Cidade Velha Diving

Santiago, Cape Verde

The team at Cidade Velha Diving are, hands down, our favourite pick for diving Santiago. They’re the only PADI outfit in the historic town of Cidade Velha, which gives them a real home-court advantage. You'll want to dive with them if you’re keen on exploring the area’s unique volcanic topography and some decent wrecks, all while experiencing a proper local vibe. What we love about them is their genuine enthusiasm for showing you Santiago’s underwater world, which is often overlooked by divers flocking to Sal or Boa Vista. They’ve got a knack for finding the good stuff. We’ve had dives there where we’ve finned through archways carved by ancient lava flows, watching schools of bigeye barracuda shimmer in the shafts of light. Their local knowledge is key, helping you avoid the stronger currents that can sometimes sweep through. We'd suggest asking them about the wrecks if you like a bit of history with your dive; they know those sites intimately, pointing out details you’d definitely miss otherwise. It’s an honest, unpretentious dive operation, perfect for those who value authenticity over resort glitz.