Pailas

Divesite Image
© ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero
Divesite Image
© ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero
Divesite Image
© ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero
Divesite Image
© ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero
Divesite Image
© ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero

Pailas

★★★★☆ (948)

Pailas is located 20 minutes from Potrero Beach. We start the dive on the western part of the island and head south following the rock formations. The average depth is 14m, but can exceed 30m if you deviate a little.

There is a cleaning station with the possibility of seeing the mantas during season. Many species of schooling fish and if you go there when the water is cool. Many stingrays can be seen!

Dive Activity

Courses and Events

SSI Instructor Training Course (ITC) - ChrisDiving, Costa Rica

SSI Instructor Training Course (ITC) - ChrisDiving, Costa Rica

Program descriptionTake your diving career to the next level and become an SSI Open Water Instructor with comprehensive, immersive, field-oriented training.At ChrisDiving, we offer you much more than just a course: real professional experience in a busy dive center, supervised by an experienced SSI Instructor Trainer.Our Instructor Training Course (ITC) takes place over 1 full month on site, with total immersion in the life of a dive center.You will be trained directly by Chris, Instructor Trainer, and integrated into the team to develop concrete, operational skills.The program includes :Pool and open water teaching techniquesAcademic and educational presentationsOrganizing and conducting SSI training coursesCustomer briefing presentationsPerfecting skills demonstrationsInstructing beginners and advanced diversActive participation in real-life trainingMaintenance and care of equipmentCylinder inflationComplete understanding of diving center operationsYou'll learn not only how to teach, but also how to live the daily life of a professional instructor.Conditions of participationBe a certified SSI Divemaster (or recognized equivalent)Active statusValid medical certificate (minimum 6 months remaining)Valid First Aid, AED and Oxygen Therapy certifications (renewed every 2 years, with at least 6 months remaining)Duration & organizationDuration: 1 month immersive trainingAccommodation included for the first month1 day off per weekTraining can be extended if necessary, with personalized coaching.Accommodation included (1st month)Double room (shared)Single bedSimple, functional room with fanShared bathroom and kitchen❌ Meals not included ✅ Snacks, fruit, water, coffee and tea included during training days.Accommodation supplement: 350 USD / month (if extended)Price3'250 USDPrice includes :The complete ITC training courseE-learning SSISupervision by an Instructor TrainerTeam integrationAccommodation for the first monthChrisDiving SSI PRO Instructor PoloIE registration feesApplicable to candidates :Up to date with Divemaster skillsIn active statusWith all valid prerequisitesWhy choose ChrisDiving?Center SSI Diamond Training CenterUnique immersive training (not just theory)Real-life experience under professional conditionsOver 6000 dives of local experienceExceptional sites in the Catalina IslandsA family atmosphere, serious and safeReady to become an instructor?Turn your passion into a profession, with practical, human and professional training in Costa Rica.Contact us for upcoming dates and availability.+506 6178-6362divecenter@chrisdiving.com

August 20, 2026
$3,600.00

Potential Wildlife Sightings

Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
124 Sightings
J
14
F
13
M
17
A
11
M
6
J
6
J
12
A
3
S
7
O
6
N
14
D
15
iStock/Divepic
Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
97 Sightings
J
15
F
15
M
33
A
28
M
5
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray
57 Sightings
J
7
F
6
M
13
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
3
A
0
S
0
O
4
N
7
D
17

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus

Octopus
25 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
6
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
12
iStock-June Jacobsen
Whitetip Reef Shark

Whitetip Reef Shark
233 Sightings
J
25
F
24
M
33
A
29
M
8
J
4
J
13
A
4
S
8
O
12
N
30
D
43

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
77 Sightings
J
8
F
11
M
17
A
6
M
5
J
2
J
6
A
0
S
2
O
3
N
6
D
11

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
60 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
9
A
0
M
4
J
2
J
12
A
2
S
8
O
2
N
7
D
8

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays

Stingrays
47 Sightings
J
0
F
15
M
23
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
7
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
46 Sightings
J
7
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
5
J
3
J
10
A
3
S
9
O
2
N
7
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
22 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
8
A
0
M
0
J
3
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
0
Show More

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
16 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
3
J
0
A
3
S
4
O
0
N
6
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish
16 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
11
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
3
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
15 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
3
J
6
A
0
S
3
O
3
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
13 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
3
J
3
A
0
S
2
O
0
N
5
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
Bannerfish

Bannerfish
13 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
10
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
3
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
12 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
7
A
0
S
3
O
2
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
Scorpionfish

Scorpionfish
10 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
3
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
6
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish

Damselfish
9 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
2
O
2
N
5
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs
Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish
9 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
6
A
0
S
2
O
1
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 300

iStock-deraugenzeuge
Snake Eel

Snake Eel
8 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
5
A
0
S
3
O
0
N
0
D
0

The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Soldierfish

Soldierfish
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
4
A
0
S
2
O
1
N
0
D
0
Alamy-WaterFrame
Common Seahorse

Common Seahorse
6 Sightings
J
0
F
6
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Dive Centers Catering This Dive Site

TamaDive Dive Center

TamaDive Dive Center

80 metros este del Banco Nacional, 50309 Tamarindo, Costa Rica
ChrisDiving, Christian Demierre

ChrisDiving, Christian Demierre

Horizon Lodge, Finca la Marcela, Guanacaste, Santa Cruz, 50304 Playa Potrero, Costa Rica
ChrisDiving, Christian Demierre

ChrisDiving, Christian Demierre

Horizon Lodge, Finca la Marcela, Guanacaste, Santa Cruz, 50304 Playa Potrero, Costa Rica
Be water diving Tamarindo

Be water diving Tamarindo

Calle cruz sin numero., 50309 Tamarindo, Costa Rica

Dive Sites Nearby

Mares
Punta Catalina <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.1)</span>

Punta Catalina (★4.1)

Punta Catalinas is located on the south point of the Catalinas Islands. It’s the main site where Oceanic Manta Rays can be seen in the winter months. The site slopes down to about 30m/100ft if you swim out a bit.
Mares, Janez Kranjc
South Point shallow <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.2)</span>

South Point shallow (★4.2)

The dive site is on the south east of the Catalina Islands. It’s generally a shallow dive site except at the end it’s possible to dive down to around 25 meters but it’s generally nicer to stay shallow.
ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero
Catalinas Island, Clásico <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

Catalinas Island, Clásico (★4.3)

11 km west of Potrero and Flamingo is the famous site of Clasico. This dive is done on the western side of the islands, from the south towards the north. There are successive ripraps. Several ways to dive possible, depending on certification level. From 10m to more than 30m.
ChrisDiving, Dive Center Costa Rica, 50304 Playa Potrero
Catalinas Island, North <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

Catalinas Island, North (★4.3)

Catalinas Island, North is the perfect site for beginners, sheltered from the main currents. North is located 11km from Flamingo on the East coast of the island. The dive is from the middle of the Island to the North point.