Try Scuba Diving in Bahía Solano — No Experience Needed
You’re in the best hands to try scuba in Bahía Solano—no experience needed. Begin with a calm pool session, then explore our Pacific reefs on a guided ocean dive (up to 12 m) with an SSI‑certified pro at your side. Small groups and an unrushed, fully guided pace make your first dive relaxed, safe, and seriously fun.
Ready for your first scuba dive?
Take the pool at your pace, then make your first ocean bubbles with a pro at your side.
What is Try Scuba (Discover Scuba Diving)
Try Scuba is a relaxed, half‑day introduction to diving under the direct supervision of an SSI instructor. You’ll learn a few basics on land, practice breathing and simple skills in the pool, and then make one guided ocean dive (up to 12 m / 40 ft) on a calm site. It’s not a certification, but you can credit it toward Open Water Diver if you decide to continue.
What you’ll do (step‑by‑step)
Reserve your spot — Book your date and receive a complimentary SSI Try Scuba eBook to review before you arrive.
Meet & welcome (07:00) — Sign forms, get gear sized, and enjoy a relaxed briefing on how everything works.
Pool practice — Take your first breaths underwater, learn a few simple skills, and get comfortable.
Boat ride — A short, scenic ride to a calm site chosen for the day’s conditions.
Guided ocean dive (max 12 m) — Your instructor manages buoyancy and navigation while you enjoy the view.
Debrief & snacks — Celebrate, review photos, and plan next steps, with short whale watching during surface time.
Who it’s for (requirements)
First‑timers and curious swimmers — no certification needed.
Age 10+ for the ocean dive. Younger guests? Ask about our pool‑only Try Scuba option when available.
Comfort in water: be able to float and put your face in the water; we keep a fully guided, unrushed pace.
Health & forms: We’ll email the SSI Medical Questionnaire and Liability Release after booking. If you mark any “Yes,” bring a quick doctor’s OK.
Flying after diving: allow 18–24 hours before your next flight.
A little nervous is totally normal. We move at your pace and stay right beside you from first breath to final high‑five.
Price & booking
Ready for your first dive in Bahía Solano? Reserve your spot now.
- SSI Try Scuba eBook (pre-arrival)
- Guided ocean dive (max 12 m/40 ft)
- Interactive classroom session (intro to basics)
- Pool practice sessions (skills and comfort)
- Boat ride and surface support (site selected for the day’s conditions)
- Certified SSI instructor (max 1:2 ratio; fully guided, unrushed)
- Full rental gear (mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, BCD, regulator, weights, tank)
- Dive insurance
- Sandwich and drinks (water, coffee, and juice)
- Digital recognition card (SSI Try Scuba)
What’s included
One Dive
One Day
450.000 COP
Two Dive
One Day
550.000 COP
Not sure which is right for you?
Tell us your swim comfort and when you’ll be in Bahía Solano. WhatsApp us — two quick questions and we’ll point you to the best fit: Try Scuba, Snorkeling, or a Refresher + Fun Dive if you’re already certified.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a certification course?
No. Try Scuba Diving is a one‑day intro (also called “Discover Scuba Diving”). If you love it, we’ll explain how to credit this toward your Open Water Diver certification.
How deep will we go?
Up to 12 m / 40 ft under direct supervision. Actual depth depends on conditions and your comfort.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
Basic water comfort is enough. We start in the pool and keep groups small and fully guided.
What if the ocean is rough or I get seasick?
Safety first. We choose the calmest site, may adjust times, or reschedule if conditions aren’t right. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take your preferred remedy in advance and eat light.
What if I wear glasses?
Most guests do great with our masks; if you’re very nearsighted, consider contact lenses.
What’s the cancellation policy?
A 30% deposit is non‑refundable. If weather/sea conditions are unsafe, we’ll reschedule you at no cost. After the pool session is completed, the booking is non‑refundable. See your confirmation email for full terms.
What payment methods do you accept?
Cash, local bank transfer (no fee), and debit/credit cards or international payment links (add 7% processing fee).
Where do we meet at 7:00 am?
At Ankla Azul Diving Center, Bahía Solano (Mutis), next to Hotel Bahía Yubarta and Hotel Costa Chocó.
Next level:
Turn today’s Try Scuba into your first international certification. In Bahía Solano, the Open Water course runs 3–4 days: eLearning + theory class, pool sessions, and 4 ocean dives (max 18 m / 60 ft) in small groups.
Get certified (SSI Open Water Diver)
More Than Kicking Your Fins
At Ankla Azul, diving is more than kicking your fins. It’s patient teaching, sharp safety, and real care for the place we call home. As an SSI Instructor Training Center and an SSI Blue Oceans Center (2025 award), we blend skill-building with ocean awareness—Fish ID, coral nursery work, community education, and rescue support—so every dive grows confidence and respect for Bahía Solano’s wild Pacific.
What Divers Say
Nicole Reynolds
I spent three days with the Ankla Azul team for scuba diving and it was an incredible experience. The team knew the area very well and was able to speak both Spanish and English to make sure everyone was on the same page. Ja, the main dive master and instructor, takes pride in his diving excursions and it’s clear he has a huge love for Bahia Solano and the wildlife here. We got lucky on our first dive and saw a whale shark, sea turtles, tons of moray eels, pufferfish and even a manta ray! They have a variety of diving sites for all divers as well as some for Advanced divers.
I will absolutely be coming back to dive with them again after I get my Advanced certification & hopefully for humpback whale season too!
Vinha Damanta
I did 3 dives with the guys from Ankla Azul and all three were great. Although out of season for the whales we saw lots of fish, huge Murray eels, sardines, butterfly fish and many other. The diveshop gives much attention to safety and following the right procedures which gives you a very safe feeling. They have excellent gear almost new do they kit you out like a pro. The boat is also top of the notch. A very good experience and very recomendable.
Adèle B.
Absolutely amazing experience!
The dive was unforgettable, we could hear the whales singing underwater the entire time, and just as we got back on the boat, we saw them at the surface. The team at Ankla Azul is super professional, the equipment is top quality, and everything felt very safe and well-organized. I highly recommend diving with them. It was truly an unforgettable experience! 🐋💙
Gloria Guillin Cuello
This time, I did my first dive with Ankla Azul and three other friends. The experience was spectacular, from the beginning of the training to the practice session. Our instructor demonstrated kindness and knowledge, providing us with a safe guide. The boat was spacious and comfortable, and the dive site was beautiful. I appreciate and recommend the experience Ankla offers.
Magda K
The dive center impressed us a lot – the equipment was top quality, making every dive comfortable and safe. They pay great attention to safety, which is really important and gives complete peace of mind throughout the experience.
Between dives, tasty snacks were served on the boat, which made the time on the water even more enjoyable.
Our instructor, Miguel, was incredibly helpful, friendly, and full of humor. He also helped us organize jungle tours and a trip to El Valley to watch the sunset. Besides scuba diving, we had the chance to try freediving, which at the waterfall was an absolutely unique experience.
If you have the opportunity to try freediving, I highly recommend starting with this. During freediving in the ocean, you can hear the incredible underwater songs of humpback whales much better than during scuba diving, making the activity truly unforgettable
Nicole Reynolds
I spent three days with the Ankla Azul team for scuba diving and it was an incredible experience. The team knew the area very well and was able to speak both Spanish and English to make sure everyone was on the same page. Ja, the main dive master and instructor, takes pride in his diving excursions and it’s clear he has a huge love for Bahia Solano and the wildlife here. We got lucky on our first dive and saw a whale shark, sea turtles, tons of moray eels, pufferfish and even a manta ray! They have a variety of diving sites for all divers as well as some for Advanced divers.
I will absolutely be coming back to dive with them again after I get my Advanced certification & hopefully for humpback whale season too!
Vinha Damanta
I did 3 dives with the guys from Ankla Azul and all three were great. Although out of season for the whales we saw lots of fish, huge Murray eels, sardines, butterfly fish and many other. The diveshop gives much attention to safety and following the right procedures which gives you a very safe feeling. They have excellent gear almost new do they kit you out like a pro. The boat is also top of the notch. A very good experience and very recomendable.
Adèle B.
Absolutely amazing experience!
The dive was unforgettable, we could hear the whales singing underwater the entire time, and just as we got back on the boat, we saw them at the surface. The team at Ankla Azul is super professional, the equipment is top quality, and everything felt very safe and well-organized. I highly recommend diving with them. It was truly an unforgettable experience! 🐋💙
Gloria Guillin Cuello
This time, I did my first dive with Ankla Azul and three other friends. The experience was spectacular, from the beginning of the training to the practice session. Our instructor demonstrated kindness and knowledge, providing us with a safe guide. The boat was spacious and comfortable, and the dive site was beautiful. I appreciate and recommend the experience Ankla offers.
Magda K
The dive center impressed us a lot – the equipment was top quality, making every dive comfortable and safe. They pay great attention to safety, which is really important and gives complete peace of mind throughout the experience.
Between dives, tasty snacks were served on the boat, which made the time on the water even more enjoyable.
Our instructor, Miguel, was incredibly helpful, friendly, and full of humor. He also helped us organize jungle tours and a trip to El Valley to watch the sunset. Besides scuba diving, we had the chance to try freediving, which at the waterfall was an absolutely unique experience.
If you have the opportunity to try freediving, I highly recommend starting with this. During freediving in the ocean, you can hear the incredible underwater songs of humpback whales much better than during scuba diving, making the activity truly unforgettable
Meet the Team
A crew built for the Pacific—calm, pro, big-hearted
Jalvan
Founder • SSI Instructor • Underwater Photographer
Patient coach and keen spotter—captures the day in unforgettable frames.
Miguel
SSI Instructor (Scuba Freediving)
Calm, detail-first teaching—navigation and buoyancy that finally “click.”
Andres
Scuba & Freediver Dive Master
Steady in any conditions—fun, focused sessions tailored to you.
Gera
Diver & Operations
Logistics with a smile—boats, briefings, and gear dialed in.
Fish
Scuba & Freediver Dive Master
Alliances, Awards & Partners
