Scuba Refresh Program
Refresh your dive skills with a professional review, shallow-water practice, and two guided dives so you can return underwater safely and confidently.
Price range: $ 350.000 through $ 400.000
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
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EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW
SCUBA REFRESH AT A GLANCE
| Duration | Half day | Certification | For certified scuba divers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experience | Perfect for divers returning after a break | Minimum age | 10 years |
| Prerequisite | Open Water Diver certification or equivalent | Maximum depth | Based on certification level |
| Ideal for | Certified divers who want to refresh their knowledge, skills and confidence | Training | Skill review followed by open water diving |
| Location | Taganga & Tayrona National Park in Santa Marta, Colombia | Equipment | Full scuba equipment included |
| Price | From 350’000 COP (Cash Price) |
Overview
Rebuild your underwater skills and regain total confidence before your next ocean adventure. If you’ve been out of the water for a while, our Scuba Refresh Program combines a quick theory review, shallow-water skill practice, and two full guided dives in Tayrona National Park. You’ll practice essential safety habits before diving alongside healthy coral gardens, tropical fish, and macro marine life under direct instructor supervision.
Trip Itinerary & Schedule
Pre-Arrival:Complete a short online theory review quiz sent to your email prior to arrival.
7:15 AM – Morning Welcome (Optional):Start your day early at our beachfront shop with complimentary fresh Colombian coffee, tea, or local fruit juice. Meet your instructor and get settled.
7:30 AM – Briefing & Gear Fitting (Mandatory):Equipment fitting followed by hands-on practice of gear setup, hand signals, dive planning, and safety.
8:30 AM – Boat Departure:Boat safety briefing and scenic 20–30 minute boat ride along Tayrona’s coastline.
Shallow Water Skill Practice:Conduct a shallow-water skills review to practice mask clearing, regulator recovery, buoyancy control and emergency situations.
Two Ocean Dives at Different Sites:Complete 2 full guided fun dives (~45 min each) at two distinct Tayrona dive sites, with a 60-minute fruit/water boat break in between.
12:30 PM – Return, Logbooks & Local Dining:Return to Taganga (20–30 min ride). Complete logbooks, receive your refresher sign-off, debrief skills, and enjoy fresh seasonal fruits at the dive shop. Grab lunch right after at one of the several great restaurants located around the shop!
Requirements
Prerequisites: Open to certified divers of any level who feel rusty or haven’t dived in recent months/years.
What’s Included
- Full rental equipment package (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins).
- Dive computer rental included in your program rate at no extra charge.
- Standard scuba tanks (12L / 80 cu ft), weights, and air fills.
- Online theory quiz, dry briefing, and shallow-water skill evaluation.
- 2 guided ocean boat dives at 2 different Tayrona National Park sites under certified PADI Instructor / Divemaster supervision.
- Boat transportation to and from Tayrona Park (20–30 min ride each way).
- 7:15 AM optional morning coffee, tea, and juice welcome.
- Fresh seasonal fruit and cold drinking water served on board and during logbook debrief.
Add-ons & Extras
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, 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.
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
Online Deposit:Reserve your spot with a small online deposit; pay your balance at check-in.
Standard Cancellations:Free deposit refund for cancellations made at least 48 hours before departure.
Full Refund or Free Reschedule:Granted if Ocean Lovers cancels due to official port closures or dangerous weather.
Non-Refundable: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).
Health & Fitness to Dive: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?
Frequently Asked Questions
When do I need a scuba refresher?
A refresher is recommended when you have not dived for a year or longer, or whenever you feel unsure about your skills. We will assess your experience before diving.
Do I need to be certified?
Yes. This program is designed for previously certified divers, not complete beginners.
What is included in the price?
The Scuba refresh includes full equipment rental (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins and dive computer), theory review (online quiz + in-person theory session), a shallow water skill evaluation, and two open water dives at distinct sites within the Tayrona Park. As with every trip you do with us, free coffee, tea, juice and fresh fruits are included. Depending on the package you choose, accommodation may or may not be included.
How long can I go without diving before I need a scuba refresher?
There is no universal expiration date for a scuba certification. If you have been out of the water for a while or feel rusty, a supervised refresher helps you review key skills before a regular dive.
Can I do a scuba refresher after five or ten years without diving?
Often yes, subject to a review of your certification, medical suitability and comfort level. Tell us when you last dived so we can recommend the right amount of practice.
Is a scuba refresher the same as PADI ReActivate?
No – ReActivate is a specific PADI program with knowledge review and skill practice where you get an eLearning, and then do a confined water session to practice some basic skills. We have reorganised this program and made our own program, the Scuba Refresh, where you get both the theory component and skill practice as is offered in the PADI ReActivate, but combine it with two open water dives to deepen your skills and confidence, and explore the local wildlife. As part of the program, you will complete an online quiz to assess your theoretical knowledge before your arrival and then review the basics in a ~45 minute in-person class before your dives (equipment setup, rules and recommendations, and skills that will be practiced in shallow water). The two open water dives will be in the Tayrona National Park, each around ~40 minutes. While this program does not include the PADI ReActivate eLearning and recognition, you will get the confidence to get back into diving and put it into practice!
| Package Options | Refresher Only, Refresher + 1-Night Stay |
|---|
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