Dive Instructor Training - Costa Rica



Gapforce program

Kick start your career with our 10-week Marine Expedition & Dive Instructor Training Course in Costa Rica and become a fully qualified PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor with Expedition leadership & Resort Management skills.

More than just a Dive Instructor Course, you will learn leadership and resort management skills enabling you to pursue a career working in a dive shop or leading marine conservation expeditions. The top performers may be offered work at the dive school on completion of the outdoor course to further boost your experience and career prospects.

Also suitable for: Marine Conservation and Outdoor Courses.


Highlights

  • Train to lead Marine Conservation and Diving Expeditions
  • PADI Divemaster
  • PADI Dive Instructor
  • PADI First Aid Instructor
  • Resort Operations training
  • Only PADI Centre in Central America offering training and certification in unique marine conservation specialities 

Who can apply?

The minimum requirements to join this course are as follows:

  • You must have held your PADI Open Water certification for at least 6 months before departure 
  • You must have at least 30 logged dives*
  • You must complete your PADI Advanced Open Water certification before program start date*

* If you don’t have your Advanced Open Water certification or 30 dives, then just ask your program adviser to add the Extra Dives Option to your booking and we'll organise an extra one or two weeks of diving to the beginning of your course to get you up to the required level! 

If you already hold your Divemaster certification, contact us for a shortened program option.

Week 1: PADI EFR & Rescue

On arrival in San Jose, you will be transferred to our PADI five star dive centre on the Pacific coast. You’ll dive straight into your training this week with your Emergency First Responder and Rescue certifications. Knowing what to do in the event of an emergency is crucial to your dive progression this training will complete your recreational dive training and prepare you for your first step into the world of being a professional diver!

Week 2 – 6: PADI Divemaster and Marine Conservation  

Next it’s time to take your first step in the world of professional dive training as you spend the next five weeks working towards your Divemaster certification. Your training during this phase will become much more hands-on as you learn to become a leader and take charge of activities. A large part of your training at this stage will include assisting with student divers as you develop your teaching skills.

Marine Conservation:

Our dive centre is also a 100% PADI Aware partner meaning that we are are committed to ocean protection. You will experience marine conservation work first hand during these 5 weeks, completing your PADI Marine Conservation and Research speciality. This is a unique PADI distinct speciality qualification, that takes you into the world of ecology and identification of reef fish, invertebrates and corals. In addition, you will learn a variety research and survey techniques. By the end, you will have the opportunity to set up and complete your own survey.

Week 7: Resort Operations Training, PADI Self Reliant and Adaptive Support Training 

Many Dive Instructors choose to work at resorts, and some go on to start their own dive centres so an understanding of how a resort operates is a great way to give yourself a head-start and make yourself more employable. Training this week includes an introduction to boat handling, basic equipment maintenance and GPS mapping of dive sites. The skills learned this week cover all aspects of resort management through hands-on self-reliance and leadership training alongside practical adaptive management tools.  

You will additionally bring your land skills into the water this week, and gain two more PADI certifications.  During your PADI Self-Reliant course, you learn about potential risks of diving alone, and gain the chance to develop skills for self-reliance and independence, while becoming a stronger partner in a dive pair or team.  You will bring your skills to a live setting, considering the needs and backgrounds of all that may enter into your care with the PADI Adaptive Support Diver course. With this PADI certification, you will explore adaptive techniques to apply while diving. 

Week 8-10: Instructor Development and Certification 

The final stage of your dive training will enable you to qualify as a fully-fledged Open Water Scuba Instructor. This stage includes your Instructor Development Course (IDC) which teaches you how to conduct all the PADI courses, as well as your Emergency First Response (EFR) Instructor training. You will now be ready for your external Instructor Examination (IE), a two-day evaluation of everything you have learned on the course, and after successful completion of this you will have earned your Instructor certification!

The perfect way to round off your training is with the PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer preparation course, an impressive addition to your resume! This fun 4- 5 day course is a package of 5 speciality instructor training courses and there are a variety of options available subject to your interests.

After the Course:

On successful completion of the course, there may be opportunities for the top performers to work at the dive school in Costa Rica to gain more experience and really boost your career prospects. Your instructors also have extensive experience working in the Dive and Outdoor industry and will happily discuss with you what opportunities exist given your personal circumstances and aspirations and develop plan of how you might go about achieving them.

10-weeks: $13500

For available start dates check out the 'Dates & Availability' section below - you may need to scroll right to view the prices and book on! You can secure your place on your chosen adventure with a deposit of either $300 or 10% of the trip price, whichever is higher. The remainder is paid leading up to the trip departing.

What's included:

  • Pre-departure briefing
  • Homestay accommodation including breakfast, dinner, Wi-Fi and laundry
  • Resort training; sales techniques, course pricing and budgets, working with clients, boat handling and marketing techniques including social media 
  • Hands-on Skills: Dive boat handling, equipment maintenance, compressor basics 
  • Career placement advice and potential employment 
  • Airport pick-up and return airport transfer
  • Local project staff
  • 24/7 emergency back-up
  • Financial bonding

Certifications:

  • PADI Emergency First Response certification 
  • PADI Rescue Diver certification 
  • PADI Divemaster
  • PADI Marine Research and Conservation specialty
  • PADI Adaptive Support Diver
  • PADI Self-Reliant Diver
  • PADI Dive Instructor
  • Emergency First Response Instructor
  • Suba Tank visual inspection certification

What is not included:

  • Flights to/from destination
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa & vaccinations
  • Spending money
  • Lunches & weekend meals
  • Personal dive equipment (see brochure for details)

Who is this program for?

This program is perfect for anyone interested in becoming an internationally approved Dive and First Aid Instructor with Resort Management training. A reasonable level of fitness is required to participate and you must be able to swim 200m. The minimum age is 18 and you must also have your doctor sign our medical form confirming you are medically fit to participate. 

Where will I be staying?

You will be staying at a local home-stay close to the dive centre with other members of your group, a short walk from the Dive Centre. 

What is the food like?

You will be provided with breakfast and dinner every day during the dive training (lunch at your own expense). The food will be mostly local dishes, which are known for being flavourful, yet fairly mild, with a high reliance on fresh fruits, vegetables, rice and beans.

Who will be supervising me?

Your dive training will be conducted by highly qualified PADI Dive Instructors, and you will also have a local co-ordinator at the Dive Centre who will make sure you have the best possible experience in Costa Rica. Your local co-ordinator also provides you with 24/7 emergency support

How much spending money do I need?

You will need money for extra drinks and snacks, as well as for any activities not on the itinerary. We advise you to budget for $80 - $100 or £50 - £60 a week. Please note this is a guideline only

Will I have any free time?

You’ll have at least a couple of afternoons as flexible free time to take advantage of the many activities this part of the world has to offer. There’s something for absolutely everyone – stunning beaches, abundant wildlife, adventure sports, scuba diving, cultural trips, volcanoes, thermal spas and loads more!

A once in a lifetime experience!

As a bit of a nature freak who dreamed of traveling to Costa Rica since I was about 5 years old, this program seemed too good to be true. Based in Quepos, not 15 minutes from the world famous Manuel Antonio national park, prepare to be surrounded by a cornucopia of exotic animals ranging from toucans, to iguanas, to monkeys, and so much more. There is nothing quite like watching a whole family of squirrel monkeys plummeting from the jungle canopy while enjoying a delicious breakfast, only to be followed up by a sloth cruising down a power line on your walk to work a few minutes later. Only in Costa Rica....Upon arrival in Quepos, you will take up residence with a local family at a homestay. All of the people participating in Gapforce programs (this one and others) will stay at the same place so you will probably have some unique housemates from all over the world. The homestay provides a fantastic opportunity to work on your spanish, enjoy some great tico cuisine, and completely immerse yourself in the local culture.Regarding the surrounding area, prepare yourself for beautiful jungle lined beaches complete with loads of opportunities to jet ski, surf, parasail and more. The bus system is very cheap and easy so getting around is no problem. The nightlife is fun and the locals are super kind and laid back.As should be expected, the dive training is definitely the standout of the program. The staff at Oceans Unlimited (the dive center you'll be training out of) are absolutely top notch. Everyone at the shop is a master at their craft and are capable of providing so much practical knowledge and support through the duration of your stay. I entered the program a novice, and can confidently say I came out a very capable, self sufficient diver. The staff will not hesitate to push you out of your comfort zone, but all with the intention of making you the best you can be.The diving itself is also incredible, getting to see animals like octopus, eels, sea horses, and turtles on the daily. Costa Rica also has the longest whale season in the world, so prepare to see humpbacks on the surface multiple days out of the week.The jungle survival portion of the program was also a fantastic addition, presenting a nice break from the dive training and an opportunity to live secluded in the rain forest while picking up some interesting knowledge and skills. During your stay you will cross rivers, bathe in waterfalls, treck through scenic landscapes, encounter a variety of strange jungle creatures, and enjoy some unique jungle snacks. Truly a once in a lifetime experience!I could not say enough about this experience as a whole, massively worth while if you're looking to get properly educated on diving and enjoy a bit of adventure. The program delivered across the board and I will always look back fondly on my time in Costa Rica.

Kyle, gap year student from the USA

Fantastic Experience!

This was an amazing experience and I have learned so much along the way. The dive shop is super welcoming and there is a big sense of community among all the divers. The instructors give you all the tools to help you succeed and are very nice. Quepos and Manual Antonio are beautiful and have the best sunsets I have ever seen. Staying in a homestay is wonderful and is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture. Highly recommend to anyone interested in becoming a dive instructor!

Jake Silber

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Or call us on 1-917-305-5404

  • Costa Rica
  • Duration: 10 weeks
  • Departures: February, April, July, December

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