Lloret de Mar: Scuba Diving Experience no License Required

The big moment comes when you take your first breath underwater. This two-hour session in Lloret de Mar starts in a calm, pool-like bay, then moves into open water to a maximum depth of 12 meters. You get the full set of equipment and close guidance without needing a license or past experience.

I like the small-group format, limited to 10 people, and the way the session builds slowly from basic instruction to real underwater swimming. I also like the focus on safety and personal attention, which matters if you feel nervous about breathing through a regulator. Instructors Valentin and Sergio have been singled out for their patience, good humor, and professional care.

The main consideration is that this is an introductory session, not a certification course. You may spend less time outside the sheltered bay than you hoped, especially if pressure, anxiety, or equipment handling proves difficult. Photos and videos are also extra, and a personal trainer costs an additional 30 GBP.

Key points at a glance

• No license or previous experience needed: You learn the basics before entering open water.
• A sheltered start: Practice your first underwater breaths in a calm, pool-like bay.
• Maximum depth of 12 meters: The final portion takes you beyond the bay to look for marine life.
• Personal attention: Groups are capped at 10, with an instructor assigned to you and your group.
• Strong safety focus: The instructors can respond quickly if you panic or need to return to shore.
• Good language coverage: Instruction is available in Spanish, English, French, Russian, and Dutch.

Starting at Dolphins Diving Center in Lloret de Mar

You meet the instructor at the Dolphins Diving Center office. The experience lasts about two hours, so it fits neatly into a morning or afternoon without taking over your whole day in Costa Brava.

Bring swimwear and a towel. Food and drinks are not included, so plan those separately. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and you cannot feed the marine life.

The small-group limit of 10 is useful here. Scuba equipment can feel bulky, and breathing underwater takes concentration. A smaller group gives the instructor a better chance to notice if your mask needs adjusting, if you are struggling with buoyancy, or if you need a slower pace.

This is advertised for participants above age 10, although the information also says it is not suitable for children under 8. For a family booking, confirm the age of each child before paying, since the two age statements do not match perfectly.

Learning the equipment before entering the water

Your first stage is a theory lesson. The instructor explains the scuba equipment and shows you how it works before you enter the water. That may sound basic, but it is the part that helps the rest of the session feel manageable.

You get used to the breathing system, mask, and other required gear. The goal is not to memorize a long list of technical terms. It is to understand what you are wearing, how you breathe, and what to do if something feels wrong.

That preparation is especially useful if you have never used a regulator before. Breathing through equipment rather than through your nose feels odd at first. The instructor can explain the process and give you time to settle before asking you to swim.

All necessary scuba equipment is included, as are entrance fees and the guided session. You do not need to arrange a license or hire equipment separately. Photos and videos are not included, however, so treat any image package as an optional extra rather than part of the advertised price.

First breaths in the calm bay

The session moves next to a sheltered bay described as pool-like. This is the gentlest part of the experience and gives you a controlled place to test your first breaths underwater.

You will get familiar with how the equipment feels when you are actually in the water. The instructor remains close and guides you through the early steps. If you are tense, this is where you can focus on one thing at a time: breathe slowly, listen to instructions, and get comfortable with the mask and regulator.

This gradual approach is one of the best reasons to choose the session. You are not simply handed equipment and sent into the sea. The bay works as a practical bridge between classroom explanation and open-water swimming.

Still, you should be honest about your comfort level. The activity is for people who like water, but that does not mean everyone will find the first breaths easy. A participant with anxiety and post-traumatic stress described needing to stop before completing the full session, while the instructors helped both participants return safely to land. That is an important detail: completing every stage is not the only measure of success. Learning your limits and being handled calmly also matters.

Moving beyond the bay to 12 meters

Once you are ready, the instructor takes you outside the sheltered area. This is where the session becomes a true first underwater exploration rather than a simple equipment lesson.

The maximum depth is 12 meters. At that depth, you may get close to marine life and see the coastal world from below the surface. The description does not promise a specific species or a particular underwater site, so keep your expectations flexible. The appeal is the experience of looking around underwater under the care of an instructor, not a guaranteed wildlife encounter.

The open-water stage can feel very different from the bay. You have more space, and the surroundings are less contained. Some people will find that thrilling; others may prefer to remain in the sheltered area. The instructor can help you decide how far to go based on your comfort and ability to handle the equipment.

The safety response is a real strength. The instructors have been praised for reacting quickly when participants panicked underwater, getting them out safely and swimming them back when needed. That does not remove every risk, but it shows why close supervision matters in a first scuba session.

What the two hours really include

The two-hour duration includes the explanation, equipment practice, sheltered-water training, and the open-water portion. It is not two hours of continuous underwater swimming.

That is normal for an introductory session. Time is needed to fit equipment, explain basic procedures, enter the water, and make sure you are ready before moving farther from shore. If you are comparing this with a longer boat-based scuba trip, remember that this activity is built around learning, not maximizing underwater time.

The small-group format also affects the pace. With up to 10 participants, the instructor must share attention, though each person is assigned an instructor with their group. If you want one-to-one instruction, a personal trainer is available for an added 30 GBP.

The listed price is $118 per person. I consider that fair if you value a guided first attempt with equipment, instruction, entrance fees, and a chance to reach open water. It is less attractive if you mainly want a long underwater session or expect photos to be included.

At this price, check the final booking terms carefully, especially the separate cost for a personal trainer and any photo or video package. The activity gives you the essentials, but not every possible extra.

The instructors and the human side of the session

Equipment and location matter, but the instructor can make or break a first scuba session. You need someone who explains clearly, watches your reactions, and does not treat nerves as a nuisance.

Valentin and Sergio have been praised for combining professional instruction with warmth and humor. That mix is useful when you are trying to stay calm while managing unfamiliar gear. A friendly tone can make the process feel less like a test.

The session also appears suited to mixed family groups. One family of two adults, one child, and two teenagers completed the activity and found it encouraging enough to consider taking up scuba more seriously. The instructors were praised for their attention to safety, clean equipment, and good mood.

That said, do not book it expecting every member of a family to reach the same depth or complete the same section. People respond differently to pressure, water, and breathing equipment. A good first session should allow for different comfort levels.

Who should book this Lloret de Mar activity

I would choose this for you if you want to try scuba without committing to a full course. It suits confident swimmers who like water, families with eligible children, couples, and friends who want an unusual Costa Brava activity.

It is also a sensible option if you feel uncertain but want a carefully supervised introduction. The calm bay, equipment lesson, and small group provide a useful structure. You can learn how your body responds before trying the open-water portion.

You should not book it if you have heart problems, high blood pressure, or a strong tendency toward seasickness. It is also not suitable for anyone over 150 kilograms, or 331 pounds. The supplied information does not list medical screening details, so if you have any health concern beyond those stated, ask the provider before booking.

The age information needs a quick check. The activity is described as available to everyone above 10, while the restrictions say it is not suitable for children under 8. For children aged 8 to 10, contact Dolphins Diving Center first rather than assuming they can participate.

Practical details that affect your choice

The meeting point is the Dolphins Diving Center office. You will need swimwear and a towel, and you should arrange your own food and drinks.

Instruction is available in Spanish, English, French, Russian, and Dutch. That broad language range helps if you are booking for a mixed group or are not comfortable learning safety steps in Spanish.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, according to the supplied details. Because scuba equipment and water entry can involve individual needs, contact the provider in advance to discuss the exact support required.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if your Costa Brava plans are still shifting. Check availability for the exact starting times, since the activity does not give a fixed daily schedule.

The activity has a 4.7 rating from 107 reviews, which fits the main pattern: strong praise for the instructors, safety, explanations, and equipment. The main warning is not about the underwater session itself. One booking included a complaint that promised photos were not sent, so confirm how images are delivered before paying for them.

Is the first underwater session worth $118?

For a first attempt, the value comes from the structure. You receive instruction, equipment, access, and supervision, then get a chance to move from a sheltered bay into open water. That is a lot more useful than simply hiring equipment and trying to work things out alone.

I especially like that the session does not rush straight to the maximum depth. The calm-water practice gives you a chance to test your breathing and confidence. The 12-meter limit offers a real sense of progress without presenting the activity as advanced training.

The tradeoff is time. Two hours passes quickly once theory, equipment, and practice are included. You may only have a limited period outside the bay, and you should not expect a formal certification or a long marine-life tour.

Should you book it?

Book this activity if your main goal is to find out how scuba feels, with an instructor nearby and no license required. It is a good fit for a first attempt, especially if you value calm teaching and safety more than maximum underwater time.

I would be cautious if you are booking mainly for professional photos, a guaranteed wildlife sighting, or a lengthy open-water session. Confirm the photo cost, ask about the personal trainer fee if you want individual instruction, and check the age and health rules before paying.

For a practical first step into scuba around Lloret de Mar, the combination of a sheltered start, open-water practice, and attentive instructors makes this a sensible choice.

FAQ

Do I need a scuba license or previous experience?

No. Previous experience is not required, and the session is designed as an introduction to scuba.

How deep will I go?

The maximum depth is 12 meters. The instructor decides how you progress through the session based on your comfort and ability.

How long does the activity last?

The complete activity lasts about two hours, including the theory lesson, equipment explanation, sheltered-water practice, and open-water session.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Food and drinks are not included.

Are photos and videos included?

No. Photos and videos are not included in the stated price.

Where do I meet the instructor?

Meet at the activity provider’s office at Dolphins Diving Center in Lloret de Mar.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for people with heart problems, high blood pressure, seasickness, or a body weight over 150 kilograms, or 331 pounds. It is also not suitable for children under 8, and the activity information says participants should be above age 10.