SSI Open Water Diver course
in Tamarindo
Get your first international scuba diving certification in 3 days
4.9 Google rating!
$530 / person
Prices are in cash and do not include +3% service fee
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Everything is included for your Open Water Diver course
SSI eLearning
Online theory to complete at home before the course
All diving equipment
Wetsuit, BCD, regulator, mask, fins, everything provided
Bilingual SSI instructor
English & Spanish, max 3 students per instructor
Pool session & 4 dives
Pool session to practice the basics & 4 open water dives at the Catalina Islands
Drinks & snacks
On board during the boat trips to the Catalinas
Custom shaded boat
Comfortable shaded boat for the trip to and from the Catalina Islands
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SSI certification - recognized worldwide
Your SSI Open Water Diver card is internationally recognized and never expires. Once certified, you can dive with any operator around the world, up to 18 meters (60 feet), with a buddy of equivalent level.
Be Water Diving is an official SSI certified dive center based in Tamarindo, Costa Rica. All our instructors are fully SSI-qualified, bilingual, and trained to the latest standards, so your certification is in good hands from day one.
HOW IT WORKS
What happens over the 3 days
SPECIAL OFFERS
Add to your Open Water Diver course
Open Water + Advanced Diver combo
$980
Get both SSI certifications together and save, the best way to make the most of your time in Tamarindo.
Open Water + Perfect Buoyancy specialty
$620
Add this specialty to your Open Water course, learn proper buoyancy control from the start.
BEFORE YOU ENROLL
What do I need to start the course?
⚠️ Requirements & medical statement
To join the SSI Open Water Diver course, you need to be at least 10 years old and in good general health. No prior diving experience is required.
Before starting the course, you’ll complete a medical questionnaire. If you answer “yes” to any of the questions, you’ll need written clearance from a doctor before beginning your training. This is a standard requirement for all scuba diving certifications.
WHAT IS A SSI OPEN WATER DIVER COURSE?
Your first step into the diving world
The SSI Open Water Diver certification is the standard entry-level scuba diving certification, recognized worldwide. Once you have it, you can dive independently with a buddy anywhere in the world, up to 18 meters.
The course covers everything from the basics of how diving works to real open water dives at the Catalina Islands. You don’t need any prior experience, just be at least 10 years old, in good health, and comfortable in the water.
We keep our groups small, maximum 3 students per instructor, so you get proper attention throughout, not just a quick certification factory experience.
SSI Open Water Diver course in Tamarindo
Tamarindo is one of the most popular places to get a scuba diving certification on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. The combination of easy access to the Catalina Islands, warm water year-round, and a good range of certified dive centers makes it a practical and enjoyable place to learn.
Why get certified in Tamarindo?
The Catalina Islands, where you’ll do your four open water dives, offer a varied underwater environment with decent marine life for a learning setting. Sea turtles, reef fish, rays, and the occasional shark are common sightings. It’s a real dive site, not a controlled pool, which means you finish the course with actual open water experience under your belt.
Why choose Be Water Diving for your SSI certification?
Be Water Diving is an SSI-certified dive center based in Tamarindo, with over 10 years of experience running certification courses. Our instructors are fully qualified, bilingual, and genuinely invested in teaching properly, not just ticking boxes. Maximum 3 students per instructor, all equipment included, and open water dives at the Catalinas as part of the package.
FAQ
Your questions about the SSI Open Water Diver Course
No experience needed at all. The course starts from zero and takes you through everything step by step, from basic theory to real open water dives at the Catalina Islands.
Your 4 open water dives take place at the Catalina Islands, about 45 minutes by boat from Tamarindo. It’s one of the most well-known dive sites in Guanacaste, good variety of marine life and a great environment to learn in.
Yes, you’ll complete a medical questionnaire before the course begins. If you answer “yes” to any of the health questions, you’ll need written clearance from a doctor before starting. This is standard for all scuba diving certifications worldwide.
Maximum 3 students per instructor. We keep it small deliberately, you learn better with proper attention, and it’s more enjoyable for everyone.
Yes. The SSI Open Water Diver certification is recognized internationally and never expires. You can dive with any operator around the world once you have it.
Absolutely. The Open Water is the foundation of the SSI certification system. From there you can move on to the Advanced Diver, Rescue Diver, or specialty courses. We also offer a combo deal if you want to do both Open Water and Advanced back to back.
⚠️ No fly for 24h after diving is mandatory.
OTHER SSI COURSES
Continue your diving education
SSI Advanced Diver
Boost your diving skills with the SSI Advanced Diver course!
SSI Rescue Diver
Learn to manage diving emergencies and become a more confident, responsible diver
