Scuba or snorkling

adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Sep 11, 2005, 12:50:

expatriate says on Sep 11, 2005, 14:08:

San Andres I'd suggest going to one of the best diving places in the world, the Colombian island of San Andres. You can earn your certification there in beautiful clear and warm diving waters. Check out the Noble House Hotel for packages - http://www.sanandresnoblehouse.com/.

Here is more info on diving there - http://www.underwaterphotography.com/articles/Travel/Sandres/sandres.asp

Then go back and dive Park Tayrona near Santa Marta and the Islands off of Cartagena.

In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile.

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aztec says on Sep 11, 2005, 15:09:

I support expatriate's... ...recommendation. My wife and I have done both areas. Noble House Hotel for packages is where I would start. If you are interested in the diving culture this is the place. Tell them where you are with experience and they will take it from there.

Don't make the mistake we made when diving in Mexico. Don't trust anyone when it comes to following the exact instructions from PADI. Do not let them force short cuts on you and your friend.

Many operators will attempt to turn the trips around as fast as possible in order to make more money. Happened to us in Mexico and almost killed us! Doubt very much if Noble House would deal with those kind of operators.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 11, 2005, 16:33:

Rec in Taganga I can fully recommend the Poseidon Dive shop in Taganga. It's owned by Germans and has good equipment and boats. I can't speak to their instruction because I've been certified for years, but their staff was really good.

What I'm told about the "cheap" shops in Taganga is that they say they're "certifying" you with PADI but then they never actually register you with PADI. Since you're a foreigner the odds of you flying back to Colombia to complain about never getting your papers are pretty slim.

Even though it's one of the more expensive shops, I dove with Poseidon for 3 full days, 2 dives per day, and paid less than what a single dive would cost in Hawaii or Florida.

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jmbone says on Sep 11, 2005, 17:22:

Hola Luna for cartagena diving information check out:

www.divecartagena.com

You'll enjoy the waters of the Rosario Islands, and don't forget
to have a good time in the historic and romantic city
of cartagena. For a preview go to:

www.cartagenainfo.net

which has hotel and restaurant Home Pages with prices and menus.
plus more than 2,000 fotos.
Thanks,
Jim

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valpawn says on Sep 11, 2005, 20:33:

Scuba diving in Sta Mta Hi... why dont you check this site www.caribbeandiverscol.com It is a place in the Rodadero and all the times I have gone there, I feel pretty happy with the service. Ask for Juancho he is a really good instructor.

Valpawn

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fosth says on Sep 12, 2005, 02:48:

I'd second what Mr Hollywood says. Took my PADI open water with Poseidon in Taganga and was really impressed with their service,equipment and staff.
Heard some stories off other people about other dive schools in Taganga that offer cheaper courses but weren't as professional (i.e. Giving people half full tanks to dive with etc).

Even if you don't stay in Taganga you can get there in a bus or taxi in under 10 Minutes.

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aztec says on Sep 12, 2005, 04:36:

As you ... ...can see, Colombia has great diving. I believe you will enjoy any of the suggested areas. The beauty of the recommendations is they are all very different and offer many separate trips for you in the future.

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Gator says on Sep 12, 2005, 06:47:

I Will... give an unqualified endorsement to what valpawn said. You will not be disappointed in Caribbean Divers or Juancho. Their web site is a little misleading but only in that there are in El Rodadero on Carrera 1 about a 100 meters off Calle 6 in a building called Rodadmar. Professional, good equipment, and above all, conscientious and safe.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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cleeo says on Sep 12, 2005, 10:13:

best places in locombia for scuba diving/snorkeling:

* Malpelo Island (pacific ocean)
* Gorgona Island (pacific ocean)
* San Andres AND Providencia islands (atlantic ocean)
* Tayrona
* Islas del Rosario

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aztec says on Sep 12, 2005, 10:18:

Are you... ...sure? The Pacific is a little rough for a beginner.

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flaleo says on Sep 12, 2005, 10:39:

Scuba recommendations Expat is right - SA is an excellent dive destination - but clearly not one of the best in the world... and a long shot to even make it into the top 10 (hell, the Red Sea or South Pacific probably have 10 places each that are better than SA). Still, SA is a great cheap beginner place for scuba.

I didn't use Noblehouse, but I have their brochure:
www.sanandresnoblehouse.com, info at sanandresnoblehouse.com
+57 (8) 5128264

I used Nirvana dive shop, which also owns the Sunset Hotel, and is known as "Sharky Dive". This is likely a more economical option, and maybe the best option for taking your classtime and check out dives (to get certified) as they have everything (classroom and water access with dive site) right there. The location isn't the most fun as far as the island goes (it's on the SW corner while the downtown is on the north side and all the action is on the east and north) as it's very secluded... but they will pick you up each day for no charge. Ask for Roger, (8) 5130433

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Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 12, 2005, 11:36:

Second that I also dove with Roger and his crew at "Sharky" dive shop on San Andres. They've got a beautiful boat and nice equipment, too. I actually like the hotel location but can see how it would be boring for someone looking for a lot of partying. One of the most beautiful dives I've ever seen is the Blue Wall off San Andres.

Sunset Hotel/Sharky Dive Shop.
Address:
Carretera Circunvalar Km. 13
P.O.Box 1810
San Andres Isla, Colombia
Phone & Fax: (578) 513 0433 / (578) 513 0420

Email:
sharky at san-andres.com

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cleeo says on Sep 12, 2005, 20:39:

right

gorgona is for intermediate divers and malpelo requires to know a little more than that, but theyre just ABSURD.

at MALPELO you are going to find all sizes/shapes/colors/flavors of underwater life: whales, sharkwahles, HUGE shools of fish, hammerhead sharks, etc. Totally out of control

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Lucia Rojas says on Sep 12, 2005, 20:48:

I fully reccomend Tienda de buceo El rodadero at rodadero in SAnta marta. Talk to Maria and Pacho (the owners) I got my paddy and my open waters with them.

By the way you are in luck Santa Marta is one of the cheapest places in the world for scuba diving........

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valdemar says on Sep 12, 2005, 21:37:

How do I get on a diving trip to Malpelo and Gorgona ??? Anyone knows who arranges trips to these specific loacations ? (I have heard soooo much good about these places)

Kind regards,
Valdemar

Chao - Jens

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cleeo says on Sep 12, 2005, 23:38:

Pacific Ocean There are some dive shops at cali offering these trips around $170usd for Gorgona island. Im not sure about Malpelo: its not a regular scuba diving destination, so going there its a bit more expensive.

You never touch ground after u leave buenaventura. Im not sure, but Malpelo is like a day and a half (or more) away. You stay in the boat the whole trip. High quality scuba diving, TONS of mantas, turtles, sharks, whales, u name it. Ive seen pics/vids from day and night immersions. All in one, no luxuries

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flaleo says on Sep 13, 2005, 16:07:

For Pacific live-aboards try contacting Diego Alfredo Hurtado O'Byrne at his dive store/shop in Cali (Versailles). I have a card from about a year ago:

Aqua Buzos
Calle 24 N #5bn-57
667-1600
aquabuzos2001 at mixmail.com

He was telling me all about some great Pacific trips that he or his friends do or sell... Gorgona for sure and another island a day further out (by live-aboard) - sounds awesome if the boat is nice enough. Sorry I have no first-hand info to share.

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Em says on Sep 15, 2005, 11:37:

Gorgona I was a "Guardaparque" ( Park Ranger) in Gorgona and did both my beginners and advanced certificate there. I've also been to Santa Martha and Cartagena diving and got bored. The thing is because of the lack of plankton (and the over-fishing)in the Atlantic ocean you will get crystal clear waters and many corals but really not so much moving animal life, that is compared to the Pacific Ocean. The schools of tropical fish, turtles, sharks, dolphins, moray eels, barracudas, tuna, whales, rays etc, etc, etc as well as the on-land activities and animals just makes it the ideal destination (in my opinion).
If you are considering Gorgona you can actually stay in the park in decent cabins and do your course with ASTURIAS (Buenaventura)which has a hut there.
Part of my job was accompanying the dive boats and I actually stayed overnight on one on the way there - they are generally small and not what you would consider comfortable for a 3 night stay but the food they serve is better than the park food.

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flaleo says on Sep 16, 2005, 07:15:

Hey EM,

Sounds like you know your scuba? You basically give all of Colombia's Caribbean waters a thumbs down (relative to other destinations)? I want to find a very economical place to have my novia certified (Miami is out! So is Bahamas, Turk, Cayman - all places I travel to but too but clearly more expensive than other options...) and thus I'm considering La Romana, Cozumel, and was wondering about Gorgona or Santa Marta, etc. - but your opinion makes it sound like I'd not find the diving very good there (as I like lots of fish life and animals). We've already traveled to SA and Providencia so I'm not considering those (as I don't need a repeat).

I'd love to do Colombia's Pacific, but that wouldn't make a good spot for getting her certified I'd guess.

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Gator says on Sep 16, 2005, 07:28:

As Far As a Beginner... Gorgona is not for the faint of heart. Learn in El Rodadero (Santa Marta) then make a side trip to Taganga. She then will be able, no pun intended, to get her feet wet THEN go on to bigger and better things.

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 16, 2005, 10:07:

Pacific Vs. Caribbean I've done a lot of Pacific diving (though not in Colombia) and know what you mean about the big fish and the big animals there vs. the Carribean. However, if I were going with someone who is learning the basics and just getting certified, the warm, clear water of the Carribean and the ease of access there would be a big plus.

While there aren't tons of huge fish in either Taganga or San Andres, there are LOTS of them and very colorful. Also, the reefs in both places are really gorgeous.

One thing I've found disappointing in Colombia is that there aren't a lot of places with great, accessible snorkeling. I think too much dynamite fishing has done a number on all the shallow reefs near major population centers. I'd love to hear if anyone else has found good snorkeling somewhere.

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flaleo says on Sep 16, 2005, 16:29:

Nice advice, but did you note that I need a place that she can learn and that I won't be bored? I don't need big animals, but I do want large schools or maybe a chance at a larger animal (turtle, eel, ray, shark). Lots of Caribbean places have the latter, but which have the latter and the former and are relatively cheap? Can I add Santa Marta to La Romana and Cozumel or will their lack of fish life be a bore to me?

I found SA and Providencia nice enough, if that helps as a comparison.

Thanks for the guidence!

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Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 16, 2005, 18:40:

Bored? Well, flaleo, I've probably been diving 200-300 times all over the world and I wasn't even remotely bored at Taganga. Saw rays, some nice big groupers, lobsters, and a couple barracuda, so it's hardly a barren desert. I didn't see turtles but I know in some seasons they do.

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kernow62 says on Sep 16, 2005, 20:53:

Mr. Hollywood, I have dived in quite a few areas of the world for many years certainly not as much as you and I must say I enjoyed snorkeling in the reefs near SA. Perhaps not the best I have seen, but visibility was good and the variety of colourful smaller fish was quite abundant. I would imagine Providencia to be better, but haven't been there so cannot comment.

For learning to dive SA would be a very good choice in my opinion.

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Saltador says on Sep 17, 2005, 06:23:

Snorkeling San Andres I had some great snorkeling in San Andres, but I used the services of a fisherman/guide who took me out in his boat to spots he knew of. Saw lots of big sting rays while traveling in the boat, and finally got close enough to a big one while snorkeling to get some great pictures. (I wanted to post one or two here but couldn't figure out how to do it...)
The mans name is Gustavo, super nice and bilingual. He can be arranged by the Noblehouse hotel, who I highly recomend as a place to stay. They take service to another level and make you feel like their best friend instead of a customer. I believe I paid him 25 dollars for 5-6 hours of snorkeling.
I read there is good snorkeling near Taganga at Playa Granate, and hope to check it out in Nov-Dec.

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flaleo says on Sep 17, 2005, 12:41:

Gustavo sounds familiar... he was recommended to me and at the time he either worked out of Noblehouse or with Roger out of Sharkey's... I don't remember which but he was recommended to me by a very experienced traveler/diver.

Thanks for the tips on Santa Marta. Sounds like it's still and option for gettin the Novia her C card (at 1/2 or 1/3 of what it might cost in Miami).

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Michaela23 says on Oct 10, 2005, 09:08:

Cartagena scuba We've just returned from Cartagena where we had a fantastic time. My husband and I learned to dive with Diving Planet - www.divingplanetclub.com. It was arranged by our Spanish school and we were extremely lucky to have Fernando Cadena as instructor (he speaks English very well). We did 9 dives (including 2 night dives) in Islas del Rosario. We loved it! I think we paid around 350USD each for the course. They can organize snorkelling trips too. Don't miss El volcan Totum, near Cartagena, it's incredible!

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CuriosJoe says on Oct 13, 2005, 05:46:

CTG good diving Can't remember the name of the place now, it's on the main street in Laguito, there are actually several, the owner is Argentinian and his wife is Colombian, and they have a child son, did a couple of dives and island tour, was great, can't recommend enough. You don't really need to fly to San Andres to do dives, though I would assume that San Andres dives would be more like Hawaii or Carrebean dives in terms of water clarity and colors vs Cartagena dive was more like diving off of Miami coast. My 2 cents.

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flaleo says on Oct 15, 2005, 08:31:

$350 per person for a card course? that's super expensive... same price one would find in the u.s. if anyone has information on something in the $150/person range please do share.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Oct 16, 2005, 06:34:

But a card But if I remember, Flaleo, a normal certification course only has about 2 or 3 ocean dives. So if they got 9 dives what you're really looking at is a cert course plus 7 more dives. Makes the price a little more reasonable.

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flaleo says on Oct 16, 2005, 19:52:

4 dives, but that would be fine... except i read it as $350 for the course and no amount specified for all the other dives. if $350 bought the class and 4 checkouts and 5 normal dives then that's much more in line with what i'd expect.

i'm hoping to get my wife (fiancee right now) certified maybe next summer - if i can get her over her fear (ignorance actually) of all things living in the sea! :(

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cartaotaganga says on Nov 1, 2005, 16:42:

Rosario Islands or Santa Marta? So, I have the choice. In this coming week, I could dive with a shop in Cartagena ...most likely to the Rosario Islands....or I could go up to Santa Marta and dive from there. How would you compare these 2 spots? I have my open water certification but I haven't dived in almost 2 years....and that was in honduras in the Bay Islands.
Thank you!

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Mr. Hollywood says on Nov 1, 2005, 17:49:

Taganga The Rosario Islands are much more impacted by population, overfishing and, yes, dynamiting of the reefs than Taganga is. The farther you go into Tayrona Park from Taganga the better the diving is. It's pretty nice there.

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