Haliotis

What Haliotis does

Haliotis Actividades Marítimo Turísticas Lda is a privately held Portuguese leisure company founded in 2004 that operates a network of six recreational diving centers across mainland Portugal (Peniche, Sesimbra), the Azores (Faial, Santa Maria), Madeira, and Cabo Verde (São Vicente). The company is the only PADI Career Development Centre in Portugal with the highest PADI classification, allowing it to deliver the full PADI curriculum from beginner (Open Water Diver) through professional (Divemaster, Instructor) levels; it has certified more than 15,000 students over its operating history. Beyond certification, Haliotis monetizes a broader marine leisure portfolio: guided dive excursions, shark and pelagic diving experiences, snorkeling, freediving, dolphin/whale watching, boat tours, equipment retail and rental, gift vouchers, and organized international dive travel (e.g., Raja Ampat). The business is direct-to-consumer, with bookings transacted through haliotis.pt (available in six languages) or direct contact with each center, and is supported by a wide partner ecosystem across major diving equipment brands (Aqualung, Mares, Scubapro, Cressi, Shearwater, Tusa, XDeep) and safety organizations (DAN).

Operationally, Haliotis runs a distributed, center-based service model in which each location holds its own maritime-tourism operating license (including Maritime-Touristic Operator License No. 03/2013 in the Azores) and is staffed by certified PADI instructors and skippers, with assets such as semi-rigid dive boats (e.g., a VALIANT Patrol 12m in Faial). Pricing is per-unit and varies by location and product: PADI courses range from €159 (Nitrox in Cabo Verde) to €589 (Advanced + Enriched Air bundle), with separate per-dive pricing for excursions, premium experiences (Princess Alice Bank, shark diving), and equipment rentals. Customer segments span first-time divers, recreational divers seeking advanced certifications, professional career-track divers, and diving tourists, with a stated emphasis on safety, environmental protection, and responsible diving practices.

Name

Haliotis

Legal name

Haliotis Actividades Marítimo Turísticas Lda

Website

https://haliotis.pt

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Haliotis is a privately held Portuguese diving company that operates six PADI-certified recreational diving centers across Portugal, the Azores, Madeira, and Cabo Verde, offering courses, excursions, equipment rental, and marine tourism experiences to divers and travelers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Recreational Diving Services

SIC

Services-Equipment Rental & Leasing, Nec (7359)

akta.pro primary industry

Dive Centers & Scuba Training (PADI/SSI, certifications) (THAAAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scuba Diving & Freediving Centers (Training, Guided Dives) (THAAAKAD), Diving Experiences (Scuba Dives, Dive Trips, PADI/SSI Courses) (THAJAJAD), Dive & Snorkel Equipment Rental, Retail & Boat Services (compressors, gear hire) (THAAAIAL)

Keywords

• Recreational diving services
• PADI certification courses
• Scuba diving excursions
• Diving equipment rental
• Marine tourism activities

Headquarters

HQ city

Atouguia Da Baleia

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Diving Courses: PADI diving certification courses ranging from beginner (Open Water Diver) to advanced levels and professional instructor training. Revenue generated through course fees that include instruction, materials, and certification.
2. Dive Trips/Excursions: Guided diving excursions including single dives, double dives, night dives, and specialized trips to dive sites like Princess Alice bank and shark diving experiences. Revenue per individual dive or excursion.
3. Equipment and Merchandise: Sale of diving equipment including regulators, masks, fins, and educational materials such as marine species guidebooks. Also includes equipment rental services.
4. Vouchers and Gift Cards: Gift vouchers for diving experiences, courses, and equipment available for purchase through the online store.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Haliotis is a multi-location recreational diving operator running six diving centers in Portugal and Cabo Verde under the legal entity Haliotis Actividades Marítimo Turísticas Lda. It sells PADI scuba certification courses (from entry-level through professional), guided diving excursions, snorkeling tours, and diving equipment rental to individual recreational divers and tourists. The company has held PADI Career Development Centre status since its 2004 founding, enabling it to issue international certifications and train new dive professionals.

Product overview

Haliotis is a PADI Career Development Centre (the highest PADI classification in Portugal) operating 6 diving centers across Portugal, the Azores, and Cabo Verde since 2004. The company offers a comprehensive diving ecosystem including PADI-certified diving courses from beginner to instructor level, guided diving excursions to notable sites, organized international diving travel packages, equipment rental, and complementary water activities such as snorkeling, whale watching, boat tours, and freediving. The product portfolio centers on recreational diving education and experiences, with facilities including classrooms, locker rooms, retail stores, and semi-rigid boats for dive excursions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PADI Scuba Certification Courses

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000+ students certified since founding in 2004
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)coreTechnology or IntegrationPADI is the world's leading diving certification organization. Haliotis holds PADI Career Development Centre status - the only one in Portugal with the highest classification, enabling them to offer full range of PADI courses from beginner to professional instructor level.
• AqualungcoreTechnology or IntegrationLeading diving equipment manufacturer. Haliotis is an Aqualung partner center with approximately 50 pieces of equipment available for rental at some locations.
• DAN (Divers Alert Network)coreTechnology or IntegrationDiving safety and emergency organization. Haliotis is a DAN partner, promoting diving safety and providing dive accident insurance information.
• Instituto Português do Desporto e Juventude (IPDJ)coreOthersPortuguese Institute for Sports and Youth - government body overseeing sports and youth organizations in Portugal. Haliotis operates under their licensing and regulatory framework.
• Direção Regional das Políticas Marítimas (DRPM)coreOthersRegional Directorate for Maritime Policies in the Azores. Haliotis holds Maritime-Touristic Operator License No. 03/2013.
• Portos dos AçoresminorOthersPort authority for the Azores islands. Haliotis vessels are authorized to embark and disembark at Marina da Horta.
• Mútua dos PescadoresminorOthersInsurance company providing mandatory insurance coverage for Haliotis diving operations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• NAUI Worldwide: International scuba diver certification agency competing with PADI and SSI. Comparable to Haliotis as an alternative recreational dive training pathway with its own affiliated dive centers.
• RAID (Rebreather Association of International Divers): Scuba and rebreather training agency with affiliated dive centers. Comparable to Haliotis as another PADI/SSI alternative targeting recreational and technical divers, with growing footprint in resort diving markets.
• SSI (Scuba Schools International): Global PADI competitor certifying divers and operating a worldwide network of dive centers and resorts. Directly comparable to Haliotis as a competing scuba training and certification ecosystem targeting recreational divers.
• SDI / TDI / ERDI (International Training): Scuba Diving International and Technical Diving International offer recreational and technical dive certifications through affiliated centers. Comparable to Haliotis in training, certification, and center-affiliation model.
• BSAC (British Sub-Aqua Club): Long-established recreational scuba training organization with branch structure analogous to PADI dive centers. Comparable to Haliotis as a competing diver education and club-affiliation model, particularly relevant for UK and European tourists.
• CMAS (Confédération Mondiale des Activités Subaquatiques): World underwater federation issuing diver certifications through national federations. Comparable to Haliotis as an alternative recreational diver training system with European institutional roots and a federated center model.

Others

• PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors): Haliotis's core certification and curriculum partner. PADI is the umbrella governing body for Haliotis's training business and adjacent network of PADI dive centers/resorts, making it the closest ecosystem-level comparable even though it is not a direct operator competitor.
• Mares: Italian diving equipment manufacturer supplying regulators, wetsuits, and accessories. Comparable to Haliotis as an adjacent equipment brand partner; also a competitor in the equipment side of dive centers' retail and rental offerings.
• Scubapro: Premium diving equipment brand under Johnson Outdoors. Comparable to Haliotis as a high-end equipment partner and a competitor for premium rental gear and retail sales within dive center networks.
• Aqualung: Major diving equipment manufacturer and Haliotis's core equipment partner. Comparable as an enabling ecosystem player whose commercial terms, product availability, and brand strength directly affect Haliotis's equipment sales and rental economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/HaliotisTV
• Facebookfacebook.com/haliotisPeniche
• Xx.com/haliotis

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Haliotis