Costa Rica
Scuba Certification
Scuba May Be Taken Alone Or In Combination With
Spanish, Surf, Yoga or Poi
There are only 8 spaces available in each session. Please book early to guarantee enrollment.
**Scuba certification programs require a minimum of 2 weeks at LEDS.**
SEATTLE CENTRAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Diving in Montezuma
The Central Pacific Ocean is home to many different reefs,
the majority of these are made of volcanic and coral formation with depths
ranging between 8 and 35 meters (25 - 115 feet). The
temperature of the water varies between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius (78 - 84 F) with a
visibility ranging from 10 to 30 meters (30 - 100 feet) depending on the season.
There are numerous dive sites all along the coast, including
in and around Tortuga Island, famous for its excellent visibility and large
variety of coral and tropical fish. Each
day, we make a careful selection of our dive sites based on changes in currents
and visibility among other factors. Our
32 foot boat is fully equipped with dive and safety equipment, indoor cabin,
bathroom, kitchen and sundeck.
"The instructors were the greatest strengths. The dive
locations were amazing, but if I hadn't been made so comfortable in the water
those wouldn't have mattered."
Christi Dimon; Harmony, Maine, USA
Scuba, Surf
The Fish!
Each day is a different experience and the fish you see will
vary. That said, we commonly see several
of the following: Spotted Eagle and Manta Ray, Zebra, Jewel and Fine-spotted
Moray Eels, Blue-spotted and Golden Jacks, Trumpet Fish, Rainbow
Runner, Blue-and-Gold Snapper, Spotted and Rainbow
Scorpionfish, Bloody Frogfish, Mexican Goatfish and
Mexican Hogfish (not making this up!), Bicolor Parrotfish, Angelfish, Pacific Boxfish, Spotted Sharpnose and Spotted Green Puffer, Freckled and
Spotted Porcupinefish, as well as White Tip Sharks (non-aggressive), Dolphin, Starfish
and many more surprises around every corner!
The Dive Sites!
Aquarius – This site gets its name from the huge quantity
and variety of tropical fish which surround divers during their immersion (I
think they meant to name it “Aquarium”).
The area is comprised of canyons and large elephant ear corals. The depth varies between 3 and 30 meters
which makes this site an excellent spot for divers of all levels of experience.
Bye Bye Reef – This exciting dive follows a current between large
volcanic rock walls on the eastern tip of Tortuga Island. Here you will come across many Spotted Jacks,
Manta Rays and Eagle Rays.
Cocalito – In front of the famous
“El Chorro” waterfall, this area offers three different sites with between 8
and 16 meters depth. Here you will swim
through clouds of tropical fish and White Tip Reef Sharks (non-aggressive).
Cañones – This site was
appropriately named for the numerous canyons that cover the ocean floor. In the caves you will find many lobsters,
various types of Moray and Parrotfish.
The depth ranges from 5 to 30 meters and has excellent visibility. It is also common to see Giant Turtles and
Southern Stingrays.
La Chancha – Located at the mouth of Bahia Ballena (Whale
Bay), this site is famous for its incredible Gorgonias, Scorpion Fish and Eagle
Rays found at depths of 8-24 meters.
Franklin Chang – This recent ship wreck lies at a depth of
23 meters, with its top reaching up to 17 meters below the surface. It is quickly attracting more and more marine
life including hundreds of different Snappers and Jacks.
We offer the CMAS 1 Star Diving Certification, recognized as the equivalent
of PADI’s Open Water Diving Certification.
CMAS – Confederation Mundial de Actividades
Subacuaticos (World Underwater Federation)
CMAS began as the world’s first international diver training
organization, under the guidance of the late, great, Jacques Cousteau. While its popularity has been surpassed in
recent times by PADI Dive Centers, CMAS has managed impressively to grow to a
membership of over one hundred countries.
Additionally, it is important to note that CMAS and PADI are not
mutually exclusive companies, as each association recognizes the other and
offers dives and courses to certificate holders of both companies.
CMAS takes diver training seriously and places the utmost
emphasis on three key areas: safety, diver competence and marine
conservation. To insure quality
instruction, CMAS programs provide comprehensive training at both the diver and
instructor levels. According to the
official website: “CMAS programs are based on a system of teaching and
mentoring that when combined produce divers who are superior in knowledge,
skills and abilities. As a result of
this comprehensive training, CMAS divers are not only safe and competent in the
water, but are also more appreciative of the marine environment.”
Once certification is obtained, you will be able to enjoy
fun dives at CMAS and PADI dive centers throughout the world!
Taking the CMAS 1
Star Diving Certification will involve the following:
Week 1
Monday - 2.5 hours of classroom instruction
Tuesday - 2.5 hours of classroom instruction
Wednesday - 3 hours in training pool
Thursday - 3 hours in training pool
Friday - 2 hours in training pool - Review and Skills Assessment Test
Saturday - 2 open water dives
Sunday - 2 open water dives
Week 2
Monday - Day off from Scuba/Alternate dive day
Tuesday - Last open water dive for certification (early morning or late afternoon)
Wednesday - Fun Dive (2 tanks; early morning or late afternoon)
Thursday - Fun Dive (2 tanks; early morning or late afternoon)
Friday - Day off from Scuba/Alternate dive day
Please note that due to weather, logistical and sometimes
unforeseen constraints, we may alter the above schedule to complete the course
in the most efficient and safest manner possible.
1 Star Diving Program
(equivalent to PADI Open Water Dive Certification)
The content of your
classroom study will include, but not be limited to, the following:
Course aims and administration
Introduction to diving equipment
Elementary signals
Pressure/volume relationship
Principles and use of Scuba
Basic physiology
Buoyancy devices
Diving suits and ancillary equipment
Equipment Care
Self rescue and buddy rescue
Safe diving practices
Site selection and conservation
The content of your practical lessons will include, but will not be limited to:
Intro to equipment
Scuba and snorkeling skills
Rescue skills
Scuba skills review
Scuba skills assessment
Share
Please see our Rates and Dates page for program fees and schedules.
Scuba Certification -
What's Included
2 Week Scuba Certification Only
Guided waterfall hike
13 nights accommodation at La Escuela Del Sol
Theoretical and Practical Scuba Training
Copy of Scuba course on CD-ROM
Basic CPR training
6 Scuba dives
Snacks and drinks on boat
Official certification card in hand before you leave
Fire show (most weeks)
Optional zip line canopy tour or guided horseback riding to private waterfalls
Spanish & Scuba Certification
2 Week Spanish and Scuba Certification
2 hours of Spanish classroom instruction, M-F
2 hours of applied learning (in class or outside), M-F
Spanish books and instructional materials
Theoretical and Practical Scuba Training
Copy of Scuba course on CD-ROM
Basic CPR training
6 Scuba dives
Snacks and drinks on boat
Official certification card in hand before you leave
Guided waterfall hike
13 nights accommodation at La Escuela Del Sol
Snacks and drinks on boat
Fire show (most weeks)
Optional zip line canopy tour or guided horseback riding to private waterfalls
3 Week Spanish and Scuba Certification
Includes all features of 2 Week Program plus:
1 more week's accommodation (20 nights total)
1 more week of Spanish classes
Optional fun dives (1 tank $60; 2 tanks $90)
4 Week Spanish and Scuba Certification
Includes all features of 3 Week Program plus:
1 more week's accommodation (27 nights total)
Another week of Spanish classes
Bonfire party
Scuba Certification & Yoga
2 Week Yoga and Scuba Certification
90 minutes of Hatha Vinyasa-style Yoga daily (M-F)
Guided waterfall hike
Theoretical and Practical Scuba Training
Copy of Scuba course on CD-ROM
Basic CPR training
6 Scuba dives
Snacks and drinks on boat
Official certification card in hand before you leave
13 nights accommodation at La Escuela Del Sol
Fire show (most weeks)
Optional zip line canopy tour or guided horseback riding to private waterfalls
3 Week Yoga and Scuba Certification
Includes all features of 2 Week Program plus:
1 more week's accommodation (20 nights total)
1 more week of Yoga classes (M-F)
Optional fun dives (1 tank $60; 2 tanks $90)
4 Week Yoga and Scuba Certification
Includes all features of 3 Week Program plus:
1 more week's accommodation (27 nights total)
1 more week of Yoga classes
More optional fun dives
4th week graduation bonfire
Scuba Certification and Surf
2 Week Surfing and Scuba Certification
Surfboard rental
Introduction to surfing on beach for beginners
2 hours of surfing instruction on Playa Grande, M-F
Theoretical and Practical Scuba Training
Basic CPR training
6 Scuba dives
Snacks and drinks on boat
Official certification card in hand before you leave
13 nights accommodation at La Escuela Del Sol
Fire show (most weeks)
Optional zip line canopy tour or guided horseback riding to private waterfalls
3 Week Surfing and Scuba Certification
Includes all features of 2 Week Program plus:
7 more nights of accommodation (20 nights total)
1 more week of surfing
Optional fun dives in 3rd week (1 tank $60; 2 tanks $90)
Optional class on third Friday to allow for extended travel
4 Week Surfing and Scuba Certification
Includes all features of 3 Week Program plus:
7 more nights of accommodation (27 nights total)
1 more week of surfing
Optional fun dives in 4th week (1 tank $60; 2 tanks $90)
Bonfire party
Scuba Certification & Poi
2 Week Poi and Scuba Certification
90 minutes of poi instruction, on beach or covered veranda, M-F
Free set of practice sock poi
2 fire shows by Eli (2 chances to light up if ready)
Introduction to fire safety if lighting up
Guided waterfall hike
Week 1: Daily Scuba instruction in classroom, pool, beach or boat
Weekend Scuba diving from boat
Week 2: Finish last dive for certification plus 2 fun dives during week
7 total Scuba dives
Basic CPR training
Snacks and drinks on boat
Official certification card in hand before you leave
13 nights accommodation at La Escuela Del Sol
Optional zip line canopy tour or guided horseback riding to private waterfalls
3 Week Poi and Scuba Certification
Includes all features of 2 Week Program plus:
7 more nights of accommodation (20 nights total)
1 more week of Poi classes (M-F)
3rd fire show by Eli (chance to light up if ready)
