We were looking for a winters break with a bit of sun and somewhere we might be able to ‘get our heads wet’! After searching the internet we decided on and all-inclusive option at Riu Garopa on the island of Sal in Cape Verde.
The hotel was wonderful and lived up to all expectations given on their web site. Food was brilliant, even prepared and cooked in front of you. It then arrived at the buffet counters in small dishes which were being constantly re-placed so it was always hot and freshly prepared. The variety was amazing too, especially when you understand everything has to be imported for the island. Drinks were available almost 24/7 (well you do have to sleep at some point!!) and I was impressed with the coffee machines… first rate cappuccino’s!!
Before leaving home we had done our research on the diving too. There are one or two places which offer diving but we decided on Scuba Caribe as it was reasonably priced and was much more convenient being right on the ‘door step’ of the hotel (walking distance). We had pre-booked and pre-paid a 5-dive package (via pay pal) with the company head office as this gave us a discount. Also we didn’t want to be concerned about money/Euro with an all-inclusive package at the hotel so this was a good option for us.
After unpacking we headed to the dive centre to check-in. The centre was right on the beach in front of the hotel and resembled a dive ‘shack’… it was picture postcard stuff.
The staff were warm and welcoming and seemed to be expecting us; despite us printing off our payment and booking details all the information had been forwarded to the dive centre by head office – how efficient!! After a good chat with the dive team we opted for a single tank dive the following afternoon then two subsequent days of 2 tank dives in the morning. We had taken all our own kit and the arrangements for storage was the usual; hangers for wet suits and a plastic basket for all the other ‘bits and bobs’.
We arrived the following afternoon for our first dive and all our kit had been prepared for us, after a quick check to make sure we had everything we had our first dive briefing. This was a good standard; explaining fully the dive site and included a high level of safety awareness. Hardly surprising as the nearest DCI chamber is a flight away so ‘diving safe’ is of paramount importance. We helped to push the boat off the beach then jumped in for the short ‘taxi ride’ to the RIB just a few meters off shore. No need to worry about the kit – it was all taken care of by the crew. We were the only 2 divers with our dive guide and he ensured that the dive was exactly at the pace we wanted; we like slow ‘potters’ on the reef edge stopping to take the odd photo and we never felt rushed. The guide was keen to point things out and waited patiently while we took our time.
The subsequent 2 days diving took on a similar pattern, the first dive then a 1 hour surface interval while sitting on the RIB then a second dive before returning to the dive centre – just in time for lunch and, as the diving was finished for the day, a well-earned beer!!
We can’t praise the dive centre enough. The whole team were very customer focussed and that was especially the case for the new managers, Luis and Nicole who at only 1 month in their jobs were still finding their feet – although both very experienced and proficient.
They both made time for their customers, wanting to know if everything was good and keen to ensure there were no problems. After our last dive the team even washed all our kit in the fresh water tanks; the wet suits even had a soapy wash and then a rinse – what service!! But in truth nothing seemed to be too much trouble for any of the dive team.
The diving itself was better than we had expected. The fish life was prolific and had an array of tropical fish akin to the Red Sea. We saw nurse sharks, sting rays, groupers, bannerfish, cuttlefish, nudibranch and the list goes on!! Sea temperature was coolish 20 deg C with variable visibility caused by the previous week’s very rough seas.
If you are looking at Cape Verde for a winter diving break then we would highly recommend what we have just done, the hotel was great, the dive centre so close and convenient but most of all the attitude of the dive centre managers and staff was just wonderful.
By Sue Bowler
