Learn to Scuba Dive, Cape Verde


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As a certified PADI Open Water Diver, the most widely recognized and respected rating in the world, you have the freedom to dive with a buddy independent of a professional. If you already tried a PADI Discover Scuba Diving experience or are PADI Scuba Diver certified, check with your instructor to see how credit from these courses may apply to the open water program.

The Cape Verde islands are a small archipelago in the Atlantic, 1,500km south of the Canary Islands and approx. 450 km off the West coast of Africa. The Cape Verde Islands have been a haven for windsurfing and kitesurfing for many years. More recently discovered by divers it offer a year round destination with warm clear water and plenty to see. It's a barren island but everyone who comes here falls under the spell of its mysterious charm and plans to return.

Santa Maria The main area for diving is in the protected bay of Santa Maria in the South of the island offering a good selection of wreck, deep and drift diving to keep even the keenest diver happy.

Details

Price Includes

(SD-25449-P)

Accommodation

Flights

Transfers

PADI Open Water Course

Diving Equipment

Price Excludes

Travel Insurance

Liveaboard

Suitability / Level

No Experience Required

Itinerary & Highlights

What do I need to start?

Virtually anyone who is in good health, reasonably fit, and comfortable in the water can earn to dive. You must be older than the age of 14 to begin the PADI Open Water Diver program. For those of you who are not above the age of 14 and would like to participate in the PADI Open Water Diver Program, then the PADI Jr Open Water Diver program is available to you.

If you are between 10 and 14 or have a child between these ages, there is a PADI Junior Open Water Diver program available. A PADI Jr Open Water Diver between the ages of 10 and 11 years may only dive with a PADI Professional, a certified parent or certified guardian to a maximum depth of 12 metres/40 feet.

What will I do?

Throughout the course, you’ll learn fundamentals of scuba diving, including dive equipment and techniques. You earn this rating by completing five pool dives and knowledge development sessions and by making four open water (ocean or lake) dives.

How long will it take?

The full PADI Open Water Course usually takes 5 days, although this can vary slightly depending on the resort. However, we understand that your holiday time is precious to you and you may not wish to spend time studying theory but would rather be in the water having fun! There are two option to help shorten the course time in resort:

Referral Course: this is where you do the theory and pool training before you go on holiday which then just leaves the 4 qualifying dives to complete the course. Most PADI registered UK dive schools can help you with this, just visit the PADI web site at www.padi.com to find your nearest centre.

This a great way to maximise the time you can spend actually diving on your holiday but may prove more expensive overall to split the course this way.

Express Course: this is where we send you a ; Crew Pack' C which includes a CD Rom , for you to self study the Theory prior to your holiday. This then just leaves you to sit the PADI Open Water paper in resort, do the pool training and then the 4 qualifying dives - but no classroom work!

A year round temperature in the mid-high twenties and virtually no rain makes the Cape Verde Islands the ideal destination at any time of year. They enjoy fairly constant cooling breezes which keep the atmosphere almost free from humidity.

You can be lucky enough to get a glimpse of nurse and sand sharks throughout the year in Sal. From February to June whales are often seen in the area. Due to the turtle breeding season which takes place in March/April you can often see plenty of turtles from June - September. If you're looking for the bigger stuff your best chance for spotting mantas and whalesharks would fall from July - November.

This is a fantastic new diving destination which is truly unspoilt and you can still have the luxury of a dive site to yourself. Although the coral life is pretty limited the fantastic visibility, variety of fish life and possibility to dive wrecks, caves etc more than makes up for it.

Sal has something for everyone. While I would recommend it as a great place to learn there is also plenty for the experienced diver.

The main activity, aside from diving is windsurfing or kitesurfing. Club Mistral and Skyriders located in the centre of Santa Maria bay offer a great service and the latest equipment. A trip around the island is worthwhile and quite interesting, if not a bit barren ! Car hire is easily arranged and the best way to get around. It is worth a trip over to Ponta Preta to watch some serious wave sailing - check with someone in Santa maria if the waves are there. If they are, you will get the chance to watch some great tricks - even if you're not a windsurfer this is a spectacle worth seeing! You can also visit other islands which are varied and all have their own unique atmosphere.

THE NIGHTLIFE

Although there are not many other activities on offer, Sal is a fantastic place to go for a holiday; the food is amazing (and cheap), the locals always have a smile, the beaches are beautiful and the hotels offer varying standards of comfort and facilities. Sal has a handful of small but charming and fun bars all within easy staggering distance of the hotels. One of our favourites was Q Bar located in the Odjo D'Agua but if you fancy a big night "Pirata" is worth a look.

THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

British Passport holder may buy a tourist visa on arrival at a cost of E25. Other passport holders should consult their respective consulates. All entrants should have a full passport that does not expire within 6 months of your return date.

Accommodation & Centre Details

There is a reasonably sized swimming pool set in a well presented patio area with bar/snack area. The Beach Club offers an enticing menu with the emphasis on locally caught seafood. At the Aquarius Bar, cold drinks are available in a very pleasant setting, and a night club is much appreciated by night owls. Boat trips can be booked on the hotel's yacht, and fishing trips are available all year round. The sports centre can also arrange sand yachting, archery and jeep trips.

The 140 rooms have a shower, ceiling fan, TV, fridge and balcony/terrace, some of which have sea views (at a supplement). There are also holiday apartments for families with up to two children. Due to their position, the rooms are naturally aired by the trade winds which tempers the effects of the tropical sun. There is a large fitness room, games room (snooker, table tennis, games tables etc.) tennis courts and mini golf.