Sal, Cabo Verde
"How much is it?" is the first question almost every guest asks — and on Sal it is surprisingly hard to get a straight answer. Some dive centres hide prices behind a contact form, others advertise a low headline figure and add equipment, boat or certification fees later. Booking platforms add their own margin on top.
This guide explains what scuba diving in Cape Verde typically includes, what drives the price up or down, which extras to watch for and how to compare offers fairly. We also show our own all-inclusive prices, because we believe transparent pricing is part of diving safely: you should never feel pressured into a cheaper, more crowded trip by numbers you cannot compare.
The three things you can buy
Almost every diving purchase in Sal falls into one of three categories. A first dive (PADI Discover Scuba Diving) for people with no experience: training in calm water and one supervised ocean dive, usually a half-day. A certification course such as PADI Open Water, Advanced Open Water or Rescue Diver, spread over two to four days. Fun dives for certified divers, normally sold as single dives, two-dive boat trips or multi-dive packages.
Each is priced differently, and each has its own list of things that should be included. Comparing a first-dive price from one centre with a course price from another is the most common reason guests feel confused.
What a fair price should include
Before you compare numbers, make sure you are comparing the same thing. A fair, all-inclusive price for diving in Sal should cover:
- Full scuba equipment: wetsuit, mask, fins, BCD, regulator, computer or depth gauge, tank and weights.
- Your instructor or guide, with a stated maximum group size.
- The boat, where the site requires one.
- Hotel pickup or a clear meeting point.
- For courses: the PADI eLearning or manual and your certification card.
- Any marine-park or site fees.
If any of these appear as extras at checkout, add them to the headline price before deciding.
Our prices, all-inclusive
- First dive (Discover Scuba Diving): €110
- Two-dive guided boat trip (certified divers): €96
- PADI Open Water Diver: €420
- PADI Advanced Open Water: €300
- PADI Rescue Diver: €420
- PADI Enriched Air (Nitrox): €60 per training dive
- PADI ReActivate refresher: €85
- Second try dive: €80
- PADI Scuba Diver (to 12 m): €320
Fun-dive packages for certified divers: one dive €50, two dives €96, five dives €230, ten dives €440. Night dives add €20, a private guide is €35 per dive, and a non-diving partner can join the boat for €10.
Everything listed above is included. The only optional extra is a photo and video package, which we price before you book.
Why some dives are cheaper — and what you give up
Lower prices on the island usually come from three places: bigger groups, fixed schedules and fewer staff. A boat carrying 15–20 guests with two guides costs less per person than a small boat with 6 guests per guide — but you get less attention, more time waiting and a higher chance of being rushed.
Fixed schedules are the hidden cost. If an operator always runs the same trip at the same time, there is pressure to go out even when the sea is rough. Several negative reviews of diving in Sal describe exactly that: choppy water, poor visibility and seasick guests on a trip that should have been moved. Paying slightly more for an operator who cancels when conditions are poor is not a luxury — it is the difference between a good first impression of the ocean and a bad one.
Hidden extras to ask about
- Equipment rental charged per item or per day.
- Boat supplements for certain sites.
- Certification or eLearning fees not included in the course price.
- Hotel pickup charged separately or only from certain resorts.
- Nitrox fills for certified divers.
- Cancellation terms: what happens if the centre cancels for weather, and what happens if you cancel.
A trustworthy dive centre answers all of these in writing, before you pay.
Booking direct vs booking platforms
Booking platforms are convenient, show reviews in one place and often offer flexible cancellation. The trade-off is that the platform takes a commission, so the same dive can cost more than booking directly, and you may not speak to the instructor until the day itself.
Booking direct usually means a better price, a direct WhatsApp line to the person who will dive with you and more flexibility to move dives around the weather. Either way, check the operator's own reviews, not just the listing.
How to get the best value for your trip
- Bundle: a multi-dive package or a course plus fun dives costs less per dive than single bookings.
- Do eLearning at home: it saves island time, and island time is your most valuable resource.
- Book early in your stay: flexibility means you dive on the best days, not just the available ones.
- Bring your certification card and logbook: it avoids a refresher you don't need.
- Ask about Nitrox: if you plan several days of diving, Enriched Air can make each dive longer and more relaxed.
Is diving in Cape Verde good value?
Compared with many better-known diving destinations, Cape Verde offers warm water, uncrowded sites and genuine Atlantic wildlife at fair prices — and flights from Europe are short. The value comes from choosing an operator who gives you time, attention and honest conditions. For more planning help, read our guides to the best time to dive Cape Verde and getting PADI certified in Sal.
Three example budgets
- The curious couple: two first dives on the calmest morning of the week — 2 × €110, plus an optional photo package.
- The new diver: PADI Open Water with eLearning done at home (€420), then a two-dive boat trip (€96) to celebrate the new card.
- The returning diver: a ReActivate refresher (€85) on day one, followed by two or three guided boat trips across the week, adding Nitrox (€60) for longer, more relaxed dives.
Ask us to price your exact plan — packages for several days or several people usually work out cheaper per dive than booking each dive separately, and we will always tell you which combination gives you the best value for your dates and experience level.
Get an exact quote
Tell us your dates, how many people and your experience level. An instructor will send you an exact, all-inclusive price — no hidden extras, nothing to pay to ask — usually within the hour.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a first scuba dive in Cape Verde?
Prices vary by operator. Compare what's included: equipment, instructor, boat, pickup and group size. Our first dive starts €110, all-inclusive.
Is it cheaper to book diving in Sal directly?
Usually yes. Booking platforms add a commission, while booking directly often gives a better price and a direct line to your instructor.