
NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course worth booking?
NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course is a 48-hour experience in Santa Marta, Colombia, from $500 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 5/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (4)
- Duration
- 48 hours
- From
- $500 per person
World-class certification with premium comfort. Exclusive Boarding : We are one of the few centers that operate from the Marina de Santa Marta. You’ll enjoy modern facilities, showers and a agile boarding straight to the boat, without walking along the sand with heavy equipment. NAUI Standard: You are certified with one of the most prestigious agencies in the world, renowned for its focus on safety and training exceptional divers. Small Groups : We maintain a student-to-instructor ratio, ensuring you receive all the attention needed to master each technique. Isla de la Aguja : We do your dives in the best points of Tayrona Park, known for its excellent visibility and biodiversity. Media GoPro Gift: Unlike other schools, we include photos and videos of your training dives so you can keep your certification memory forever.
What you get
About this experience
World-class certification with premium comfort. Exclusive Boarding : We are one of the few centers that operate from the Marina de Santa Marta. You’ll enjoy modern facilities, showers and a agile boarding straight to the boat, without walking along the sand with heavy equipment. NAUI Standard: You are certified with one of the most prestigious agencies in the world, renowned for its focus on safety and training exceptional divers. Small Groups : We maintain a student-to-instructor ratio, ensuring you receive all the attention needed to master each technique. Isla de la Aguja : We do your dives in the best points of Tayrona Park, known for its excellent visibility and biodiversity. Media GoPro Gift: Unlike other schools, we include photos and videos of your training dives so you can keep your certification memory forever.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Diving insurance
- Bottled water
- Use of SCUBA equipment
- Snacks
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- 5 dives
- NAUI Open Water Scuba Diver Certification
- E-learning
Not included
- Lunch
- Alcoholic beverages
- Breakfast
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Santa Marta
Calle #22 CARRERA#2, historic center, opposite Santa Marta Bay Police Station
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Calle #22 CARRERA#2, historic center, opposite Santa Marta Bay Police Station
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 4 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- LIONFISH SCUBA DIVE CENTER
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- You should not fly within 12 to 18 hours of diving
Photos




What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Small groups
1 mentionThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
4 verified traveler reviews for NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great SCUBA! Lionfish for lunch!!! 🪸 🤿 🐠
We had a great experience with Andres and Lionfish Scuba Dive Center. I caught 3 Lionfish on my first day, 2 before lunch. The team cooked up a delicious lunch on a private beach. We internally signed up for lionfish hunt only. The operation was run so well that we signed up for more dives and Advanced Open Water Certification education to extend the trip. We even did a night dive. 🤿🪸🐠
Response from the operator: Thank you so much !
via Tripadvisor
Great diving!
Fantastic day diving with Anna and Hansel, it had been many years since we dived, Anna refreshed us and Hansel made it super fun! We saw moray eel, lobster, blow fish, amazing fish and coral. Delicious, super fresh fried fish lunch and snacks, stayed on a remote beautiful beach, epic day!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much. !
via Tripadvisor
Great fun open water course
Never dove before, got everything needed to have a great time and get certified!
Response from the operator: Thanks !
via Tripadvisor
Open Water diving certification in a little bit of paradise
I had been wanting to try scuba diving for decades, but life always got in the way. Then I found myself with time on my hands in Santa Marta, Colombia and decided it was time to explore this item on my wishlist. A quick Google and A few dive schools popped up. Lionfish Scuba was around the corner from me so I went to the shop and Ivan explained I needed to do the NAUI Open Water diving course to get me started. He measured me up for wet suit and fins and had Andres, the owner contact me. The entire process was so straightforward and I chose the Safari package - 2 days on a secluded beach accessed by boat in Tayrona National Park. I had one-on-one instruction with Daniel, who taught me all I needed to know so that from my first dive, I felt totally at home beneath the waters. The hut is simple and off-grid. No running water or anything - my kind of place - back to basics and utterly peaceful. Fish was caught daily and cooked on an open fire by the chap who looks after the place for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Delicious... I did my required 5 dives and chose to do the online learning after the practical. I did that back at my hotel in Santa Marta over 2 days. I found it made much more sense having already done the practical training and I managed to achieve 99.78% in the final exam. Andres registered my dives with NAUI and I left fully certified. Andres communicated throughout via WhatsApp and couldn't have been more helpful. If you're keen to get down into the under-water-world, I cannot recommend Lionfish Scuba highly enough. Huge thanks to Andres and his team!
Response from the operator: Thank you.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 48 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by LIONFISH SCUBA DIVE CENTER, who run 4 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 52.1.
See everything LIONFISH SCUBA DIVE CENTER runsWhy this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Santa Marta.
How much does NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course cost?
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Prices start at $500 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Santa Marta usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course take?
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Plan for about 48 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Santa Marta is not rushed.
Is NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 4 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Santa Marta, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 48-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Santa Marta can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Santa Marta and add a light layer if any part of the 48-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Santa Marta within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Santa Marta?
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On Outty we rank every Santa Marta experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hike for 4 days to the Lost City, Santa Marta, 4-Day Lost City Small-Group Tour in Santa Marta, 4-Day Walking Tour to Lost City of Sierra Nevada. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Santa Marta?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Santa Marta?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course?
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Included: Private transportation; Diving insurance; Bottled water; Use of SCUBA equipment; and Snacks. Not included: Lunch; Alcoholic beverages; and Breakfast. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course?
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Calle #22 CARRERA#2, historic center, opposite Santa Marta Bay Police Station Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Not recommended for pregnant travelers. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about NAUI Open Water Parque Tayrona Diving Certification Course?
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Across 4 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, small groups. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
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