The top recreational rating
The highest recreational rating PADI offers — the mark of a genuinely experienced, well-rounded diver.
Get more infoThe PADI Master Scuba Diver rating is the top recreational level a diver can earn, often compared to a black belt. It is not a single course: it recognises divers who have built up broad training and real experience.
To qualify, you complete the core certifications, add five Specialty Diver certifications of your choice, and log at least 50 dives. Scubaversity can help you plan which specialties to take to reach it efficiently.
| Theory (knowledge development) | Theory is covered within each course you take on the way, usually via PADI eLearning. |
| Pool / confined water | Not applicable. |
| Open water | Practical training happens in the individual courses and specialty dives that count towards the rating. |
PADI Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver and Rescue Diver (or Junior Rescue Diver) certifications, five PADI Specialty Diver certifications, and at least 50 logged dives.
Minimum age: 12 years old, per PADI requirements, as long as the core certifications are in place.
Training dives: 50 logged dives in total, including those from your qualifying courses, per PADI requirements.
At Scubaversity: Minimum age 12, PADI Open Water + Advanced Open Water + Rescue Diver (or equivalents), a minimum of 5 completed specialty courses, and at least 50 logged dives.
Varies. It is a rating, so the time depends on how quickly you complete your specialties and log your dives. Many divers build towards it over several months or years.
Dedicated divers who want a long-term goal and a well-rounded set of skills. It also suits anyone thinking about a career in diving.
Most divers combine Deep Diver, Night Diver, Fish Identification, Wreck Diver, Enriched Air Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Equipment Specialist, AWARE Shark Conservation and Project AWARE — pick any 5 that suit you.
There's no single course to book — talk to us and we'll map out which specialties (see our full specialty list) get you there fastest.
No — Master Scuba Diver (MSD) is an earned rating, not a single course. You reach it by combining courses and dives you've already done. Once you have Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, 5 specialty certifications and 50 logged dives, we recognise you as an MSD.
Minimum age 12, PADI Open Water + Advanced Open Water + Rescue Diver (or equivalents), at least 5 completed specialty courses, and a minimum of 50 logged dives.
Any 5 from our full specialty list work. Popular combinations include Deep Diver, Night Diver, Fish Identification, Wreck Diver, Enriched Air Diver, Peak Performance Buoyancy, Equipment Specialist, AWARE Shark Conservation and Project AWARE. See our full specialty list for options.
Classroom and pool sessions run at our Gauteng facility, with dives completed at inland sites like Bass Lake and Miracle Waters, plus our coastal trips such as Sodwana Bay and Aliwal Shoal — great opportunities to log dives and knock out specialties.
Because MSD is built from courses you complete individually rather than booked as one package, pricing depends entirely on which specialties and dives you still need. Get in touch or visit our enquiry form and we'll map out your path and a quote.
No. It is a rating you apply for once you hold the required certifications and have logged 50 dives. Scubaversity can help you with the specialties along the way.
Every PADI Specialty Diver course counts towards the rating, so you can choose the ones that interest you most.