# Introductory Dive in Xàbia, from a Boat or from the Portitxol Shore

First dive with an instructor, by boat down to 12 m with Buceo Cabo la Nao (€150, from age 10) or at shallow depth with Diving Javea (from €90).

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/valencian-community/xabia-javea/things-to-do/introductory-dive-xabia · Revisado: 2026-11-13

Dónde: Xàbia (Jávea)

## What an introductory dive is and who it is for

An introductory dive is a trial dive for someone without a certificate. Before going in they explain the equipment and the basic rules. Then you go down with an instructor who does not leave your side. No experience is needed; you do need to swim and to fill in the centre's health questionnaire. The Xàbia coast is rocky, with walls, caves and clear seabeds: the tourist office recommends both the Portitxol island and Cala Granadella for scuba diving.

## From a boat, with Buceo Cabo la Nao

Buceo Cabo la Nao is a diving centre and school founded in 1995, with its mooring at the Marina Nou Fontana, on calle Canal Sur, 2. Its introductory dive goes out by boat, so you do not carry the equipment across the sand. It is two hours in total, with about 40 minutes of actual dive, at 12 metres. From age 10. The instructor is exclusively for you and you get a free underwater photo report. The premium introductory dive costs €150. If within the following six months you take the Open Water Diver course, the full amount is deducted.

## Closer to the surface, with Diving Javea

Diving Javea has its centre on carretera del Portitxol, 135. Its Try Dive in the sea is done from the shore or from one of its launches, depending on sea and weather, at an average depth of 2 or 3 metres and a maximum of 5. It is 40 to 50 minutes underwater, after an introduction at the centre, with one instructor for every three students; under-15s usually go alone with theirs. In 2026 it costs €120 per person if there are one or two of you, €100 if three or four and €90 from four. They also have an introductory dive in a pool, one hour and from age 10, and snorkelling excursions for €33, with a minimum of four people.

## How to choose

If you want to really feel depth and see a wall or a cave, the boat at 12 metres. If it is a child's first time or it daunts you, the shore, a few metres down, with the surface in sight. In both cases the centre may change the plan according to the sea that day.

## After the introductory dive

If you like it, the next step is the Open Water Diver course, the first diving certificate. Buceo Cabo la Nao teaches it with the SSI agency and deducts the introductory dive if you do it within six months. With a certificate, the centre goes out by boat every day to the walls and caves of Cabo de la Nao, Dénia and Moraira, with guided dives from €47. Diving Javea, for its part, works with SSI and IANTD and has freediving courses, cave diving and a children's school.

If someone in the group does not want to dive, they can stay at the surface: Diving Javea runs snorkelling outings for €33, with a minimum of four people, and the Cala de la Barraca or Portitxol, right below its centre, lists snorkelling among its services and has the island 300 metres away.

## Paso a paso

### Book and fill in the medical form
Both centres ask for a health questionnaire before diving.

### Arrive in good time
The equipment explanation comes before the dive.

### Go in with the instructor
By boat, from the vessel; at the Portitxol, from the shore or the launch.

### Descend slowly
Equalise your ears often and follow the signals.

### Surface and rest
Ask the instructor what to avoid in the following hours.

## Qué llevar

Swimsuit and towel
Sun cream for the boat
Something warm for after you leave the water
The medical form filled in

## Consejos

### Mention any health problem
The medical questionnaire is there for that: if in doubt, consult the centre first.

### A group of four
With Diving Javea the price drops to €90 per person.

### Look at the photos
At Cabo la Nao the photo report is included.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How much is an introductory dive in Xàbia?
From €90 per person with Diving Javea in a group of four or more, and €150 for the premium boat introductory dive with Buceo Cabo la Nao.

### From what age can you dive?
From age 10 with Buceo Cabo la Nao. Diving Javea accepts age 10 in its pool introductory dive.

### How deep do you go?
12 m on Cabo la Nao's boat introductory dive; 2–3 m, and 5 at most, on Diving Javea's Try Dive.

### Do I need to know how to swim?
Yes, and fill in the centre's health questionnaire.

### How long are you underwater?
About 40 minutes with Cabo la Nao and 40 to 50 with Diving Javea.
