National Parks Dives: the 3 Best on Earth

1.Double dive in the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area, for patents.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 22 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $162Our pick

Spend about four hours on a small boat in Sardinia’s Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area, with two guided scuba sessions near Isola dei Cavoli. Roberto, Patrizia, Alberto, and other SubAquaDive staff offer calm supervision, free nitrox for certified divers, snacks, drinks, and optional rental gear. Pickup is free within 5 km.

“WOW! What a wonderful dive operation Alberto runs. I have dived all over the world and this shop is the best!! Friendly, professional, knowledgeable, passionate and accommodating staff in the most spectacular marine park in Europe. I had the immense pleasure of diving and snorkelling with Subaquaservice for 4 days and it was beyond expectations. My daughter is 6 and had her first introduction to snorkelling here. She was completely looked after from start to finish and got to see a beautiful eco system. She is hooked and has been in the water all week since then. For my dives I had the pleasure of being guided by a local…”

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2.Tayrona National Park: Scuba Diving Tour for Beginners

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

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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3.Diving baptism with cylinders (Introdive) at the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $97Best value

You’ll learn basic scuba skills with a personal instructor, then make a first descent to about 5 meters in the Capo Carbonara Marine Protected Area. Pickup, equipment, water, and snacks are included. Guides named in guest feedback include Luana, Alberto, Giulia, Luca, and Tio.

“What a pleasure to discover Sardinia underwater and get back to the taste of diving.”

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