Batismo mergulho/Discover scuba Diving

The intro dive at Mantamaria is offered in two formats: pool plus open water, or open water only — both run around Santa Maria's protected bays with an instructor in the water at all times. The session lasts approximately 30 minutes underwater. Before getting in, you cover the basics of the equipment and how to breathe from a regulator; the actual dive is in a controlled, sheltered environment suited to first contact.

Santa Maria's south coast sites, including Pedrinha, sit less than a mile from shore in calm conditions and offer a broad sandy platform between 8 and 12 metres with good visibility — a sensible setting for someone handling a BCD and regulator for the first time. The marine life at these sites includes schools of pelagic fish and the occasional large grouper, which makes the experience more engaging than a featureless pool.

Both SSI (Discover Scuba Diving) and PADI (Discover Scuba Diving) versions are available, meaning the experience can count toward a full certification if you decide to continue. The centre's instructors handle briefing, equipment fitting, and in-water guidance throughout.