Puerto del Carmen: 2 Guided Scuba Dives (certified only)

The best action may be below Puerto del Carmen. This four-hour outing gives certified scuba users two guided underwater sessions in clear Canary Island waters, with site choices shaped by the day’s sea and weather. I especially like the small groups of up to four divers per guide and the chance to look for Angel Sharks in a protected biosphere.

I also like that the package includes the van transfer, RIB speedboat ride, tanks, wetsuit, computer, and the rest of the kit. The main consideration is that this is for certified divers only, and diving insurance is not included, though the center can arrange it for €8 per day.

Key points at a glance

• Two underwater sessions from Puerto del Carmen: Spend about two hours in the water across two selected sites.
• Angel Shark habitat: The area holds the only remaining stable population of Angel Sharks, also called Squatina squatina.
• Small, ability-matched groups: Groups are limited to six participants, with no more than four divers per guide.
• Equipment replaced yearly: Cressi gear includes a tank, weights, fins, boots, wetsuit, mask, buoyancy jacket, and computer.
• RIB access and van transfer: You ride from the Atlantis Diving Lanzarote center to the speedboat launch site in a comfortable van.
• Flexible finish: Stay at the beach after the underwater sessions or return to the center to complete your logbook.

Why Puerto del Carmen works well for a two-session outing

Puerto del Carmen offers a practical base for a half-day on the water. You meet at Atlantis Diving Lanzarote, then travel by van to the RIB speedboat launch site before heading out to the selected underwater locations.

The skipper chooses the sites according to sea and weather conditions. That means you do not get a fixed promise of one particular reef or animal, but you do get a better chance of having workable conditions on the day. For scuba users, this is a sensible trade-off. The sea decides the plan, not a printed schedule.

The waters around Puerto del Carmen form part of a biosphere reserve where much of the underwater plant and animal life is protected. That protection gives the outing a stronger purpose than simply ticking off two underwater stops. You are entering an area where the main attraction is the living environment itself, not a manufactured display.

Clear water is one of the main draws. It can help you spot small creatures and larger animals, though the Angel Shark is wildlife, not a guaranteed sighting. The guide’s local familiarity matters here. A careful guide can improve your chances by directing your attention to places where marine life may be resting or moving.

Meeting at Atlantis Diving Lanzarote

The meeting point is Atlantis Diving Lanzarote, on the lower level of the commercial center. You reach it using the long ramp, so allow enough time to find the lower entrance rather than assuming the center is at street level.

The morning begins with the group meeting the guide and preparing the equipment. This is also the point to make sure you have your certification and medical paperwork ready. The activity accepts PADI, SSI, or CMAS certification at Open Water Diver, Advanced, or Rescue Diver level.

The group limit is six participants. More importantly, each guide works with no more than four divers, and the group is arranged with people of similar certification level. That can make a real difference underwater. An Open Water Diver should not be forced to match the pace or complexity expected by a Rescue Diver, and an advanced diver may prefer not to spend the whole session waiting for a beginner.

The available languages are Catalan, English, Spanish, and Italian. You should still check the exact guide language when booking if that matters to you.

Getting to the launch site by van and RIB

After the initial preparation, you load into a comfortable van for the transfer to the boat. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to reach Atlantis Diving Lanzarote yourself.

The van transfer keeps the day fairly simple. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi to the launch point, and the equipment moves with the group. At the water, you board a RIB speedboat for the trip to the selected sites.

A RIB is useful for an outing like this because it can reach different locations more easily than a shore-based plan. It also gives the skipper room to adjust the day’s route if conditions change. The trade-off is that a small speedboat can feel more exposed than a larger vessel, particularly if the sea is lively. The supplied information does not promise calm water, so consider your comfort on small boats before reserving.

What the two underwater sessions are like

The main portion of the activity lasts about two hours in Puerto del Carmen, split between two selected locations. The precise sites depend on conditions, so the experience is built around variety and suitability rather than a fixed route.

A guide accompanies the group underwater. This is valuable for two reasons. First, you can spend less time trying to locate interesting areas and more time observing them. Second, the guide can help keep the group together and adjust the pace to the ability level in the water.

The protected status of the area gives you a chance to see local marine life in a setting where much of the underwater flora and fauna is safeguarded. The Angel Shark is the headline possibility. Puerto del Carmen is associated with the only remaining stable population of this species, a notable reason for experienced scuba users to choose this area.

Still, you should treat the Angel Shark as a possibility, not part of the guaranteed schedule. Marine animals move, hide, and follow their own timetable. A good day can include the pleasure of noticing smaller or less famous creatures too.

The two-site format is useful because it gives you more than one setting during a single morning. If the first location feels quiet or conditions limit visibility, the second may offer a different view of the area. The downside is that the schedule may feel short for someone who wants a full-day scuba program. This is a compact outing, not a multi-session expedition.

Cressi equipment and what is included

The package includes a full set of scuba equipment:

• Tank and weights
• Fins and boots
• Wetsuit
• Mask
• Buoyancy jacket
• Dive computer

The equipment is from Cressi and is replaced each year. That does not remove the need to check your mask fit or tell the staff if something feels wrong, but it does indicate a clear effort to keep the kit current.

Having the computer included is particularly useful. You do not need to bring your own instrument simply to follow the planned sessions, and the guide can help ensure the group remains within the expected limits for the outing.

The included equipment adds real value to the $118 price. Bringing your own gear may make the package feel less economical, but you are still paying for the boat, transfers, guide, tanks, and access to two selected locations. If you are flying to Lanzarote or traveling without bulky equipment, the included kit is a practical advantage.

Diving insurance is not part of the price. The center can arrange insurance for €8 per day, so include that amount in your budget if your existing policy does not cover you. The activity also requires you to follow the center’s rules, including no alcohol or drugs.

Certification, medical forms, and fitness limits

This is not an introductory lesson. You need a current certification from PADI, SSI, or CMAS at Open Water Diver, Advanced, or Rescue Diver level.

You should bring proof of certification and a medical statement. If you do not have a current diving medical certificate, you may self-certify by completing a medical questionnaire. That option is provided in the activity information, but you should answer it honestly and ask the center if anything in your medical history is unclear.

The outing is not suitable for pregnant people or those with heart problems or epilepsy. These restrictions matter because scuba places physical demands on your body and requires you to respond calmly underwater. If you have another medical concern, get professional advice before booking rather than waiting until the morning of the activity.

Matching divers by certification level is one of the stronger safety features here. You still need to be comfortable with your own certification and current ability. A card alone does not tell the guide how recently you have been underwater or how confident you feel in moving water.

After the second session

When the two underwater sessions are finished, you have a choice. You can stay at the beach, or take the van back to Atlantis Diving Lanzarote and fill out your dive log there.

That choice gives the morning a pleasant amount of flexibility. If you want a relaxed beach finish, you are not forced straight back to the center. If you care about recording the sites, depths, conditions, and wildlife, returning to the center gives you a natural place to complete your logbook.

The activity ends back at the meeting point if you return with the group. Since hotel drop-off is not included, plan your onward transport from Atlantis Diving Lanzarote.

The value of $118 per person

At $118 per person, the price is reasonable for a four-hour guided outing that includes two underwater sessions, a speedboat, van transport to the boat, a tank, weights, and a complete equipment set.

The strongest value comes from the combination of services. You are not simply paying for boat transport, and you are not renting equipment separately while finding your own way to the launch point. The center organizes the practical pieces and provides a guide in a small group.

The cost is less appealing if you already own all your gear and prefer to arrange your own boat access. It is also higher once you add the optional €8 daily insurance charge. Still, for someone visiting Lanzarote without equipment, the included kit and transfers keep the total fairly predictable.

The four-hour length also helps fit this outing into a larger Puerto del Carmen schedule. You can plan another activity later in the day, although you should allow yourself time to finish the logbook and change before rushing elsewhere.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this outing if you are already certified, want two guided sessions rather than a full day at sea, and value a small group. It suits people who prefer support from a guide but do not want a large boat carrying a crowd.

It is particularly appealing if marine life is your main goal. The protected biosphere and possible Angel Shark sighting give the morning a clear focus. The guide can also point out wildlife you might miss while concentrating on buoyancy, navigation, or your equipment.

This is less suitable if you are uncertified, want a beginner lesson, or need hotel pickup. It may also disappoint if you require a guaranteed location or a guaranteed Angel Shark sighting. The skipper makes the final site choice based on conditions, which is good for the day’s practicality but limits your control.

The very positive points I would emphasize are the attentive organization, the safe and structured feel of the small groups, and the ability to adjust the outing to each diver’s level. The available feedback also highlights an individual approach, friendly staff, careful preparation, and interesting underwater locations. Those are useful signs for anyone who values calm supervision over a rushed group schedule.

Should you book these two guided sessions?

Book it if you hold an accepted certification, want a half-day on the water, and like the idea of exploring Puerto del Carmen with a guide in a group of no more than six. The included Cressi equipment, van transfer, RIB ride, and two selected locations make $118 a fair price for many visitors.

I would skip it if you are looking for an introduction to scuba, require hotel pickup, or want a fixed site and guaranteed wildlife encounter. Bring your certification and medical paperwork, check your insurance, and remember that the sea controls the route.

For a certified scuba user who wants a well-organized morning with a real chance of seeing rare marine life, this is a sensible way to experience Lanzarote below the surface.

FAQ

Is this activity suitable for beginners?

No. It is only for certified divers with PADI, SSI, or CMAS certification at Open Water Diver, Advanced, or Rescue Diver level.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts four hours. The scuba sessions in Puerto del Carmen take about two hours.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to six participants. Each guide works with no more than four divers.

What languages are available?

Guides may speak Catalan, English, Spanish, or Italian.

Is diving equipment included?

Yes. The package includes a tank, weights, fins, boots, wetsuit, mask, buoyancy jacket, and dive computer.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to meet at Atlantis Diving Lanzarote, on the lower level of the commercial center, reached by the long ramp.

Do I need diving insurance?

Insurance is not included. The dive center can arrange it for €8 per day.

What paperwork should I bring?

Bring your diving certification and a medical statement. If you do not have a current diving medical certificate, you may self-certify by completing a medical questionnaire.