Buceo Aqualia

Located in the coastal town of La Herradura, Buceo Aqualia serves as a dedicated hub for divers looking to explore the rich marine biodiversity of the Costa Tropical. The centre is positioned to take advantage of the local geography, utilizing the sheltered coves and the protected waters of the Cerro Gordo Natural Park.

Since its founding in 2009, the centre has built a reputation for high-quality instruction. Whether you are looking for your first experience in the water or are an experienced diver seeking technical qualifications, the location provides consistent access to diverse underwater environments.

The team at Buceo Aqualia brings more than 20 years of professional experience to the water. As an SSI ITC Centre, they are specifically equipped to handle advanced training, including the full progression from student to SSI Instructor.

Safety and individual attention are central to their operation. They maintain small group sizes, with a ratio of one guide per diver for introductory sessions and a maximum of four students per instructor for training courses. This ensures that every diver receives a personalised approach tailored to their specific pace and skill level.

Buceo Aqualia offers a complete syllabus of SSI certifications. Beginners can start with Basic Diver, Scuba Diver, or Open Water Diver courses, while those looking to progress can undertake Advanced Open Water, Deep Diving, and Navigation training.

The centre is a significant training hub for professionals, providing Divemaster and SSI Instructor programmes. They also specialise in technical and skill-specific training, including Nitrox, Dry Suit, Night Diving and Limited Visibility, Computer Diving, and Scooter DPV courses. For those moving into technical territory, they offer Buceo Técnico UTD training up to 100 metres.

The centre operates out of a 250m² facility designed to support all aspects of a dive day. On-site, you will find a dedicated classroom and shop, an equipment assembly area, and a laundry and changing area equipped with showers.

For gas management, the centre is equipped with an air and Nitrox charging station. Full equipment hire is available for those not travelling with their own kit, covering everything required for both recreational and specialised diving.

The rocky reefs and seabed are vibrant with fixed life. You will find large anemones, sea anemones (Actiniaria), and various soft corals and flower corals. The landscape is further decorated by colourful starfish (Asteroidea), sponges (Porifera), and yellow encrusting anemones.

For those interested in macro life, the crevices and rocks hold plenty of interest. Look out for the Octopus (Octopus vulgaris), various species of scorpionfish, and colourful nudibranchs. You may also encounter crabs (Brachyura), lobsters (Homaridae), and spiny lobsters (Palinuridae) amongst the reef structure.

The water column and open habitats are home to large schools of fish, including white seabream, bogue (Boops boops), and various damselfish (Pomacentridae). Larger predators such as groupers (Epinephelus), dusky grouper, and moray eel (Muraenidae) are also part of the local ecosystem, alongside salema porgy (Sarpa salpa) and various wrasse (Labridae).

The local geography, including various protected coves, allows for diving throughout the year. The waters remain relatively calm, providing reliable conditions for both beginners and those undertaking technical training.