Cidade Velha Diving

Cidade Velha Diving is situated on the historic coast of Santiago, Cape Verde, within the UNESCO World Heritage site of Cidade Velha. This location offers a unique backdrop for diving, combining rich cultural history with the rugged beauty of volcanic formations and coral reefs.

The centre operates as a PADI Dive Resort, providing a base for both beginner divers and those looking to expand their certifications. With a focus on eco-responsibility and local community partnerships, the team ensures that your time underwater respects the marine environment.

The team is led by co-founder Tony, the principal instructor, alongside co-founder Leslie, who also brings expertise as a yoga teacher. The centre is staffed by two professional instructors with decades of combined experience in the industry.

Instruction is delivered in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, making it accessible for international divers. The centre maintains a strict guide-to-diver ratio, with a maximum of three divers per guide to ensure safety and personalised attention during every excursion.

As a PADI centre, the full spectrum of training is available, starting from Discover Scuba Diving for beginners through to Open Water Diver and Advanced Open Water Diver.

For those looking to progress their skills or professional career, the centre offers PADI Rescue Diver, Divemaster, Deep Diver, Night Diver, Drift Diver, and Wreck Diver specialties. All courses include official PADI eLearning, practical sessions, and instructor supervision to ensure a comprehensive education.

The centre utilises a boat with a capacity for 4 people to reach the local dive sites. For your comfort, snacks and water are provided on board during the trips.

The centre provides a full range of rental kit, allowing you to dive without transporting your own heavy equipment. This includes everything from wetsuits and masks to fins and regulators.

All equipment is imported from Spain and is kept in new, well-maintained condition. For those interested in capturing their underwater experiences, GoPro photography is available as an additional service.

The volcanic reefs and coral structures are home to a wide variety of tropical fish, including parrotfish, trumpetfish, and various schools of fish. You will also encounter larger species such as groupers, moray eels, rays, and small reef sharks patrolling the area.

Macro life and smaller residents are abundant for those who enjoy searching the reef. Look out for octopus, nudibranchs, and various tropical species amongst the crevices of the volcanic rock.

During the spring, you may have the opportunity to see dolphins. From March to May, humpback whales are also present in the waters around the island.

The dive sites around Santiago are suited to a variety of sea conditions and currents. While many sites are accessible to a range of levels, some, such as the Tarrafal wreck, are known for strong currents.

Water temperatures remain warm throughout the year, ranging between 22°C and 30°C.