Curso Orientación | Workshop in Playa Blanca |

Read the full experience

Costa Rica is renowned for its vibrant marine life and crystal-clear waters, making it a premier destination for diving enthusiasts. At Pura Vida Diving, located in this tropical haven, you’ll find a specialized 9-hour course designed to elevate your underwater experience through expert navigation techniques. This program combines classroom instruction with two open water dives, focusing on compass use, natural orientation, and distance estimation. Whether you're a novice or an experienced diver, mastering underwater navigation significantly boosts confidence and safety. What sets this course apart is its comprehensive approach, blending practical skills with the chance to explore Costa Rica’s rich aquatic ecosystems. Participants learn to read their surroundings, identify natural bearings like seafloor features, and accurately gauge distances—all crucial skills for independent dives and exploring remote sites. As part of the SSI Orientation Specialty certification, graduates walk away with tangible credentials and a newfound sense of independence beneath the waves. Pura Vida Diving is centrally located in Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, an area famed for its biodiversity and clear waters. The company’s experienced instructors emphasize safety, environmental stewardship, and personalized feedback, making each session both educational and enjoyable. After completing this course, divers often find themselves more equipped to undertake longer, more challenging dives or simply enjoy the underwater world with increased confidence. Whether you're planning a tropical vacation or a dedicated scuba trip, this orientation course offers invaluable skills to improve your diving adventures. It’s an ideal choice for adventurers looking to deepen their connection with the ocean while honing essential navigation techniques.

Trip highlights

Difficulty

Moderate.

Duration

6–8 hours.

Fitness level

Moderate fitness required; participants should be comfortable with outdoor activity.

Frequently asked questions

Is previous diving experience required?

Yes, participants should have Open Water certification or equivalent.

Can I take the course if I am a beginner diver?

It's recommended to have basic diving skills before enrolling in navigation-specific training.

What are the prerequisites for certification?

Completion of the course with practical dives and passing the assessment.

How do I prepare for the course?

Review basic diving skills and ensure your gear is in good condition.

What if I have anxiety about underwater navigation?

Instructors provide personalized support to build your confidence step-by-step.

Are there any physical requirements?

Participants should be comfortable swimming and have a moderate level of fitness.

Local insights

Wildlife

Schools of tropical fish
Reef sharks

History

Costa Rica’s Pacific coast has a longstanding reputation for rich maritime history and vibrant reefs, attracting divers worldwide since the 1960s.

Conservation

Pura Vida Diving emphasizes eco-friendly practices and coral reef preservation to maintain the health of local ecosystems.

About Pura Vida Diving

Pura Vida Diving is a dive center based in Playa Blanca, Canarias, offering guided dives, certification courses and multi-dive packages for visitors to Lanzarote. The center runs a range of experiences from introductory bautizos and snorkel tours to professional-level training such as Divemaster and Instructor programs. Activities include single and double immersions at the Museo Atlántico, specialized courses like Nitrox, Deep Diving and Night Diving, plus Extended Range and Decompression Diving options. Training follows recognized standards, with specific programs listed such as the Perfect Buoyancy SSI course, Scuba Diver to Open Water progression, Rescue and First Aid, and Instructor SSI Open Water preparation. Multi-dive packages (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 dives) provide guided dives with complete gear, daily transport on select packages, eco-friendly snacks and family-oriented amenities including a kids play area. Several programs include certification dives, confined water practice and open water sessions with clear hour estimates where provided. Pura Vida Diving emphasizes eco-guided museum dives at the Museo Atlántico and structured training pathways including Assistant Instructor and Respond Right Instructor preparation. Courses specify age minimums when applicable, for example introductory dives are available from age 8. The center advertises no-expiration dive packages for returning divers and offers practical skills training such as buoyancy, underwater navigation and fish identification. All listed trips and course names reflect the center’s publicly offered schedule and program summaries. Schedules include single dives, multi-day courses and special trips such as Mar Rojo 2025 and wreck diving courses focused on pecios (barcos hundidos). Check schedules.

Base locationPlaya Blanca, Canarias

Tours offered36+

Adventure tips

Arrive with Basic Diving KnowledgeFamiliarity with scuba basics will help you maximize learning during the course.

Practice Natural Navigation FeaturesPay attention to seafloor features and natural clues to improve your orientation skills.

Bring Your Certification CardEnsure you have your diving certification ready for a smooth registration process.

Schedule Water Conditions AccordinglyChoose days with calm seas for ideal diving conditions and clear visibility.

Recommended gear

Mask and Snorkel: Clear vision is vital for effective navigation underwater.
Underwater Compass: Essential for practicing precise directional control during the course.
Wet Suit: Keeps you comfortable and protected during your dives.
Surface Marker Buoy: Helpful for signaling your position during navigation exercises.