Santa Maria: Discover Scuba Diving

Cape Verde’s underwater world gives this beginner session its real appeal. You start with simple theory and pool practice, then head by boat into the sea to look for stingrays, turtles, moray eels, reef fish, wrecks, and perhaps sharks.

I like the small groups of up to five, which give the instructor room to watch each person closely. I also like the split schedule: practice in the morning, a long break, then the ocean session in the afternoon. The main consideration is that you must swim confidently, and anyone who feels uneasy in open water may need extra patience before going below the surface.

The staff’s calm approach is a major strength. Mauricio, Xanti, Santi, Kush, Leo, and Eric are among the instructors praised for clear explanations and steady support. Bring a towel, swimwear, and biodegradable sunscreen, and leave at least 24 hours between this activity and your flight.

Key points at a glance

• Pool practice before the sea: You learn basic rules and get used to the equipment in controlled water before heading out by boat.
• A genuine first-time experience: No scuba certificate is needed, but you must be a confident swimmer and meet the health requirements.
• A small five-person limit: The group size allows close attention, especially useful if you feel nervous with breathing equipment.
• Marine life around Sal: Look for stingrays near wrecks, moray eels, turtles, schools of fish, coral, and possibly sharks.
• Seasonal wildlife: Turtles are more likely from June through November, while humpback whales may be seen from January through March.
• A full-day schedule: Morning instruction runs from about 8:30 to 11:30, followed by the boat outing from about 14:00 to 16:30.

From first lesson to first ocean session

This is not a rushed walk-up activity. Cabo Verde Diving gives you a morning block to understand the basic rules, handle the equipment, and practice in a pool or sheltered water at Bikini Beach.

The theory portion is short, but it matters. You need to understand breathing, equipment use, and the simple safety rules that make the activity manageable. For a first attempt, this preparation is more useful than being pushed straight into the sea.

The pool session is where you can get comfortable at your own pace. You learn what it feels like to breathe through the regulator, clear or adjust equipment, and move underwater. The instructors then have a chance to see how you respond before taking you offshore.

That step-by-step structure is especially valuable if you are curious but nervous. Several participants needed time to settle in once they reached the sea. Staff responded by slowing down, offering a hand, and guiding people gradually rather than treating anxiety as a problem.

The morning ends around 11:30. You then have a break before returning for the boat trip at about 14:00. That gap is practical: you have time to eat and rest, though food and drinks are not included.

The boat trip and the 30 to 45 minute sea session

The afternoon outing takes you from Santa Maria into the sea by boat. The underwater session lasts about 30 to 45 minutes, depending partly on how quickly you use your air supply.

That timing is normal for a beginner experience, and it gives you enough time to settle, look around, and enjoy the marine life without turning the first attempt into an endurance test. Your exact time below the surface will vary, so do not compare yourself with someone who already feels at ease using the equipment.

The supplied schedule also gives the ocean portion as roughly 14:00 to 16:30, allowing for preparation, the boat ride, and the time needed to get everyone in and out safely. The wider itinerary describes about 1.5 hours for the Santa Maria activity, so expect the afternoon to include more than the minutes spent underwater.

You may see stingrays hovering around local wrecks, fish sheltering near coral, and moray eels tucked into openings. Turtles are possible, especially between June and November. From January through March, there is also a chance of spotting humpback whales, although no wildlife sighting can be guaranteed.

The attraction is not just the animals. Wrecks, caves, coral areas, and open blue water give you different things to watch for. Your instructor will help you stay aware of your surroundings while you focus on breathing and keeping calm.

Why the instructors matter so much

For a first underwater session, the instructor can make or break the day. You are managing unfamiliar equipment, a new breathing rhythm, and the odd sensation of moving below the surface. Clear guidance matters more than a flashy route.

Mauricio is noted for patience and close attention from the training period through the ocean session. Xanti, also spelled Xante in one account, is praised for being calm, reassuring, and clear with beginners. Santi is also singled out for helping people feel safe throughout the activity.

Other named instructors include Kush, Leo, and Eric. Kush is remembered for patient explanations and steady support, while Leo is associated with a friendly training atmosphere and plenty of practical information. Eric is praised for keeping the session safe and enjoyable.

The most useful detail is how the team handles nerves. One participant panicked in the sea, while an instructor helped the person move down slowly, metre by metre. Another parent became uncomfortable underwater, so a staff member stayed with the child while the parent remained near the surface and snorkelled.

That flexibility is reassuring, but you should still be honest about your comfort level. The activity is designed for beginners, not for people who cannot swim or who are unwilling to enter open water. Staff can support nerves, but they cannot remove the need for basic confidence in the sea.

What you might see below Sal

The underwater sights here are varied enough to make a first session worthwhile. Wrecks can attract stingrays and fish, while coral areas offer shelter for smaller marine life. Moray eels may appear in cracks and openings, and turtles may pass nearby.

The description also notes a range of sharks and fish. This does not mean guaranteed close encounters, so set your expectations sensibly. The pleasure comes from being alert and noticing what appears, not from ticking off a fixed list of animals.

Season affects the possibilities. June through November is the stated period for turtle sightings, while humpback whales may be spotted in winter from January through March. Whale watching is an added possibility rather than the central purpose of the session, since your main time is spent learning and exploring underwater.

Visibility, sea conditions, air use, and wildlife movement can all affect what you see. A calm day may make it easier to enjoy the scenery, while a nervous beginner may spend much of the session concentrating on breathing and position. That is normal for a first attempt.

If you buy the optional photo or video package, you can take home a record of the experience. The package is not part of the stated $135 price, so ask about its cost before agreeing to it.

The value of the $135 price

At $135 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a day in Santa Maria. It is a reasonable price if you want a properly supervised introduction that includes equipment, instruction, transport arrangements, and a boat session.

The value comes from the structure. You are not simply hiring equipment and being sent into the water. You receive a theory lesson, pool practice, instructor supervision, and an ocean outing. Equipment is included, as are hotel pickup and drop-off where offered.

The small group limit of five makes the cost easier to justify. Close attention is particularly important when people have different comfort levels. A larger group could mean more waiting and less time with the instructor, while this setup allows more direct help.

Food and drinks are not included. Plan for your own meal or snacks during the break between the morning and afternoon sessions. You should also bring your own towel and swimwear. Biodegradable sunscreen is required as part of the recommended packing list.

The optional photo and video service can add to the cost, but it may appeal to you if this is a special holiday milestone. If you are mainly interested in learning, skip the add-on and focus on the experience itself.

Pickup, meeting points, and the Santa Maria timetable

A short bus transfer of about 10 minutes connects the listed pickup points with the activity area. Pickup and drop-off are offered at several hotels and locations, including Riu Funana, Hotel Riu Cabo Verde, Hotel Riu Palace Santa Maria, Robinson Cabo Verde, The Budha Beach Hotel, Angulo Beach, Porto Antigo Residence, Enacol, and others.

Pickup is specifically listed for Oasis Salinas, Oasis Belorizonte, Halos, Morabeza, Nha Terra, Ouril Pontao, Ocean Cafe, Villa Ao Mar, and Odjo de Agua. If you stay at one of these, confirm the pickup details in your booking confirmation.

Some hotels do not require a pickup. If you stay at Melia Tortuga, Melia Llana, Tui Blue, Melia Dunas, Vilaverde, or Tui Suneo, your meeting point is the Cabo Verde Diving center at Melia Tortuga. Other participants meet at Cabo Verde Diving Aquarium.

This distinction is worth checking before the morning of the activity. The fact that a hotel appears near Santa Maria does not necessarily mean a vehicle will collect you there. Your confirmation email tells you whether to wait at your hotel or go directly to a center.

The morning and afternoon schedule also affects your day. You are committing most of one day, not just a quick two-hour outing. That makes this a better choice for a planned activity day than for a last-minute add-on between other excursions.

Health, swimming, and flight rules

You must be able to swim confidently. This is a firm safety requirement, and the experience is not suitable for non-swimmers.

You also need to be in good health. If you have a medical condition, bring a doctor’s certificate confirming that you are fit for scuba activity. It is sensible to read the medical questionnaire before booking, rather than discovering a concern at the center.

The experience is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. The information provided does not give a maximum age, so contact the provider if you are unsure about your own situation.

Do not schedule this for the same day as your flight. You need at least 24 hours before flying after participating in a scuba or snorkeling activity. This rule can affect the end of your holiday, so place the session earlier in your stay.

You should also avoid alcohol and drugs before the activity. Intoxication is not allowed, and littering is prohibited. These rules are basic, but they matter in a setting where calm judgment and care for the sea are both important.

What to bring, and one useful clothing tip

Pack swimwear and a towel. Biodegradable sunscreen is the sensible choice for protecting your skin while reducing harm to the marine setting.

One participant specifically recommended taking a wetsuit because the water can feel cool. Even in warm Cape Verde weather, you may notice the temperature once you remain in the sea for an extended period. Ask the center about wetsuit availability and whether one is included before you arrive.

Food and drinks are not supplied, so carry what you need for the midday break. Keep your packing simple, and do not bring anything that could be lost or left in the water.

The center provides the scuba equipment. You do not need to arrive with your own mask, regulator, or tank, which keeps the activity straightforward for first-timers.

Who will enjoy this most

This experience suits you if you have always wanted to try scuba but do not want to commit to a full certification course. You receive an introduction, controlled-water practice, and one supervised sea session in a single day.

It is also a good fit for couples or families with mixed confidence levels, provided everyone meets the swimming requirement. The staff have shown they can support one person underwater while another stays near the surface, so a nervous participant does not necessarily ruin the day for everyone else.

You should book it if marine life interests you more than speed or sightseeing from shore. The pleasure comes from moving slowly and paying attention to small details around wrecks, coral, and rock.

It may not suit you if you want a long underwater session, several separate outings, or a relaxed activity with no physical demands. You need to swim, wear equipment, follow instructions, and remain calm enough to manage the basics.

The instructors speak French, English, Spanish, and Portuguese. That language range is useful when safety instructions need to be understood clearly, not just loosely followed.

Should you book Santa Maria’s beginner scuba session?

I would book this if you are a confident swimmer, have a full day available, and want a careful first taste of Cape Verde’s underwater world. The pool-to-sea format, five-person limit, and patient staff make the $135 price easier to defend than a basic boat trip with no instruction.

I would think twice if you are a non-swimmer, pregnant, medically unsure, or flying within 24 hours. Also remember that turtles, whales, sharks, and rays are possible sightings, not promises.

For the best chance of a relaxed day, read the medical form first, confirm your meeting point, ask about a wetsuit, and leave room in your schedule for the long break between sessions. If you do that, this is a well-planned introduction rather than a hurried dip below the surface.

FAQ

Is scuba certification required?

No. This is designed for beginners, and no certification is necessary.

How long does the activity last?

It is a full-day activity. Theory and pool or confined-water practice run from about 8:30 to 11:30, followed by the boat session from about 14:00 to 16:30.

How long are you in the ocean?

The ocean session lasts about 30 to 45 minutes, depending partly on your air consumption.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes. All participants must be able to swim confidently.

What equipment is included?

Scuba equipment is included. Food and drinks are not included.

Is hotel pickup available?

Pickup and drop-off are included where offered. Some hotels have direct pickup, while other accommodations require you to meet at Cabo Verde Diving Aquarium or the Cabo Verde Diving center at Melia Tortuga.

Can I fly on the same day?

No. You must allow at least 24 hours before flying after taking part in a scuba or snorkeling activity.

What marine life might I see?

Possible sightings include stingrays, moray eels, turtles, sharks, schools of fish, coral, wrecks, and caves. Turtles are more likely from June through November, and humpback whales may be spotted from January through March.