Since I was young, I always knew I wanted to be a diver. An underwater biologist, to be more precise—but as a 6-year-old, I had no idea that "marine biologist" was an actual profession. People around me encouraged me to pursue a more traditional corporate career, so I spent 15 years as an international agronomist. But in between jobs, I logged over 1000 dives around the world. Eventually, I realized it was time to quit the 9-to-5 life and follow my true passion: becoming a dive professional.
Fast forward to the age of 40, and I became the proud owner of a now-successful SSI Career Center in Costa Rica. Every year, we train numerous Divemasters and Dive Instructors, helping them launch rewarding careers in the diving industry. Our goal is to develop dive professionals who are not only skilled and confident but also truly ready to be employed and thrive in their careers.
So, turning your passion into a diving career is absolutely possible—I’m living proof of that. If you’re considering becoming a dive professional before your late 30s (or at any age, really), here’s how to do it, get paid for what you love, travel the world, and spend your time underwater.
1. Choosing Your Training Organization: SSI vs. PADI
Transitioning from a recreational scuba diver to a professional is a significant commitment. Many divers are hesitant to take this step due to the associated costs and workload. The diving industry however offers great career opportunities not to be missed. To encourage you to make the leap, here is a step-by-step guide to consider before pursuing your divemaster certification and ultimately become a dive professional that is successful and enjoys his career.
When deciding to go pro, you’ll quickly realize that the two largest training organizations are SSI and PADI. Both have thousands of affiliated dive centers worldwide and a strong global presence in the industry. At any given time, there are nearly 1,000 job postings for diving professionals from these organizations.
The structure of recreational courses between SSI and PADI is quite similar, though the course names may vary.
The good news? No matter where you started—whether with SSI, PADI, NAUI, or another agency—you can still become an SSI Divemaster or Instructor. Having training from multiple agencies can even make you a more well-rounded dive professional.
SSI has become the fastest-growing dive training organization for a reason. It is currently the largest business-based scuba training agency, known for its high-quality online study materials, modern digital platform, and user-friendly instructor tools. SSI’s multi-functional app allows divers and professionals to:
Log dives
Digital course materials
Display certifications and qualifications
Search for dive centers worldwide
Explore dive sites and marine life encounters
Keep track of your equipment maintenance
..and more !
At the Divemaster level, your choice of organization isn’t as critical—what matters most is the dive center itself. Focus on finding the right location, a supportive atmosphere, and a teaching style that suits you. At Rich Coast Diving, our goal is to train Divemasters who are job-ready the moment they finish their program. We offer 1-3 month Divemaster internships and are proud to say that all our graduates have found employment after completing their training. We’ve even created an online community for dive professionals, where members share job postings, experiences, and knowledge from around the world.
When you reach the Instructor level, choosing the right training agency becomes more important. Until recently, many professionals became PADI Instructors first, then completed an SSI Crossover to gain dual certification. However, as of January 2025, SSI’s crossover program now includes four days of instructor training and a two-day Instructor Evaluation (IE). This means new professionals must make a well-informed choice from the beginning.
Rich Coast Diving was a PADI center for 32 years—eight of those as a PADI Career Center—before transitioning to SSI. Like many dive centers worldwide, we made the switch due to SSI’s high-quality courses, superior digital platform, and industry-leading benefits for both divers and professionals.
Curious why SSI is the best choice for your dive career? Read our blog: SSI vs. PADI: The Best Choice for Dive Instructors.
2. Finding the Right Dive Center for Your Divemaster Internship
Becoming a Divemaster is a significant challenge—don’t underestimate it! As a Rich Coast Divemaster trainee, you’ll spend extensive time shadowing instructors, assisting beginner courses, and guiding certified divers.
Since this is your first step into professional diving, choosing the right dive shop is crucial. Look for a center with a strong safety focus, experienced instructors, and a commitment to hands-on training. Conduct thorough online research, read reviews, and seek recommendations from divers who have completed their training. If possible, choose a dive shop you already know and trust.
Want to hear real experiences from past trainees? Check out our Divemaster stories and reviews here.
3. Divemaster Course vs. Internship: What’s the Difference?
A standard Divemaster course can be completed in several days, but an internship lasts anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks and offers significantly more hands-on experience. Some locations may offer shorter or longer programs, but one thing remains true: transitioning from recreational diver to professional requires mastering a vast amount of knowledge and skills.
At Rich Coast Diving, we offer 1 to 3-month internships that include up to five specialty courses and several experience workshops to ensure you graduate as a well-rounded Divemaster ready for employment.
As a Divemaster in training, you will be responsible for assisting courses and leading dive trips. A quick course may certify you, but it won’t necessarily prepare you for the real challenges of the job.
That’s why we highly recommend the internship option. Spending extra time in training will give you a deeper understanding of the industry, refine your skills, and help you decide if professional diving is truly the right path for your future.
4. Costs of the Divemaster Course
If you’ve made it this far in your scuba diving journey, you already know that investing in your professional training is a crucial step toward an exciting career. The cost of a Divemaster course varies depending on the dive shop, location, and equipment requirements, typically ranging from $1,000 to $2,000 USD. At Rich Coast Diving, we offer not just a course but an immersive, hands-on training experience that prepares you for real-world diving careers. Our 3 month divemaster internship costs $995 USD and includes:
Assisting recreational courses
Skill demonstrations and workshops
In-water skills training and rescue scenarios
A comprehensive SSI Crew Pack with waterproof cue cards, dive briefing slates, and exclusive SSI materials
Diving 4 life membership
Manta or Bullshark diving in the season
..and more !
Additional Costs to Consider
Equipment Rental
As a future dive professional, we strongly recommend owning your own gear. Familiarity with your equipment makes diving safer and more comfortable. If you don’t yet have everything you need, rental options are available, and as a professional trainee at Rich Coast Diving, you’ll receive special discounts on equipment rental throughout your program.
Mandatory Materials
Some essential personal gear is required for your training, including:
Mask, fins, and snorkel
Dive computer
DSMB with reel
Cutting device
Whistle
We recommend purchasing these before arriving, as costs may be higher or availability limited in certain locations. Contact us for a list of required materials and recommendations.
Medical Form
A physician-signed medical form is required for all professional-level courses and must be renewed annually. To avoid delays, we suggest getting this done before arriving at your training destination.
Insurance
As a dive professional, you’ll need insurance, which can cost around $150 USD per year, depending on coverage. Providers such as DAN or DiveAssure offer tailored plans—contact them for a quote.
Membership Fees: SSI vs. PADI
One of the many reasons Rich Coast Diving has chosen to transition to SSI is the cost-effectiveness for dive professionals. Annual SSI Divemaster membership fees are $85 USD vs $250 USD with PADI.
With SSI, active instructors who teach frequently can earn reward points to reduce or even eliminate their membership fees. This is great because SSI truly values your hard work and rewards you for it !
In contrast, PADI instructors pay a minimum of $530 USD annually for membership and EFR instructor fees. SSI instructors pay significantly less, making it a smarter choice for those serious about a long-term career in diving.
5. Take the Next Step: Become a Dive Instructor
Becoming divemaster is a significant life experience that should not be underestimated. Demanding but immensely rewarding, marking a highlight in anyone's scuba diving career. To witness the joy on people's faces as they learned to scuba dive for the first time and witness underwater moments with incredible Marine life.
Making friends for life, perfecting your scuba skills and knowledge and sharing this journey with fellow ocean lovers. Considering all this many are eager to take the next step and become a scuba instructor. As a divemaster your role is primarily as a dive guide. As a dive instructor a wider range of jobs and locations becomes available.
The SSI Instructor Training Course (ITC) takes up to 12 days after which you join the Instructor Evaluation and earn the Instructor rating.
Read more about the Instructor Training course HERE.
When you graduate as dive instructor you will be looking for your first job. Here at Rich Coast Diving we are proud that all of our divemaster and instructor candidates have found employment in the diving industry. We actively help our instructors to gain experience and help them applying for their dream job.
6. Getting Your First Job & Planning Your Career
Now is the perfect time to launch your diving career! With over 800 jobs posted on SSI and PADI job boards, opportunities are everywhere. Whether you dream of working in a dive resort, liveaboard, or conservation project, the dive industry is as diverse as any other profession. Skills like photography, marketing, languages and equipment maintenance can set you apart.
Explore Job Listings on the SSI Website
As a dive professional, one of the best resources for job opportunities is the SSI website: https://www.divessi.com/en/join-ssi/jobs-worldwide/jobs
This platform features job postings from dive centers around the world, making it a great place to find your next adventure. On this website you can also post your own CV and profile so you can be contacted by dive operations that are looking for dive professionals.
Working as a Dive professional in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the top diving destinations, offering job opportunities year-round. At Rich Coast Diving, we provide our best candidates the chance to stay on and gain more hands-on experience as Divemasters or Instructors. Additionally, we have an extensive global network of dive professionals and dive shop managers, and we actively assist our candidates with job placement.
Walk the docks
Sometimes, the best way to secure a job is to "walk the docks". Wherever you travel, visit local dive shops, introduce yourself to the staff, and hand out your diving CV. Building relationships with dive shop managers increases your chances of finding opportunities. Many dive centers need extra hands, and temporary or freelance work can often lead to long-term positions.
By combining these strategies, you’ll boost your chances of starting your career as a dive professional.
7. Apply for Your First Job as a Dive Instructor
As an SSI Career Center, Rich Coast Diving trains professionals who are job-ready. Our internship programs go beyond the basics, giving you real-world experience in:
Dive briefings and guiding
Assisting courses and training new divers
Equipment maintenance and retail sales
Organizing dive and snorkeling trips
Our Career Development Workshops ensure that by the time you graduate, you’ll have a polished CV, a strong application strategy, and even a letter of recommendation from us if needed.
8. Planning your dive career
Once you have gained a year or two of experience and you are serious about staying in the diving industry, we highly recommend you start developing more skills like:
Learn an additional language
Teach more Specialty Courses
Become a service technician for scuba gear
Get involved in Marine Conservation Projects
Become a compressor technician
Develop your photography or video skills
Learn photo or video editing and post processing
Get experience with social media marketing and online campaigns
Become an assistant manager if you enjoy managing people
Become a Assistant Instructor Trainer (SSI) or Instructor Trainer (IT)
By getting more skills you will guarantee yourself a job in the diving industry and a higher income which will help you do what you love in the future.
Coming back to the opening paragraph. Owning a Divecenter or being a dive instructor is not for everyone. But remember that the diving industry offers a wide range of job opportunities in different fields and levels of expertise.
Like with a career in any industry you need to plan. When you work on your skills and certifications and keep improving and moving forward you will get the dream job and location you are looking for. And it might happen sooner than you expect !
Are you interested to become a dive professional and want to know more? Do not hesitate to contact us today.
Rich Coast Diving
Mrs. Céline Monfort
Email: info@richcoastdiving.com
WhatsApp +506 8610 0914
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