PADI Divemaster Program
*Including
DIVING 4 LIFE
and more !
Are you ready to lead adventure !
PADI Divemaster in 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.
And we provide you with the training and tools to start living your dream life and make new friendsips along the way !
Included with our 3 month internship:
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5 Specialties for FREE with value of $1200 !
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DIVE for LIFE Membership
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Manta & Bullshark Diving
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A FREE Rich Coast Diving T-shirt
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Unlimited world-class diving during training
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Experience workshops like equipment maintenance
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FREE Candies and Coffee
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FREE Wifi at the shop
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Discount on shop retail
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...And much more !
What Our Divemasters Say
"Did my dive master here, amazing time; good people, great diving, beautiful surroundings and a lot of fun and laughter!
The place to be ! "
Thijs Peekstok
PADI Dive Master
Divemaster Program
Rich Coast Diving will help you begin your dream career as a PADI Professional. Our PADI Dive Master Program has been the starting point for hundreds of people from around the world.
You can start any given day and there are 3 different options suitable for your time and budget. Note that with all our prices the 13% tax is already inlcuded ! The prerequisite for the programs offered below is Rescue Diver. Not a Rescue Diver yet ? We´ll train you up to the required level. Contact us directly for prices.
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Divemaster Stories
Divemaster Reviews
I came to Rich Coast Diving in August of 2022 as a divemaster intern. As of October 31st, I've officially received my divemaster certification!! My time here has been one of the most significant experiences of my life. The lasting friendships that I've formed, the knowledge and skills that I've gained, and getting to see myself overcome my struggles and hardships during the course to achieve my goals is invaluable to me. This course is designed to prepare you for the real diving industry, so don't expect to be pampered as a customer may be - you'll be learning the ins and outs and of how (and gaining the experience needed) to be a valuable asset in any dive crew! The diving varies from day to day - temperature, visibilty, weather, surge, and aquatic life - so you'll get a wide arrange of underwater experiences that make you a better diver.
During my stay, I lived at the intern/staff hostel. Staying at the hostel definitely made my time here feel more communal, as everyone staying there worked together, lived together, hung out together, and ate together. Getting to have time to study, work on projects, and exchange ideas with other DMT's and instructors certainly helped me get through the course. Coco is quite a small town, so if you stay here for any bit of time, you're bound to make some local friends as well. Be ready for some beautiful views and the daily stunning sunsets :) I'm extremely contented with how my time at Rich Coast has been and so grateful for all of the opportunities I have been given since being here 🙌🏻 If you want a real life experience, I'd highly recommend the divemaster internship at Rich Coast Diving.
Keziah Badgewell, USA
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Why Rich Coast Diving ?Rich Coast Diving will help you begin your Dream Career as a PADI Professional. Our PRO Courses have been the starting point for hundreds of professionals from around the world. Rich Coast Diving takes pride in the quality and the professionalism of our teaching methods. But also the fun during our courses. Read testimonials of those who have been here recently.
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How do I get There ?Rich Coast Diving is located in the small town of Playas del Coco. You can either fly to the capital of Costa Rica named San Jose (SJO Int'l Airport) and take a shuttle bus to Playas del Coco (5 hours). We can recommend the Interbus shuttle company. For bookings go to www.interbusonline.com Or you can fly to Liberia (Daniel Oduber Int'l Airport) which is less then 40 min from Playas del Coco and from this airport we can arrange your pickup ($50 USD one way).
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AccomodationFor our PRO Candidates we have several accomodation options. Contact us for prices and availability.
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What do I need to Bring ?We highly recommend that you bring your own equipment. If you do not own your own set of equipment yet, you can buy your personal set at our dive shop at a discounted rate or rent it (for divemaster internship only). As a future PADI professional the following items are mandatory and you cannot start you course without them ! We do sell all items with a 20% discount for our PRO participants if you can not bring them from your home country. As per Instructor Manual you need a dive computer, DSMB, compass, knife / divers tool, sound device (wisle).
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What is the best time of the Year for the IDC in Costa Rica ?During the IDC you will spend most of your time in the classroom attending seminars, workshops and presentations. Then there are several pool sessions and a few training dives in the ocean. All of our training dive sites are conveniently located within 15 minutes away. We have access to great training dive sites with shallow and deep water. Conditions underwater can change from day to day but generally the water temperature ranges from 26 - 28 Celcius. So a 3 mm shorty wetsuit will be sufficient to keep you warm.
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What is your cancellation policy ?You may cancel your reservation by written confirmation to info@richcoastdiving.com up to 14 days before the start of your PRO course and you will receive a full refund. But in case of cancellation with notification within 14 days prior to arrival, your deposit will not be fully refunded (50% of your activities and 100% of the accommodation). Ofcourse we do understand that unexpected circumstances may happen and we can reschedule your course for free up to 14 days before the starting date. However payments made for accommodation reservations will not be refunded.
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Course Price & PADI / EFR FeesBecoming a PADI Pro is not cheap but definitely worth it and we want to make sure that you can plan your budget accordingly by understanding all the costs and fees. You find an overview of the prices and fees on our price list. Do not hesitate to contact us for any questions or concerns you have regarding the costs of the PRO Courses and additional PADI and EFR fees. In short: First there is the cost of the course for the training we provide you to become a PADI Professional. The cost of the course will be paid directly to Rich Coast Diving. Besides the cost of the course there are additional "PADI fees" which will be paid by credit card at the end of the training directly to PADI. As a PADI professional you will have to pay PADI initially to apply to become a member, as well as pay annual membership fees to retain your teaching status with them. For the IDC candidates there are the EFR instructor fees and EFR annual fees. Since PADI and EFR fees change annually please contact us for the latest update on fees.
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How do I pay ?We are flexible and offer different payment options for you comfort. Please contact us for the details. Please note that bank and transfer fees are to be paid by the customer. On arrival you can settle your final payments by credit card or payment in cash (USD/EUR/CRC).
To Lead Adventure
One of the top reasons divers earn the Divemaster rating is because you want to share your passion with others by helping introduce them to the wonders of the underwater world.
PADI Divemasters are mentors and guides and lead the way to unparalleled amazement, wonder and beauty.
Divemaster life in Costa Rica
What does the day of a divemaster trainee look like?
Generally you start bright and early, pedaling to the dive shop with breakfast in hand, warmly greeting the locals with 'Pura Vida'.
At 06.45 AM you embark on your divemaster internship activities, whether it's a pool training session, preparing the boats for the morning dive trips or assisting on an open water course or conservation specialty course. As a PADI CDC we teach a wide range of courses and you will get a lot additional training and knowledge by assisting on these great courses.
If you are on the boat you will submerge into the depths of Costa Rica's best dive sites. Turtles, sharks, rays, large and schools of fish put a big smile on the face of your guest and this will make your day ! After two dives you will return to the shop around noon.
After unloading and rinsing off the equipment we prepare the shop and trips for the next day.
Once a week you will spend the afternoon in the shop which generally means you can sleep in that day and start around 11.30 and attend walk in guests till 5 PM.
Otherwise all Divemaster duties are done around 14.00 and you spend your afternoon lounging at your pool at the divemaster accommodation or stroll down the beach and get your self a few drinks to watch the sunset with a bonfire.
Dive - Eat - Sleep and Repeat ! This is the divemaster life - soon it will be yours too.
Check out our Divemaster trainee testimonials for firsthand accounts…
Divemaster Accomodation
At a great location just one block from the beach in Playas del Coco. We offer several accommodation options for our divemaster candidates. You can stay at our “intern apartments” and share your experiences with the other interns, or you can book your own private accommodation.
The apartment are two beautiful condos, with a pool and large outside garden area with BBQ. Each apartment is a 2 bed / 2 bathroom with shared kitchen and living room.
We also offer the option for your own or for couples, private room with en-suite bathroom.
There is plenty of accommodation available in Playas del Coco and of course, you can also find your own accommodation on Airbnb or on Facebook groups like Coco Chitchat or Coco rentals.