Scuba Diving in Colombia: Do Not Miss Those 3 Spots

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Scuba Diving in Colombia: Do Not Miss Those 3 Spots

Scuba Diving in Colombia is one of the best ways to explore the country’s wild beauty. Colombia is one of those rare destinations blessed with incredible coastlines on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Each coast reveals a completely different underwater world, with distinct marine life, water conditions, and atmospheres. I have visited both coasts, diving in their crystal-blue and deep-green waters, and discovered some of the most surprising underwater experiences of my travels.

Whether you are into colorful coral gardens, shipwreck adventures, or encounters with whales, Scuba Diving in Colombia gives you all of that without draining your travel budget. If you are planning a diving trip here, these are the three spots I recommend most. Each one has something special you will remember for years.

Scuba Diving in Cartagena and the Undersea Museum

Cartagena’s colonial streets might be its postcard face, but under the surface lies an entirely different kind of treasure. Scuba diving in Cartagena reveals a vivid marine world shaped by both nature and history. I joined Cartagena Divers, a relaxed and friendly company that knows how to blend professionalism with a laid-back vibe. Our trip included two dive sites close to each other.

The first, the famous Undersea Museum, is home to several shipwrecks resting silently in the sand. Exploring them feels like stepping into another world frozen in time. We visited three wrecks, each covered in marine growth, creating a surreal blend of history and sea life. If everyone in the group has the right certification, you can even swim inside. The narrow passages, filtered sunlight, and mysterious shadows make the experience unforgettable.

me (horizonhugo) posing for the photo underwater during a dive with cartagena Divers, Colombia

Sometime you have to pose for the photo, even underwater !

air tank to dive with Cartagen Divers in the foreground with Cartagena modern district with skycrapers in the background.

Diving at Cartagena is a must-do experience

The second dive site, near a cliff, offered incredible biodiversity. I spotted lionfish gliding like slow-moving hunters, moray eels hiding in coral crevices, and colorful crabs moving gracefully across the reef. The corals were still vibrant, but I couldn’t ignore the whitening patches—a stark reminder of how warming seas are challenging these ecosystems. It made me appreciate even more the living reefs still thriving near Cartagena.

When you travel abroad for holidays, you’re always exposed to risks like food poisoning, injuries, or even lost luggage. By booking insurance with EKTA, you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’re covered, so you can focus on enjoying your trip stress-free.

Taganga Scuba Diving: A Tropical Classroom for Divers

A short drive from Santa Marta, Taganga Bay is a peaceful fishing village with an inviting, relaxed atmosphere that quickly makes you feel at home. The bay sits tucked into the Caribbean coast, surrounded by calm waters perfect for beginners and advanced divers alike. Taganga Scuba Diving is famous across Colombia, and the number of PADI and SSI dive centers proves it’s one of the best spots to learn and explore.

I spent a week here and chose Nautilus PADI to complete my Advanced Open Water certification. The team was small and friendly, and Katerina, my instructor, was both patient and motivating. She taught me not just techniques but how to truly tune in to the underwater flow.

Aerial view of taganga bay with the village and the sea with boats near the beach. one boat is cruising back to the beach.

Taganga Bay is beautiful with the deep blue sea and the mountains

Close-up of the jacket dive equipement from Nautilus PADI dive center at Taganga.

Nautilus has good diving equipements

The marine life here is spectacular. Corals rise tall and flexible like underwater forests swaying with the tide. Trumpetfish hover vertically; large angelfish appear out of nowhere, and every dive feels like discovering a new painting. If you try a night dive in Taganga, expect lionfish glowing under your torchlight and even mesmerizing green bioluminescence swirling with every movement. It’s pure underwater magic, the kind of dive that stays with you long after you resurface.

PADI eLearning Lessons

If you want to learn scuba diving, PADI is the most famous and trusted diving certification company worldwide. There are two parts to getting certified: the fun part—practical sessions in the water—and the essential, but sometimes a bit boring, eLearning lessons. These online courses are mandatory and you won’t be able to complete your certification without passing them. The best approach? Start your eLearning online before your water sessions. This way, you’ll already know most of what your instructor will cover, making you feel confident and ready to dive in.

Check out the PADI eLearning courses here for your next scuba diving certification!

Scuba Diving Pacific Coast: Bahia Solano and the Season of Whales

On the Pacific side, Scuba Diving Pacific Coast opens the door to another world entirely. Bahia Solano, on the Pacific Coast Colombia, is wild, remote, and lush—an oasis for divers looking for raw beauty and incredible marine encounters. It’s world-famous for humpback whales that visit between July and September to give birth and regain strength before continuing their migration. Watching these gentle giants from a few meters away is one of the most emotional experiences you can have underwater.

I arrived in mid-June, just before the official whale season, but still decided to dive with Aqua Sub Buceo. We explored several dive sites along the edge of the bay and out into the open ocean. The Pacific waters here are teeming with life—schools of tropical fish, curious moray eels, and, with luck, even octopuses moving gracefully along the sandy bottom. During the whale season, divers sometimes spot humpbacks passing close to the reef or even a majestic whale shark gliding peacefully through the deep.

me (horizon hugo) on a boat from Aqua Sub in Bahia Solano with the captain on the boat waiting for the divers to come back. in the meantime I'm flying my drone trying to catch whales.

Aqua Sub Buceo boat in Bahia Solano

Aerial view of three whales, two adults whales and one calf whale near our boat at bahia solano in Colombia

Three whales at Bahia Solano

During one dive, I didn’t see any whales underwater, but I heard them. Their deep calls echoed through the water, giving me chills. A few days later, from the boat, I saw their massive tails rise above the surface as they breathed and dived again. I shot photos and videos, but no image could truly capture that thrill—it was pure, natural wonder.

Conclusion: Two Coasts, Endless Memories

Scuba Diving in Colombia is one of the most rewarding travel experiences in South America. The Caribbean side brings warm seas, colorful reefs, and easygoing diving in places like Taganga and Cartagena. The Pacific Coast Colombia offers intense wildlife, deeper dives, whale encounters, and rugged beauty. It’s also surprisingly affordable compared to other dive destinations, which makes it ideal for travelers seeking adventure without luxury prices.

If you can, visit both sides. Each ocean offers its own kind of magic, two different worlds that together define the soul of this country. Go explore them, dive deep, and let me know which coast wins your heart. I know my favorite, but I’ll keep it secret until you share yours.

Aerial view of the beach near Bahia Solano with luxury jungle, brown sand and nobody around

Beach near Baiha Solano

Freebie For You !

Thanks for sticking around until the end — that really means a lot. To show my appreciation, I’ve prepared something special for you: a Travel Guide 101 packed with my favorite tips, useful websites, and practical info to help you plan your next adventure.

I'm Hugo, a traveler driven by curiosity and a passion for discovering the world's hidden corners. After exploring over 30 countries across Latin America and Southeast Asia, I've learned that every adventure shapes who we become. I'm here to share those lessons and inspire your next great journey.

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