GoAbroad

Marine Scientist Training Costa Rica

$600-900Program Costs
VerifiedProvider
4.4 / 5Student rating
5Reviews
16Programs
1997Year established

Program Overview

Based at a PADI Platinum dive center on the beautiful Pacific coast of Costa Rica, this 4 or 10-week course trains you as a professional PADI Divemaster. Alongside your professional qualifications, you will gain skills and knowledge performing marine science research using underwater survey and data collection techniques. Your work contributes to the upkeep of scientific records, which help monitor the health of our oceans. You will emerge from the course with hands-on experience in marine research to back up your top-level scuba certifications.

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Program Highlights

Become a professional PADI Divemaster.
Learn, design, and carry out marine scientific surveys.
Contribute to the international record for conservation of fish and coral.
Swim with turtles, rays, sharks, dolphins, and even whales.
Develop your skills at the only PADI Center in Central America that offers training and certification in unique marine conservation specialties.

What's Included

All Program Activity Costs
Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
Certificate of Completion
Course Materials
Some Equipment
Airport Transfer (Drop-Off)
Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
Some Meals / Partial Meal Plan
Training

Quick Details

Location
Quepos, Costa Rica
Starts At$600-900
Availability
Year(s) Offered:Year Round
Intern Duration:
  • Summer
  • Winter
  • Short Term
  • Spring
  • 1-3 Months
  • 3-6 Months
  • Fall
Age Requirement18+
Types & Subjects
Adventure Types:
  • Ecology
  • Scuba
  • Snorkeling
Fields:
  • Marine Science
  • Scuba
Types:
  • Adventure Travel
  • Experiential Learning
  • Scuba Diving
  • Self-Discovery
GuidelinesAll Nationalities
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Updated Aug 27, 2026

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Quepos, Costa Rica

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered: Year Round
  • Intern Duration: Summer, Winter, Short Term, Spring, 1-3 Months, 3-6 Months, Fall
  • Gap Year Timing: After College, Career Break / Mid-Career, During College, During High School, Post High School

Eligible Nationalities

  • All Nationalities
  • This Program is also open to Solo, Couples, Group

Education Levels & Language

  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Accommodation Options

  • Home-stays

Application Procedures

  • Online Application

Age Requirement

18+

Duration

Summer, Winter, Short Term, Spring, 1-3 Months, 3-6 Months, Fall

Starts At

$600-900

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about Gapforce

4.4
5 reviews

Rating breakdown

5
2
4
3
3
0
2
0
1
0

Top categories

Program Administration
4.6
Health & Safety
4.6
Itinerary
4.5
Cultural Immersion
4.3
Satisfaction
4.3
Living Situation
4.0

Participated in this program? Share your experience now.

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Showing 1-5 of 5 reviews

Ella WoodUnited States · August 2026

A wonderful experience!

The program 100% met my expectations. I learned so much even in just four weeks. I would definitely recommend it to others; the program is also very flexible. I actually got my nudibranch awareness diver certification, which isn't part of the program, but I was interested in it, so I worked with the amazing people there to get it. The best part, as obvious as it is, was the diving. I loved learning new skills, but being able to apply them underwater was next level. I've definitely unlocked a new obsession. If you want to be a confident diver and learn about coral health and marine life, this program is for you :)

William Parkinson-LloydUnited Kingdom · December 2025

Best experience ever

This trip was the best it gave me so much travel confidence while still being in a secure and safe environment met so many new people and have made freinds which I can visit all over the world as well as in quepose

Photos

JasperkirkbyUnited Kingdom · June 2024

Simply brilliant!

I have made so many friends for life and found a new passion! Diving out of Quepos and working closely with the Marine conservation team is an incredibly special experience and well worth it! Thank you to all the team

Jackp123United States · June 2024

Jacks review

I have been in Costa Rica for just over a year and I can honestly say that the past 10 weeks with oceans unlimited have been the best time I’ve had here. Doing my eco dive master was really fun, especially having a roommate who was doing the same thing, so we could do things together. The whole community is so nice and inviting whether it is going out at night or doing a weekend trip, no one gets left out. Going from no diving experience to dive master in a short amount of time has been challenging but I have loved every day of it. All of the staff and instructors made me feel comfortable and are so caring. Some of the relationships I have made here I will never forget.

LeoGermany · January 2020

Living the dream

When I first heard about that program I thought that it sounds too good to be true. But it turned out that it has been exactly what was promised. Together with the experienced and flexible crew of the DiveShop Oceans Unlimited I feel like I became a professional and confident Divemaster. Thanks to the theoretical and practical teaching I could feel an improvement everyday during diving which motivated me to keep studying to become more and more professional. Their ability to adapt to every individual skill-level or handicap allowed all of my friends that I got to know during the program to become a Divemaster as well. Beyond my personal improvements in Scuba diving I made much experiences in teamwork, teaching but most of all sustainability and marine conservation. At first I was skeptical whether they could teach us all the specialities they where promising in only two and a half months. But the passionated members of the Marine conservation Costa Rica non profit organization, that works hand in hand with the dive shop, were able to teach us everything they promised and beyond. Special thanks to John Reinbott, a marine Biologist that worked in the Florida Keys and became a member of the non profit. He introduced me into the fascinating life and role of Corals, Nudibranch, Octopus, Sponges etc. It taught me so much and I definitely see the oceans with different eyes now, which has been one of many things that I wanted to achieve with this program. My homestay was really close to the Diveshop. The lovely local mom spread nothing but good vibes, love and good, fresh food. It always felt like coming home rather than coming back to just a homestay. She put a lot of effort in keeping the house clean and making me feel comfortable. Quepos, the little town where you will live is rather local than touristy. It gives you an interesting perspective on the culture and the local way of living. It feels safe and offers everything you need. ATMs, Coffeeshops, supermarkets, Sodas and a nice food market every weekend. A good contrast to Manuel Antonio, a touristy town 20min with the bus. It has an amazing beach just as the beautiful little national park. In conclusion I will say that my time in Costa Rica was a once in a lifetime experience that expanded my horizons and expanded my knowledge about the marine life and its conservation. Furthermore I became a good Divemaster and met many interesting people that I became friends with.

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Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

TeenLife Top 50 Gap Programs for 2026
GoAbroad Top Rated Provider 2024 - Gap Year Abroad
Top Rated Provider 2023 - Gap Year
YET 2023
CanGap
Year Out Group
Duke of Edinbrugh
Top Rated Gap Year Providers of 2020
Member of Gap Year Association
Top Rated Organization 2019 - Gap Year
World Youth Student & Educational Travel Confederation

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