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Let’s Plan Your
Caribbean Adventure.

Questions about diving, accommodation, courses or our Dive & Stay packages? The Ocean Lovers team is here to help you plan the perfect experience in Taganga, Colombia.

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Name

Number

Arrival Date

I'm Interested in

Message

Phone

+57 304 3263342

Email

oceanloverstaganga@gmail.com

Address

Cl. 15 #1b-14, Taganga,
Santa Marta, Colombia

📍 Get directions

Hours

7:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Clear your doubts

Frequently asked questions

Where is Ocean Lovers located?

Ocean Lovers is located in Taganga, very close to the beach, restaurants, cafés, and the boat departure point.
We are only a short walk from the sea, which makes it easy to arrive, prepare your equipment, and go directly to the boat.

How do I get to Taganga?

You can get to Taganga from Santa Marta, which is the nearest city and has both an airport and a bus terminal you can get to from all major cities and towns nearby. From Santa Marta, you can take a taxi or local bus to Taganga.
The ride is usually short, depending on traffic and your starting point. If you are arriving from the airport or bus terminal, we recommend allowing extra time so you do not miss your activity.

Do you offer airport transfers from Santa Marta Airport to Taganga?

We can help you organize transport from Santa Marta Airport to Ocean Lovers in Taganga.
Please contact us before arrival with your flight details, arrival time, and number of people, and we will let you know the available options.

Can I dive the same day I arrive?

Technically yes, depending on your arrival time, availability, and whether all required forms or eLearning have been completed. However, for morning dives and courses, we usually recommend arriving the day before so you can check in calmly and be ready on time.

What time do morning dives start?

Morning dive activities usually start early. Guests meet at Ocean Lovers around 7:15 to 7:30 AM for check-in, equipment preparation, and briefing. The boat normally leaves after preparation, and we usually return around midday.
Exact times can change depending on the activity, weather, and boat schedule.

Can I dive in the afternoon?

Yes, afternoon dives are sometimes possible depending on demand, weather, instructor availability, and boat schedule.
Please send us a message and we will check availability for your preferred date.

What others say

Loved by divers
around the world

Ocean Lovers Taganga

4.9

Based on 801 reviews

review us on

Kareena jade

1 day ago

I stayed at Ocean Lovers to complete my Advanced Open Water Course. I had amazing private instruction with Felipe, who is very knowledgeable, patient, and filled with passion for diving which you can really feel as he guides you. He tailored the course specific to my needs and I had an incredible time. I feel so much more confident as a diver now. The facilities are so nice, there is free coffee 24/7, and all the staff and volunteers bring great energy. I would recommend coming here if you are interested in learning more about diving or to continue your education. Thank you so much Ocean Lovers 🐠🪸🫶

Joseph Hamilton

1 day ago

Had four great dives with Ocean Lovers in Taganga! We saw eels and a turtle, and I really enjoyed diving with our divemaster, Lena. Thanks for a great experience!

Courtney Corrie

4 days ago

I completed my open water PADI with Anna at Ocean Lover’s Taganga and my experience was incredible. Anna makes you feel so at ease and gradually builds your confidence day by day. She explains the course and its requirements so well and I can’t believe the progress I made in 3 days! The equipment at Ocean Lover’s is high quality and all the dive masters are super friendly and encouraging. The hostel has great facilities and the dive sites around Tayrona National Park are beautiful. I highly recommend this spot to anyone looking to do any kind of diving course or fun dives! Thank you so much Anna!! So excited to continue my journey! 🤿🪸🧜🏼‍♀️🐠

Isabel Bohan

4 days ago

Thank you so much to Anna for all of her amazing instruction. She is such a clear, experienced and steadfast teacher which made me feel so safe and comfortable doing my Open Water. I feel so confident and independent in my diving after our three days of training. We had so much fun together, thank you Anna 💙🐠🐡🐙🦀🪸🪼🐚

Bas Siebelink

4 days ago

Michelle de Leeuw

4 days ago

Enjoyed a wonderful dive with Edgar!

Curt Banks

5 days ago

Excellent place... 5 minute walk from the beach ⛱️ Very friendly staff. Clean and neat. Right next door to the Dive Shop!!

Marintonia Quintero

6 days ago

I really liked the dive site; they have both the course and the accommodation very well organized. I highly recommend it!

Daniel Angarita

6 days ago

It was a good experience

Jorge Alejandro Iragorri

6 days ago

Excellent team, all the instructions are clear for those who are learning. Highly recommend staying at the super comfortable and clean hotel.

Mees Drielsma

1 week ago

I did the open water advanced course here with Anna. Really enjoyed it and very good instructors

juan fernando diaz

1 week ago

I went to do my open water course and I really loved it. Edgar was very attentive and taught us how to dive properly and correctly.

Lina Echeverri

1 week ago

I got my certification with Edgar! Excellent instructor, very careful, and a great guide!! 20/10 and the place is amazing. 100% recommended

Ofek Golan

1 week ago

Lena and Ora were great guides. The place is really professional and takes care of safety and also takes care of fruit and water on the tour and coffee on the way back. We did 4 dives with them and it was amazing

Rotem

1 week ago

A team of good guides, most of whom are European and have a lot of experience. Lena and Ora are recommended guides.

Sebastian Caicedo

1 week ago

I got certified with Ocean Lovers and stayed at their hostel. The experience was fantastic, the service was attentive, and the hostel has lovely facilities for resting, cooking, and relaxing. The certification process was wonderful; the instructors are great and very knowledgeable, making you feel safe and comfortable at all times. Being hosted and certified in the same place makes everything very convenient and practical.

Yuna Richard

2 weeks ago

Really great experience for my first dive ! Laura is an amazing dive master, really professional and attentive !

Alejandra Narváez Vallejo

2 weeks ago

Excellent place, the shared rooms are very nice and comfortable, and the people are very friendly. The diving experience was sensational. Edgar and Wilson provided a fantastic overview of all the skills with both theoretical and practical lessons.

Antoine Meunier

2 weeks ago

Thanks to Laura, our divemaster for the beginner dive ! It was incredible. We saw a lot of différent fish, she was attentive of us to make sure we were enjoying it. It was a pleasure really ! Thanks a lot to all the team ! We will come back

Iris Aixalà Sala

2 weeks ago

We went diving with the Oceans Lovers team and it was great, they were very attentive and friendly, the visibility was very good and there was a lot of marine life

Sophia Smith

2 weeks ago

Stayed a night and did a fun dive! Would recommend, such a fun morning coffee vibe and great snacks and fruit between dives. Dive sites were great.

Marie Blanc

2 weeks ago

Great diving school! Friendly welcome and well-organized 🙂 I highly recommend it

Jadon Co

2 weeks ago

This experience was amazing, I really liked diving here and was so happy to come to Colombia, Ocean Lovers. Lena was my instructor and I’m very thankful for her patience and instruction while diving. She spoke fluent English and Spanish, leading me well. We saw soooo many cool animals, including a squid, an octopus, some eels, and a turtle! Really recommend her as a diving buddy regardless of your level of experience. The diving shop was very clean, affordable and all the instructors were very friendly and helpful. I hope to come back again! Thanks so much yall.

Carolin Quinones

2 weeks ago

The instructors were all amazing and patient. The experience was incredible and the views from all point of views was incredible. Definitely will return.

Manny Martinez

2 weeks ago

Maaike Jongmans

2 weeks ago

I really enjoyed my time at Ocean Lovers! The people at the hostel are very nice and helpful. I stayed here to get my PADI Open Water certification and I definitely recommend doing it here. Anna is a fantastic instructor who is very patient and explains everything calmly. Thanks for the fantastic dives!

nicolas tarnovsky

3 weeks ago

We had two days of diving, and everything was excellent: the equipment, the location, the staff—everything was superb. Many thanks to Edgar and the entire team. Highly recommended spot in Taganga.

Cíara Corrigan

3 weeks ago

Amazing dive school. Jorge was an amazing instructor for our PADI advanced open water. He was really patient and great fun to dive with.

Mary Parada

3 weeks ago

The hostel is very nice, the staff is very friendly, my diving instructor was Lena and she's the best, very professional. I highly recommend the place.

Anton Bauer

3 weeks ago

Great dive school! My training with Tobi and Edgar was excellent; I felt I was in very professional hands! The group was small, so everyone received excellent attention. I highly recommend getting your dives done at this dive school.

Halithan Cetin (HC)

3 weeks ago

Nice diving school and hostel, thanks Anna!

Steven Kocken

3 weeks ago

Immaculate vibes, great coaching and a cute kitten! Definitely recommend 🙂

Raphaël L

3 weeks ago

Very nice dive shop to stay in. Good people and instructors (special mention to Jorge).

Jon Johnson

4 weeks ago

We were here for fun dives. From check-in through the briefing to the entire dive and debriefing, everything was just as you’d hope: transparent, clearly communicated, professional, and with a very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. We’d love to come back anytime.

Laura M. Solis

4 weeks ago

I got my Open Waters certification and it was amazing from start to finish. I received great support from the moment I booked until I "graduated." Anna, my instructor, was very kind, patient, and dedicated; I feel like I wouldn't have made it without her support. The rooms are very clean, air-conditioned, and have access to a kitchen where you can cook if you prefer, or you're close to delicious restaurants. The only risk of staying at this hostel and getting certified is that you might fall in love with diving and your vacation will never be the same.

Theis Hansen

4 weeks ago

Edgar did an amazing job! Not only did he convince me not to give up during my first dive, he is also an incredibly skilled and confident, and calm instructor. Highly recommend! 🪸 You will be in safe hands!

Paul Ravoire

4 weeks ago

We completed our Open Water Diver certification with our instructor Edgar. He was fantastic, very patient, and a great teacher. Everything was perfect! 👍

Frederik Andersen

4 weeks ago

Took the Open Water diver course with Edgar as the instructor, which was amazing. He was patient and explained things really well, so all the instructions were very clear. Completely recommend this.

Steffen Dieken

1 month ago

Great dives with my instructor Lena 👌🏻

Stian Skogen

1 month ago

Took my open diver here and it was amazing, great place to be and great people aswell

Elio Padilla

1 month ago

Pia Al

1 month ago

I got this place recommended myself and I was not disappointed! I did my open water diver and therefore my first dive(s) ever with Ocean Lovers Taganga. Everybody at the Hostel and at the diving school has been lovely, especially my diving instructor Edgar! He never got tired of explaining and showing me all the skills and everything that we saw underwater. I felt safe and comfortable at any time, so I would highly recommend this place!

Sara Wilde

1 month ago

I loved my time here. Lena was such a great dive master. She was so thorough with her pre dive briefing and safety checks, I felt very safe diving with her. We saw so many different types of fish, including an octopus, which we weren’t expecting. I wish I had known about the dorms earlier, I would love to stay here.

George Sloane

1 month ago

Me and my partner completed 2 recreational dives with Lena as a dive master. She was absolutely excellent, as we were relatively inexperienced we were slightly nervous heading into the dive. Lena had fantastic attention to detail and made us feel very safe and confident throughout all aspects of the dive from setting up the gear to the briefing to the time during the dive. She took time to explain each type of fish we seen as well as the coral and even brought us through logging the dive on the padi app. 10/10 would recommend.

Caoimhe Murphy

1 month ago

We did a fun dive package with Ocean Lovers and could not recommend it more! It included two dives and our dive master Lena was incredible. As new divers we felt safe with her all the time while also having fun and enjoying the experience. Would definitely come back here again

Aldo Salgado

1 month ago

Lena was very kind and careful during the dive.

Delphine Quevy

1 month ago

I did two dives with Oceano Lovers, specifically with Léna and Laura. Booking was easy and they were very responsive, even the day before. They were attentive, and the group was small. I highly recommend this dive center.

Jozefien ibens

1 month ago

It was a very good experience! The rooms were very clean and it’s a nice vibe. The dive as well, very friendly staff and everything is good arranged. Thanks to Lena and the other staff!

Scarlet Bolivar

1 month ago

My experience was fantastic! My instructor, Edgar, was very friendly and professional. I felt very relaxed and learned easily. We had two dives: the first was to practice the theory, and the second was to enjoy being underwater. I highly recommend it! 🩷

Jowi Steenhoff

1 month ago

Great experience diving with Lena! She’s super approachable and made us feel comfortable in the water right away.

Madelief Mons

1 month ago

Lovely dive school, right instructions and very clear

Linus Kübler

1 month ago

Very good and competent instructors in this dive center. Their english is very good so you don't necessarily need to know spanish. Special thanks to my dive instructors Ana and Edgar 🙂

Juan Campos

1 month ago

An incredible experience with Ocean Lovers. I did several fun dives, including a night dive and a lionfish hunt, and everything was excellent. All the instructors were very professional, attentive, and conveyed a great passion for diving. A special thanks to Laura and Cheo for the amazing sunset we enjoyed, and to Lena for the photos and for capturing so many incredible moments of the experience. I would definitely dive with you again! 🌊🤿

Justus-h

1 month ago

Amazing place, both for diving and the hostal. I had the pleasure of doing my divemaster training here with Felipe, aswell as deep, nitrox and sidemount specialties. I stayed a total of 5 weeks, got to learn a lot and had a lot of beautiful dives. The equipment is good and well maintained, the instructors are nice and professional and the rest of the crew is also taking good care of everything from check in to check out. Can highly recommend.

Will B.

1 month ago

Edgar was my instructor and as an american spoke amazing English and was great underwater as well! The place was clean, the people were great (fellow guests and staff), and Taganga is a great and safe place! Sunsets are also amazing here!

Reto Gerber

1 month ago

Awesome Scuba Diving Center. Amazing vibes and fun and professional Staff. Lena was a superb dive Guide. Highly recommended.

Felicitas Mussler

1 month ago

My time here at the hostel is amazing, the vibe is super relaxed and perfect for connecting with others. Lena gave me a really warm welcome at the dive shop and was also incredibly professional as a divemaster. The dive center in general is very professionally equipped; everything has its place and is impeccably maintained.

Kyle Davis

1 month ago

Great diving school! My instructor Edgar was the best 💪 loved it

Cristian Pacheco

1 month ago

Ocean Lovers has been the best diving experience I’ve ever had! I made some amazing friends, and the instructors, especially Jorge, are absolutely incredible. Everyone works together as one big team they truly feel like family. EVERYTHING was amazing! I came all the way from New Jersey, USA, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I highly recommend Ocean Lovers to anyone looking for an unforgettable diving experience! THANKS

Juan David Zambrano Borja

1 month ago

I really like the place, the people and the experience Diving, we even saw turtles, Jorge was an amazing instructor, and we learned a lot from him. The night was amazing we chilled a lot and enjoyed as much as we could

Menga Sartorius

1 month ago

Juan Felipe Agudelo Patiño

1 month ago

An exceptional place if you want to get started in the wonderful world of scuba diving. I took the Open Water course with Instructor Edgar Ávila, an excellent instructor and a great person. I highly recommend this place and its instructors.

Sven Jelinek

2 months ago

Christine S

2 months ago

Nicolai Mortensen

2 months ago

Took my PADI open water certificate with Jorge. Amazing experience

Karla Kunert

2 months ago

Lena and Edgar took excellent care of me – I am incredibly grateful as I now need "full service" for diving, including getting dressed, carrying, etc. Many thanks to the whole station!

gabriel Kunert

2 months ago

Had a wonderful time here. My younger brother and I did our advanced open water with Edgar who was amazing! Great communication above and below the water surface and very kind and patient with the two of us ❤️ the rooms where good too, we stayed in one of the apartments rooms wich was clean and spacious. Taganga is a charming village with bars, restaurants and friendly people

Roland Kunert

2 months ago

Ocean Lovers has the best combination of hostel and dive school in Taganga. We spent four days with Lena, Laura, Edgar, and Cheo and experienced a fantastic program, from Advanced Open Water Diver training with a night dive to fun dives and lionfish hunting. Thank you so much, we'll be back!

Lilyan Bolivar Ortega

2 months ago

I loved this experience. The instructor, Jorge, was very kind and patient, and he made me feel comfortable in the water. Overall, the team makes you feel confident, and everyone is very friendly. There's a great energy here. I would go back a thousand times.

Kavya S

3 months ago

Stayed 3 days here for my Advanced Open Water and it's the best dive shop in Taganga/Santa Marta!! The staff is so so so friendly and helpful - I texted them with a million questions in the few days leading up to my trip and they answered immediately with so many details about courses, prices, hostel availability, surrounding areas, and more. They even helped me shape my itinerary for Colombia. I'd be remiss not to mention how amazing, kind, and fun Laura is! She instantly made me feel comfortable and welcomed - she showed me the ropes and clearly has an amazing relationship with everyone who stays/works/visits. Upon arrival, everyone is so welcoming and friendly - the staff and hostel are extremely flexible and relaxed, and everyone diving there became good friends instantly. They also organise events such as a sunset hike. The facilities are also kept super clean - spotless bathrooms and great air conditioning. The rooftop terraces with hammocks + beanbags are also really well kept. For my AOW, Jorge was extremely knowledgeable and well-prepared. We completed it without any issues and learned so much. The dive shop is super flexible if you feel unwell and want to postpone a dive or two. I felt very safe during the dives and had the best time. Overall could not have asked for a better experience - I was nervous solo traveling Colombia and doing my AOW alone, but it's been unforgettable.

Siti M. Yaakub

3 months ago

Did two dives with Anna and she was lovely. Very attentive, thorough with safety and we were well taken care of. Also super enthusiastic about marine life and the environment, which is what you want in a dive instructor. The rooms at this dive center are nice and spacious. There was a slight issue early on about cleanliness but they fixed it very quickly.

Louise Conway

3 months ago

Myself and my boyfriend stayed at ocean lovers hostel for the last three days and it was amazing! Hostel was 10/10, really clean, great facilities and good location. In relation to the scuba diving, I did my open water diving course with Edgar and my boyfriend did six fun dives with Ana. I couldn’t have asked for a better place and instructor for doing my course. Edgar was so patient and explained everything very clearly making it both a good learning and very enjoyable experience! My boyfriend Alasdair raved about his dives with Anna, she was really chill nice and easy to talk to and made it a great time for him. In regards to the diving, the areas were amazing, such beautiful coral and lots of different marine life was seen! Would highly highly recommend Ocean lovers to anybody whether you’re starting out or just looking for a day of good diving!

Martina Skalecki

3 months ago

I recently completed my Rescue Diver course with Ocean Lovers in Taganga, with Anna as my instructor, and I honestly couldn’t recommend them highly enough. I originally came to Taganga just planning to do a day of fun dives but I loved the experience so much that I ended up staying an extra three days to complete my Rescue Diver course! After finishing my Open Water and Advanced certifications I always knew Rescue was something I wanted to do and I’m so glad I chose Ocean Lovers for this next step. From start to finish, Anna was an incredible instructor. She made me feel completely comfortable and confident throughout the entire course. Her explanations were thorough, clear and patient. I always felt prepared and competent to take on each exercise under her guidance. The course was challenging in the best way and I feel like I’ve gained so much confidence and valuable skills as a diver. I can’t thank Anna enough for making this such a positive and memorable experience!!! I will definitely be back 100% and would recommend Ocean Lovers to anyone looking for an amazing dive school in Taganga!

M. A.

3 months ago

Really good diving school, Edgar was a great instructor for my refresher dives, and a great support! Thank you!

Matteo la mendola

3 months ago

Marit Vanderwegen

3 months ago

Diving was wonderful. Staff profesional and friendly. Snacks and drinks provided. I had a great experience!

Adam Mackenzie

4 months ago

I had never done scuba before so I booked my open water with Ocean Lovers. Edgar was a fantastic instructor and made everything very clear, easy and fun. The entire experience was great and I learnt loads. I booked a lionfish hunt day after qualifying for open water which was a really cool experience and very well organised. The hostel is lovely with nice rooms, aircon, great social spaces and very friendly and helpful staff. There were lots of dive masters and qualified instructors which made it easy to ask any scuba questions I had. I think it's the best time I've had in Colombia so far across 3 weeks of travelling. Strongly recommend staying and diving here.

Alex Merchant

4 months ago

Excellent dive shop. I did a refresher course here as it had been 15 years since my last dive. Felipe and Laura are great dive instructors. Extremely thorough, safe, and friendly. Just a 15 minute easy boat ride to wonderful dive sites in Tayrona. Saw beautiful coral and so many fish.

Christoph Berger

4 months ago

Very good diving school with phenomenal diving instructores. For first timers absolutely recommended. Patient lovely understanding. Feel-good atmosphere, solid preparation, coffee fruits juice, photos included- just enjoy the corals and sea life to the fullest!

Katie McCallum

5 months ago

My friend and I loved our stay here! It’s great just as a hostel but the dive school is also awesome! The staff are so lovely. I had Edgar as my dive instructor and he was so incredible. Any time I was stressed or overwhelmed he was so amazing at calming me down. I will cherish the experience I had here for a long time! Thanks to everyone at Ocean Lovers 😀

Amanda McAteer

5 months ago

Best booking yet! Edgar was truly the best dive instructor I have ever had, his attention to detail, safety, and instruction all while having the kindness, most patient and generous attitude was amazing. He felt like a friend but a friend I could trust with my life and he brought my diving skills up massively. I finally feel confident in my equalization, nitrox, as well as other dive skills. The place itself was super chill, calm, safe, welcoming, and right on the beach. The restaurant across the street is also the best with a local daily special that is a must have after ever morning dive. Would return and stay here both in the dorms or solo bed. Both are lively and WiFi worked pretty darn well esp for the area.

Ellie Binet

5 months ago

Fantastic dive centre, I got my PADI open water certification here and had the best time. My instructor, Edgar, was incredible! He was so so professional and patient. I was also able to practice my Spanish and he gave me instructions in both Spanish and English, his English is so fluent and everything was really clear. I felt super supported and in safe hands, he is an excellent teacher! The accommodation is also really nice, everyone is really friendly. There is such a nice atmosphere as everyone has coffee in the morning together before going out on dives. Would 100% recommend!

Anastasia Eleftheriou

5 months ago

What an incredible experience diving with Ocean Lovers! I originally went in to earn my PADI Open Water qualification, but ended up continuing on to complete my Advanced course-and even convinced my boyfriend, who was just doing fun dives, to join me. Felipe was our instructor for the entire course, and he was phenomenal! Not only did he make every dive memorable, but he also made learning easy, fun, and completely stress-free. He has an amazing eye for spotting wildlife, explains everything clearly, and made us feel completely safe and confident in the water. Every dive with him was both educational and unforgettable. The dives themselves were amazing-highlights included a night dive and a separate dive where we helped remove invasive lionfish from the reef. But this trip was about so much more than just diving-we had an absolute blast! The entire Ocean Lovers team made the experience unforgettable, and a huge shout-out to Lena for capturing stunning underwater photos of us. From booking to training to diving, everything was seamless, and we were spoiled with plenty of fresh fruit throughout the day. I'll never forget this team or this experience-it was truly perfect.