Beginner dive from Playa Chica with Instructor

The sea is your classroom here. This two-hour beginner scuba session begins with a short briefing, then moves straight into the protected bay at Playa Chica, where you learn to breathe underwater, practice simple skills, and gradually reach a maximum depth of 6 meters. I like the gentle beach entry and the close instructor support, especially for anyone trying scuba for the first time.

I also like that the group size is capped at 10 people and that the session includes full scuba equipment. The main point to consider is the extra charge for the underwater photographs. Around 30 digital photos are taken, but they cost an additional 20 euros if you want to keep them.

The meeting point is Safari Diving Lanzarote on Paseo de la Barilla in Puerto del Carmen. The experience starts at noon, ends back at the same location, and is usually booked about 14 days ahead. Instructor Marta Soriano has received especially warm praise, which adds a useful personal touch to this small-group experience.

Key points at a glance

• A protected bay entry: You enter the water directly from Playa Chica, rather than boarding a boat.
• A gentle maximum depth: The route gradually reaches no more than 6 meters, making it suitable for a first underwater session.
• A short but useful briefing: About 15 minutes are spent explaining breathing, equipment, and basic skills before you enter the sea.
• A small group limit: No more than 10 people can take part, so the instructor can keep an eye on beginners.
• Fish and underwater photos: The session includes time to see marine life and about 30 digital photographs are taken.
• Flexible cancellation: You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, subject to the weather policy.

Starting at Safari Diving Lanzarote at noon

Your visit begins at Safari Diving Lanzarote, at Paseo de la Barilla, 4, in Puerto del Carmen. The listed start time is 12:00 pm, and the activity finishes back at this same meeting point.

Pickup is offered, but the supplied details do not explain the pickup area, schedule, or whether an extra charge applies. I would confirm that arrangement before booking if you are staying outside central Puerto del Carmen. The meeting point is also near public transportation, which gives you another practical way to reach the center.

The activity lasts about two hours. That includes the briefing, getting changed, fitting the equipment, entering the water, practicing skills, and the underwater tour itself. You should avoid treating this like a quick 30-minute swim. The equipment process takes time, and the first few minutes in the water are used to help you feel comfortable.

A medical questionnaire must be completed before the program begins. This is a standard safety check to confirm that you are fit for scuba activity, and most people can participate. If you have any concern about your health, you should deal with it before arriving rather than waiting until the appointment.

The 15-minute briefing before the water

The first formal part lasts about 15 minutes. The instructor explains what you need to know before using the equipment in the sea, including the basics of breathing underwater and how the session will work.

For a beginner, this short talk matters. Scuba equipment can feel strange at first, and breathing through a regulator is not the same as breathing in open air. A clear explanation gives you a chance to understand the gear before you are standing in the water trying to remember everything at once.

The briefing also sets the tone for the rest of the experience. You are not expected to arrive with previous scuba training. The point is to learn a few basic skills in shallow water, then proceed only as you become more comfortable.

I would listen closely here and ask questions before getting suited up. In particular, make sure you understand how to communicate underwater and what to do if you feel uneasy. The activity is designed for beginners, but feeling relaxed depends partly on speaking up early.

Getting fitted with a wetsuit and full scuba equipment

After the explanation, you put on a wetsuit and the complete scuba setup. Equipment use is included in the price, so you do not need to bring your own regulator, tank, or other scuba gear.

The fitting stage is one reason the two-hour length is useful. The equipment must be adjusted before you enter the water, and you need time to get used to its weight on land. You might feel slightly awkward at this point. That is normal for a first session, and the instructor is there to help.

Wear a swimsuit beneath the wetsuit and bring whatever you normally need for a beach visit. The provided information does not specify changing room arrangements, lockers, towels, or personal gear, so I would confirm those details with Safari Diving Lanzarote if they matter to you.

The beach entry also keeps the process simple. There is no boat ride, no sea crossing, and no need to manage a moving platform. You walk into the bay from the shore with the instructor, which can be less intimidating than starting from open water.

Learning in the shallow water at Playa Chica

The first water work takes place in the shallow part of the bay. Here, you get used to breathing through the equipment and practice a few basic skills before going farther.

This is the strongest feature for a first-timer. You can focus on the unfamiliar sensations while still close to shore and in relatively shallow water. The protected bay offers a more controlled setting than an immediate trip into deeper open sea, although conditions can still vary and the activity depends on suitable weather.

The instructor gradually helps you settle into the equipment. You may notice the change in how your body moves, the sound of your breathing, and the feeling of weightlessness once you are supported by the water. The session is not about covering great distance or reaching a dramatic depth. It is about getting comfortable and discovering how your body responds.

If you are nervous, this is the moment to be honest. The supplied information makes clear that the route progresses gradually, and there is no prize for rushing. A calm start gives you a better chance of enjoying the later part of the session.

Following the bay to a maximum of 6 meters

Once you have practiced in shallow water, the group follows a route through the bay. The depth increases gradually, reaching no more than 6 meters.

That limit makes the experience approachable. You still get a real sense of being beneath the surface, but this is an introductory session rather than a full certification course or an advanced scuba outing. You should book it to try the basic experience, not to expect long underwater exploration or a demanding technical program.

The protected setting and gradual route also make the experience well suited to people who want to test their interest before committing to formal training. You can discover how you feel underwater without signing up immediately for a multi-day course.

At the same time, the 6-meter maximum means the session may feel modest if you already have scuba experience. The value is in the instruction and ease of access, not in depth, distance, or rare underwater sights. Experienced divers will likely find the session too basic.

Fish, weightlessness, and the underwater setting

The experience includes time to look at the marine life in Playa Chica. You are told to expect lots of fish, along with the distinctive feeling of weightlessness that makes scuba so different from snorkeling or swimming at the surface.

The exact species and visibility are not specified, so I would keep expectations realistic. You might see plenty of fish, but the underwater view depends on conditions on the day. The activity requires good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a different date or a full refund.

Still, the appeal is clear. You are not simply practicing skills in a pool. You are using the equipment in the sea, in a protected bay, with marine life around you. That gives the lesson a sense of purpose and makes the first underwater experience more memorable.

Playa Chica is also convenient for this kind of introduction because you enter directly from the beach. There is less equipment transfer and less time spent getting to the site. More of your two hours can go toward learning and observing underwater.

The photographs cost an extra 20 euros

About 30 digital photographs are taken during the experience. These pictures are not included in the advertised price and cost an additional 20 euros.

I see the photo package as a useful optional extra, especially if this is your first time using scuba equipment. Underwater photographs can help you remember the experience and show friends and family what you did. They also save you from trying to handle a personal camera while learning new skills.

Still, budget for the photo charge if you know you will want the images. At $89.01 per person, the base price covers the session and equipment, but not the photographs. The final cost is therefore closer to the advertised price plus 20 euros if you choose the package.

The activity information says that photographs are taken, but it does not explain how or when they are delivered. I would ask the center about the file format and delivery method before you enter the water. That is a small practical question, but it avoids confusion afterward.

What the $89.01 price gives you

The price is reasonable for a two-hour introductory scuba session if you value guided instruction, full equipment, and a beach-based setting. You are paying for more than time in the water. The cost also covers the briefing, equipment use, supervision, and a structured introduction to scuba.

The full equipment inclusion is important. A first-timer should not have to rent individual pieces from several places or guess what is needed. Having the center provide the setup keeps the planning simple.

The value is strongest for a person who wants to try scuba without taking a certification course. You receive enough instruction to experience the basics, but you are not committing several days or paying for a longer training program.

The value is weaker if you expect a large boat trip, a deep underwater route, or a long session beneath the surface. This is a controlled introduction from shore. Its modest scale is a benefit for beginners, but a limitation for experienced scuba users.

Group size, instructor support, and personal attention

The maximum group size is 10 people. That is not a private lesson, but it is small enough to allow the instructor to monitor a beginner group more closely than a large commercial outing.

The experience includes an instructor in the water with you. That matters most during the shallow-water practice, when you are learning to breathe and perform basic skills. You can also ask for help as the route becomes deeper.

Marta Soriano is the instructor specifically praised in the available feedback. Her name is worth noting if you are hoping for a friendly, reassuring introduction. The praise describes the experience as unforgettable and recommends both Safari Diving and Marta, which supports the impression that personal instruction is a major part of the appeal.

Staff assignments can change, so I would not assume Marta will lead every session. If having her as your instructor is important, contact the center before booking. The broader point remains: this experience receives its strongest praise for the instructor-led approach, not for luxury facilities or a large range of included extras.

Who should book this Playa Chica experience?

I would recommend this session to:

• First-time scuba participants who want to learn in the sea
• People who prefer entering from a beach rather than boarding a boat
• Visitors staying in or near Puerto del Carmen
• Anyone curious about scuba but not ready for a full certification course
• Couples, families, or small groups who want an introductory activity
• People who like a guided experience with equipment supplied

I would be more cautious if you already hold scuba certification and want greater depth, longer underwater time, or a more challenging route. The 6-meter maximum and beginner-level instruction are deliberate features, not shortcomings for the right audience.

You should also think about your comfort in the water. The session is designed to build confidence gradually, but you still need to complete the medical questionnaire and be willing to use full scuba equipment. If the idea of breathing through a regulator worries you, tell the instructor at the start.

Booking, weather, and cancellation advice

This activity is commonly reserved about 14 days in advance, so I would not leave it until the last day of your Lanzarote visit. Booking ahead is especially sensible if you need the noon start to fit around other plans.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather forces the center to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

That policy gives you some flexibility, but I would place the session earlier in your holiday rather than at the very end. If weather causes a change, you then have a better chance of finding another suitable date.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want a calm, guided first taste of scuba in Lanzarote. The protected Playa Chica bay, shallow practice area, full equipment, 6-meter limit, and small group cap create a sensible setting for beginners.

The main extra cost is the 20-euro photo package, and the session will feel too basic for certified scuba users seeking depth or adventure. For everyone else, $89.01 is a fair price for an instructor-led introduction with marine life, a beach entry, and enough time to find out if underwater exploration is for you.

FAQ

Where does the scuba experience begin?

It begins at Safari Diving Lanzarote S.L., Paseo de la Barilla, 4, 35510 Puerto del Carmen, Las Palmas, Spain. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

What time does the experience start?

The scheduled start time is 12:00 pm.

How long does the activity last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours, including the briefing, equipment preparation, shallow-water practice, and underwater tour.

How deep will beginners go?

The route gradually reaches a maximum depth of 6 meters.

Are underwater photographs included?

No. About 30 digital photographs are taken, but the underwater photo package costs an additional 20 euros.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.