Diving inTayrona Park,Colombia
We set out from the Santa Marta International Marina to dive Tayrona. Never been under? We will teach you. Already a diver? We take you further: courses, safaris and one Coiba expedition a year.
Life begins where the comfort zone ends.
Who we are
We are AQABA: an expedition and adventure agency in Santa Marta, Colombia. We set out from the International Marina for the reefs of Tayrona National Park, the best diving on the Colombian Caribbean.
People learn to dive here at an easy pace, with good vibes. Many arrive never having breathed underwater and leave certified as Open Water Divers. Divers find one-day safaris in Tayrona, advanced courses and, once a year, our Coiba expedition.
Adventure with purpose: safe, laid-back, aware of the sea, and with just enough adrenaline to send you home changed.
Explorer
Seeks freedom and unique experiences in remote landscapes.
Rebel
Breaks with convention and lives to the fullest.
Caregiver
Values life, safety and connection with the planet.
PADI certifications
Certifications recognized by every dive center in the world.
Experiences
From your first breath underwater to the expedition of a lifetime
Six plans for every level. Open each one, see what is included and book on WhatsApp. No fuss.
Your first breath underwater
Discover Scuba Diving
- Level
- Beginner
- Duration
- 2 dives · 1 day
- Price
- $400.000 per person
The try dive is the gateway to diving. After a short theory briefing, you set out from the International Marina and make two dives on the reefs of Tayrona National Park with a personal divemaster, to a maximum of 12 meters. No need to know how to swim. It is the ideal way to find out if diving is for you before getting certified.
Included
- Theory instruction
- 2 dives
- Full equipment
- Boat transport
- Personal divemaster
- Insurance policy
- Snacks between dives
- Photo and video (extra cost for editing)
Requirements
- 10 years or older
- No need to know how to swim
- Good general health
Integrated Open Water course
Open Water Diver
- Level
- Beginner
- Duration
- 3 days · 5 dives
- Price
- $1.800.000 full course
It is the first step to becoming a certified open water diver, qualified to descend to 18 meters.
Included
- Online theory course (official PADI site)
- 5 dives
- International certificate
- Equipment
- Boat transport
- Personal instructor
- Insurance policy
Requirements
- 10 years or older
- Comfortable in the water (basic PADI water skills)
- PADI medical questionnaire
Depth, navigation and wrecks
Advanced Open Water
- Level
- Advanced
- Duration
- 2 days · 5 dives
- Price
- Ask us ask us
The Advanced Open Water extends your certification to 30 meters. It includes the mandatory deep and underwater navigation dives, plus three specialties of your choice: wreck, night, buoyancy, photography or drift. All take place at the most demanding sites in Tayrona National Park.
Included
- Five adventure dives
- PADI instructor
- Full equipment
- PADI digital certification
- Dive insurance
Requirements
- Open Water Diver certification
- 12 years or older
Four dives in Tayrona
Day Safari Diving
- Level
- Certified
- Duration
- Full day
- Price
- $650.000 per person · day trip, no overnight
We set out early from the Santa Marta International Marina for the reefs of Tayrona National Park. Four dives at restricted-access sites, supervised by professionals, with a responsible lionfish hunting activity, an invasive species threatening the Caribbean reef. Lunch on board and return at sunset.
Included
- Four guided dives
- Boat transport
- Full equipment and tanks
- Lunch and drinks
- Park entry permits
- Dive insurance
Requirements
- Open Water certification or higher
- Last dive within the past 12 months
The reef from the surface
Snorkeling for companions
- Level
- Everyone
- Duration
- Half day
- Price
- $150.000 per person
Join the dive trip and explore the reef from the surface with mask, snorkel and fins. A guide stays with you in the water. Ideal for families, couples and mixed groups where not everyone dives.
Included
- Mask, snorkel and fins
- Flotation vest
- In-water guide
- Boat transport
Requirements
- Flotation vest included; no need to know how to swim
- Minors accompanied by an adult
Panama · World Heritage Site
Coiba Expedition
- Level
- Certified
- Duration
- 5 days · 9 dives
- Price
- $4.180.000 per person
Once a year we organize an expedition to Coiba National Park, in the Pacific of Panama, one of the most biodiverse marine areas on the continent. Several days of diving with whitetip sharks, giant mantas and schools of fish that darken the water. Limited spots and full support from the AQABA team.
Included
- 9 dives in Coiba National Park (3 per day)
- Lodging in Santa Catalina (hotel or dive house) and cabins near the park
- Snacks and beach breaks
- Barbecue on day 2
- Optional night dive (30 USD)
- Optional waterfall visit on day 5
Requirements
- Advanced Open Water certification or 30 logged dives
- Valid passport
Full package
Sleep by the sea and dive at dawn
A full package combining cabin lodging, meals and dives. We tailor it to your days and diving level.
- 01Night in a beachfront cabin
- 02Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- 033 dives a day
- 04Transfers to the dive sites
per person · with overnight$1.600.000beachfront night, meals and 3 dives; extra nights quoted
Get a quote on WhatsAppThe destination
Tayrona, the best diving on the Colombian Caribbean
01
Tayrona
Where the Sierra Nevada falls into the Caribbean. Coral reefs, walls and sheltered bays inside the National Park, 40 minutes by boat from the Santa Marta marina.
02
The departure
We set out from the Santa Marta International Marina on a comfortable luxury boat for up to 10 people. Dock to reef, no stops.
03
Lionfish
An invasive species threatening the Caribbean reef. Our safaris include responsible lionfish hunting: diving with purpose and caring for the ecosystem.
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dive sites in Tayrona
0°C
average water temperature
0 m
visibility in the dry season
Shop
Gear for your next dive
Lionfish Scuba and Cressi masks and snorkels, the ones we dive with. Order on WhatsApp and pick up in Santa Marta or get it shipped.
Lionfish
LionMask Pro
$170.000
Single-piece lens and 4 mm tempered glass. For every level.
- Single-piece lens: wide field of view
- High-strength 4.0 mm tempered glass
- Soft, durable silicone
- Adjustable straps
Colors: Peach, grey, yellow, red, baby blue, light green, purple, turquoise, black, white, light blue, beige, pink and navy blue
Lionfish
LionMask New Models
$200.000
The new LionMask models, with two-tone and clear frames.
- Single-piece lens
- 4.0 mm tempered glass
- Soft silicone
- Adjustable straps
Colors: Pink, petrol, electric blue, clear/white, baby blue, black, black/red, black/green, nude, brown, caramel, olive, fuchsia and more
Lionfish
LionMask Apnea
$175.000
Low volume, anti-fog and UV coating. Ideal for freediving and snorkeling.
- Advanced anti-fog
- UV coating that reflects glare in the sun
- Low volume
- Adjustable straps
- Comfortable fit for most faces
Colors: Black, white, green, burgundy, camo and brown
Cressi
Cressi Kids Mask
$180.000
Swim mask for children aged 2 to 7, anti-UV and anti-fog.
- Scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses
- Anti-UV and anti-fog
- Cressi watertight skirt
- One-hand micro-adjustable buckles
Colors: Blue and pink
Vvinca
Vvinca Kids Mask
$100.000
Elastic strap that does not pull hair and anti-fog lenses. Helps kids lose their fear of the water.
- Comfortable elastic strap, great for long hair
- Soft nose cover
- Anti-fog lenses with panoramic view
Colors: Blue, green/black, turquoise and light blue
Lionfish
LionMask + Snorkel
Snorkel $60.000 · Combo $219.000
Snorkel with compact case, alone or bundled with the LionMask.
- Includes compact carrying case
- Easy, comfortable breathing
- Mask + snorkel bundle
Colors: Peach, grey, yellow, red, baby blue, light green, purple, turquoise, black, white, light blue, beige, pink and navy blue
Mission
To offer transformative adventure experiences that connect people with their essence, through safe, conscious expeditions full of adrenaline.
Vision
To be the leading adventure expedition agency in Colombia and Latin America, promoting respect, sustainability and connection with marine life.
Philosophy
We are more than an expedition agency: we are guides of dreams for those who want to leave the ordinary behind. From the first rush of jumping out of a plane to the deep calm of a first breath underwater, every experience is designed to leave a deep, lasting mark.
What they say after getting out of the water
“Bucear con AQABA Expeditions fue el highlight de mi viaje.”
No solo tienen un servicio de primera, sino que hacen que toda la logística sea sencilla para que uno solo se preocupe por disfrutar del fondo marino. El ambiente es increíble y la atención al detalle marca la diferencia. Si quieren vivir una aventura submarina inolvidable, no duden en contactarlos. Gracias por todo, equipo.
“A really special experience, especially for families and kids trying diving for the first time.”
We had a really special experience diving with Aqaba, who was Luca’s divemaster. From the beginning, he made us feel comfortable and at ease, which is so important when diving, especially with kids. What stood out the most was how attentive he was with Luca: he took the time to make sure he understood the main concepts before going in the water, including the basic safety rules and underwater hand signals. During the dive, he stayed close to him the entire time, always checking in and making sure he felt safe and confident. It was a beautiful memory for all of us.
“The best experience getting back into diving after 17 years.”
Aba guided me through a thorough refresh training that not only helped me regain my skills, but also rebuilt my confidence in the water. From the very beginning, he was patient, calm, and incredibly supportive. Every dive with him is a pleasure, I keep learning something new each time. He is organized, professional, and always ensures everything runs smoothly, while still making the experience fun and relaxed. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to help me return to the ocean. Highly recommended!
What happens when we go down
FAQ
What everyone asks before diving
No. Many people do their try dive without knowing how to swim: a personal divemaster is with you the whole time, with full gear and a flotation vest. You only need to be up for it and feel calm in the water.
Just three days. The theory course is online on the official PADI site and you do it from home; here you make five dives in Tayrona and leave with your international certificate.
Personal PADI instructor or divemaster, theory instruction, full equipment, boat transport and insurance policy. The try dive includes two dives and snacks; the certification, five dives and the international certificate. Photo and video at an extra editing cost.
We dive year-round. The dry season, December to April, usually brings the best visibility. From May to November the water is warmer and there is more life.
Message us on WhatsApp with your date and plan, we confirm availability and explain the payment options. Booking ahead secures your spot. We depart from the Santa Marta International Marina.
Of course. We offer snorkeling for companions on the same trip, and the lodging package works for mixed groups.
Bookings
Build your plan
Three steps and done. We build the message, you send it on WhatsApp, and we reply with availability the same day.
Where we are
Santa Marta, Colombia
We are right next to the Santa Marta International Marina, where we set out for Tayrona. Message us and we will guide you to the door.
- +57 318 888 7440
- @aqaba_fly
- Hours
- Every day · 7:00 to 18:00