Beginner Diving in San Andrés: First Dive in the Caribbean

Breathe underwater at 10 meters surrounded by coral and tropical fish

A beginner diving experience in San Andrés starts with pool training on SCUBA equipment, then moves to a guided dive 10 meters deep in the Caribbean Sea with a certified instructor at your side. The activity runs 3.5 hours and includes all gear, transportation from your hotel, and instruction in English, Spanish or Portuguese. No diving experience is required. Children from age 8 are welcome.

The experience

You start in shallow water, learning how to breathe through the regulator and control your buoyancy before the sea ever comes into view. A certified instructor walks you through every step of the equipment (how the tank works, how to clear your mask, what to do if something feels wrong) until you're moving with confidence. This pool module is where the nervousness usually dissolves, because you're not guessing at what happens next. You're practicing it in a place where standing up takes one step.

Then you're in the Caribbean at 10 meters depth, moving slowly through water so clear it barely seems to be there. The coral barrier rises around you (brain coral, elkhorn, staghorn), and the fish don't scatter. They're used to divers. You're not rushing through a checklist. The instructor stays with you the whole time, watching your breathing and your depth, pointing out what's worth noticing. San Andrés sits on the third largest coral barrier in the world and is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, which means the reef you're looking at is genuinely old and genuinely alive.

Private transportation picks you up from your hotel, so you're not hunting for a taxi or figuring out the local buses with dive gear in hand. The whole thing (pool training, the ocean dive, the ride back) takes 3.5 hours. You bring nothing but a swimsuit and the willingness to try something you've never done before.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• full SCUBA equipment including tank, regulator and wetsuit.
• pool training on equipment use.
• guided dive at 10 meters depth with a certified instructor.
• instruction in English, Spanish or Portuguese.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 14:00

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (8 to 9 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Agencia de Viajes y Turismo Bonaitur

Is this one for you?The pickup from your hotel and the pool training beforehand mean you don't need a car, diving experience, or confidence that you can figure it out alone. You show up, learn in the water, and the instructor handles the rest. This works best if you're staying in San Andrés and want to try diving without the commitment of a certification course.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (8 to 9 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

Do I need to have dived before to do this activity?

No previous diving experience is required. The activity includes a full pool training module where you learn to use the equipment and practice breathing underwater before you ever enter the sea, so beginners start from the beginning.

What happens during the pool training part?

The pool module teaches you how to use the SCUBA equipment safely: how to breathe through the regulator, clear your mask, control your buoyancy, and what to do if something feels uncomfortable. You practice these skills in shallow water until you're ready for the sea dive.

How deep do we go in the ocean?

The guided dive takes place at 10 meters depth in the Caribbean Sea, which is a safe and manageable depth for beginners, especially after the pool training prepares you for the experience.

Is the instructor with me the whole time underwater?

Yes, a certified instructor accompanies you at all times during the ocean dive, watching your breathing and depth, and staying close enough to point out marine life and make sure you're comfortable.

What's included in the price?

The activity includes all SCUBA equipment, the pool training session, the guided ocean dive, private hotel pickup and transportation, and instruction in English, Spanish or Portuguese.