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

Take your first underwater breaths in Lanzarote. This four-hour experience gives beginners two shore-based scuba descents, patient instruction, and a close look at the fish-filled waters around Playa Chica. I especially like the one-instructor-for-two-divers ratio and the gentle progression from 6 metres to 12 metres. The main thing to consider is that you must fully understand the safety briefing in your chosen language, or you will not be allowed into the water and no refund is given.

I also like the small-group feel, with no more than six participants and a maximum of two divers per instructor. Past guests have praised instructors including Kieran, Connor, Ari, Gaizka, and Mike for calm guidance when nerves took over. The drawback is practical: you must make your own way to Playa Chica, which is the water site, not the Atlantis Diving centre.

Key points at a glance

• Two different underwater stages: Start at a maximum of 6 metres for 30 to 40 minutes, then progress to as much as 12 metres.
• Very close supervision: Each instructor handles no more than two divers, useful if breathing underwater makes you nervous.
• Playa Chica shore access: Meet beside the Atlantis van, with yellow-clad instructors and equipment boxes marked with your name.
• Lanzarote sea life: You might see colourful fish, cuttlefish, octopuses, seahorses, and other local marine life.
• Beginner-friendly structure: Instruction, equipment checks, insurance, two descents, and a diploma are included.
• Plan around flying: You must wait at least 24 hours after scuba before boarding an aircraft.

Why Playa Chica is a good place to try scuba

Playa Chica gives this experience a simple shape. You meet directly beside the water, rather than spending a long time on a boat before you even begin. Look for the Atlantis van, instructors in bright yellow, and white equipment boxes with participant names on them.

That setup matters when you are nervous. You can see where your kit is, meet the person guiding you, and get your bearings before entering the sea. There is no hotel pickup, so allow time to reach Puerto del Carmen and find the correct spot. The meeting point is not the dive centre, which is an easy detail to miss.

The waters around Lanzarote are described as warm, clear, and blue, with good visibility for watching marine life. Specific sightings can never be promised, but the experience has produced reports of cuttlefish, octopuses, seahorses, catfish, squid, and plenty of smaller fish. The chance to spot an octopus or seahorse gives the outing more interest than simply swimming around with a tank.

You will remain close to the shore, but this is not just a short swim with a mask. You learn how to breathe through the regulator, communicate underwater, use the equipment, and follow safety procedures. That makes the session useful for someone who wants to find out if scuba is worth pursuing, without signing up for a full certification course.

The briefing: learning before entering the water

Your first stage takes place at the meeting point, where a certified instructor explains the basics. Expect instruction on breathing, safety, underwater signals, and the skills needed for this first experience.

The provider uses instructors certified by PADI and SSI, and instruction is available in Spanish, Catalan, English, and Italian. Pick your booking language carefully. You need enough fluency to understand the full safety talk, not just casual conversation. If you cannot follow the instructions, the activity provider will not let you take part.

That firm rule is sensible. Scuba requires you to respond correctly to signals and equipment instructions, especially if you feel anxious below the surface. It also means this is not an activity to book for someone who only partly understands the selected language.

The one-to-two instructor ratio is the strongest safety feature here. It allows the professional to watch each person closely and adjust the pace. That personal attention helped several nervous beginners complete the session, while one participant who could not continue was able to stop. You should see that as a positive sign: continuing is encouraged, but not forced.

Before entering the sea, everyone completes a short medical questionnaire. This is a standard check to confirm that you are fit for the activity. The experience is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems or epilepsy. The age information is inconsistent: one section says children under 8 are not suitable, while another says children under 10 are not suitable. If you are booking for a child, confirm the minimum age directly before paying.

First descent: a calm start at 6 metres

Once the briefing is complete, you head to the water, assemble the scuba equipment, and carry out safety checks with your instructor. You then enter at your own pace and begin the first underwater session.

The initial descent reaches no more than 6 metres and lasts about 30 to 40 minutes. This is the confidence-building part. You get used to breathing through the regulator, managing your buoyancy, and communicating without speaking.

Six metres is shallow enough to make the first attempt feel manageable, but it still gives you a real sense of weightlessness. You can look around rather than concentrating only on the mechanics of breathing. The instructor remains close, ready to slow things down if you need a pause.

This is where the small-group arrangement earns its keep. A beginner may need a moment to settle, clear their thoughts, or repeat a skill. With two participants per instructor, you are not simply one person in a long line. Several people have found that calm, unhurried support made the difference between giving up and completing the session.

The underwater scenery is a major part of the appeal. You might see shoals of colourful fish, small octopus, cuttlefish, or other creatures around the rocky seabed. Past participants have also spotted seahorses, which are easy to miss if you rush. Keep your eyes moving slowly and listen to the guide’s suggestions about what to look for.

The surface break and second descent to 12 metres

After the first session, you return to the surface for a break and a snack. This pause gives you time to remove the equipment, talk through how things went, and prepare for the second descent.

The snack is not listed as an included item, so treat it as a break rather than a catered meal. Bring whatever you need for a light snack unless the provider tells you otherwise. You should also bring swimwear and a towel.

The second session reaches a maximum of 12 metres. By this point, the regulator, mask, signals, and sensation of weightlessness should feel more familiar. You will have more time to watch the sea life instead of thinking about every part of the equipment.

The increase in depth is modest, but it gives the experience a useful sense of progress. You begin with a controlled introduction, then move on only after gaining confidence. Your instructor sets the pace, so the stated maximum is not a target you must reach.

This is still a beginner session, not a certification course. The experience gives you an introduction to the sport and a taste of Lanzarote’s underwater world. It does not replace formal training for independent scuba. If you finish wanting more, the diploma provides a pleasant reminder of what you achieved, but it is not a professional qualification.

The people make the biggest difference

The strongest pattern in the feedback is the quality of the instruction. Kieran was praised for clear explanations and careful attention to safety, including helping a nervous participant return to the water and complete both sessions. Connor was singled out for calm guidance with a first-time participant who was worried about breathing underwater.

Other instructors named by participants include Ari, Fer, Gaizka, Mike, Geraldo, Emmanuel, Mhari, Oscar, Josi, and Kieran. Names and staff schedules can change, so you cannot request a particular person unless the provider confirms it. Still, the repeated theme is clear: the team puts patience and reassurance ahead of rushing people through.

That matters more than fancy equipment or dramatic scenery for a first attempt. A good instructor notices when you are tense, explains a skill in a different way, and lets you regain control. Several beginners arrived unsure they would enter the water and left interested in taking up scuba as a hobby.

The provider supplies all necessary scuba equipment and insurance for the activity. You should still expect to complete the medical form honestly and follow every instruction. Equipment being provided saves you from renting or carrying specialist gear around Lanzarote, which adds real value to a short holiday activity.

Price, photos, and what the four hours include

At $153 per person, this is not a cheap casual swim. It becomes better value if you want two properly supervised sessions, full equipment, insurance, professional instruction, and a diploma without committing to a multi-day course.

The one-to-two instructor ratio also helps justify the cost. You are paying for close supervision, not simply access to the water. If you only want to snorkel or float near shore, a simpler water activity will cost less. If you want to test scuba safely, the two-stage format gives you more time and practice than a single introductory session.

The experience title refers to photos, but the listed inclusions specifically name equipment, two descents, insurance, and the diploma, not a separate photo package. I would confirm exactly what photos are supplied, if any, before booking. Do not assume that every underwater image is included in the stated price.

The total duration is four hours, though the actual time underwater is shorter. That is normal for a beginner session because it includes instruction, equipment setup, checks, the surface break, and changing pace between participants. Do not schedule a tight appointment immediately afterward.

Practical planning for a safe day

Bring swimwear and a towel. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and you should not arrive under their influence. The activity provider can refuse participation when safety is affected.

Plan your travel carefully because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. The stated meeting point is Playa Chica, not the dive centre. Look for the Atlantis van and yellow uniforms, then check the white equipment boxes marked with your name.

Languages are Spanish, Catalan, English, and Italian. You must understand the safety briefing in the language chosen at booking. This requirement is more important than choosing a convenient language for casual conversation.

Scuba and flying need careful timing. After the activity, wait at least 24 hours before boarding a flight. For that reason, book this near the middle of your Lanzarote stay or at least the day before you fly home. Do not place it on your final morning if your flight leaves later that day.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the exact slot before arranging transport.

Who should book this Puerto del Carmen experience?

I would recommend it to an adult or older child who is curious about scuba but not ready for a full certification course. It suits people who value patient instruction, close supervision, and a gradual introduction more than a fast-paced group outing.

It is also a good pick for couples, parents and children who meet the age and medical rules, or friends who want to share a first underwater experience. The two descents give you enough time to settle down, enjoy the sea, and decide if you want to continue with formal training.

I would think twice if you dislike close-fitting equipment, cannot understand the selected language fluently, or have a flight within 24 hours. You should also confirm the minimum age for children, since the supplied information gives both 8 and 10 as the lower limit.

Should you book it?

Book this if you want a carefully supervised introduction to scuba in Lanzarote and like the idea of two gradual sessions rather than one brief attempt. The small groups, patient staff, warm clear water, and chance of seeing octopus or seahorses make the $153 price reasonable for the right person.

Before paying, confirm the child age rule, ask what the photo package includes, and make sure you have at least 24 hours before your flight. If those details fit your plans, this is a strong choice for a first underwater experience, especially if nerves are your main concern.

FAQ

Where does the experience meet?

You meet at Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen. This is the water site, not the Atlantis Diving centre. Look for the Atlantis van, instructors in bright yellow clothing, and white equipment boxes labeled with participant names.

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts four hours, including instruction, equipment setup, safety checks, two underwater sessions, and a break.

How deep are the two underwater sessions?

The first reaches a maximum of 6 metres and lasts about 30 to 40 minutes. The second reaches a maximum of 12 metres.

Is scuba equipment provided?

Yes. All necessary scuba equipment is included, along with insurance for the activity.

How many people are assigned to each instructor?

There is a maximum of two divers per instructor. The overall group is limited to six participants.

What languages are available?

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

What should I bring?

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

How long must I wait before flying?

You must wait at least 24 hours after scuba before boarding a flight, as a precaution against decompression sickness.