Tamarindo

Tamarindo trip ideas

Try Scuba Diving / Basic Diver

Badge of ExcellenceTamarindo, Costa Rica

7 hours
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Learn the basics of scuba diving with an introductory course on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Depart from Tamarindo, then set out for the Catalina Islands with your scuba guide. Your course covers the essential skills of scuba diving, and you’ll do two dives where you view fish and other marine life. Your tour includes use of scuba equipment, and pickup from select Tamarindo locations.

Insightful commentary shared by the guide
No experience or certification needed
Snacks and beverages provided on the boat
Includes hotel pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle

What's Included

Snacks
Bottled water
Soda/Pop
Use of Scuba equipment
Air-conditioned vehicle
All Fees and Taxes
Scuba instructor

Tips
Sun protection (hats, sun screen etc.)

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

TamaDive Tamarindo - Diving Center
Avenida central. 80 metros al este del banco nacional Guanacaste Tamarindo, Provincia de Guanacaste, Tamarindo, 50309, Costa Rica
Meeting time is 6.15am

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

Opening hours

10/9/2021 - 5/17/2025
Monday - Sunday : 07:00 AM - 05:00 PM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

We can pick you up at your place for free as long as it is in Tamarindo or Langosta. We will always contact you the day before the activity about pick up.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 12 hours of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
Not wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Jasmine_V

My friend and I opted to go for our first try with TamaDive and we were very pleasantly surprised about the whole experience. Franko was in contact with me beforehand to explain things, give us access to the diving app, theory information, and answer any questions. Once we got to the center, they had coffee for us, made sure we each had equipment that fit us, and gave us a very detailed description/teaching of how to actually scuba safely. Our guide was incredibly patient. We were both a little nervous even though we had read the theory and had a thorough demonstration at the center. But our guide was so calm, he brought each of us down a few feet below the surface one at a time to make sure we felt comfortable with all the different maneuvers. At any point if I got panicked even the slightest, he would make sure I knew that he was in control. Being underwater and unable to talk, he still made me feel completely safe and was able to calm me down and get me to focus on my breathing. Once we went under, he was still able to guide us through, making sure he took pictures of everything, showing us all varieties of the sea life (sharks, eels, SO many different kinds of fish, starfish, etc), and he still maintained visual contact with us the entire time, and checked in with us every couple of minutes to make sure we were still okay and had no issues. The entire team was so great and I am so grateful that they worked so hard to make sure we had an amazing experience and most of all, that we felt 100% safe the entire time. Would absolutely recommend for a first timer or anyone who wants to dive

Reviews

5.0

147 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 147 reviews

Awesome Dive Experience!!

Susan_L, Apr 2024

Miguel helped navigate the whole on line process, and he was so patient!! Franco was an amazing dive partner for my son who is certified, and Ignacio was super attentive and gentle with me, a 62 year old virgin diver. I can’t say enough about their professionalism, humor and, customer service!!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

It's fantastic to read that our staff provided such outstanding support and guidance throughout your diving experience! From navigating the online process to ensuring both you and your son had memorable dives, their professionalism and care shine through. We're delighted that they made your first diving experience at 62 years old such a positive and enjoyable one. Thank you for highlighting their excellent customer service, humor, and attention to detail. We hope to welcome you back for more underwater adventures soon!

Safe, fun, friendly

Kristi_R, Apr 2024

Ignacio was fantastic! Both dive instructors were very professional and protective. When I got seasick, they did everything they could to help. We loved our experience with them. Would recommend!

Response from Host, Apr 2024

We're so pleased to hear that our dive instructors provided such exceptional care and professionalism during your experience with us. It's never easy dealing with seasickness, but we're glad they were there to support you every step of the way. Your recommendation means the world to us, and we're grateful for the opportunity to have shared this memorable diving experience with you. Thank you for your kind words!

Great first dive experience

Beth_B, Mar 2024

I had so much fun on my dive day! Miguel was an excellent dive instructor - very patient and focused on safety. The whole program was organized and well done. My first time diving and I loved being underwater and seeing all the fish and creatures. We saw sharks, eels, spotted eagle rays and many different types of fish. Would recommend and would dive again with TamaDive. Thank you for a great experience!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

We are thrilled to hear that you had such a fantastic time on your dive day with us! It sounds like Miguel did an outstanding job as your dive instructor, ensuring both your enjoyment and safety throughout the experience. Exploring the underwater world for the first time must have been exhilarating, especially with such a diverse array of marine life to encounter, from sharks and eels to spotted eagle rays and various fish species.

Amazing first time!

Jasmine_V, Mar 2024

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience with us. We're absolutely thrilled to hear that your first diving experience with us exceeded your expectations. Thank you once again for choosing us, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. We look forward to welcoming you back for more underwater adventures in the future!

Awesome scuba trip

Scott_S, Dec 2023

Excellent scuba trip. Miguel was awesome. Very patient and understanding for first timer. We got within 3 feet of sharks. Great views.

Response from Host, Dec 2023

Thank you so much for taking your time to leave us this great review. Certification is the next step ;)

It was on my husbands...

Paula_T, Sep 2023

It was on my husbands bucket list, we enjoyed ourselves on our 20th anniversary. Would recommend it.

Response from Host, Sep 2023

Thank you for joining us on the dives and happy anniversary. Remember, you should get certified 😉

Amazing dive with great guides

Jason_T, Aug 2023

My wife and I booked the non-certified dive experience during mid-August. We were picked up at a nearby hotel and brought to their office location where we were walked through the requirements and waivers. Luis patiently talked through the what we would be doing and what to expect on the dive while we were fitted with equipment that looked and worked great. Afterwords we were driven with a small group of certified divers up to Playa Hermosa. After a few minutes there was a small boat that took us (5 guests, 3 guides and the captain) out to another boat that had all of our equipment set up and ready to go. The trip out to the 1st dive site took about 20 minutes and was fairly calm. Along the way we stopped for a few minutes to watch a pair of sea turtles, and enjoy the beauty of the area. My wife and I were then instructed on how to get the gear on again, and were able to dive in with our guide Luis. The first dive was amazing as Luis very patiently walked us through all of the skills for the dive and helped calm nerves for our first dive. The are was very beautiful with so many different types of life to see. After the first dive of around 45 minutes we loaded back onto the boat and picked up the other diving group. They had some cookies and fresh pineapple for everyone while we relaxed and took our time going to the second dive site. My wife decided to sit out the second dive so it was just Luis touring me around. Again, the experience was incredible! So many fish types (scorpion, clown, trigger, tang, angel, damsel) and also octopus, shark, eel, and coral. Luis also stopped point out that we could hear faint whale song in the background. At the end of the dive, we all gathered again on the boat where more pineapple and drinks were handed out while we all headed back to shore. The whole process felt very safe with them clearly identifying what we could and could not do, and helping guide us along every step of the way.

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Thank you so much for sharing your detailed review of your dive experience with us! One small correction, we are not leaving from Playa Hermosa but from Playa Potrero. We're thrilled to hear that you and your wife had such a positive and memorable time during your adventure. Safety is our top priority, and we're glad to hear that you felt secure throughout the entire process. Our team's commitment to providing clear instructions and expert guidance is something we take pride in.

Great experience!

Camron_N, Jul 2023

We had an awesome experience scuba diving. We loved that we were able to go for two different dives at two different locations. Franco was very knowledgeable and helpful throughout the whole process. We highly recommend!

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you for diving with us and leaving us this review. We always strive to provide our customers with diverse and exciting experiences, and we're glad you appreciated the variety. We hope to welcome you back for more underwater adventures in the future.

Great scuba experience

Mason_E, Jul 2023

One of our favorite experiences of the entire trip. We had no scuba experience and in no time we were in the water. Franco was our instructor and he was fantastic. We saw so many fish, shark, octopus, eel, lobster. Worth every penny.

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you for leaving us this great review. It's very much appreciated. We hope we see you again in the future.

Get your feet wet with these guys!

Victor_H, May 2023

We had an amazing time with this tour operator - and a special shoutout to Jose who was an incredibly patient and attentive instructor (and prepped our gear and drove us to and from the dive spot). You meet at the tour operator's dive shop in Tamarindo and then head on over to a nearby beach to dive near the Catalina Islands. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who wants to explore SCUBA diving and its scared to take a certification course. The tour is intentionally kept small so that is safe. Attached photos are from the GoPro our dive instructor was operating.

Such a great experience!

Courtney_H, Oct 2022

This was such a great experience! Pur guides were so kind and patient. They really made it easy to learn and understand everything. We would definitely book with them again!

amazing first dive

Maike_J, Sep 2022

We had such an amazing experience! It was our first time diving and it couldn’t have been better. Chris is a very kind person and your going to have a lot of fun:) The underwater world of Costa Rica is so pretty, definitely worth seeing!

Merveilleux

Valerie_L, Jan 2024

Un super moment..une incroyable initiation avec Franco au petit soins et à l écoute de ses clients.. il nous a super bien mis en confiance et du coup la plongée s'est merveilleusement bien passé.... je recommande ce centre et n hesiterai pas à faire appel à eux si je reviens au Costa Rica

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Un immense merci pour votre élogieux commentaire! Nous sommes ravis d'apprendre que votre initiation à la plongée s'est déroulée de manière aussi fantastique. Nous nous efforçons constamment de fournir un service exceptionnel et de créer une expérience inoubliable pour nos clients. Nous serions ravis de vous accueillir à nouveau lors de votre prochain séjour au Costa Rica. Bonnes explorations et à bientôt !

Mémorable !

Sofia_G, Feb 2020

TamaDive est sans doute l'organisme de plongée à choisir les yeux fermés. Anxieuse d'effectuer mon baptême de plongée, mon moniteur Franco fût patient, pédagogue, consciencieux et à su me détendre avec sa touche d'humour... Au programme une bonne humeur du staff sur le bateau, une prise en charge et retour à l'hôtel mais surtout une large diversité de poissons, un poulpe, des raies... et des requins à pointe blanche! J'ai tellement adoré que je suis repartie en plongée avec TamaDive 3 jours plus tard. Merci pour cette expérience inoubliable ;)