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Rich Coast Diving - Why did we switch to SSI


We’re excited to announce that Rich Coast Diving has officially transitioned to an SSI Career Center, making us the first in Costa Rica to achieve this prestigious status !


We started offering SSI courses in April 2024 and over the past 8 months we have certified more happy divers than ever and our guests are all loving the experience our SSI Instructors offer.




For those not familiar with the organisation. SSI or Scuba Schools International was established in 1970 with the vision of making it possible for anyone to learn how to dive safely. Today, SSI is the world’s largest professional business-based training agency active in over 150 countries.


Rich Coast Diving the first SSI Career Center in Costa Rica

After 32 incredible years as a PADI dive center, including seven as a PADI Career Development Center, we are thrilled to announce our transition to SSI.


This change marks a significant step forward in our mission to provide the best possible diving experience for all our guests. As a dive shop, we couldn’t be happier with this move. SSI’s online platform and course materials are truly exceptional, setting the highest standard in the diving industry.


The streamlined tools and high-quality resources not only make our work easier but also allow us to focus more on what matters most: spending time with our valued guests. This transition has enabled us to create better, more confident divers, and our instructors and staff have been busier than ever teaching courses.


In this post, we’ll walk you through the reasons behind this transition and what it means for you.




SSI vs PADI Career Center Costa Rica


  1. Why Did We Switch to SSI?


Costa Rica is a top diving destination, attracting divers from all over the world. From the local dive sites in the Gulf of Papagayo to the seasonal sightings of majestic mantas at the Catalinas Islands and bull sharks at the Murciélago Islands, our waters are teeming with adventure.


Towards the future Playa del Coco is growing as destination for beginner and professional dive enthusiasts. In this respect our Dive center and the Dive Professionals working for us found in SSI a strong partner that can facilitate the needs of our customers with confidence and care. Many dive centers around the world have crossed over to SSI to offer a broader range of quality services to their guests.


The dive training of SSI offers more flexibility, in depth theory and focussed on training real life scenarios making our students become better divers. This is one of the reasons that SSI is the worlds largest business based training agency and fastest growing diving organization. SSI’s high quality course materials are regularly updated and available in over 40 languages. This means you can take any course in your own language, whether you're from Canada, Brazil, Sweden or Indonesia.



My SSI App phone


This greatly benefits our international guests that are visiting from all over the world. Available to all divers, the SSI App for your mobile device offers unparalleled options and benefits. Not only can you access all your course materials, certification cards, logged dives and dive sites. It also gives you the opportunity to discover new dive sites, find your next training center, dive destination, log your equipment maintenance and watch interesting diving videos. We highly recommend you to download the free app and have a look.



MySSI App QR code



  1. What Does This Mean for You ?


If you’ve trained with us before, rest assured. We continue to offer exceptional snorkeling and diving experiences, along with recreational training through SSI. All our divers are leave us raving reviews about getting certified with SSI because:


  • Comprehensive Learning: SSI’s course materials are constantly updated and available in over 40 languages, offering a global learning experience for our international visitors.


  • Special Offers: As an SSI career center, we offer exclusive promotions and discounts on courses and specialty certifications. Get more value for your training! For example, enjoy a free Specialty course with your Open Water or Advanced course during the Christmas Holiday Season, a Shark Specialty with your Advanced course, or 5 free specialties with our 3-month Divemaster program. Check out our latest deals here!



SSI Holiday Promo Rich Coast Diving


  • Tech-Savvy Solutions: With the SSI App, you can access everything from your course materials to certification cards, log dives, and even explore new dive sites and destinations based on your marine life bucket list — all at your fingertips.


  • Global Standards, Local Expertise: SSI’s approach to dive education is recognized worldwide and courses are ISO Certified, giving you confidence that your training is of the highest standard.



Dive instructor in Costa Rica



  1. Can I still come diving if I’am PADI certified ? 


Of course, and we look forward to show you the best dive sites of Costa Rica! It does not matter if you are certified with SSI, CMAS, PADI, NAUI, SDI or any other organization. Everyone is welcome to dive with us! And if you are looking to do your next course then it is comforting to know that your current dive certification has an equivalent rating with SSI including divemaster level. 



Diving Certification equivalency chart

Scuba diving certifications are equivalent across the different organizations. You can start your education with one organization and continue with another if you choose to do so.



  1. What is an SSI Career Center?


Being an SSI Career Center means we’ve achieved the highest possible rating for a dive center. It ensures we maintain the highest standards across all our recreational and professional training. From beginner to professional levels, we offer personalized, small-group training with multilingual and experienced instructors.



Reviews Rich Coast Diving


As an SSI Career Center, we’re equipped with improved infrastructure, a full-time in-house Instructor Trainer, along with Assistant Instructor Trainers and Instructors, enabling us to certify professionals at every level. Our first instructor course is scheduled to begin on 4th January, 2025, and we couldn’t be more excited!


And for all Dive Instructors in Costa Rica we offer the PADI to SSI crossover program. Do not miss the opportunity to become a SSI dive instructor. Contact us directly at info@richcoastdiving.com


As always, we remain your trusted dealer for Scuba Pro, Cressi, and now Mares equipment, catering to all your snorkeling and scuba needs.



Cressi, Mares and Scuba Pro Dealer in Costa Rica


For those looking to start or advance their dive careers, our Divemaster and Instructor Training Programs are designed to fit your schedule, with 1-3 month Divemaster courses available year-round and 4 Instructor courses offered annually.


We’ve already received outstanding feedback from our new SSI divers, who’ve shared rave reviews about their experience with our personalized courses and the benefits of being an SSI diver.



Best diving experience with SSI in Costa Rica

If you want to take advantage of the opportunities that SSI offers for dive professionals. Then read our blog about crossing over or becoming an SSI Dive Professional.



Rich Coast Diving

WhatsApp +506 8610 0914


Rich Coast Diving Logo






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