Becoming a SSI Dive Instructor (ITC) in Costa Rica

Imagine waking up every day just steps from the ocean, trading your office desk for a dive boat, and spending your days sharing your passion for the underwater world. For many divers, becoming a scuba instructor isn't just a career change — it's a lifestyle transformation.

If you're dreaming of turning your love for diving into a fulfilling profession, there's no better place to do it than Costa Rica, and no better team to guide you than Rich Coast Diving, a leading SSI Career Center located in Playas del Coco.

1. Why become a dive instructor ?

2. Why choose Costa Rica ?

3. Why choose Rich Coast Diving ?

4. How to get started and what is included ?

5. Prerequisites & ITC preparation

6. Instructor Training Course schedule

7. Planning your ITC in Costa Rica

8. Cost of the ITC in Costa Rica

9. Instructor Specialties & Divemaster Instructor Seminar

10. Life at Rich Coast Diving

1. Why become a Dive instructor

Becoming a dive instructor opens doors to travel, adventure, and a life long career. It's not just a job — it's an opportunity to teach, inspire, and explore. You'll gain leadership skills, expand your knowledge of marine ecosystems, and join a global community of like-minded ocean lovers. Whether you're seeking full-time work or seasonal opportunities, dive instructors are in demand worldwide — from tropical resorts to scientific expeditions. If you are currently a dive master then you will have realized that there are a lot more job opportunities for dive instructors. So another important reason to take the next step. And if you are looking for quality over quantity. Then don't follow the crowds to Asia but choose Costa Rica for your Instructor Training.

2. Why Choose Costa Rica

   
   

Rich Coast Diving is ideally located in the Gulf of Papagayo, right at the heart of the country's top dive sites. From November to April, we explore the Catalina Islands, home to majestic Oceanic Manta Rays, while May through October takes us to the Bat Islands (Murcielago) for thrilling encounters with Bull Sharks.

Thanks to year-round great diving conditions and easy access to diverse training environments, it's the perfect setting to develop your skills. As a career development center committed to ocean conservation, we also actively participate in marine protection projects — making Rich Coast Diving an ideal choice for eco-conscious and marine science professionals. Combine that with Costa Rica’s signature “Pura Vida” lifestyle, and you’ll find the perfect balance of high level professional training and tropical adventure.

3. Why Choose Rich Coast Diving

   
   

Located in Playas del Coco, Rich Coast Diving is the longest-standing Instructor Training Center in Costa Rica. With over 33 years of experience, we have a reputation of training excellent dive professionals that are in demand by our industry partners (dive centers, resorts and live-aboard operators).

Here's why you should choose Rich Coast Diving:

• Expert Staff: Led by experienced Multilingual Instructor Trainers Niels Prinssen (English, German, Dutch, Spanish and English) and Celine Monfort (English, French and Spanish) will make sure your ITC will be a successful and enjoyable experience.

• Personalized Training: Small class sizes of max 5 candidates mean individual attention and mentorship.

• Avoid the crowds: Don't go where everyone else goes. Be different and create your own path to succes. We are here to help you !

• Comprehensive Programs: From Divemaster to Master Instructor and beyond.

• Real Teaching Experience: Assist with actual student courses during your training.

• Job Assistance: Global network and career coaching to help launch your new career.

• Eco-Initiatives: Get involved with ocean cleanups and marine conservation projects.

SSI Career Center Rich Coast Diving

Rich Coast Diving achieved the Customer Award

Blue Oceans Dive center Rich Coast Diving

At Rich Coast, you’re not just earning a certification — you’re becoming part of our professional community that will help you find your own path in becoming a succesfull dive instructor.

At Rich Coast Diving, we're proud to share that all of our instructor candidates have found employment in the dive industry after graduating — our industry partners value the high quality of our training, our network, and our commitment to your success.

4. How to get started and what is included in Your SSI Instructor Course

Meet your Instructor Trainers

If you’re looking to become a dive instructor, there’s no better team to guide you than Celine Monfort and Niels Prinssen, the owners and Instructor Trainers at Rich Coast Diving.

With over 15 years of experience in the dive industry, we bring a wealth of knowledge gained from managing dive centers and liveaboards all over the world. You might know us from the popular Youtube channel Travel2Sea. Yes we love underwater film making & photography !

Our training goes beyond just earning a certification—we are dedicated to shaping you into a top dive professional and helping you take the next step in your diving career. With our expertise, global connections, and hands-on approach, you’ll be learning from the best in the business.

How to Get Started

1. The journey to become Dive Instructor starts with contacting us at info@richcoastdiving.com. Tell us you are interested to join our next ITC and we send you detailed information about the course. We offer three or four ITC per year.

   
   

2. Complete any prerequisites (such as Divemaster certification, logged dives, medical form).

   
   

3. Book your course and accommodation which is included !

   
   

4. Start your SSI digital learning so you're prepared before you arrive.

Whether you're coming straight from your Divemaster course or looking to switch agencies, Rich Coast makes the transition smooth and rewarding.

What is included ?

We have the best offer in Central America ! Our ITC includes everything you need and there are no hidden fees:

• 14 Days Accommodation​

• Assistant Instructor Course

• Instructor Training Course

• 6 Instructor specialties FREE from SSI : ​

  
  

• Nitrox Enriched Air

• Computer Diving

• Perfect Buoyancy

• Equipment Specialist

• Marine Ecology

• SSI Explorers 

  
  

• Instructor Evaluation (Paid directly to SSI by the candidate)

• Instructor Annual fee or registration fee (Paid directly to SSI by the candidate)

• Instructor Digital Materials

• Instructor Crew-pack

• No hidden fees !

• Discount on shop retail

• FREE T-shirt

• DIVE for LIFE Membership. Which means you dive for free for the rest of your life ! *Gear rental not included.

5. Prerequisites & ITC preparation

Prerequisites

To enroll in the Instructor Training Course you must:

• Be over 18 years old

• Be a certified diver for six months

• Have a Dive Leader certification — SSI Divemaster or equivalent leadership-level certification with a recognized training agency

• Have medical clearance attesting to dive fitness signed by a physician within the previous 12 months

• Provide proof of React Right or any First Aid, CPR and Oxygen Provider training within the last 24 months

• Submit documentation of qualifying certifications for entry, advanced, rescue, and leadership levels.

Let us know your current certification level and we will train you up to the required level. Not a diver yet? No problem! We can train you from zero to hero in no time.

ITC Preparation

If it’s been a while since you finished your Divemaster course, you may want to refresh your skills. You might also need to update your theory knowledge. If you’re coming from another training agency, a smooth transition into the SSI system is important. Our ITC Preparation program is designed just for that.

This program will help you gain the confidence you need to start the ITC. The program takes 1 week and starts before the ITC starting date.

During this period we help you to prepare for the ITC and get your knowledge and skills up to date. You will assist on recreational and specialty courses, participate in skill and knowledge evaluation sessions. 

The price of the ITC Preparation ($400 USD) is additional to the costs of the ITC.

The following is included :

• 1 week ITC preparation

• Assist on courses while shadowing our experienced instructors

• Skills evaluation pool session

• Skills evaluation open water

• Dive theory and SSI Standards class room sessions

6. Instructor Training Course schedule

The Instructor Training Course (ITC) at Rich Coast Diving is a comprehensive 12-day program designed to give you every opportunity to succeed. While it follows the recommended SSI schedule, we've enhanced the schedule by adding extra time for practice exams, skill circuits, academic workshops, and open water teaching presentations. This ensures that every candidate is fully prepared — both in knowledge and confidence — for the Instructor Examination (IE).

We’ve also built in a rest day between the Assistant Instructor and Instructor segments of the course, giving you time to recharge before the final stretch. It’s all part of our commitment to delivering thorough, high-quality training in a supportive and balanced environment.

7. Planning your ITC in Costa Rica

Our team is ready to help you plan your ITC. As soon as you confirmed the dates all you need to do is book you flights. We are located 30 minutes away from International Airport in Liberia (LIR). If you decide to fly to the international airport in the capital San Jose (SJO) you will probably need to spend an extra night and then take a shuttle service to Playas del Coco about 4 hours away. Fourteen (14) nights of accommodation are included with your ITC, so once you send us your arrival dates, we’ll take care of the rest — no need to worry about where to stay!

Equipment

As a future Dive Professional it is mandatory to own your own set of personal equipment and you cannot start the ITC without them !   You need: Mask, fins, snorkel, BCD, regulator, long/short wetsuit 3 or 5 mm, dive computer, DSMB, compass, knife / divers’ tool, sound device (whistle). ​ We do sell all items with a discount for our PRO participants, if you cannot bring them from your home country. Contact us in advance for prices and details.

SSI Materials

All SSI materials are included with the price of our ITC. The fully-digital Instructor Training Course Bundle includes:

1. Instructor Training Course Candidate Manual

2. Instructor Training Course Pre-Exam 3. Access to all materials for all programs you will be qualified to teach online and within the MySSI App in all languages, including:

• Open Water Diver / Scuba Diver

• Enriched Air Nitrox

• Perfect Buoyancy

• Diver Stress & Rescue

• Dive Guide

Access to the MySSI Download Area where you can download everything you need to prepare for the Instructor Training Course:

• Student Manuals

• Instructor Manuals

• Final Exams – A & B Versions

• Presentations Enhancement Guides (PEGs)

• Cue Cards

• Training Records

• Training Standards

• Marketing Materials

8. Cost of the Instructor Training Course

We offer the best price for the ITC in the region and includes your accommodation and all SSI materials !

Visit our website for the current course price. Additional to the payment of the course there are the examination and annual fee you pay directly to SSI.

• Instructor Examination (IE) of $500 USD

• Pro registration fee of $100 USD if you are not a SSI Member yet.

9. Instructor Specialties & Divemaster Instructor Seminar

When you successfully pass the Instructor Examination you are certified to teach SSI recreational courses from Try Diving up to Divemaster level. Including the specialties Perfect Buoyancy, Nitrox Enriched Air, Computer Diving, Explorers, Marine Ecology and Equipment Specialist.

If you'd like to expand your teaching portfolio even further, you can participate in our Instructor Specialty Seminars. These sessions take just half a day per specialty and focus on how to effectively teach each specialty course.

At Rich Coast Diving, we offer our candidates an exclusive 5-for-4 Instructor Specialty Package at $600 USD, which includes:

• React Right (First Aid & CPR)

• Deep Diving

• Navigation

• Night & Limited Visibility

• Shark Ecology

These specialties are not only among the most in-demand — they’re also required if you want to train future Divemasters. Investing in these specialties will boost your employability and quickly pay for itself once you begin teaching.

10. Life at Rich Coast Diving

What does life look like for a dive instructor candidate at Rich Coast Diving? It’s a perfect mix of hard work, hands-on learning, and the laid-back tropical lifestyle Costa Rica is famous for.

During your Instructor Training Course (ITC), you'll stay in shared accommodation in Las Palmas, a quiet and friendly neighborhood just a short walk from the dive shop, the beach, and a variety of local restaurants. Each apartment is shared with a maximum of four candidates, offering a relaxed, social atmosphere — complete with a beautiful garden and swimming pool, perfect for unwinding after a full day of training or finding a peaceful spot to study.

Accomodation ITC Candidates in Costa rica

Sunset Playas del Coco Beach

Playas del Coco drone

Your training day typically starts around 7:30 AM, with sessions in the classroom, pool, or out on the boat. Most days include a mix of classroom and confined water sessions. All lessons are highly interactive, supportive, and — most importantly — fun. Yes, you’ll be working hard and need to stay focused, but remember, you’re training for the best job in the world! And we believe that learning should be enjoyable along the way.

We provide coffee and water during classroom sessions, and if you need a quick bite, there are several excellent bakeries nearby for snacks or lunch. Training usually wraps up between 2:00 and 5:00 PM, giving you time to review your assignments, relax by the pool, watch the sunset on the beach, or simply rest and recharge for the next exciting day.

Life as a dive instructor candidate at Rich Coast Diving is busy, rewarding, and full of unforgettable moments — both in and out of the water.

Are you interested to become a dive instructor and want to know more? Do not hesitate to contact us today.

Rich Coast Diving

Mrs. Céline Monfort

Email: info@richcoastdiving.com

WhatsApp +506 8610 0914