Try the PADI Discover Scuba Diving program off San Andrés for a guided, first-time dive in warm, clear Caribbean water. In about three hours you’ll practice in a pool and make a supervised open-water immersion to ~10 m with equipment and instruction included.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off the dock with salt on your lips and the sea laying flat like glass. The boat slips away from town and a PADI instructor checks your gear with practiced calm: mask, regulator, buoyancy vest. A shallow pool session follows, where you learn to clear a mask and control your breath; then the Caribbean opens below — turquoise giving way to cobalt, coral gardens stretching beneath a surface that seems to dare you to descend.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
3 hours
Fitness Level
A moderate level of fitness and basic swimming comfort; able to climb a ladder and tread water briefly.
Wildlife
History
San Andrés grew from coral growth atop an uplifted carbonate platform; its culture mixes English Creole and Colombian influences due to Caribbean trade routes and migration.
Conservation
Local operators encourage reef-safe sunscreen and limited contact with corals; adhere to no-touch rules and support guides who follow sustainable anchoring and waste practices.
Reserve your spot on the Discovering Diving / Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Equalize early and often
Pinch your nose and gently equalize before you feel pressure—start on the surface and every few meters as you descend to avoid ear pain.
No flying after diving
Do not fly for 12–18 hours after your dive to reduce risk of decompression sickness—plan return flights accordingly.
Use reef-safe sunscreen
Apply biodegradable sunscreen before arrival and cover exposed skin with a rash guard to protect coral and reduce reapplication.
Hydrate and rest
Drink water before the trip and avoid heavy meals or alcohol the night before to help prevent seasickness and fatigue.
Swimsuit and quick-dry towel
Wear under clothing for easy transition from land to pool and boat.
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects skin and coral; less reapplication needed in calm, clear conditions.
summer
Light shorty or rash guard
Adds sun protection and slight thermal comfort in wind or shaded dives.
spring
Waterproof ID and seasickness meds
Carry ID for check-in and take motion-sickness medication before boarding if prone to nausea.