Rich Coast Diving

Learn Scuba Diving in Costa Rica ! Our experienced team looks forward to show you the beauty of Costa Rica below the surface. We have unspoiled world class dive sites for beginner divers. Enjoy this 3-4 day course in private with our multilingual instructors. We include equipment and dive computer rental with the Open Water Course. This course consists of online dive theory, confined water training (pool) and four open water training dives. This certification grants you the SSI Open Water Diver level – globally recognized and valid for life. You will be certified to dive to depths of up to 18 meters / 60 feet. With a maximum of 4 students per Instructor in our groups, you can be certain you will receive personal attention and training, enjoying every moment of your journey to becoming an SSI Open Water Diver ! This 3 or 4 day course consists of online dive theory, confined water training (pool) and four open water training dives. This certification grants you the SSI Open Water Diver level – globally recognized and valid for life. You will be certified to dive to depths of up to 18 meters / 60 feet. With a maximum of 4 students per Instructor in our groups, you can be certain you will receive personal attention and training, enjoying every moment of your journey to becoming an SSI Open Water Diver !

Sea turtles are some of the most wonderful animals to dive with. You will want to dive with them even more after completing the SSI Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty program! This specialty program provides the skills and concepts you need to recognize and identify common sea turtle species. It teaches you about the fascinating history of sea turtles, their role in marine ecosystems and threats to their survival. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Sea Turtle Ecology Specialty certification.

Do you have a passion to save the ocean and the marine animals that call it their home? Does the thought of diving with whales fascinate you? Do you want to learn more about the ecology, biology, and conservation of marine mammals? The SSI Marine Mammal Ecology program introduces you to the wonders of these amazing creatures. Dive into the world of whales, dolphins, and seals to explore this amazingly diverse group of marine animals. In this program, you will learn what makes marine mammals distinct from land mammals, discover where they live, explore their physiology, and how to identify various species. You will also learn about marine mammal conservation - a great way to help save the ocean. What are you waiting for? Start your SSI Marine Mammal Ecology training online today!

React Right is SSI’s emergency first response course and provides you with the training and knowledge you need to act as a first responder in a medical emergency. In this flexible dive program, you can choose which subjects you want to learn about, including primary assessment, first aid, CPR and primary stabilization techniques. You can also learn about oxygen administration in diving emergencies and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) basics. Using a combination of academic sessions and practical training scenarios, this program will give you the tools and confidence you need for emergency response. By the time you are certified, you will be able to act as an emergency first responder, provide first aid and CPR, administer oxygen and provide AED support in a medical emergency. Earn your SSI React Right specialty certification. Get started today and contact us at info@richcoastdiving.com.

In the SSI Shark Ecology program, you will learn how to interpret shark behaviours, why they are often misunderstood and how dive with sharks. This is a perfect course for shark fans and for divers who are nervous about sharks but want to overcome their fear. Upon completion of this program, you will earn your SSI Shark Ecology Specialty certification and no doubt become an avid shark diver. Start today!

Join the SSI Manta and Ray Ecology specialty program and you will learn how to dive with rays and recognize different ray species. You will be taught how rays contribute to healthy ocean ecosystems and why these precious animals need our protection. Upon completion, you will earn your SSI Manta & Ray Ecology Specialty certification.

Welcome to the Nudibranch Ecology course, where you’ll explore the world of sea slugs in seven detailed sessions. Begin with their classification and habitats, then learn about their movement, sensory, and respiratory systems. Discover their complex reproductive strategies, relationships with other marine organisms, feeding habits, and crucial role in ecosystems. Explore their defense mechanisms and interactions with humans, emphasizing their research and conservation significance. This course will deepen your understanding of these extraordinary creatures, perfect for marine biology enthusiasts, students, or the curious. Join us and uncover the secrets of nudibranchs.

In the SSI Basic Diver program, you will learn the skills and knowledge you need to try diving up to 12 meters deep with an SSI Professional. It is a great way to explore the underwater world more fully as you try diving. The entire Basic Diver program can be credited towards the Scuba Diver or Open Water Dive programs within 6 months, so you can take the next step in your dive adventure.

Using online learning, confined and open water dives, the SSI Scuba Diver program is a perfect foundation to become a confident and safe diver. You will learn all you need to scuba dive in open water up to 12 meters deep with an SSI Professional. In this program, you will complete almost half of the Open Water Diver course training and can upgrade your certification easily. You just need to complete the remaining academic and confined water sessions, plus two open water training dives.

The world’s oceans are home to thousands of fish species, and you will encounter plenty of these fascinating creatures on your dives! In this course, you will be taught all the skills and concepts you need to identify common families of Caribbean, Indo-Pacific and Red Sea reef fish. Upon completion, you will earn your SSI Fish Identification specialty certification.

If you cannot decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program! With this 2 or 3 day program, you can try a variety of specialties before committing to full specialty programs. It is a great way to experience what advanced diver training is all about and how valuable it can be to your diving adventures. During the Advanced Open Water Diver Program, you will try out 5 different specialties. You will complete one open water training dive per specialty after a comprehensive briefing with your SSI Instructor. Our experienced team looks forward to taking your dive education to the next level. The course helps build confidence and expand your scuba skills through different Adventure Dives. Now FREE Nitrox, Shark Ecology or Perfect Buoyancy Course with your Advanced Diver course.

Start your Rescue Diver Course in Costa Rica Being well trained and well prepared is important when we dive. Things can go wrong even for the most experienced diver. As a rescue diver, you are trained to respond to these unforeseen problems. The course is probably known as being the most challenging. But most divers also describe it as the most fun course. As a result, you will be a more confident diver by knowing you can help others but also your self. Prevent problems and be prepared. Therefore making you a better diver. Our experienced instructors look forward to take the next step with you. Sign up today at info@richcoastdiving.com

In this fascinating program, you will learn all the skills you need to safely and confidently conduct search and recovery dives. You will be taught how to use search patterns, specialized dive plans and equipment such as lift bags, lines and reels. By developing your search and communication techniques and practicing searches in a dive team, you will become a confident search and rescue diver in no time. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Search & Recovery specialty certification.

The ocean is filled with dive sites, but many of the best ones can only be accessed by boat. If you want to discover these incredible dive sites, become an SSI boat diver. It is the best way to learn how to dive from different types of boats safely and with confidence. As a boat diver, you will be able to explore offshore dive sites that attract schooling pelagics and marine megafauna not found closer to shore. You can experience the excitement of liveaboard diving anywhere in the world, fill your day with diving away from the crowds, and cruise along as the sun goes down. Using online training and open water diving sessions, the SSI Boat Diving Specialty program is the best way to learn. This program teaches you all the skills and techniques you need to dive safely and comfortably from boats, including small personal craft and liveaboards. Earn your SSI Boat Diving Specialty certification. Get started today.

Underwater photography has some challenges not found on land, but with the SSI Photo & Video specialty program, you will soon learn how to capture your amazing underwater experiences. This program provides the in-depth knowledge you need to dive with an underwater camera and properly use, maintain and store your equipment. You will develop your skills and learn techniques to take underwater images and video safely and easily, plus perfect your diving abilities while using your underwater camera system. Learn how to take high quality images that you can share with everyone and earn your SSI Photo & Video specialty certification. Get started today!

Join the SSI Science of Diving specialty and you will develop a complete understanding of the underwater world and its effects on the human body. This specialty is required training for most SSI Professional programs, as well as some Extended Range programs, and is an essential way to expand your dive knowledge. Available online, you can earn your SSI Science of Diving specialty certification from home and get ready to begin your dive professional career. Upon completion, you will be halfway to earning the coveted SSI Divemaster rating and earn the SSI Science of Diving specialty certification.

The SSI Deep Diving Specialty will teach you all you need to dive to depths between 18 and 40 meters, through a mixture of academic sessions and open water dives. You will learn to plan and safely complete your deep diving adventures and use computers and gas consumption calculations to get the most from your deep dives. Upon completion, you will earn your SSI Deep Diving Specialty certification and be able to explore beautiful deep dive sites wherever you choose. This SSI Specialty is also a prerequisite for some advanced training, making it the next logical step to take in your dive education.

Many of the ocean’s best dive sites are wrecks. These impressive structures attract unusually high densities of marine life and give you the chance to immerse in living history as you dive. There is nothing quite like wreck diving and the SSI Wreck Diving specialty will give you all the skills and knowledge you need to become a safe and confident wreck diver. With a combination of academic and confined water sessions, you will be taught how to safely conduct non-penetration dives around wrecks and artificial reefs, up to a depth of 30 meters. You will also get to practice your wreck diving skills during open water training dives. All of which will ensure you can enjoy wreck diving with confidence and get the most out of every dive. Upon completion of this program, you will earn your SSI Wreck Diving specialty certification. Continue your adventures and become a wreck diver. Get started online today!

SSI designed the Computer Diving program to help certified divers become familiar with the features and benefits of using a dive computer. By understanding and knowing how to use all the functions of a dive computer, you will not only increase your dive safety but also make planning and executing your dive easier. The SSI Computer Diving program explores the functions and capabilities of different dive computers and explains how to use these functions before, during, and after your dive. Often, divers purchase a computer and only use it for its basic information. Get the most out of your investment by learning to use your dive computer to its full potential. Start your SSI Computer Diving specialty online today!

Diving in currents opens up a world of new dive sites that often host the most spectacular marine life. Go shore diving and you will discover the simplicity of just walking off the beach and exploring your favourite dive sites with ease. But wave, tides and currents can impact your dives and affect your safety if you do not know how to handle them. The SSI Waves, Tides and Currents specialty will enhance your dive skills and understanding, so you can enjoy diving in different environments safely and with confidence. You will gain a better understanding of dynamic open water environments and learn about the environmental conditions that affect different dive sites. You will also practice diving from shore, in currents or in rivers to earn the specialty certification. Get started today!

In this specialty program, you will gain the advanced skills and knowledge you need to safely and confidently navigate underwater. You will learn how to use a compass and natural navigation techniques, estimate distance, how to leave and return to a designated point, plus basic navigation patterns. You will also be taught how to combine navigation techniques to enhance your diving experience. All of which hones your underwater observation skills, improves your dive safety and helps you to get the most out of every dive. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Navigation Specialty certification.

Choosing and buying your dive equipment is one of the biggest and most important investments you will make as a diver, but it is easy to get it a bit wrong. We want you to choose the right dive kit for your needs and know how to look after it properly. With the right knowledge, you can get the most from your investment and enjoy safe and comfortable dives for years to come. The SSI Equipment Techniques specialty is the best way to learn how to choose and store your dive kit. Working with an experienced and trained SSI Professional, you will learn in-depth information about the components of your Total Diving System and develop a thorough understanding of your diving equipment. You will also practice basic preventative dive equipment maintenance to ensure you get maximum performance and longevity from your Total Diving System. Start this dive equipment specialty today!

Our Divemaster program is one of the best rated professional programs in the industry. We offer both SSI and PADI and it is our goal to train you to become a Divemaster ready to be employed. You can start the internship any day and our programs are from 1 - 3 months. We offer accommodation to our interns. Contact us directly at info@richcoastdiving.com Included with our 3 month internship: ​ The only internship that includes 5 Specialties to make you a better Dive Pro ! - DIVE for LIFE Membership - Manta & Bull shark Diving - A FREE Rich Coast Diving T-shirt - Unlimited world-class diving during training - Experience workshops like equipment maintenance - FREE Candies and Coffee - FREE Wifi at the shop - Discount on shop retail​ ...And much more !

Join our next Instructor Training Course atRich Coast Diving in Costa Rica. You need to be a Divemaster or equivalent to join SSI´s 3-Step Instructor Training Approach. The training process starts with joining the Assistant Instructor / Instructor Training Course combination accompanied with Digital Learning. After successful completion of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) you will enroll in an Instructor Evaluation (IE) to qualify as an SSI Open Water Instructor. This 10 day training program entitles you to teach various key SSI programs independently like Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue and Dive Guide.

Diving around Playa del Coco is great and it offers the best dive sites in Guanacaste. We look forward to take you out and show you a wide range of marine life ! We offer daily 2-tank dive trips to our local dive sites in the Gulf of Papagayo, for all certification levels. Upon request we can also offer a third dive (min. 2 divers). Dive sites are characterised by volcanic rock formations approx. 10 mins boat ride from the shore. You can book a third dive for only $40 USD extra. Starting at 7.30 am at our dive shop in Playa del Coco, returning to shore around 12.00 pm. We require sign up for all dive trips a day in advance, for paperwork and equipment fittings. We require a refresher if you have not been diving for more than 12 months. The temperature in the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica ranges between 21-30ºC / 70-86ºF depending on the time of year. Visibility can change on a daily basis. The rocky underwater terrain is home to a huge variety of marine life, some seasonal. We can see white tip reef sharks, giant manta rays, stingrays, eagle rays, jewel and green morays, nudibranchs, angel and butterfly fish and schools of damsels, jacks, grunts and spadefish. Check out our favorite dive sites below. All our dives have a maximum dive time of 1 hour and depth range depends on your certification level (max 18-30 meters). ​ Are you planning to do several days of diving then choose the 10 day 2-tank (20 dives) local dive package and receive a discount price ! Full set of rental equipment is available at $35 USD per day incl. 13% VAT. ​

Is there good snorkeling in Costa Rica ? Yes ! The Guanacaste province offers a rich variety of marine life and has the best snorkeling in Costa Rica ! Our expert snorkeling guides look forward to take you out for a fun and safe experience. Starting at our dive shop (at 7.00AM) for paperwork and equipment fitting. Then we leave at 7.30 and you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel around the islands in the Papagayo Gulf. Each water session is around 40 mins in length. After evaluating the conditions, we find the most suitable place to get in and follow the rock formations looking for sharks, rays and a large variety of reef fish. Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to see one of our beautiful sea turtles ! We return to the dive center around noon.