Divemaster Internship in Costa Rica

This is a professional dive leadership training that elevates you from recreational diver to dive professional. The internship typically spans 1 to 3 months, depending on the program you choose. We always recommend to choose the 3 month internship and really take the time to immerse yourself in the experience and log enough dives to continue to the instructor course (ITC).

• Minimum 18 years old

• Have logged at least 60 open water dives or more

• Diver stress & rescue certification or equivalent

• React Right certification or equivalent

• Deep diving specialty certification

• Navigation specialty certification

• Night & limited visibility specialty certification

Shared intern housing close to the dive center is available to ease your stay and let you focus fully on training and diving. Contact us for availability when you book your program.

This varies throughout the year and is different every year! We usually have between 2 and 10 Divemaster trainees, creating a fun, international group atmosphere.

Our Dive Master programs includes the following,

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• DM training course meeting all performance requirements

• FREE Specialty certifications. We are the only shop that includes extra certs !

• Working / training days = 6 days per week

• Tuition fee & Divemaster crew pack

• You will train on some of the worlds best dive sites !

• Additional Career development workshop

• Discount on shop retail

• 10% Discount on the Instructor Course

• FREE Rich Coast Diving T-shirt

• Unlimited diving during training

• DIVE for LIFE Membership

NOT Included:

• Equipment rental is not included and is $ 100 USD per month (BCD, Regulator and wetsuit).

• Professional Registration & Initial Year Renewal directly paid to SSI upon certification $105 USD.

• Shared accommodation $350 USD per month.

How do you earn your DM certification ? As divemaster trainee you will be part of the Rich Coast Diving team and you will be trained to become a dive professional ready to be employed. It is hard work but you will meet great people, have a lot of fun and a lot of great diving in the most beautiful country in the world !

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1. Independent Study - Digital Learning

Your DM program comes with digital learning which makes it easy to fit scuba lessons into a busy schedule. Learn about scuba diving principles and terminology whenever, wherever it's convenient for you. And you can start before you start the program so you come prepared.

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2. At the Dive center with your Instructors

The DM program is an intensive training course. It consists of pool sessions, open water sessions, workshops and you will be assisting on courses. You will also assist on guiding certified divers of differing abilities at different sites in varying conditions. All of these skills are better learned by working with actual customers in real-life situations. Most of what you will learn be learned by shadowing our staff and gradually taking on more and more responsibility as your divemaster training progresses. As part of the Rich Coast team you will gain all the knowledge and experience you need to be a valuable Divemaster ready to be employed.

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Costa Rica’s Pacific coast is famous for Bull sharks (June - November), Giant mantas (November - March), turtles, eels, large schools of fish, and even humpback whales in season.

Conditions are great year-round, with May to November offering quieter dive sites and unique wildlife encounters. You will be diving almost daily so you will experience the best that Costa Rica has to offer !

Equipment

We highly recommend that you bring your own equipment that you need as a dive professional. But if you do not own your own set of equipment yet, we offer equipment rental at $100 USD per month. Equipment rental includes: BCD, regulator and wetsuit. ​ As a future dive professional the following items are mandatory and you cannot start you course without them! We do sell all items with a discount for our PRO candidates, if you cannot bring them from your home country. Personal mask, fins, snorkel, dive computer, DSMB, compass, knife / divers’ tool, sound device (whistle) and dive light.

SSI Course Materials

Once you sign up and according to your current level, we will provide the materials required for your training. This includes eLearning and the SSI Divemaster Crewpack.

Our location offers excellent year-round training opportunities. The visibility of the waters on our Pacific Coast can change from day to day. It can be very clear on some days and only a few meters or feet on other days. But don't let it spoil your dive as the marine life is always there to entertain you !

Water temperature ranges from 23 – 28 Celsius throughout the year so a

3 - 5 mm wetsuit is sufficient to keep you comfortably warm under water. Most dive sites are only 10 minutes away and accessible all year. So any time of the year is great to do your PRO course.

All of our past Divemaster and Instructor candidates have successfully found jobs in the diving industry. We support you with career advice, connections, and access to the SSI Job Board. Once you’ve qualified as a Divemaster, there are several ways to land your first scuba diving job. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Explore Job Listings on the SSI Website

As a dive professional, one of the best resources for job opportunities is the SSI website: https://www.divessi.com/en/join-ssi/jobs-worldwide/jobs

This platform features job postings from dive centers around the world, making it a great place to find your next adventure. On this website you can also post your own CV and profile so you can be contacted by dive operations that are looking for dive professionals.

2. Working as a Divemaster in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the top diving destinations, offering job opportunities year-round. At Rich Coast Diving, we provide our best candidates the chance to stay on and gain more hands-on experience as Divemasters. Or continue to the dive instructor course and gain experience teaching your first courses. Additionally, we have an extensive global network of dive professionals and dive shop managers, and we actively assist our candidates with job placement.

3. Walk the docks

Sometimes, the best way to secure a job is to "walk the docks". Wherever you travel, visit local dive shops, introduce yourself to the staff, and hand out your diving CV. Building relationships with dive shop managers increases your chances of finding opportunities. Many dive centers need extra hands, and temporary or freelance work can often lead to long-term positions.

By combining these strategies, you’ll boost your chances of starting your career as a professional Divemaster.