Sorrento & Capri: Beginner Scuba Dive with Local Guide

4.82

(22 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it’s like to breathe underwater for the first time? I did, and honestly, my heart was pounding as we bobbed on the dinghy off Sorrento, wetsuits half-zipped and sun glinting on the water. Our instructor, Marco, had this calm way of explaining things — he even joked about how clumsy we’d look at first (he wasn’t wrong). The air smelled salty and sharp, and you could hear little splashes from fish jumping nearby. Capri was just a hazy shape in the distance.

The first dive spot was inside Punta Campanella’s marine reserve. Marco handed me my mask and checked my gear again — he must’ve seen I was nervous because he gave a thumbs-up and said “Piano piano,” which I guess means take it slow. We went down maybe six meters at first. It felt weird at the start, like my ears didn’t want to cooperate, but then suddenly there were these white gorgonians waving around and a flash of silver — barracudas? I think so. The water was cooler than I expected but not cold, just sort of silky.

Back on the boat between dives, someone passed around little lemony biscuits (I wish I’d asked what they were called). The second dive went deeper — twelve meters this time. I almost missed a moray eel peeking out from a rock until Marco pointed it out with his torch. There were starfish everywhere, bright red against the pale sand. At one point I just stopped moving and listened to how quiet it was down there — kind of peaceful but also strange. You know that feeling when you realize you’re somewhere totally new? That.

I still think about that view looking up at the surface, sunlight breaking into ribbons above us while schools of bream darted past. If you’re thinking about trying scuba diving near Sorrento or Capri but feel unsure — well, same here. But having a local guide who actually cares makes all the difference.