Professionally managed by Yolima, a Colombian from Bogota, qualified biologist and diving enthusiast of 15 years and qualified dive instructor from Belgium, Johan, Aquantis was launched in March 2008 with the aim of providing the full dive course spectrum to travellers in Santa Marta and Taganga.
All instructors speak good English and are all qualified and experienced. You are welcome to check the credentials of any instructor as these are handily kept at reception.
The equipment is of a high standard and always well maintained. Aquantis never have more than 4 people to one instructor so you can always be sure of individual attention and this gives the tour a personal aspect.
Aquantis provide some nice touches to all their dive excursions including free food, water, juice, tea coffee and snacks plus free photos from the underwater camera which can be uploaded to your memory stick free of charge.
Should you enroll on a course that requires classroom time, the office houses 2 air conditioned rooms for added comfort and ease of concentration.
This is an excellent way to try out diving, perhaps before deciding if a PADI open water course is for you. Or a good way to regain confidence if you have not had the chance to go diving for a while.
The great thing is, all the exercises completed on the trip, plus the 12 metre dive, can later count towards your PADI open water if you decide to go on to do this. Aquantis will deduct the price from this course against the PADI plus give you a certificate that means, if you are unable to complete it in Taganga, other certified centres should also deduct some time and money from a PADI course if you do it within 6 months.
You will always start the trip, either at 7.30am or 12.30pm, by watching a 20 minute safety and introduction to Scuba diving video.
Next you’ll be handed your wet suit and boots, all included in the price along with flippers, mask and tank, to try on for size and comfort before heading to the boat.
A beautiful 10 minute boat ride takes you to a small beach where you begin by being given a full explanation of all the equipment and the plan for the day.
After this you get into the shallow water to become comfortable with your equipment and breathing underwater.
Now it’s time to put the theory into practice and carry out a number of exercises a little further out to sea including removing your air supply and re-applying it, recovering your breathing equipment correctly, cleaning your mask of water and equalising your ears.
Once you have completed these competently, you’ll go on a short fun dive up to around 6 metres in depth before heading back to the shore for a refreshment break including sandwich, juice and fruit.
After your break, you return to the water for another dive of up to 12 metres.
Once back to base you can shower, change and enjoy a free coffee while you wait the 10-15 minutes to transfer the underwater photo’s taken by the instructor to your memory stick.
This half day tour costs 160,000 peso.
PADI open water course (3 days) – Includes: Full training, 4 dives, all equipment hire and certification at the end of the programme. Cost: 580,000 pesos.
Advanced Diver (2days) – Full training, 5 dives, all equipment hire and certification at the end of the programme. Costs: 580,000 Pesos.
Fun Dive (for certified divers) (half day) - All equipment hire, 2 tanks, 2 dives. Costs: 120,000 Pesos
Night Dive (2.5 hours) – Includes: 1 tank, all equipment including night lights. Costs: 80,000 Pesos.
Snorkelling – If you prefer to snorkel you can accompany a dive trip for 30,000 peso including mask, wet suit and flippers.
Speciaiity Courses – There are a whole variety of courses and specialist options available. Please contact Aquantis directly for more details.
Taganga
www.aquantisdivecenter.com
