Application
Who Can Apply
To be eligible for Masa Israel grants, applicants must be Jewish, between ages 18-30, graduates of secondary school, not have Israeli citizenship (or if they do, must have left Israel before age 14 and lived outside Israel for at least four consecutive years), and not have participated in organized programs of more than four months in Israel since September 2004.
The diving program specifically welcomes fellows ages 22-35, with no diving experience required. This accessibility makes professional diving certification available to anyone meeting basic eligibility criteria.
Application Process and Timeline
Applications should be submitted well in advance of program start dates to secure both placement and maximum grant funding. Early applications receive preference for admission and financial assistance.
The streamlined application process combines program admission and Masa grant applications, simplifying paperwork and ensuring all eligible fellows receive available financial support.
Making the Decision
Investment in Your Future
While the program represents a significant time commitment, the combination of professional certification, extensive practical experience, employment opportunities, and cultural immersion creates exceptional value. Most fellows find the experience transformative both professionally and personally.
The comprehensive benefits package – including housing, meals, insurance, equipment, and training – combined with substantial grant support makes professional diving certification surprisingly accessible.
Beyond Certification: Life-Changing Experience
Scuba diving in Eilat through the Masa program provides more than technical training. Fellows develop international perspectives, build lasting friendships, gain professional skills, and create connections that extend far beyond the diving industry.
The program attracts motivated individuals from around the world, creating diverse communities united by shared experiences and goals. These relationships often become lifelong personal and professional networks.
Ready to Dive In?
The Masa Red Sea Diving Program represents a unique opportunity to combine professional development with cultural immersion in one of the world’s premier diving destinations. With comprehensive support, excellent training conditions, and clear career pathways, the program transforms lives while building professional diving capabilities.
Scuba diving in Eilat offers world-class conditions for learning, while the Masa program structure provides the support, community, and benefits that make six months in Israel both affordable and unforgettable. Whether you’re seeking career transition, adventure, or professional development, this program delivers experiences that last a lifetime.
The next program session runs from November 16, 2025, to May 7, 2026. Your underwater career and Israeli adventure await your decision.
