Paraiso Dive Cartagena

Paraiso Dive is a PADI Dive Resort situated on Tierra Bomba island, just a short boat trip from the mainland of Cartagena. The centre provides a gateway to the diverse marine ecosystems of the Colombian Caribbean, ranging from local reef flats to the deeper structures of the national park.

Operating with a focus on personalised service, the centre offers both shore-based diving and boat expeditions. Whether you are looking for a relaxed reef dive or a more adventurous trip to the nearby islands, the setup is designed to accommodate different levels of experience.

As a PADI Dive Resort, the centre is deeply rooted in the local community. A significant part of their mission involves funding the training of young people from Bocachica, helping them develop professional careers within the local diving industry.

The team provides instruction in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. This multilingual approach ensures that international divers can follow technical briefings and training sessions with clarity.

The centre offers a comprehensive range of PADI courses for every stage of a diver's development. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or work through the PADI Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver certifications.

For those looking to advance their skills, the curriculum includes PADI Advanced Diver, Deep Diver, Underwater Navigation, and specialty courses such as Wreck Diving, Night Dive, Drift Diving, and Perfect Buoyancy. They also provide training in technical skills like using an Underwater Propulsion Vehicle, as well as specialized instruction in Search and Recovery, Underwater Nature Study, and underwater photography and videography.

The Yemayá is a 25-foot day-boat powered by twin 90hp motors, capable of carrying 14 passengers, though this is limited to a maximum of 9 divers when full kit is on board. The boat is equipped with a small sun terrace for relaxing between dives and includes a freshwater shower and a cooler with ice.

Trips typically depart at 08:00 and cover destinations such as Baru and the Rosario Islands. The Yemayá is also used for night dives, allowing you to explore the reefs under much different conditions.

The centre maintains its own compressor on-site to ensure a reliable air supply for all divers. For those who prefer not to carry their own heavy equipment, a full range of rental kit is available, including BCDs, regulators, masks, fins, wetsuits, weight belts, and waist belts.

They stock professional brands such as Scubapro, Cressi, Aqualung, Mares, and Oceanic. After your dives, you have access to the facilities at Blue Apple Beach Resort to rinse your gear and relax.

The reefs are home to a wide variety of corals and diverse marine species. You will find various corals providing the structure for the local ecosystem, particularly around the Varadero Reef and the Rosario Islands.

In the open water and around the reef structures, you may encounter Eagle ray (Aetobatus), giant moray eels, and Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos).

The macro life and smaller inhabitants include a range of colourful reef fish and invertebrates that inhabit the corals and crevices throughout the area.

Diving around Baru is generally characterised by low currents and minimal swell, making it a stable environment for most divers. The Rosario Islands can experience more variable currents, particularly around the deeper walls and canyons.

Most excursions depart from the mainland and involve a 30-minute transit to the Tierra Bomba base before heading to the primary dive sites.