Introductory Scuba Diving at Catalina Islands, Costa Rica: Tour for the Beginners

Experience the thrill of scuba diving in Costa Rica’s Catalina Islands. This 5-hour introductory course is perfect for beginners looking to try scuba diving for the first time. No certification required!

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Islas Santa Catalina - Have you ever wonder what it is like to breathe underwater? If you want to try diving, but do not feel ready to get certified, then the PADI Discover Scuba Diving course is perfect for you!
    Although it is not a certified course, this Discover Scuba Diving is the easiest and fastest way to introduce you to the exciting…
What's Included
  • Diving Equipment
  • Diver - Guide
  • Snacks on Boat: Ice tea, water, seasonal fruits, cookies.
  • Hotel Pick Up & Drop Off - Selected Areas.
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Diving Computer and Underwater Cameras
Additional Information

Join an introductory scuba diving course in Costa Rica to explore this exciting sport with two beginner-friendly dives at the Catalina Islands. This 5-hour program is designed for those new to scuba diving and without prior certification. While a PADI certification is not included, participants will enjoy a firsthand scuba experience in the inviting waters of Guanacaste.

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
Location
Pacific Coast Dive Center
Ruta Nacional Secundaria 180
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(227 Ratings)
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Finickyt
Feb 21, 2026
Incredible experience!! - This was such an incredible experience for us. Our instructor Sammy was so fun to work with and taught us the skills we needed in a way that was easy to understand, which allowed us to have a worry-free diving experience. We had no scuba or snorkeling experience prior to this but we are hooked. Sammy was attentive to us every moment of our dives and pointed out tons of oceanic life, include a variety of eels and fish, and even white tip sharks. All of the instructors were so friendly and fun to be around, it took the “newbie” nerves away instantly. I cannot recommend Pacific Coast enough for newbies like us, or experienced divers.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Loganct2444sg
Feb 2, 2026
First dive success - Sandra was incredible for me and my dad’s first dive, helping make sure we were ok under the water and pointing out wildlife that we might have missed. Very good first dive and recommend them if you have any sort of inclination to dive
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Gat3433ah
Jan 10, 2026
Amazing Time Diving - Really phenomenal experience. We did two dives with a course instructor, Risky. I can’t say enough good things about him as instructor. He did an incredible job helping us to learn the ropes, keep us comfortable, and ensured we remained totally safe at all times. Obviously nobody can guarantee what you see. But Risky can guarantee you have a good time. His teaching methods were spot on for us to remember that various aspects of scuba. I’d recommend anybody looking into some sort of scuba tour to go with this group, Risky specifically. The crew, equipment, boat was all excellent. Definitely a trip worth taking.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jimwp3085lu
Jan 10, 2026
Great Experience - The team at Pacific Coast Dive Center created a great experience. Our instructor, Sandra, was patient and knowledgeable. She was very personable and engaged the entire trip. The entire team created a relaxed atmosphere while insuring everyone’s comfort and safety. I would highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Courtneywa9244tq
Jan 9, 2026
Our first dive! - Great time with a fantastic crew. You know you are taken care of at Pacific Coast. Friendly guide who helped keep us safe during each dive.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sophiewu3967ow
Jan 6, 2026
Safe and incredible first diving experience - Doing Discover Scuba Diving with Pacific Coast Dive Center was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. The pool training session was super informative and I felt totally confident getting in the ocean for my first dive. We descended super slowly and our guides checked in on us constantly to make sure we were comfortable and adjusting well to the pressure changes. We saw hundreds of colourful fish, cushion sea stars, Moray eels and 3 beautiful white tip reef sharks! I feel like I really got the full scuba diving experience and I can’t wait to get certified!! This is a fantastic place to try out scuba diving for the first time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
413elsao
Dec 27, 2025
Great experience! - An experience we certainly won’t forget. We were a group of 3, just our family plus guide. We didn’t get the chance to thank our guide Sammy properly, in our opinion the absolute best one there. He seemed like he really loved being there helping us. He noticed if we were a bit unsure and made us feel so safe. Very humorous and funny too. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eohlstrom
Dec 26, 2025
Great tour with great staff and many different fishes. - Really nice tour and well prepared. We saw sharks, one ray, stone fish, moray eels among a lot of other smaller fishes. We stated in a pool to learn the most important things (or relearn, as I have a diving certificate since many years back, but equally long since I have been diving). Then out by boat to Catalina Islands. Really cool to see my kids 16 and 18 yo diving! They thought it was a really great experience and started to think about geting a certificate for themselves.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sébastien
Dec 20, 2025
Great - Great experience, great tips and skills by the instructor (Sami). Whole crew on board really friendly and professional.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
444denisez
Feb 21, 2026
Beautiful Dive, but with a Bitter Note - The diving experience was beautiful in terms of scenery and visibility. However, I left feeling uncomfortable because of one specific situation: during the dive, the instructor deliberately disturbed an octopus to make it release ink. I found this unnecessary and disrespectful toward marine life. As divers, we expect professionals to promote responsible wildlife interaction and conservation, not to provoke animals for a reaction. I hope the company can reinforce responsible diving practices and prioritize the well-being of the ecosystem.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $223
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).