How to Become an SSI Specialty Instructor in Costa Rica

Imagine turning your favorite dive adventures into inspiring learning experiences for others. As an SSI Specialty Instructor, you won’t just be teaching scuba skills—you’ll be guiding divers into new worlds, from deep wrecks to night reefs, from perfect buoyancy to marine ecology.

At Rich Coast Diving in Playas del Coco, Costa Rica, we make this transformation possible through hands-on, high-quality training in a world-class dive location. Whether you’re looking to expand your professional credentials or boost your earning potential, our SSI Specialty Instructor pathway gives you the tools, recognition, and confidence to lead specialized courses anywhere in the world.

SSI Specialty Instructor

Divemaster Instructor

Why Become an SSI Specialty Instructor?

Specialty Instructors are the experts who can offer more than just entry-level courses. They open the door to unique diving experiences that keep students engaged and coming back for more.

When you successfully complete the ITC, the next step is to become a Divemaster Instructor. Being a Dive Master Instructor sets you apart as a dive instructor who takes continuing education seriously and is committed to teaching a variety of courses.

Making you more competitive in the job market ! You will quickly make a return on your investment by teaching more courses and earning more commission !

Specialty Instructor Training covers how to organize, promote and conduct Specialty Diver courses. When an Instructor is able to teach 5 Specialty Instructor and has issued 25 certifications they will automatically receive the Divemaster Instructor recognition.

Benefits for you:

• Teach a variety of SSI Specialty Programs.

• Earn higher income and diversify your teaching.

• Enhance your professional resume with specialized skills.

• Enjoy a refreshing change from basic courses.

Benefits for your dive center:

• Attract more continuing-education students.

• Increase equipment sales and trip bookings.

• Build customer loyalty through ongoing training.

Benefits for your students:

• Learn in-depth diving techniques tailored to their interests.

• Gain confidence, safety skills, and new certifications.

• Stay engaged with diving for years to come.

Prerequisites to Start

To begin your Specialty Instructor journey, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.

• Hold Active Status SSI Assistant Instructor (or Divemaster for certain Ecology specialties).

• Complete required SSI digital learning materials and documentation in MySSI.

• Have access to specialty cue cards or wetnotes.

3 Ways to Become an SSI Specialty Instructor

There are three certification pathways to become a specialty instructor. The specialty instructor seminar is the most common method. Also the most time efficient and in most cases the price difference is very small between the 3 methods since you will need to pay the fees for the instructor materials and the certification registration with all 3 methods.

1. Specialty Instructor Seminar

   • Conducted by an active status Assistant Instructor Trainer or Instructor Trainer.

   • Often taught directly after your Instructor Training Course for maximum efficiency.

   • Can include multiple specialties in one seminar.

   • Highly interactive, using SSI’s Active Learning approach to keep candidates engaged.

   
   

2. Co-Teaching

   • You assist an experienced instructor while teaching real students.

   • Follows the Observe → Assist → Teach method.

   • Ideal for gaining hands-on experience in an authentic class setting.

     
     

3. Verification / Application

   • For those with extensive experience in a specialty area (e.g., 20+ logged dives or manufacturer certification for equipment techniques).

   • Not available for all specialties, and not for Training Specialist ratings.

   
   

How the Specialty Instructor Seminar Works

At Rich Coast Diving, our seminars follow SSI’s professional-level training format, blending academic and practical learning:

1. Orientation

   • Meet your trainers and fellow candidates.

   • Review expectations, equipment needs, and schedule.

   
   

2. Academic Sessions

   • Review SSI’s Total Teaching System and specialty course materials.

   • Learn how to market specialties to different student types.

   • Deliver and be evaluated on your own academic presentation.

     
     

3. In-Water Sessions

   • Demonstrate teaching specialty-specific skills in confined or open water.

   • Pass in-water evaluations with a minimum score of 32 points.

     
     

4. Final Exam & Review

   • Score at least 90% on the student exam.

   • Receive feedback and finalize your certification process

     
     

How long does it take and what are the costs ?

• Specialty Instructor Seminar: Usually 1/2 - 1 day, depending on the number of specialties and candidates.

  
  

• Divemaster Instructor Seminar: Just 2 days to add five more specialties.

We offer a special promotion and include the Divemaster Instructor Seminar with the Instructor Training Course (ITC). The price is 5 Instructor Specialties for only $600 USD.

If you like to do more instructor specialties then prices per Instructor specialty are $150 USD.

Which Instructor Specialty Courses do you offer ?

We offer the following list of specialty courses at Rich Coast Diving:

• Enriched Air Nitrox

• Deep Diving

• Perfect Buoyancy

• React Right

• Photo & Video

• Navigation

• Night & Limited Visibility

• Wreck Diving

• Search & Recovery

• Equipment Techniques

• Waves, Tides & Currents

• Science of Diving

• Shark Ecology

• Manta & Ray Ecology

• Fish Identification

• Sea Turtle Ecology

• Coral Identification

• Marine Mammal Ecology

• Marine Ecology

• Nudibranch Ecology

• Marine Invertebrate Ecology

  
  

Train in Paradise – Costa Rica’s Gulf of Papagayo

With year-round warm water, abundant marine life, and top-rated dive sites like the Bat Islands (Bullsharks), Catalina Islands (Oceanic Mantas) and the best local dive sites in Costa Rica, Rich Coast Diving offers the perfect setting to train and explore. Our professional team provides:

• Shared accommodation during training.

• All digital learning materials and certification fees.

• Gear discounts and professional support.

• An SSI Career Center environment with Platinum Instructor Trainers

Start Your SSI Specialty Instructor Journey Today

Whether you’re fresh from your Instructor Training Course or an experienced pro looking to diversify, Rich Coast Diving is ready to help you take the next step.

Contact us today to reserve your spot in our next SSI Specialty Instructor Seminar in Costa Rica and turn your passion into a lifetime career.

Interested in booking?

👉 View Specialty Courses

👉 Contact Rich Coast Diving to build your custom dive plan at info@richcoastdiving.com

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Rich Coast Diving

Mrs. Céline Monfort

Email: info@richcoastdiving.com

WhatsApp +506 8449 4217