Theory & signals (45–60 min)
Equipment, ear equalising, hand signals and how to breathe better — no exam pressure.
Discover Scuba Diving in Cidade Velha, Cape Verde
First time underwater? Try scuba with a PADI instructor at our centre in Cidade Velha — ~30 min from Praia. Max 4 guests per instructor. From €70 (or €90 with boat trip).
€70Discover Scuba · €90 with boat
Praia day trip~30 min hiace to Cidade Velha
2–3 hoursBriefing + shallow practice + ocean dive
What is Discover Scuba Diving?
Also called a try dive or scuba baptism — you do not need experience or a strong swim. An instructor stays with you the whole time. You breathe underwater for real, up to about 10 m depending on comfort.
Ideal if you are visiting Praia / Santiago and want one unforgettable ocean experience without committing to a full course.
How the experience works
Calm briefing, shallow practice, then a guided ocean dive.
Shallow-water practice
Breathe from the regulator, clear the mask, get comfortable before going deeper.
Ocean dive
Shore or boat depending on conditions. Instructor ratio max 4:1.
Optional next step
Loved it? Credit toward PADI Open Water (€390) if you continue.
What’s included
- Full equipment for the try dive
- PADI instructor supervision (max 4 participants)
- Briefing + practice + ocean dive
- Optional boat upgrade (€90 package)
- Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese
Why try diving here (not Sal)?
Sal is mass-resort diving. On Santiago’s south coast there is no other dive school — so your group is alone on the site. Personal attention in a UNESCO fishing village, warm water year-round, and rich Atlantic fish life.
Coming from Praia? Read our diving from Praia guide. Full rates on the price list.
Try-dive FAQ
How much is a first dive / baptism in Cape Verde?
Discover Scuba is €70 at Cidade Velha Diving, or €90 with boat trip. Equipment and instructor included.
Can I do it as a day trip from Praia?
Yes — about 30 minutes by hiace (including wait) to our PADI centre in Cidade Velha.
Will other dive boats be on the site?
No. We are the only dive school operating on the south of Santiago Island — your group is alone on the site.
Do I need to know how to swim well?
You need to float comfortably. The instructor controls the dive; you focus on breathing and looking.
Minimum age?
10 years old, with a completed medical questionnaire.
Book your first breath underwater
WhatsApp us your preferred morning or afternoon — we confirm sea conditions the day before.