Price $1355 per Diver
Explore Costa Rica’s vibrant marine life with the two-week Shark Monitoring Program. Dive alongside sharks and rays while contributing to critical conservation efforts along the Guanacaste coast.
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Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2 weeks, daily dive sessions varying from 2–4 hours
Fitness Level
Participants should be in good health with moderate to high fitness to handle diving and fieldwork.
Wildlife
History
Costa Rica established the Guanacaste Marine Conservation Area in the 1990s to protect its rich coastal ecosystems, making it a pioneer in marine preservation.
Conservation
The program emphasizes sustainable diving practices and minimizes environmental impact through strict guidelines and participant education.
Rich Coast Diving
Price $1355 per Diver
Rich Coast Diving is a dive operator based in Coco, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica, offering a full range of scuba training, guided dives, conservation programs, and short-term dive insurance. The center runs PADI and SSI courses from introductory experiences—Try Scuba and Scuba Diver—to full Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, and Master Scuba Diver certifications.
The operation offers multi-length Divemaster internships (one-, two-, and three-month options) that prepare candidates for professional work; the three-month program includes both SSI and PADI certifications. Specialty courses cover more than 20 options such as deep diving and underwater photography, and focused ecology specialties on sharks, mantas, and sea turtles. Marine Conservation Programs run at multiple levels (one-week, two-week, and four-week options) and include fish monitoring and species-specific monitoring programs like shark and pufferfish surveys.
Daily experiences include two-tank morning dives in the Gulf of Papagayo for certified divers, guided snorkel tours, and pool-based refresh sessions paired with morning dives led by multilingual PADI instructors. Dive insurance is available through DAN short-term plans covering 1–30 day options with incremental coverage levels. First Aid and other safety courses are offered.
Rich Coast Diving emphasizes safety, certifications recognized worldwide, and field-based conservation training in biodiverse Pacific waters. The center serves divers of all levels seeking professional training, wildlife encounters, or career-focused internships in Costa Rica.
Location
Coco, Guanacaste
Located in Guanacaste Province
Tours & Courses
26+
Dives, courses, and internships
Certifications
PADI & SSI
Worldwide-recognized training
Insurance Range
$20–$60 USD
Short-term DAN coverage options
Secure a spot for guided dives, specialty courses, or multi-week internships—short-term DAN dive insurance available from $20 to $60 USD.
Bring Your Own Dive Gear
Having your personal dive equipment ensures comfort and familiarity during long monitoring dives.
Hydrate Frequently
The tropical heat can quickly dehydrate you—drink plenty of water before and after dives.
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Protect delicate marine ecosystems by applying environmentally friendly sunscreen before water exposure.
Respect Marine Life
Maintain distance from animals and avoid touching coral to minimize impact on this sensitive environment.
Dive Mask and Snorkel
A quality mask provides clear vision underwater essential for species identification.
Wetsuit (3mm or thicker)
Protects against cooler water and sun exposure during long dives.
summer
Underwater Slate or Notebook
Needed for recording observations during dives efficiently.
Waterproof Camera or GoPro
Capture marine life encounters to document your experience and aid identification.