What will I do?As you arrive to the dive centre in Tamarindo we will brief you about very little dive theory and choose suitable equipment for you. After practicing a few basic skills in the water to prepare for your adventure you will make 2 open water dives. We will take you on an underwater tour looking for sharks, rays, octopus and a huge variety of marine fish that lives in pacific waters.Pre-requisites:Minimum age 10 years.No swimming skills are needed!Physically/medically fit (download form here), please read carefully.What is included?Pre-dive trainingAll needed diving equipmentScuba instructor2 divesSnacks, coffee, drinks

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!

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!

The SSI Open Water Diver certification is your passport to adventure! Recognized worldwide, this certification allows you to dive safely with a buddy, without professional supervision, to a maximum depth of 18 meters anywhere in the world.At ChrisDiving, we focus on safety, comfort and fun with a team of experienced professionals and personalized coaching.???? Course Data SheetCertification level: Open Water Diver SSI (Valid for life, internationally recognized).Maximum depth: 18 metres / 60 feet.Duration: 3 to 4 days (flexible according to learning needs).Training languages: French, English, Spanish.Location: Playa Potrero / Guanacaste Region, Costa Rica.Instructor/participant ratio : Limited (maximum 4 students per instructor) to guarantee safe learning, optimum comfort and attention at all times.???? PrerequisitesMinimum age: 10 years (divers from 10 to 14 years get Junior Open Water certification).Physical abilities: Be able to swim and float comfortably. Be in good general physical condition (a standard medical questionnaire must be completed before the start of the course).???? Training Environment and ProgramTraining is divided into 3 main progressive stages:Theory (E-learning at home): You study at your own pace on the SSI application or website before arriving at the center. We'll do a review together to validate your knowledge.Practice in a Protected Environment (Pool / Quiet Bay) : You'll learn to master basic equipment and techniques safely where you have a foothold.Natural Environment Dives (Ocean): 4 ocean dives to discover the Guanacaste seabed, apply your skills in real-life situations and perfect your buoyancy.???? Material & Equipment

It is easy for dive skills to get rusty and to lose confidence when you have not dived for a while. With the SSI Scuba Skills Update, we will get you back in the water and diving with ease in no time. This scuba refresher course allows you to review and practice scuba skills you learned in your Open Water Diver program, under the guidance of an SSI Professional. This is a great course to take just before a dive holiday, so you spend less time worrying about your skills and more time admiring the marine life. If you are a non-certified Open Water Diver student, a Scuba Skills Update is ideal for practicing your dive skills before your open water training dives. With no fixed course duration, you can take your time and focus on the skills you need help with.

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.

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 SSI Try Scuba program is the best way to dive for the first time. You will dive in confined water accompanied by an instructor, who will be by your side at all times so you can enjoy this unforgettable underwater experience and let the magic of scuba diving take you away. When you complete this short course, you'll get your SSI Try Scuba recognition card and you'll no doubt be looking forward to diving again. There are a lot of dive experiences waiting for you out there and this program is just what you need to get started - get started today!

SSI's Scuba Diver program combines online learning with confined and open water dives, so you'll have the basic knowledge you need to dive safely and confidently. You'll learn everything you need to know to dive in open water to a depth of 12 meters with an SSI professional. With this program you will complete almost half of the Open Water Diver program and can easily upgrade your certification. You only need to complete the remaining academic portion and confined water sessions, plus two open water training dives.

This program, which gives you an internationally recognized certification, is ideal to start your adventures as a certified diver. The combination of personalized training and practical in-water sessions ensures that you will have the skills and experience necessary to dive comfortably underwater. You'll earn your SSI Open Water Diver certification.

Our daily dive tours offer divers of all levels the chance to explore the biologically diverse environment of the Catalina Islands, Costa Rica.

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

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!

The SSI Perfect Buoyancy specialty is the best way to improve your buoyancy and get the most from every dive. Buoyancy is an essential dive skill, but any diver will tell you it takes time to perfect. The Perfect Buoyancy specialty will teach you advanced buoyancy skills and techniques, so you can master your buoyancy more quickly and enjoy more relaxed dive adventures. In this fascinating program, you will also learn new skills that protect the environment and work in every diving situation. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Perfect Buoyancy Specialty certification. With better buoyancy skills, you will soon be able to hover with ease and take the underwater photographs you dream of!

If you cannot decide which specialty programs are the best choice for you, join the SSI Advanced Open Water Diver program! You will try Deep Diving and Navigation plus a variety of 3 more specialty areas of choice before committing to full specialty training. 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 experience 5 different specialties by completing one open water training dive per specialty after a comprehensive briefing with your SSI Instructor. By taking this program you will have total freedom to explore. You can complete the full Specialty trainings any time in the future and credit your Advanced Open Water Diver training towards them.

With SSI's Diver Stress & Rescue specialty program, you'll learn the skills necessary to protect yourself and your fellow divers. Not only will you learn how to identify stress and avoid accidents, but we'll also teach you practical techniques for conducting rescues and providing assistance in emergency situations. By combining practical sessions in the pool and in open water, this program prepares you perfectly and enables you to handle emergency and rescue situations with confidence. Upon completion, you will earn the SSI Diver Stress and Rescue specialty certification.

Our daily dive tours offer divers of all levels the chance to explore the biologically diverse environment of the Catalina Islands, Costa Rica.

Our Divemaster program is one of the best rated professional programs in the industry. 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 for availability at info@richcoastdiving.com Included with our 3 month internship: ​- The only internship that includes 5 Specialties to make you a better Dive Pro ! - Personalised training and mentorship during your training period- 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 !

Our daily dive tours offer divers of all levels the chance to explore the biologically diverse environment of the Catalina Islands, Costa Rica.

To join the SSI Instructor Training Course (ITC), you must be a certified Divemaster or hold an equivalent qualification. This comprehensive program is part of SSI’s 2-Step Instructor Training Approach. It begins with the Instructor Training Course combination, supported by immersive digital learning. After successfully completing the ITC, you will attend the Instructor Evaluation (IE) to become an SSI Open Water Instructor. As a certified instructor, you’ll be able to independently teach key SSI programs such as Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue, and Dive Guide. Need more time or want to gain hands-on experience before becoming a full instructor? You can take the Assistant Instructor portion as a standalone step. This allows you to assist with real student courses, build valuable teaching experience, and then complete the Instructor Evaluation at your own pace. The possibilities are endless – start your scuba diving instructor career now!

The famous bat islands and their bull sharks. It's a 3 tank dive, 2 at Big Scare (the bull shark dive site) and 1 at Black Rock. All participants must be certified to dive to 30 meters/100 feet (SSI Deep Specialty, SSI Advanced Open Water Diver with deep diving, PADI Advanced Open Water diver) or willing to to do the deep adventure dive including studying the theory, and have dived recently within the last year of the dive date. Included in the tour is all the gear, guide, coffee in the morning, snacks, water, lunch and entry fees for the national park. The dates given are not confirmed until we have enough divers and we are also flexible on the dates.

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.

Our daily dive tours offer divers of all levels the chance to explore the biologically diverse environment of the Catalina Islands, Costa Rica.

Join our kayak and snorkel tour in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica, and explore the beautiful coastline of the Gulf of Papagayo with professional guides.This 3 hour guided experience combines ocean kayaking with snorkeling at some of the best sites in the area. Paddle along volcanic rock formations and around the Pelonas Islands before jumping into the water to explore vibrant marine life.Our multilingual guides ensure a safe, fun, and educational experience for both beginners and experienced adventurers.Tours depart daily at 8 AM, when ocean conditions are at their calmest. After a short paddle, you will stop at selected snorkel sites to explore the underwater world.During the tour, enjoy fresh fruit, iced tea, and cake while relaxing between activities.

A fun dive is exactly what it sounds like, a dive for the pleasure of diving. No coursework, no exams, just you and the ocean. This tour is designed for certified divers (SSI, PADI, NAUI or equivalent) who want to explore the Catalina Islands properly, with time to breathe, look around, and actually enjoy what’s down there.We do two dives at two different sites around the Catalinas, so you get to see a variety of underwater marine life. Your bilingual SSI guide stays with the group throughout, pointing out what’s worth looking at and making sure everyone’s comfortable.Depending on the season and conditions, you might cross paths with white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, moray eels, schools of tropical fish, octopuses, and during manta ray season (December to May), the occasional manta gliding by. Keep an eye open on the boat ride out too, dolphins and humpback whales are regular visitors along the way.