Cidade Velha in Santiago, Cape Verde, offers a unique combination of reef and wreck diving within a UNESCO World Heritage site. Divers and snorkellers can explore 16th-century shipwrecks scattered across the seafloor, alongside a rocky coastline that provides habitat for marine life. The site is accessible from the shore and is suitable for beginners, with depths ranging from 3 to 26 metres and an average depth of 10 metres. Visibility typically reaches 20 to 30 metres, with mild currents. Facilities include parking, toilets, showers, changing rooms, a rinse station, air fills, equipment rental, and a cafe. Night diving is available, and typical dives last 45 minutes.

House Reef in Santiago is an accessible shore dive ranging from 2 to 18 metres, with an average depth of 7 metres. This site features mild currents and visibility between 20 and 40 metres, making it suitable for beginner divers. Water temperatures remain consistent between 24 and 27 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The topography consists of a reef structure that supports night diving. Divers should exercise caution regarding sharp coral and sea urchins when entering the water. Protective footwear is recommended, and maintaining good buoyancy control is essential to avoid contact with the reef. Facilities available at the site include air fills, guided tours, and equipment rental.

Prainha Beach is a sheltered cove located on Santiago, Cape Verde, offering accessible shore entry for snorkellers. The site features a rocky reef environment with depths ranging from 1 to 12 metres, averaging 5 metres. Conditions are generally calm with mild currents and visibility typically between 10 and 20 metres. The area is well-supported by facilities including showers, toilets, changing rooms, a cafe, and parking. Due to the rocky nature of the bay, sea urchins are present, so caution is advised when entering and exiting the water. This site is suitable for beginners looking for a convenient coastal snorkelling experience.

Vogelwand is a boat-access site off Santiago, Cape Verde, featuring a wall and reef structure that descends from 18 to 40 metres. The site is characterised by strong currents and a cave system, requiring divers to manage depth and overhead environments carefully. Visibility typically ranges between 10 and 30 metres. Due to the challenging conditions and current, intermediate experience is recommended. Divers should book a guided tour to navigate the drift effectively. The habitat supports a variety of marine life, including reef fish and invertebrates typical of the region. Shoreline entry involves sharp rocks and coral, so appropriate footwear is advised.

Baía do Inferno in Santiago, Cape Verde, is a remote site defined by dramatic 400-metre cliffs and deep blue waters. This reef and wall site requires boat access and is suited for advanced divers due to strong currents and potential entanglement hazards. Visibility typically ranges between 20 and 40 metres. Water temperatures fluctuate throughout the year, ranging from 23C in February and March to 28C in September and October. The bay is a protected marine area, offering a rugged underwater topography for those experienced in managing challenging conditions. Snorkellers may also visit, with the site holding a 4/5 rating for the activity.

Plateau is a marine dive site off Santiago, Cape Verde, featuring a reef-top plateau that transitions into a wall and drop-off. The topography extends to depths between 25 and 60 metres, making it suitable for intermediate divers with drift diving experience. Conditions are characterised by strong, unpredictable currents and visibility ranging from 10 to 30 metres. Access is by boat only, and divers should be prepared for water temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius. Due to the depth and current, a surface marker buoy is required on every dive. Divers should brief thoroughly with the boat crew regarding drift pick-up plans before entry.

Águas Belas Caves in Santiago, Cape Verde, is a marine site featuring a semi-submerged volcanic grotto. Located 3000 metres from the shore, the site requires boat access and is suited for intermediate divers due to the overhead environment and potential for strong currents. The topography includes a secluded black sand beach and a lagoon area where sunlight filters through the cave ceiling. While marine life is not confirmed at this specific location, species recorded around this area include the scrawled filefish and various snails. Water temperatures at the site range from 23C to 28C throughout the year.

Tarrafal is a shore-entry reef and cave dive located off Santiago, Cape Verde. The site features a reef structure ranging from 9 to 25 metres in depth, with an average depth of 15 metres. Conditions are generally mild, though strong currents can occur, requiring caution near the cave sections. Visibility varies significantly between 5 and 30 metres. Water temperatures remain between 23 and 27 degrees Celsius throughout the year. The site is suitable for beginners, and night diving is available. Local facilities include a dive shop providing air fills, equipment rental, and guided tours.