Private Beginner Scuba experience in Mallorca

Breathe underwater, then meet Mallorca’s fish. This private scuba session gives beginners a calm introduction from the shore, with a one-to-two instructor ratio, simple instruction, and up to 50 minutes underwater. I like the patient personal care, especially from instructors Alexandru Valentin Duta and Jose, and I like that photos and GoPro Hero 10 videos are included. The main consideration is depth: the maximum is only 6 meters, and the underwater scenery may feel less colorful than some people expect.

You do not need scuba experience, or even strong swimming skills, to take part. The equipment can inflate like a life jacket, and the instructor stays close, helping you adjust your breathing and position. At $306 per person, this is not a budget activity, but the private format, equipment, insurance, personal instruction, and media package make it a fair choice for a first try.

Key points for your Mallorca scuba session

• Private setup: One instructor works with no more than two participants, so you get direct help instead of sharing attention with a large group.
• Shore-based start: You begin in shallow water, around 1 meter deep, before moving gradually toward the 6-meter maximum.
• Long underwater time: Expect about 50 minutes underwater within a total experience of 2 to 2.5 hours.
• Patient instruction: Alexandru Valentin Duta has 14 years of experience, while Jose is also praised for calm, friendly guidance.
• Wildlife encounters: You might see octopus, cuttlefish, moray eels, small grouper, sea bream, wrasse, oblada, and salpa.
• Photos included: A GoPro Hero 10 records photos and videos, giving you a keepsake without bringing your own camera.

What this Mallorca scuba experience is really like

This is designed as a first taste of scuba, not a certification course. You meet the instructor near Palma, travel about 15 minutes by car to the shore location, and complete the session in a private group of one instructor and up to two people.

That small group size changes the whole mood. You are not trying to keep up with a crowd or waiting while an instructor sorts out someone else’s mask. If you feel nervous, the instructor can stay with you and repeat the basics until you are ready.

The session lasts roughly 2 to 2.5 hours. The actual time underwater is about 50 minutes, which is generous for a beginner experience. The rest of the time covers transport, preparation, a short theory briefing, equipment, and getting comfortable in the water.

The pace is deliberately slow. You start in about 1 meter of water, learn how the regulator feels, and get used to breathing below the surface. Only after you are comfortable does the instructor guide you farther out and down.

Starting with simple theory and equipment

The theory portion takes about 10 minutes. It is presented in basic English and is intended to be easy to follow. You learn the main safety points, how to breathe through the regulator, and what to do if water enters the mask or your body moves up too quickly.

The short briefing matters because new scuba participants often need more help with breathing than with anything else. The equipment feels unfamiliar at first, and the private format gives you room to ask basic questions without feeling rushed.

Instruction is available in English, French, Greek, Romanian, and Spanish. French speakers can also complete online theory by phone in French, along with more than 24 other languages. The practical portion still takes place with an instructor beside you in the water.

All scuba equipment is supplied, along with dive insurance. You do not need to arrive with your own mask, tank, or other gear. The provider also supplies water, and one recent account noted that the vehicle had a portable shower, a useful touch after saltwater practice.

Entering the water from the shore

The session begins from the shore rather than from a boat. For a first scuba experience, that is a sensible choice. You avoid boat movement, a crowded platform, and the extra nerves that can come with jumping straight into open water.

The shallow start is one of the strongest parts of the plan. You first get used to the breathing rhythm at about 1 meter, with the instructor holding and guiding you. If you need a pause, you are already close to the surface and shore.

You then move gradually toward the maximum depth of 6 meters. That is shallow by scuba standards, but it is enough to experience weightlessness, look for fish, and learn how your body responds underwater. The purpose here is confidence, not depth records.

You do not need to know how to swim, according to the activity information. Still, you should be ready to follow instructions and tell the instructor clearly if you feel uncomfortable. The equipment can inflate like a life jacket, allowing you to float with the instructor’s help.

Fifty minutes among Mallorca’s sea life

The underwater setting is focused on marine life rather than dramatic coral or bright tropical scenery. You might encounter octopus, cuttlefish, moray eel, small grouper, sea bream, ornate wrasse, peacock wrasse, oblada, and salpa.

The exact sightings will vary. One useful point from the experience is that the area may not be especially colorful underwater, but it can still offer plenty of fish, squid, and plant life. That makes this a better match for someone who wants to try breathing underwater and observe local sea life than for someone expecting a tropical reef.

The instructor can help you notice small creatures that are easy to miss. A calm guide may point out fish, then return attention to your breathing or buoyancy when needed. That balance is important for a beginner. You get to look around, but safety and comfort stay first.

If you have never used scuba equipment, the sensation of moving without normal gravity is likely to be the memorable part. You may also need time to manage the mask, regulator, and body position all at once. A maximum depth of 6 meters keeps the session manageable while still feeling like a genuine underwater outing.

Why the private format matters

The advertised setup is one instructor for one or two participants. That is a major advantage over a large introductory class, especially if you and a friend have different comfort levels.

An instructor can hold you, help you change position, and respond quickly if water enters your mask. One participant described Jose helping calmly when a body began rising too quickly. That kind of immediate correction can prevent a small problem from becoming a frightening one.

The private arrangement also makes this suitable for couples, friends, and parents introducing an older child to scuba. A daughter taking part for the first time was helped to feel at ease, according to the information provided. The emphasis remains on the person in the water, not on completing a fixed route for a group.

There is a tradeoff. You pay a premium for personal attention, and $306 per person is a significant amount for 2.5 hours. If your only goal is to test the equipment for a few minutes, the cost may feel high. If you value privacy, included media, insurance, and close guidance, the price is easier to justify.

The instructors and their teaching style

Alexandru Valentin Duta, often called Alex, is identified as the main instructor and has 14 years of experience as a professional PADI instructor. His role includes the basic briefing, the shore-based introduction, and direct support underwater.

Jose also receives especially warm praise for clear explanations, a calm manner, and friendly conversation. The team’s approach appears to be relaxed but attentive. Alex has also been known to contact participants the day before to make sure everything is ready.

That pre-session contact can reduce simple travel-day worries. You know where to meet, what vehicle to look for, and who will be waiting. Underwater, the same calm manner matters even more. A first-time participant may need help with a mask, buoyancy, or breathing without being made to feel clumsy.

The instructors speak several languages, but you should select the language that lets you understand safety instructions best. Scuba is not the place to nod along politely when a direction is unclear.

Photos and videos without carrying a camera

A GoPro Hero 10 is used to capture photos and videos during the session. These are included with the private package, along with equipment and insurance.

That adds real value. You can focus on breathing and looking around instead of trying to operate a camera while learning. The footage also gives you a record of your first time underwater, which is likely one reason many people choose an introductory scuba activity in the first place.

The camera cannot guarantee perfect footage. Water conditions, visibility, movement, and the timing of fish encounters all affect the result. Still, having an instructor manage the GoPro is much easier than trying to bring your own device on a first session.

Getting to the meeting point near Palma

The meeting point is in front of the street parking lot near the named hotel location. Look for an instructor wearing a blue or white IKIGAI shirt, or a white car with a roof box marked Scuba Diving IKIGAI.

From Palma, direct buses 104, 105, and 106 can get you near the meeting point. The bus costs €2, followed by a walk of about 10 to 15 minutes. A taxi takes about 15 minutes and costs around €18.

The location is about 15 minutes by car from Palma. Build in a little extra time so you are not searching for the vehicle while trying to prepare mentally for your first scuba session. The meeting instructions are specific, so save them on your phone before leaving the hotel.

The activity runs at different starting times depending on availability. Since you cannot fly for 12 hours after scuba because of pressure changes, plan this for a day well before your flight home. This is one of the most important practical details.

Is $306 per person good value?

At first glance, $306 is a lot for a 2.5-hour activity. The value becomes clearer when you separate the package into its parts: private instruction, all equipment, insurance, roughly 50 minutes underwater, a GoPro Hero 10, and photos and videos.

A group session might cost less, but it would not offer the same one-to-two ratio. Beginners often benefit more from close attention than from a longer route. If you are nervous, the instructor’s ability to stop, explain, and try again has practical value.

This is also more than a quick pool demonstration. You travel to a coastal site, enter from shore, move through shallow water, and look for local marine life. You receive a real introduction to scuba, though not a qualification.

The provider offers a discount toward future courses if you decide to continue. That makes the session useful as a test. You can find out if you enjoy the equipment, breathing method, and underwater feeling before paying for formal training.

Who should book this session?

I would point this experience toward first-time scuba participants who want close guidance and a private setting. It is particularly suitable for two friends or a couple who want to share the experience without joining a large group.

It can also work for people who are not confident swimmers, since the instructor remains close and the equipment provides flotation support. You should still disclose medical concerns and ask the provider if you are unsure about your ability to take part.

You will probably appreciate it if you care more about comfort and instruction than reaching great depth. The 6-meter limit keeps the session beginner-friendly, but experienced certified divers may find it too basic.

The experience is less suitable if you expect a colorful tropical reef, a boat trip, or advanced scuba skills. The local underwater scenery may be more modest, with fish, squid, plants, and rocky marine life rather than spectacular reef walls.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Mallorca plans are still changing, but they do not remove the need to protect the 12-hour no-flying window.

My verdict on IKIGAI SCUBA in Mallorca

Book this if you want a careful, private first step into scuba and value an instructor who stays close. Alex, Jose, and the wider team put the focus on simple explanations, patience, and helping you feel safe before asking you to move deeper.

The strongest reasons to choose it are the tiny group size, the shallow shore start, the long underwater time, and the included GoPro photos and videos. The main reasons to hesitate are the high price and the possibility that the underwater scenery will feel less colorful than you imagined.

For a beginner who wants to try scuba with a friend, I think the personal attention makes this a strong Mallorca choice. Just schedule it at least 12 hours before flying, arrive ready to speak up about any concerns, and judge success by comfort and curiosity, not by depth.

FAQ

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. This activity is designed for beginners and starts with simple theory before you enter the water.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No swimming qualification is stated as necessary. The equipment can inflate like a life jacket, and the instructor stays with you and helps you float.

How deep will I go?

The maximum depth is 6 meters. You begin at around 1 meter and move deeper only after you feel comfortable.

How long will I spend underwater?

The underwater portion lasts about 50 minutes. The full experience takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.

How many people are in the group?

It is a private group with one instructor for one or two participants. No other people are added to your group.

Are photos and videos included?

Yes. Photos and videos are taken with a GoPro Hero 10 and are included in the private scuba package.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in English, French, Greek, Romanian, and Spanish. French online theory can be completed by phone, with more than 24 other languages available for that theory option.

Can I fly after the scuba session?

You must wait at least 12 hours before flying because of pressure changes. Schedule the activity accordingly, especially if you are leaving Mallorca by plane.