Riamar Diving Center

Riamar Diving Center is situated on the north side of Boa Vista, near the Alisios restaurant on Estoril beach. It serves as a dedicated base for both recreational exploration and professional diver training in the Cape Verde archipelago.

Established in 2023, the centre operates with a focus on environmental stewardship and follows the latest diving regulations to protect the local marine ecosystems. They adhere to a strict 'no feed, no touch, no harm' policy to ensure the local reefs and pelagics remain undisturbed by human presence.

As a PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Dive Resort, the centre is equipped to handle everything from initial student training to professional Divemaster courses. The team is multilingual, providing instruction and guidance in English, Portuguese, French, and Spanish.

The centre also facilitates dive safety through a partnership with DAN, assisting divers with their insurance requirements. Their approach to diving is built around responsible management of the marine environment, ensuring that all excursions, including dolphin and whale watching, are conducted ethically.

The training programme is comprehensive, covering the full spectrum of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving, the Bubblemaker program for children aged 8 to 10, or the Scuba Diver and Open Water Diver courses.

For more experienced divers, the centre offers the Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and ReActivate Scuba Refresher Program. Professional paths are also supported through the Divemaster course and Referral courses for those moving between agencies.

The centre utilises Mares equipment for their diving operations. For those looking to dive without transporting their own heavy kit, a range of rental equipment is available on-site.

Logistical support is a key part of the service, with transfers provided to and from most hotels in the area, including the Riu Palace and Karamboa resorts.

The waters around Boa Vista are home to a diverse range of pelagics and reef species. You can encounter large animals such as whale sharks, hammerhead sharks, and various species of sharks including the Atlantic weasel shark, blacktip sharks, and nurse sharks. Manta rays and various species of stingrays are also frequently observed.

In the blue water, look out for dolphins, including the Atlantic spotted dolphin, Pantropical spotted dolphin, and the rough-toothed dolphin. Seasonal visitors include Humpback whales, which can be seen during dedicated whale watching tours.

On the reef, the biodiversity is high, with sightings of amberjack, yellowfin tuna, wahoos, and various species of sea bream such as the white seabream and guinean seabream. You will also find parrotfish, triggerfish, and various species of damselfish and grouper.

Macro life and smaller inhabitants include moray eels, scorpionfish, and porcupinefish. The seabed and reef structures host lobsters, including the Cape Verde lobster, as well as various rays and sea turtles, such as the loggerhead and green turtle.

Dive sites and snorkeling locations are selected daily based on the prevailing weather and sea conditions. For afternoon sessions, the centre focuses on shallower, easier dives to suit the group's experience level and the current conditions.