Exploring the world’s oceans through scuba diving offers unparalleled experiences, whether it’s diving with majestic marine life in Costa Rica or embarking on thrilling expeditions to world-class destinations. For those passionate about underwater adventures, there are three primary ways to dive:
Scuba Diving Travels to Costa Rica – Join groups traveling to Costa Rica to experience the country’s vibrant underwater life. If you want to know more see our Blog "Scuba Diving Trips in Costa Rica"
International Diving Expeditions – Travel with expert divers to renowned global dive destinations such as Revillagigedo, Raja Ampat, and the Red Sea.
Scuba Diving Travels to Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one of the top diving destinations in the world, attracting divers from across the globe. Each year, groups travel to experience the country’s breathtaking underwater world, including encounters with sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, and thriving volcanic rock reefs. The waters here are known for their volcanic rock formations, nutrient-rich currents, and biodiversity that rivals some of the best dive spots on the planet.
Past Scuba Diving Expeditions.
In 2024, we had the honor of hosting some incredible groups that contributed to an unforgettable diving experience in Costa Rica:
Dive Spot
Dive Spot is a premier diving organization recognized for its exploration of the world's top underwater destinations. Their team of experienced divers and instructors visited Costa Rica to immerse themselves in its diverse marine ecosystems, encountering manta rays, sharks, and vibrant volcanic rock reefs. This expedition was particularly special as it marked the first official expedition hosted at our dive shop, making it a milestone event in our journey. Known for their focus on underwater photography and marine conservation, their expedition in Costa Rica highlighted some of the most breathtaking dive sites, including deep pinnacles, caves, and drift diving along the Pacific coast.
For more information, visit Dive Spot's website.
Austral Divers
Hailing from Chile, Austral Divers is a distinguished PADI 5-Star Dive Center with over 20 years of experience in the diving industry. Based in Quintay, Valparaíso, they specialize in training divers and organizing diving expeditions. Their 2024 expedition to Costa Rica brought more than 14 divers, focusing on exploring the diverse marine biodiversity of Guanacaste, where they encountered a variety of species, including sharks, rays, and schooling fish. The group took part in multiple deep and drift dives, gaining firsthand experience of Costa Rica’s dynamic underwater environments. Known for their expertise in technical diving and group expeditions, Austral Divers brought a wealth of knowledge and experience, making their trip both educational and exhilarating
For more information, visit Austral Divers' website.
Required PADI Certifications & Diving Experience
To ensure the best experience during our diving trips and expeditions, divers must meet specific certification requirements baHire a Professionalsed on the location and type of dives planned.
Open Water Diver (OWD)
Minimum certification required for most dive sites in Costa Rica. Suitable for easy reef dives with little to no current.
Advanced Open Water Diver (AOWD)
Recommended for deeper dives, strong currents, and drift diving in locations such as Bat Islands and Revillagigedo.
Enriched Air Nitrox Certification
Required for most liveaboard expeditions, including Revillagigedo, Raja Ampat, and the Red Sea, as it allows for longer bottom times and reduced nitrogen absorption during repetitive dives.
Rescue Diver Certification & Experience
Recommended for advanced expeditions where conditions can be challenging due to depth, current, and exposure.
For those who need to upgrade their certifications before an expedition, we offer training programs to help divers prepare for these advanced adventures.
The Importance of Nitrox for Liveaboards
For multi-day diving expeditions, particularly on liveaboard trips, the use of Enriched Air Nitrox is highly recommended and, in some cases, required. Liveaboard schedules often involve three to five dives per day, and using Nitrox helps to reduce nitrogen buildup in the body, allowing for safer and more comfortable dives with shorter surface intervals.
If you’re planning to join one of our Red Sea, Raja Ampat, or Revillagigedo expeditions, we highly encourage obtaining a Nitrox certification in advance to maximize your experience and safety.
International Scuba Diving Expeditions
For those looking to take their diving experiences beyond Costa Rica, we host international expeditions to some of the world’s most exciting diving destinations.
Revillagigedo, Mexico
Often called the Mexican Galápagos, the Revillagigedo Archipelago is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its dramatic underwater encounters. This remote destination offers some of the best big-animal diving in the world, with giant manta rays, schools of hammerhead sharks, dolphins, and even whale sharks making frequent appearances. The strong currents and deep dives make it a thrilling experience, best suited for Advanced Open Water divers with drift diving experience.
Raja Ampat, Indonesia
Located in the heart of the Coral Triangle, Raja Ampat is considered the most biodiverse marine ecosystem in the world. With over 1,500 fish species and 600 coral species, this Indonesian paradise offers pristine volcanic rock reefs, wobbegong sharks, manta rays, and rare critters such as pygmy seahorses. The diversity of dive sites, ranging from shallow coral gardens to steep drop-offs, makes it a must-visit for any serious diver looking for an untouched underwater paradise.
The Red Sea, Egypt
A bucket-list destination for divers, the Red Sea offers a mix of historic wreck dives, pristine volcanic rock reefs, and large pelagic encounters. This year, we are thrilled to announce a special expedition to the Red Sea, happening from September 22 – October 4, 2025.
Our adventure begins with a land tour, taking divers and travelers through Egypt’s most legendary cultural and historical landmarks. We will explore the Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum, and the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, immersing ourselves in ancient history before setting sail for the diving expedition.
The diving portion will be conducted via a luxury liveaboard, allowing for multiple daily dives in some of the most spectacular locations of the northern Red Sea. Key dive sites include:
SS Thistlegorm Wreck – A legendary World War II shipwreck, considered one of the best wreck dives in the world.
Abu Nuhas Wrecks – A graveyard of sunken ships offering unique exploration opportunities.
Ras Mohammed National Park – Famous for its dramatic walls, massive schools of fish, and stunning coral formations.
Shaab El Erg – Known for frequent dolphin encounters and crystal-clear waters.
Gubal Island – Offering deep wreck dives and thrilling night dives with impressive biodiversity.
With exceptional visibility and warm waters year-round, the Red Sea is ideal for divers of all experience levels. However, due to the depth and wreck diving conditions, we recommend that participants have at least an Advanced Open Water Diver certification and Nitrox certification to fully take advantage of extended bottom times.
For more details and to download the full itinerary, visit this link.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What certification do I need to dive in Costa Rica?
Most dive sites in Costa Rica can be accessed with an Open Water Diver certification, but for more advanced sites with strong currents, such as Bat Islands and certain deep pinnacles, an Advanced Open Water certification is recommended.
Do I need a Nitrox certification for liveaboard trips?
Yes. For extended international diving expeditions, particularly liveaboards such as the Red Sea, Revillagigedo, and Raja Ampat, a Nitrox certification is required to extend bottom time and reduce fatigue.
When is the best time to dive in Costa Rica?
Diving in Costa Rica is great year-round, but the best visibility and manta ray sightings occur between November and May, while bull sharks are most commonly seen at Bat Islands from May to September.
What is included in international diving expeditions?
Our expedition packages include accommodation, diving, meals, and local guides. Some trips, such as the Red Sea expedition, also feature land tours to explore cultural sites.
How do I prepare for a diving expedition?
We recommend maintaining good physical fitness, ensuring your dive gear is serviced, and completing a refresher course if you haven’t been diving recently. For advanced expeditions, experience in drift diving and deep diving is beneficial.
Join a Scuba Diving Adventure
For more information or to reserve your spot, contact us today!
Alvaro Alvarado
Sales and Marketing
We look forward to diving with you!
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