Sal: Beginner Scuba Dive with PADI Instructor & Hotel Pickup

Summary

First-time scuba diving in Sal with PADI instructor and hotel pickup

You’ll learn to scuba dive in Sal with a patient PADI instructor, start off practicing in safe shallow water, then head out by boat for your very first real ocean dive. Hotel pickup makes it easy, all gear is included—you just bring your nerves and curiosity. It’s not just about fish; it’s about feeling that weird quiet under the surface.

What’s the experience like?

Hands shaking a bit, I fumbled with the wetsuit zipper before our instructor, João, grinned and helped me out. He’d already cracked a joke about my “land legs” as we gathered at Bikini Beach in Sal. The salty air was thick and warm—kind of sticky on my face—and there was this faint hum from the fishing boats bobbing just offshore. We started with some theory (not as boring as it sounds), sitting in the shade while João explained how to breathe underwater and what not to do if you want to keep your ears happy. I kept glancing at the pool, half excited, half nervous.

The pool session felt strange at first—breathing through a regulator is nothing like snorkeling. João watched us closely, nodding every time we got something right. He had that patient way of repeating things without making you feel dumb. When I finally dipped under and exhaled, bubbles fizzed up past my mask and everything went quiet except for my own breath. That silence underwater is something I didn’t expect—I still think about it sometimes when I’m back home and things get noisy.

After lunch (nothing fancy, just a sandwich from the shop across the street), we piled into the van for the boat dive. There was a breeze out on the water that made me wish I’d packed another layer—guess I underestimated Atlantic winds in Cape Verde. The actual dive lasted about 40 minutes; João signaled “OK?” every few minutes and pointed out these tiny fish darting around rocks like they owned the place. My mask fogged up once because I grinned too hard when a pufferfish floated by (apparently that’s normal). Coming back up, my legs felt wobbly but good—like I’d done something properly new.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Introduction and ocean scuba diving

• Learn scuba theory and practice
• Practice in pool or confined water
• Boat dive in ocean

Top questions

Is this scuba diving tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, no prior experience is needed—just basic swimming ability and reasonable health.

How long does the beginner scuba diving day last?

The program runs from 8:30am to around 5pm including pool practice and an afternoon ocean dive.

What age do you have to be for this Sal scuba diving experience?

You must be at least 10 years old to join this activity.

Does this include hotel pickup in Sal?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included in Sal.

Is certification required or given after this beginner dive?

No certification is required or given; it’s an introduction experience only.

Are all equipment and safety gear provided?

Yes, all necessary scuba gear is included in the tour price.

Will there be a professional guide during both pool and ocean sessions?

Yes, a certified PADI instructor supervises all parts of the day trip.

Can children participate in this beginner scuba diving tour?

Children aged 10+ can join if accompanied by an adult.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Sal, full use of professional scuba equipment (mask, fins, wetsuit, regulator), instruction from a certified PADI guide both at Bikini Beach pool or shallow sea area and during your boat dive in the afternoon—all arranged so you can focus on trying something new without worrying about logistics or gear.