Rich Coast Diving

Rich Coast Diving is located in Playas del Coco, a central hub for diving in the Guanacaste province. Since opening its doors in 1993, the centre has established itself as a specialist in the region, particularly for those looking to progress through the professional diving ranks.

The centre serves as a gateway to the most significant dive sites in Costa Rica, including the offshore volcanic peaks of the Catalina Islands and the rugged Bat Islands. Whether you are looking for calm local dives in the Papagayo Gulf or high-adrenaline pelagic encounters, the operation is geared towards providing structured, safe, and professional excursions.

As the only SSI Career Center in Costa Rica, the centre is uniquely equipped for professional development. The team includes two in-house Instructor Trainers, making it a primary destination for those pursuing Divemaster, Assistant Instructor, or full Instructor certifications.

The staff is multilingual, capable of conducting training and guiding in English, Spanish, French, Dutch, German, and Italian. This ensures that international divers can follow technical briefings and course material without any language barriers.

Safety and group management are central to their operation, with a guide-to-diver ratio of 1 to 4. This small group size is particularly beneficial when navigating the stronger currents found at the offshore islands.

The training programme is extensive, covering the full spectrum of SSI certifications. Beginners can start with Try Scuba Diving or the Open Water Diver course, while more experienced divers can progress through Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and specialized modules like Deep Diver or Underwater Navigation.

For those focused on technical skills or environmental science, the centre offers specialties including Wreck, Search & Recovery, and various Marine Ecology courses. They also provide professional pathways through the Divemaster and Instructor Training Courses (ITC).

Beyond core diving, the centre provides instruction in specialized areas such as Perfect Buoyancy, Night & Limited Visibility, and Equipment Specialist training. They also offer First Aid courses and Scuba Skills Updates for divers returning to the water.

The dive boats carry a maximum of 8 passengers per trip, ensuring a more personal experience on the water. For the longer trips to the offshore islands, the boats are equipped to handle the transit while providing refreshments including water, iced tea, fruit, and cookies.

There is dedicated dry space on board for cameras and underwater photographic equipment. The boats also support night diving excursions, allowing you to experience the nocturnal life of the reef.

The centre provides full equipment hire for divers who prefer not to travel with their own kit, featuring reputable brands such as Scubapro, Cressi, Mares, and AquaLung. This includes everything from regulators to exposure suits.

Nitrox is available for use, which is a significant advantage for those planning multi-day trips or deeper dives at the volcanic pinnacles. The shop also offers retail services for those looking to purchase new equipment.

The marine life in this region is defined by large pelagics and vibrant reef ecosystems. At the Catalina Islands, you can expect to see oceanic manta rays, particularly from December to April, alongside eagle rays, mobula rays, and various species of turtles. Large schools of fish and reef sharks are common sights around these volcanic structures.

During the months of June to October, the Bat Islands become a focal point for bull shark encounters. These offshore dives also bring the chance to see various species of rays and large schools of snapper and grouper.

For those interested in macro life, the local reefs and volcanic rocks host a variety of smaller creatures. You can find nudibranchs, seahorses, and various species of moray eels tucked into the crevices of the reef.

The reef itself is home to a diverse array of tropical fish, including angelfish, butterflyfish, damselfish, and jacks. You will also encounter various species of snapper, grouper, and wrasse moving through the water column.

Conditions can vary significantly depending on whether you are diving locally or heading offshore. The local sites in the Papagayo Gulf are generally calm, making them ideal for most divers.

When visiting the Catalina or Bat Islands, be prepared for stronger currents. The return trip from the Bat Islands can also be subject to choppy or windy sea conditions.