Puerto Del Carmen: Try Scuba Diving with 2 Dives and Photos

Lanzarote makes a fine place to try scuba: clear, warm water and easy shore access let you focus on breathing rather than battling waves. The first session stays shallow at 6 metres, then the second reaches 12 metres, giving you a gentle step-up without turning the day into a full certification course. The small ratio, one instructor for every two people, is another big plus.

I like the calm pace and the chance to see real sea life, including octopus, cuttlefish, and seahorses. I also like that equipment, insurance, two underwater sessions, and a completion diploma are included for $153. The main catch is that you must fully understand the safety briefing in your chosen language, and there is no refund if you cannot meet that requirement on site.

Key points at a glance

• Two shore sessions at Playa Chica: Start at a maximum of 6 metres, then continue to 12 metres if you are comfortable.
• One instructor for every two participants: This is unusually close supervision for a first scuba experience.
• Sea life can be surprisingly varied: Look for colourful fish, octopus, cuttlefish, seahorses, and other creatures.
• A real beginner’s introduction: You learn breathing, safety, equipment use, and underwater signals before entering the water.
• Four hours with no hotel transport: Bring your own swimwear and towel to the Playa Chica meeting point.
• Good flexibility, with firm safety rules: Cancel up to 24 hours ahead, but you must pass the medical and language requirements.

Why Playa Chica works well for a first scuba experience

The meeting point is Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen, and this detail matters. You are going straight to the shore site, not to the company’s main office. Look for the Atlantis van, instructors in bright yellow clothing, and white equipment boxes labelled with each participant’s name.

That setup should make the morning easy to find, but do not head to a separate dive centre by mistake. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to arrange your own way to Playa Chica. Bring swimwear and a towel. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, as you would expect for a water activity with strict safety demands.

The shore location keeps the day simple. You are not spending part of the four hours on a boat or waiting for a transfer. You meet the instructors, receive your equipment, and work from the same coastal site. That leaves more of the schedule for learning and time underwater.

The briefing: breathing, signals, and confidence

Before the first session, a professional instructor explains the equipment and the basics you need to stay safe. Expect instruction on breathing through the regulator, using the gear, communicating underwater, and handling the first moments below the surface.

This is where the experience succeeds or fails for many beginners. Breathing underwater feels odd at first, and several participants needed extra reassurance before settling in. Instructors such as Connor, Kieran, Ari, Gaizka, and Mike have been praised for patience and clear explanations at different times, but your exact instructor depends on the day.

The one-to-two ratio gives your instructor room to watch your face, hand signals, buoyancy, and comfort level. That is far better than being one person in a large beginner group. If you feel nervous, say so early. The format is designed to let you proceed at your own pace, and safety takes priority over completing a particular depth.

You must understand the safety instructions in the language selected when booking. Available languages are Spanish, Catalan, English, and Italian. This is not a casual language preference. If you cannot follow the briefing well enough, you will not be allowed into the water, and no refund is issued in that situation.

First underwater session: a gentle 6-metre start

The first session reaches a maximum of 6 metres and lasts about 30 to 40 minutes in the water. That shallow depth is useful for more than comfort. It gives you time to adjust to the mask, regulator, weight system, and unusual sensation of moving while breathing steadily.

You will help assemble the scuba equipment and complete safety checks before entering the water under supervision. The instructor controls the pace, and you can concentrate on simple tasks: breathing slowly, equalising pressure as needed, watching your signals, and staying close to your guide.

The first session is not about covering a long distance or reaching a dramatic depth. It is about getting comfortable. If you have ever worried that you might panic when breathing underwater, this gradual start is the most valuable part of the day.

The underwater setting at Playa Chica can be full of small surprises. Sightings reported during these sessions include colourful fish, octopus, cuttlefish, and even seahorses. You might not see every creature on every outing, so treat wildlife as a bonus rather than a promise. The clear water gives you a good chance to spot life, but animals do not follow a schedule.

The break and second session at 12 metres

After the first session, you take a break and have a snack before returning to the water. The pause gives you time to warm up, discuss how you felt, and prepare for the greater depth of the second session.

The second session reaches a maximum of 12 metres and allows more time to look around. If the first session was about learning to breathe and move, this one feels more like an underwater visit. You may have enough confidence to spend less attention on the equipment and more on fish and the shape of the reef.

The second session is still closely supervised. The maximum depth is modest compared with advanced scuba, but 12 metres feels meaningful when you are new to the sport. You should not treat the first session as a guarantee that the second will happen at full depth. Your instructor can adjust the plan according to comfort, conditions, and ability.

That flexibility is a strength. A nervous participant may need to slow down, and a confident participant may be ready to enjoy more of the surroundings. The goal is a safe, enjoyable introduction, not a test of toughness.

What the sea life adds to the experience

Lanzarote’s underwater appeal is not only about blue water. The best moments come from noticing movement and colour close to the rocks and seabed. Octopus, cuttlefish, and seahorses have all been spotted during these sessions, along with many kinds of fish.

A seahorse sighting is never guaranteed, but it shows why a patient guide matters. You need someone who knows where to look and who will not rush you past a small creature. Good underwater instruction includes more than safety. It also helps you notice what is in front of you.

The experience suits people who like nature but do not want a difficult expedition. You are not asked to carry out technical tasks or spend hours at sea. The time underwater is limited, the depths are controlled, and your instructor remains close.

Still, the water can feel busy inside your head at first. You have breathing, ear pressure, hand signals, equipment, and sea life to process at once. That is normal. Give yourself permission to enjoy a quiet, simple first session rather than trying to see everything.

Equipment, insurance, photos, and the diploma

All necessary scuba equipment is included, along with activity insurance. You do not need to bring your own mask, regulator, tank, or other core gear. The equipment is prepared in a labelled box at the meeting point, which should help the start feel organised.

The experience title includes photos, although the supplied details do not specify how many images you receive or when they are delivered. Ask the provider for the current photo arrangements if this matters to you. The pictures can be a useful souvenir, especially if this is your first time underwater.

At the end, you receive a diving diploma as proof of completing the introduction. This is not a professional scuba certification, so do not confuse it with a licence that qualifies you to scuba independently. It is best understood as a keepsake and a record of your first experience.

Is $153 good value?

At $153 per person, the price is not the cheapest way to spend four hours in Puerto del Carmen. But it includes two underwater sessions, equipment, insurance, close instruction, and the diploma. You are paying for supervision and a structured introduction, not simply access to the sea.

The one-to-two instructor ratio is especially important when comparing prices. A cheaper session with a large group may leave you waiting, feeling lost, or receiving less personal help when you are nervous. Here, the instructor can stay close and adjust the pace.

The value is strongest if you have always wanted to try scuba but do not yet want to commit to a full course. Two sessions let you find out whether you enjoy the sensation before spending more money on formal training.

The value is weaker if you already hold a scuba qualification and want independent exploration. A certified participant may be able to adjust the plan, but this product is built for beginners and remains instructor-led. Ask in advance if you already have certification.

Timing, age, health, and flying after scuba

The activity lasts about four hours, but exact start times depend on availability. Leave room around it rather than scheduling a rushed meal, excursion, or airport transfer immediately afterward.

You must complete a short medical questionnaire on site. Pregnant women and people with heart problems or epilepsy are not suitable for this experience. The age information lists children under 8 and children under 10 as unsuitable, which is unclear as written. If you are booking for a child, confirm the provider’s current minimum age before paying.

Plan your flight carefully. You must wait at least 24 hours after scuba before boarding an aircraft. This is one of the most important practical details. Do not schedule the activity on the last day of a holiday if you fly home the next morning.

The experience is also unsuitable for anyone who cannot fully understand the chosen safety language. This rule is firm, and it should be. If you are unsure, select a language you understand comfortably or contact Atlantis Diving Lanzarote before booking.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this to an adult or older child who is curious about scuba, comfortable in the water, and willing to follow instructions closely. It is particularly good for someone who feels nervous but still wants a careful first try.

It also works well for couples, parents with suitable-age children, and friends who want a shared holiday memory. One participant can be cautious while another is eager, since the instructor can guide the pace rather than pushing everyone through the same routine.

You may want a different option if you are looking for a certified course, a long boat trip, or a technically challenging underwater outing. This is an introduction. Its strength is simplicity, patience, and close supervision.

Booking details worth knowing

The group is limited to six participants, though the instructor ratio is the more useful figure: one professional for every two people. Instructors may speak Spanish, Catalan, English, or Italian.

You meet at Playa Chica, not at a separate dive centre. Look for the Atlantis van, bright yellow instructor clothing, and labelled white equipment boxes. Hotel transfers are not included.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your schedule is still moving. These flexible terms do not override the safety rules about language, medical fitness, or flying afterward.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want a carefully supervised first taste of scuba in Lanzarote, especially if you value a small group and plenty of instructor attention. The combination of a 6-metre first session, a 12-metre second session, warm clear water, and possible sightings of octopus or seahorses makes the day feel substantial without being extreme.

Think twice if you cannot leave 24 hours before a flight, cannot follow the safety briefing in one of the listed languages, or want a formal qualification. For everyone else, $153 is a fair price for two sessions, equipment, insurance, photos, and a diploma, provided you arrive at Playa Chica ready to listen, take it slowly, and enjoy the view below the surface.

FAQ

Where does the scuba experience meet?

The meeting point is Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen. This is the shore site, not the dive centre. Look for the Atlantis van, instructors in bright yellow, and labelled white equipment boxes.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts about four hours. The first underwater session lasts around 30 to 40 minutes, followed by a break and a second session.

How deep do the two sessions go?

The first session reaches a maximum depth of 6 metres. The second reaches a maximum depth of 12 metres.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in Spanish, Catalan, English, and Italian. You must fully understand the safety briefing in your selected language.

What is included in the price?

The price includes one instructor for every two participants, all necessary scuba equipment, two underwater sessions, activity insurance, and a diving diploma. Photos are included with the experience.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can I fly soon after the activity?

No. You must wait at least 24 hours after scuba before boarding a flight. This means the activity should not be scheduled shortly before your departure.