The 9 Best Colombia Scuba Diving

1.San Andres: Scuba Diving Experience with Hotel Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 192 reviews · 3 hours · from $50Our pick

Start with hotel pickup, a safety briefing, and hands-on practice before heading to Big Mamá on San Andrés’ southwest coast. Your ADI-certified instructor, such as Manuel, Chris, or Sebastian, stays with you for a 45 to 50-minute scuba session to 12 meters, where you may see fish, coral, and underwater statues. Equipment and transport are included.

“Our first diving experience with Hans Dive Shop was absolutely incredible and well worth every penny! Opting in for the photos and videos was the best decision—it allowed us to relive this amazing highlight of our trip. A special thank you to Sebastian, our instructor, who was incredibly patient and reassuring, especially since I was quite nervous about diving due to not being able to swim. He made me feel safe and confident the entire time. I cannot recommend Hans Dive Shop enough for anyone looking to make unforgettable memories underwater!”

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2.Under a sea of adventures, unforgettable diving.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $195Top rated

Meet Tai, Sebastian, or the RUTAGENA team at Muelle de la Bodeguita at 9:00 am for a six-and-a-half-hour scuba outing near a tropical island. Beginners receive instruction and close supervision, while experienced participants may reach deeper reefs. Equipment, boat transport, and a typical coconut-rice lunch are included.

“Excellent diving experience, very professional. Very good service, all the always very attentive staff.Auto-translated”

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3.Cartagena: Scuba Diving Day Trip at Playa Blanca with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 22 reviews · from $120

Travel from Cartagena to Playa Blanca for a guided scuba session over coral reefs, with equipment, photos, lunch, and beach time included. English and Spanish instruction is available, though you should confirm the language before booking. Hotel pickup covers Bocagrande and El Laguito, while other guests meet near the Pegasus statues.

“I asked for a guide in English, but had someone who only spoke Spanish. What was good was that the bus came to the hotel. An hour late, without letting me know or responding to a message. Furthermore, I got the entire explanation in Spanish. The guide did not know that I was registered for scuba diving. I had to find out for myself. Diving was very good, only the description said one hour of diving and this was only 20 minutes. Even after that I had to figure out where I had to go myself, the guide, Mary, was nowhere to be seen and did not respond to whatsapp…”

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4.Tayrona National Park: Scuba Diving Tour for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 4 hours · from $138

Meet your instructor at Santa Marta’s downtown marina for a four-hour beginner scuba session in Tayrona National Park. You’ll learn basic gear use, hand signals, and underwater skills in calm water with an English- or Spanish-speaking PADI professional. The price includes transport by boat, equipment, snacks, refreshments, and photos and videos.

“El guía una excelente persona y maestro, la actividad, la movilidad y el servicio por parte de Elkinventura 10/10. Muy recomendable, la sazón del break también estuvo muy buena.”

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5.Cartagena: PADI DISCOVER SCUBA / MINICURSO DE BUCEO

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 4h 30m · from $168

Start with online theory, then meet your English or Spanish instructor at Club Náutico de Cartagena. A speedboat takes you to Barú for two 50-minute scuba sessions at 5 to 10 meters, with equipment, fruit, photos, and videos included. No swimming experience is required, though medical restrictions apply.

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6.Cartagena: 2 Tanks Dive Plan For CERTIFIED DIVERS

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4 reviews · 1 day · from $165

Meet your English or Spanish-speaking guide at Cartagena’s Nautical Club at 7:00 am for two guided scuba sessions near Barú or Salmedina. Ivan and the crew provide close support, fruit, water, and underwater photos and videos. Expect a small group of up to six certified divers, with a return around noon.

“Excellent! I'm not an experienced diver and I felt very well taken care of by Ivan.”

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7.Cartagena: Basic Diving for beginners in Rosario Islands

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 3 reviews · 6 hours · from $137

Start with hotel pickup or a central Cartagena meeting point, then ride to Barú’s Playa Blanca. After 30 minutes of instruction and equipment practice, take a speedboat to Corales del Rosario for a one-hour beginner scuba session. Return for fish or pork, coconut rice, patacón, salad, and beach time.

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8.Diving Santa Marta & Tayrona for Certified Divers (2 tanks)

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 3 reviews · 1 day · from $112

Join Scuba Carolina for a one-day, two-tank scuba excursion from Santa Marta to Tayrona National Park and nearby sites. You’ll travel by boat in a group limited to four certified divers, using provided equipment and receiving snacks plus underwater photos or video. English and Spanish instruction is available.

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9.Cartagena: PADI Open Water Diver Course with Certification

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 3 days · from $600

Spend three days learning scuba skills with PADI instructors in Cartagena and the Barú Archipelago. You will study online, practice in a pool, then complete four open-water sessions in small groups of up to eight. Alvaro and his team provide instruction in English or Spanish, with equipment, boat transport, photos, videos, fruit snacks, and certification included.

“I had an incredible experience completing my Open Water Scuba Certification with Buzos de Barú. Alvaro was amazing—he truly has the heart of a teacher. He made the entire process both enjoyable and confidence-building. I always felt safe and encouraged every step of the way. If you’re considering getting certified, don’t hesitate to book with Buzos de Barú. Highly recommend!”

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