Dive Instructor Training - Costa Rica

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!

When does the program start and end?

The program starts on Day 1 when you meet your scheduled transfer driver at San Jose airport, or  on arrival at the homestay accommodation if you are making your own way to Quepos.  The program ends on the last day when you arrive at San Jose airport following your scheduled transfer or at 9.00am at the homestay if you are not travelling to the airport on this transfer.  Full details to help you book flights and plan your arrival and departure will be provided upon booking, but please contact us if you require further details beforehand.

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