Instructor Training Course (ITC) - Contact us directly for Dates or visit our website.

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 Rich Coast Diving you can be certain you will receive personal attention and training, enjoying every moment of your journey to becoming an SSI Open Water Diver !

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!

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!

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.

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. ​

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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!