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

Puerto del Carmen’s underwater world is the real star here, especially the chance to look for angel sharks in a protected marine area. The day gives you two guided scuba sessions rather than one rushed outing, with the boat crew choosing sites that suit the sea conditions.

I like the small groups, capped at six participants, and the careful match between divers of similar certification levels. I also like the practical setup: van transport, a RIB speedboat, a dive computer, and Cressi equipment replaced each year. The main consideration is simple: this is only for certified divers, and insurance is not included in the €118 price.

Key points for your Puerto del Carmen scuba day

• Two underwater sessions: Spend about two hours exploring two sites around Puerto del Carmen.
• Angel shark territory: The protected waters hold the only remaining stable population of angel sharks, though sightings are never guaranteed.
• Small groups: No more than four divers are assigned to each guide, with a maximum of six participants on the activity.
• Site choice depends on conditions: The skipper selects the best locations for the day based on weather and water conditions.
• Annual gear replacement: Cressi equipment is replaced each year and includes a dive computer.
• Flexible finish: You can remain at the beach after the sessions or return by van to the center to complete your logbook.

Why Puerto del Carmen works well for a scuba outing

Puerto del Carmen is a useful base for a short scuba trip because the activity begins at Atlantis Diving Lanzarote, not at a distant marina or hotel. You meet at the lower level of the commercial center, reached by a long ramp, then transfer by van to the RIB launch site.

The waters around the town are part of a protected biosphere area, so the attraction is not just clear water. The reserve protects much of the marine plant and animal life, giving you a better chance to see species that are less common elsewhere. The most unusual possibility is the angel shark, also known as Squatina squatina.

I would keep expectations sensible. An angel shark is a possible sighting, not a promise. Marine life moves on its own schedule, and the skipper’s choice of site depends on conditions. Still, having a local guide in the water gives you better odds than exploring alone, especially when a creature is well camouflaged or easy to miss.

The experience is aimed at certified scuba participants with PADI, SSI, or CMAS Open Water Diver, Advanced, or Rescue Diver qualifications. That restriction matters. You are not spending the morning learning basic skills, so the group can focus on moving through the sites and observing marine life.

Meeting the team at Atlantis Diving Lanzarote

Your morning begins at Atlantis Diving Lanzarote. The center is on the lower level of the commercial center, and access is via the long ramp. I would allow a little extra time to find the exact entrance, particularly if you are carrying personal equipment or arriving unfamiliar with Puerto del Carmen.

At the center, you meet the guide, prepare your equipment, and load into the van. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point. That is a minor inconvenience for some, but it also keeps the arrangement direct and avoids a long series of hotel stops.

The guide speaks Catalan, English, Spanish, or Italian. The small group format should make it easier to ask questions and keep track of the plan. Each guide handles no more than four divers, which is a useful safety feature and also helps the group move at a similar pace.

The team takes your certification level into account when forming groups. That can make a real difference underwater. A group with similar experience tends to spend less time waiting for someone who needs a different pace, and the guide can give advice suited to the participants.

Van transfer, RIB ride, and site selection

The included van carries you from the center to the speedboat launch site. Then you board a RIB, a rigid inflatable boat, for the trip to the chosen locations.

The skipper decides where to go after considering the day’s weather and water conditions. This means the exact sites are not fixed in advance. I see that as a sensible approach rather than a weakness. A fixed route may look reassuring when booking, but local conditions should guide the choice of safe and enjoyable water.

It also means you should not book this expecting a particular named site. The benefit is that the crew can adapt the plan. The drawback is that you will not know the exact route until the morning.

The RIB is part of the appeal for many certified scuba participants because it provides access to two locations during a four-hour activity. The boat transfer also keeps the day focused on time in the water rather than a long shore-based setup.

Two guided sessions in protected water

The underwater portion lasts about two hours in total, spread across two guided sessions. That gives you two chances to see marine life and experience different conditions or habitats selected by the skipper.

The guide is there for more than basic supervision. Following someone who knows the area may help you notice small creatures, unusual shapes, and movement on the seabed. The local knowledge is especially useful when looking for an angel shark, whose coloring and shape can make it difficult to spot.

You will use a full set of equipment supplied by the center:

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

Having the computer included is useful because it lets you monitor your own session without needing to bring one. The annual replacement of the Cressi equipment also gives you a clearer idea of the center’s approach to gear maintenance. It does not remove the need to check your fit and comfort, but it is reassuring when equipment quality matters.

I would bring only the personal items requested for the day and confirm any fit concerns at the center before leaving. A comfortable mask and correctly fitted wetsuit can shape your whole morning.

The marine life you might find

The angel shark is the signature species here. These animals are neither shaped quite like typical sharks nor quite like rays, and they often rest on the seabed. The protected waters around Lanzarote hold the only remaining stable population of the species, making this a notable place to look for one.

That fact adds real interest to the activity, but it should not become the only reason you book. No guide can guarantee an encounter with a wild animal. The broader appeal is the protected marine setting and the chance to see the local plant and animal life while moving through two different sites.

The guide’s presence helps you get more from the time underwater. A person who knows where to look can point out details you might pass by. The limited group size also means you are not one of a large crowd pressing around a single sighting.

Several aspects of the experience appeal to me here: the guide-led format, the small groups, and the chance to visit two places in one morning. The strongest praise attached to the activity focuses on the friendly and attentive team, the safe organization, and the way the sessions are adapted to individual ability. Those are exactly the traits you want when conditions or confidence vary from one person to another.

What happens after the second session

When the second session ends, you can choose to remain at the beach or ride back in the van to Atlantis Diving Lanzarote. The beach option is handy if you want to continue your day in Puerto del Carmen without returning to the center.

If you go back, you can complete your logbook there. For certified scuba participants, that small administrative step is useful. It gives you a chance to record the sites and conditions while the details are still fresh.

The end of the activity is back at the original meeting point. Since hotel transport is not provided, make sure you have a plan for getting back to your accommodation or continuing on to your next stop.

Price, insurance, and what the €118 includes

At $118 per person, the price is reasonable if you need a full equipment package and want two guided sessions from a boat. The cost includes the tank, weights, fins, boots, wetsuit, mask, buoyancy jacket, and dive computer, along with the van transfer and RIB transportation.

That bundle matters. Renting equipment separately, arranging transport, and finding a boat could quickly make a self-organized morning less simple. You are also paying for a guide, a small group, and the flexibility to choose sites according to conditions.

The price does not include diving insurance. Insurance can be arranged at the center for €8 per day. I would treat that as a real cost when comparing options, rather than discovering it at check-in.

You also need to bring proof of certification. A current medical certificate is requested, although you may self-certify by completing a medical questionnaire if you do not have one. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems or epilepsy.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. That is a basic safety rule, but it is worth noting because this is a physically demanding activity that requires clear judgment.

How flexible is the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option also gives you some flexibility while arranging your Lanzarote schedule.

The activity lasts four hours, but starting times vary. Check the available morning departure when booking and leave enough room around it for your plans. Weather and water conditions influence the site choice, so keeping your schedule slightly open is wise.

This is not a casual walk-up beach activity. You need the proper certification, enough comfort in open water, and the ability to follow a guide’s instructions. If that describes you, the straightforward meeting point and compact schedule make it easy to fit into a Puerto del Carmen holiday.

Who will get the most from this activity?

I would choose this outing if you are already certified and want a guided morning without arranging every detail yourself. It suits someone who values safety, well-kept equipment, and a small group more than a fixed list of named sites.

It is also a good fit if you want to look for local marine life rather than simply spend time on a boat. The angel shark possibility gives the outing a clear identity, while the protected biosphere area adds broader interest.

You may want a different option if you are not certified, need hotel pickup, or prefer a guaranteed site itinerary. This activity also may not suit you if you want a full-day program with many underwater sessions. It is a focused four-hour outing with two sessions, not an all-day expedition.

The strongest features are practical rather than flashy: an attentive team, a structured plan, groups matched by ability, and good equipment. The positive feedback about safe organization and individual attention fits the way the activity is designed.

Should you book the Puerto del Carmen scuba outing?

Book it if you hold an accepted certification, want two guided sessions, and like the idea of searching protected waters for angel sharks. The €118 price offers solid value when you count the full equipment set, van, RIB, guide, and small group.

Before booking, add the €8 daily insurance cost if you need it, confirm the meeting point, and bring your certification and medical paperwork. I would also choose this outing for its flexible site selection and personal attention, not because a particular animal or location is guaranteed.

For a certified scuba participant staying in Puerto del Carmen, this is a well-organized way to spend a morning in Lanzarote’s marine reserve. It keeps the logistics simple while leaving room for the sea to decide what you see.

FAQ

Is this activity suitable for beginners?

No. It is only for certified scuba participants with PADI, SSI, or CMAS Open Water Diver, Advanced, or Rescue Diver certification.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The activity includes two guided scuba sessions around Puerto del Carmen, with about two hours spent on the underwater portion.

How long does the whole activity last?

The full activity lasts four hours. Starting times vary, so check availability for the departure time.

Where do I meet the guide?

You meet at Atlantis Diving Lanzarote, located on the lower level of the commercial center and accessed by the long ramp.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to Atlantis Diving Lanzarote. The included van transfer begins at the dive center and takes you to the RIB launch site.

What equipment is provided?

The center provides a tank, weights, fins, boots, wetsuit, mask, buoyancy jacket, and dive computer. The equipment is Cressi and is replaced each year.

Can I see an angel shark?

The protected waters contain the only remaining stable population of angel sharks, so you may have a chance to see one. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Who chooses the underwater sites?

The skipper chooses the sites based on the water and weather conditions on the day.

Is scuba insurance included?

No. Insurance is not included in the activity price, but it can be arranged at the dive center for €8 per day.

What should I bring?

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