Night Dive
Discover Tayrona’s reefs after dark as octopus, lobsters, and nocturnal creatures emerge. A magical guided adventure for certified divers seeking unique dives.
Price range: $ 180.000 through $ 210.000
Indicated price only applies to cash payments.
Important
Indicated price is our promotion price which only applies when paying in cash. For card payments, original price applies. To be eligible for the cash discount:
- Reserve your spot with a deposit online
- Upon arriving, pay with cash at the counter
VAT: Colombian residents +19% (not included in price). Foreign tourists are exempt. Cash discount available.
PADI 5 ★ IDC Resort
Professional teaching for all levels
6 languages
English, Spanish, German, Dutch, Italian & French
Small Groups
Personalised teaching with individual focus
Secure credit card payments with Bancolombia's Wompi
NIGHT DIVE AT A GLANCE
| Duration | Evening trip, approx. 2 hours | Dives | 1 guided night dive (~45 minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dive options | Boat dive or shore dive | Minimum age | 12 years |
| Prerequisite | PADI Open Water Diver or equivalent | Group size | Maximum 4 divers per guide |
| Ideal for | Certified divers wanting to experience the reef and its nocturnal marine life after dark | Dive highlights | Nocturnal marine life & bioluminescent plankton |
| Location | Taganga Bay or Tayrona National Park in Santa Marta, Colombia | Equipment | Full scuba equipment & underwater dive torch included |
| Price | 180,000–210,000 COP (Cash Price) |
Overview
Experience the ocean after dark as Tayrona National Park and Taganga Bay undergo a dramatic shift. Nocturnal hunters emerge while diurnal reef fish find shelter. Guided by torchlight, you’ll discover sleeping parrotfish in protective cocoons, active octopus, foraging lobsters, moray eels, crabs, and pufferfish. The highlight of the dive occurs when lights are fully covered to observe the natural glow of bioluminescent plankton floating around you.
Trip Itinerary & Schedule
Boat Night Dive (Tayrona National Park):
Meet at dive center for gear check, light signaling briefing, and safety orientation.
Boat departure (15-minute ride to dive sites at the entrance of Tayrona Park) for 1 night dive (~45 minutes).
Return to dive center, logbook signing, and dive debrief. Enjoy dinner right after at one of the several restaurants located steps from our shop!
Shore Night Dive (Taganga Bay):
Meet at the dive center for gear setup, light communication briefing, and marine life overview.
Enter the water directly from Taganga Bay beach for 1 shore night dive (~45 minutes).
Exit the water, return to dive center for logbook stamping and debrief.
(Note: Night dives take place in the evening, so there is no morning coffee session or post-dive fruit service. We recommend grabbing dinner right after your dive at the great local spots surrounding our shop!).
Requirements
Minimum Certification: PADI Open Water Diver (or equivalent).
Minimum Age: 12 years old.
Experience: Comfortable diving in open ocean conditions (advanced certification is not required; basic experience is sufficient).
What’s Included
- Full scuba equipment rental (mask, fins, wetsuit, BCD, regulator system).
- High-powered primary underwater dive torch/light.
- Standard scuba tank (12L / 80 cu ft), weights, and air fill.
- Guided 1-tank night dive with a certified PADI Instructor/Divemaster (max 4 divers per guide).
- Boat transport (for Tayrona Park option) or surface support (for shore option).
- Drinking water and dive center facilities.
Add-ons & Extras
Daily Scuba Diving Insurance: Most standard travel or health insurance policies exclude scuba diving accidents. If you do not carry active specialized dive insurance (such as DAN), we recommend adding our daily dive insurance. For a small daily fee (15.000 COP/day), this policy covers medical expenses for dive injuries, hyperbaric chamber treatments, and emergency transportation, giving you complete peace of mind while exploring Tayrona’s reefs.
Enriched Air Nitrox Fills: Available for Nitrox-certified divers wanting extended bottom times ($30.000 COP per tank).
15L (100 cu ft) Large Tank Upgrade: Ideal for high-air-consumption divers wanting longer dives ($10.000 COP per tank).
Dive Computer Rental: Available for extra depth tracking and personal profile monitoring ($15.000 COP/day).
GoPro Camera Rental: Rent a GoPro camera to record your own footage ($65.000 COP/day — all raw files delivered directly via Google Drive link).
Professional Photographer Service: Hire a dedicated photographer/videographer to accompany your dive for professional, fully edited high-resolution photos and video edits ($110.000 COP per person — group discounts available).
Flying & Altitude After Diving
For your safety, you must allow sufficient time for your body to off-gas excess nitrogen before ascending to altitude. Wait at least 12 hours after a single dive, or at least 18 hours after multiple dives, before flying in an aircraft or traveling to high elevations (including mountain driving, hiking, or visiting places like Minca/Sierra Nevada). Please plan your flights and land travel accordingly to enjoy your trip risk-free!
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Reserve your spot with a small online deposit; pay your balance at check-in.
Free deposit refund for cancellations made at least 48 hours before departure.
Granted if Ocean Lovers cancels due to official port closures or dangerous weather.
Cancellations under 48 hours, late arrivals/no-shows, voluntary stops during a trip, or canceling because a dive takes place outside Tayrona Park (e.g., during #RespiraTayrona closures).
If you feel unwell and cannot join the trip, inform us immediately. While last-minute health cancellations make deposits non-refundable, we will gladly reschedule your dive and apply your paid deposit to another date during your stay whenever possible.
Regular Environmental Park Closures (“Respira Tayrona”)
Three times a year, Tayrona National Park temporarily closes to tourism for the #RespiraTayrona conservation initiative. Agreed upon between National Parks authorities and the local indigenous communities of the Sierra Nevada (Arhuaco, Kogui, Wiwa, and Kankuamo), these 15-day pauses give the ecosystem time to rest, regenerate, and allow indigenous spiritual ceremonies to take place:
- February 1 – February 15 (Kugkui Shikasa season)
- June 1 – June 15 (Saka Juso season)
- October 19 – November 2 (Nabbatashi season)
Where do we dive during park closures?
Diving in Taganga never stops! During these dates, our boat trips head to exceptional dive sites located around Taganga Bay, Santa Marta, and the marine borders just outside the park boundaries. These coastal areas share the same contiguous reef system, underwater topography, granite rock structures, and rich marine biodiversity as the park itself; you will enjoy the identical coral gardens, tropical fish, and macro life without missing out on any underwater magic.
Why Book With Ocean Lovers Taganga?
Highest safety rating, professional gear, and experienced night-diving guides.
Max 4 divers per guide so you never lose light contact with your group.
Briefings available in English, Spanish, German, French, Dutch, and Italian.
Foreign tourists pay NO 19% Colombian VAT. Pay a deposit online and enjoy cash discounts on your balance at check-in!
| Package Options | 1 Boat Dive, 1 Shore Dive |
|---|
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