Lanzarote: Real Submarine Dive with Hotel Pickup

A real 106-ton Finnish submarine carries you down to 30 meters below Lanzarote’s surface, where shipwrecks and fish appear through large viewing ports. You stay dry in a normal-atmosphere, air-conditioned cabin, so this feels more like a quiet underwater observatory than a cramped technical expedition.

I like the clear viewing ports and the choice of audio commentary in nine languages. I also like the simple logistics: hotel pickup is offered from Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise, and Puerto del Carmen on set departures. The main limitation is time. The underwater trip lasts about an hour, and some schedules leave little room for a meal before or after.

Key points to know

• 106-ton Sub Fun Tres: Ride aboard a genuine Finnish submarine built for passenger sightseeing.
• Up to 30 meters deep: Look for shipwrecks, fish, rays, and possibly larger species such as barracuda.
• 60-centimeter viewing ports: Each seat is beside a window, with a TV monitor offering another angle.
• Nine audio-guide languages: Commentary is available in Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, and Spanish.
• Hotel pickup on selected schedules: Playa Blanca has 11:00 or 13:00 departures listed, while Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen use the 12:00 departure.
• Puerto Calero afterward: Your ticket includes time to enjoy the marina, plus a personalized certificate.

Boarding Sub Fun Tres at Puerto Calero

The trip begins with transfer to Puerto Calero Marina, where you board Sub Fun Tres, the 106-ton Finnish submarine used for the excursion. Your seat is allocated before departure, and the cabin is spacious, air-conditioned, and kept at normal atmospheric conditions.

That last detail matters. You do not need to swim, wear special equipment, or deal with cold water. The submarine does the work while you sit beside a 60-centimeter viewing port and watch the sea floor pass by.

The cabin also has digital display panels that provide continuous information about the submarine. Each viewing port includes a TV monitor, giving you an alternative angle if the fish are more active on one side or if several people are trying to watch the same wreck.

The arrangement makes this a good choice for families with different comfort levels. A teenager can follow the screens and commentary, younger children can watch for fish, and someone who cannot swim can enjoy the underwater setting without entering the water.

Children under two are not accepted because of the safety equipment onboard. The supplied information also states that the cabin’s normal atmospheric conditions mean pregnant women and people with heart or ear problems are not affected in the same way they would be by a standard scuba activity. If any medical concern applies to you, use that information as a starting point and confirm your own suitability with the operator.

The descent to 30 meters below Lanzarote

Once Sub Fun Tres leaves the marina, the main event is the gradual descent to a maximum of 30 meters, about 100 feet. You remain seated in the cabin, looking through the port beside you as the water changes from surface brightness to the darker world below.

The appeal is not speed. This is a slow, steady viewing experience, giving you time to watch for movement and make sense of what you see. Fish may pass close to the submarine, and the clear water can reveal wrecks resting on the ocean floor.

The exact wildlife is not guaranteed, but the recorded experience includes plenty of fish, rays, and reports of a barracuda. Several shipwrecks may be visible, with some trips seeing three. The wrecks add shape and mystery to the sea floor, while the fish make the view change from minute to minute.

I would pay attention during the first part of the descent instead of waiting for the wrecks. The water clarity and changing view are part of the experience, and the digital display and audio commentary help explain what is happening while you watch.

Shipwrecks, fish, and the best window views

The shipwrecks are the most unusual feature of this excursion. You are not simply looking at open water. You may see boats lying on the bottom, surrounded by fish and viewed from a perspective that is impossible from a normal marina cruise.

The 60-centimeter ports are large enough to give you a useful view, though they are still individual windows rather than one wide panoramic screen. Your assigned seat means you cannot freely move around to chase every sighting. The TV monitor helps by offering another viewing angle, but this is still a personal-window experience.

That setup has a practical upside. You do not need to fight for a railing or stand in a crowd. You can settle into your own seat and keep watch through the port beside you. It also means that the position of your seat may shape what you notice most, so use both the window and the monitor.

The audio guide is available in Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, and Spanish. It provides information about the submarine and the marine life you encounter. This is especially useful when the underwater scene looks unfamiliar and you want more than a silent view.

Some passengers found the commentary informative, while the crew were also described as friendly, funny, and helpful. The certificate handed out at the end is a small touch, but it gives children a physical reminder of what they did.

What the one-hour schedule really means

The advertised duration is one hour, including boarding and disembarking. That makes this an easy activity to fit into a day in Lanzarote, but it also sets a clear limit on expectations.

You are not spending half a day at sea. The underwater viewing is the focus, and the time passes quickly once fish and wrecks come into view. One passenger wished the trip were longer, which is understandable if you are enjoying the sea floor and want more time to look.

The short format works well if you are combining this with other plans. It suits families who do not want a long boat outing, people trying something different between beach days, and anyone who wants a memorable activity without giving up an entire day.

Build in extra time around the scheduled departure. The trip itself lasts an hour, but pickup, boarding, and the return transfer add to the total outing. If you choose hotel pickup, the exact meeting point and time are sent by Submarine Safaris after you provide your hotel name.

Food is not included. One practical complaint was that the schedule could feel rushed when there was not enough time to eat before or after the trip. If lunch matters, plan it separately and check how much free time your chosen departure provides.

Hotel pickup from three Lanzarote areas

The transfer service is useful because Puerto Calero is not equally convenient from every resort. An air-conditioned coach collects passengers from selected areas and returns them afterward.

The listed pickup arrangements are:

• Playa Blanca: the 11:00 or 13:00 submarine departure
• Costa Teguise: the 12:00 submarine departure
• Puerto del Carmen: the 12:00 submarine departure

The activity details also specifically identify the 13:00 departure from Playa Blanca and the 12:00 departure from Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen. Since the available pickup times are schedule-dependent, send the provider your hotel name and wait for the confirmed pickup point and time by email.

Do not assume every hotel has a stop. Pickup outside the named areas is not included. If you are staying elsewhere or prefer to make your own way to Puerto Calero, check the arrangements before booking.

The transport has received praise for arriving on time and returning passengers promptly. That is important here because the experience has fixed departure times, and missing the transfer could disrupt the whole day.

Free time in Puerto Calero after the submarine

Your ticket includes free time at Puerto Calero after the underwater trip. This is a welcome addition, particularly if you have come by coach and want a few minutes to enjoy the marina before heading back.

Puerto Calero gives you a chance to slow down after the scheduled activity. You can use this time to look around, take in the waterfront setting, or arrange food if the timing works. Food and drinks are not part of the ticket, so budget for them separately.

The free time also helps balance the short one-hour submarine schedule. You are not forced to leave the area the moment you come ashore, although the exact amount of time available will depend on your departure and return transfer.

If you want a relaxed meal, check the timetable rather than assuming there will be an hour afterward. The departure schedule may leave less free time than you expect.

Price and value at $74 per person

At $74 per person, this is not a cheap way to fill an hour. Its value comes from the unusual equipment and the fact that you are riding a real 106-ton submarine to 30 meters, rather than taking a standard glass-bottom boat.

The price includes the submarine trip, audio guide, personalized certificate, and free time at Puerto Calero. Selected hotel transfers are also included. Food and drinks are extra, and pickup outside the listed zones is not covered.

I think the price makes the most sense for a first-time submarine experience, families looking for one memorable activity, and people who want to see shipwrecks without swimming or snorkeling. It is less compelling if you mainly want a long wildlife outing or a full day on the water.

The high overall rating of 4.5 from 771 reviews fits the strengths of the experience: reliable transfers, friendly staff, clear underwater views, and a format that works for people who cannot swim. The repeated praise for fish, wrecks, organization, and value suggests that the activity delivers what it promises, though the short duration remains the main tradeoff.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Lanzarote plans are still changing.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this for families, couples, older visitors, and anyone curious about the sea but not interested in scuba or snorkeling. The cabin is dry, air-conditioned, and kept at normal atmospheric conditions, so you do not need to be a confident swimmer.

It also suits children old enough to appreciate the novelty of a real submarine. Several families found it a holiday highlight, and a 13-year-old passenger was especially excited by the wrecks and fish.

The excursion can work for someone with limited mobility, too. One passenger with a mobility issue received help getting on and off the vessel. Still, the information provided does not give a full accessibility specification, so contact the operator directly if you need detailed assistance.

I would think twice if you dislike enclosed spaces, although the cabin is described as spacious and one nervous passenger found there was no reason to worry. I would also reconsider if you want a long, unhurried marine wildlife session. The one-hour format is focused and efficient, not leisurely.

Practical tips for a better trip

• Give the provider your hotel name as soon as you book so the pickup point and time can be arranged.
• Check the exact departure before making restaurant plans.
• Keep an eye on both the viewing port and its TV monitor.
• Listen to the audio guide. It adds context to the fish, wrecks, and submarine displays.
• Expect to pay separately for food and drinks.
• If you are staying outside Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise, or Puerto del Carmen, confirm how you will reach Puerto Calero.
• Keep the certificate. It is included and makes a nice souvenir for children.
• If you are nervous, remember that you stay inside a dry, air-conditioned cabin throughout the underwater section.

Should you book the Lanzarote submarine experience?

Book it if you want a genuinely different hour in Lanzarote, especially if shipwrecks, fish, and the idea of riding a real submarine appeal to you. The clear ports, multilingual audio, organized transfers, and friendly crew make the experience easy to enjoy.

Skip it if you want a long day on the water, a meal included, or total freedom to move around for the best view. At $74, the price is fair for a real submarine trip with pickup and a certificate, but the short duration means you are paying for a focused, unusual experience rather than a full-day excursion.

For most families and first-time visitors, I would consider it a strong choice. Choose your departure carefully, confirm the pickup details, and leave enough time for food around the one-hour schedule.

FAQ

How long does the submarine experience last?

The activity lasts one hour, including boarding and disembarking.

How deep does the submarine travel?

The submarine travels up to 30 meters, or about 100 feet, underwater.

What is the name of the submarine?

The submarine is called Sub Fun Tres.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is included from selected areas and scheduled departures. The listed locations are Playa Blanca, Costa Teguise, and Puerto del Carmen.

Which pickup times are available?

The listed pickup arrangements are 11:00 or 13:00 from Playa Blanca, and 12:00 from Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen. Confirm your assigned time with the provider.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

Is an audio guide available?

Yes. Audio commentary is available in Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, and Spanish.

Can children under two join?

No. Children under two are not accepted because of the safety equipment onboard.

What happens after the submarine trip?

Your ticket includes free time to enjoy Puerto Calero Marina after the underwater trip.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.