One of the Best Decisions of My Life. My Three Month Divemaster Internship in Costa Rica.
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Interview with Divemaster candidate Joshua (Germany).
When I first started looking for a Divemaster internship, I found hundreds of options. Most people seemed to head to Southeast Asia or Utila in Honduras. I spent weeks researching different dive centers, comparing agencies, reading reviews, and trying to figure out where I would receive the best training, not just another certification.
Looking back now, choosing Costa Rica and Rich Coast Diving was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Why I Chose Costa Rica
I wanted more than beautiful dives. I wanted to become a professional diver who was ready to work anywhere in the world.
Costa Rica immediately stood out because of its incredible marine life and challenging diving conditions. Unlike destinations where conditions are fairly predictable, the Pacific Ocean constantly changes. Every dive is different, with varying visibility, currents, and sea conditions. At first this sounded intimidating, but it turned out to be one of the biggest advantages of my training.
As a Divemaster you need to be prepared for real-world diving, and Costa Rica certainly teaches you that.
The reward is spectacular. During my internship I encountered huge schools of fish, countless rays, reef sharks, white-tip sharks, turtles, and incredible marine biodiversity. Depending on the season you can even encounter manta rays, bull sharks, and humpback whales.
Why I Chose an SSI Career Center
Another important decision was choosing the training agency.
I decided to complete my Divemaster internship with an SSI Career Training Center. What appealed to me most was the structured digital learning materials, the professional career pathway, and the emphasis on practical training.
One feature I especially like as a future dive professional is SSI's global job platform, where dive centers advertise vacancies for certified professionals. It makes taking the next step into the diving industry much easier.
Of course, whichever agency you choose, the quality of the dive center and instructors probably matters even more than the logo on your certification card. For me, the mentorship and practical experience made all the difference.
A Divemaster Internship That Prepares You for a Career
From day one it became clear that this wasn't simply about completing the minimum requirements.
The internship is built around becoming a confident, employable dive professional.
Over three months I completed five SSI specialty courses that significantly improved my diving skills and broadened my experience. These specialties will also be valuable as I continue my Instructor training.
Besides the diving itself, there were workshops covering equipment maintenance, customer service, sales, dive briefings, CV writing, and job applications. We even received professional headshots for our CVs.
These are exactly the kinds of skills employers are looking for but aren't always included in traditional Divemaster courses.
READ more about the divemaster course.
Learning Through Real Experience
One of the biggest strengths of the internship is how much hands-on experience you receive.
Rather than simply watching instructors teach, you're actively involved in helping with courses, guiding certified divers, assisting with daily operations, and learning how a professional dive center works behind the scenes.
By the end of the internship I felt genuinely prepared to begin working in the diving industry instead of simply holding a certification card.
A Truly International Experience
One thing that surprised me was how international the program is.
I met people from all over the world who had come to Costa Rica for exactly the same reason, to follow their passion for diving.
The staff also speak several languages, including English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, and Dutch. For students who aren't completely confident in English, this makes a huge difference. Being able to ask difficult questions in your own language really helped build my confidence.
At the same time, living with people from different countries is a fantastic opportunity to improve your own language skills.
More Than Just Other Backpackers
What I loved most was the connection with the local Costa Rican staff.
Many internships can feel like a group of international backpackers living together, but here you really become part of the local dive center family.
The atmosphere between everyone is incredibly welcoming, and spending time with the local team gave me a much more authentic Costa Rican experience.
READ more about the divemaster course.
Life Outside the Water
Playa del Coco turned out to be the perfect place to spend several months.
It's relaxed, friendly, and social without feeling overwhelming.
Living in the Divemaster house meant I was constantly surrounded by people who shared the same passion for diving. We became close friends, and I know many of those friendships will last a lifetime.
Rich Coast Diving also organizes regular social events including beach BBQs, beach Olympics, pool parties, and other activities that make everyone feel part of the community.
Not Just Great for Professionals
While I was completing my internship, my family and a large group of friends came to visit.
Some completed dive courses, while others joined snorkeling trips.
The snorkeling trip was unforgettable, we saw turtles, rays, and even humpback whales.
For friends who wanted something different, the dive center also organized an excellent ATV and zipline adventure nearby at a better price than we could find ourselves.
Watching my family enjoy themselves just as much as I did showed me that Rich Coast Diving isn't only great for professional training but also for recreational divers and families.
A Benefit I'll Enjoy Forever
One benefit I never expected was the "Diving for Life" program. After completing your professional training, you can return and dive with Rich Coast Diving free of charge for the rest of your life.
For anyone planning a long career in diving, that's an incredible bonus and something very few dive centers offer.
Why I'm Staying
The biggest compliment I can give is this:
I'm not leaving.
After completing my Divemaster internship, I've decided to continue with my SSI Instructor Course here. Even after earning my instructor certification, I plan to stay longer to assist with courses and gain as much real teaching experience as possible before starting my professional diving career. I simply can't imagine a better place to continue learning.
Final Thoughts
My Divemaster internship gave me much more than a certification.
It gave me confidence.
It gave me professional skills.
It gave me lifelong friends.
It gave me unforgettable experiences.
Most importantly, it gave me a clear path toward building a career doing something I genuinely love.
If you're taking a gap year, looking for an active adventure, changing careers, or dreaming of becoming a dive professional, I highly recommend researching Costa Rica as a destination. For me, training with Rich Coast Diving was the right choice, and it's an experience I'll always be grateful for.
Who knows? Maybe one day we'll end up diving together.
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