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

Lanzarote’s clear water makes a gentle introduction to scuba diving, with two carefully paced sessions rather than one rushed dip. You start shallow at Playa Chica, then go as deep as 12 metres once you feel ready. The small instructor ratio is the real draw: one professional for every two divers.

I like the patient teaching, especially for anyone nervous about breathing underwater. I also like the chance to see proper sea life, not just practice beside a pool: past participants have spotted octopus, cuttlefish, seahorses, catfish, and plenty of fish. The main consideration is that you must fully understand the safety briefing in your chosen language, and you cannot fly for at least 24 hours afterward.

Key points to know before you book

• Two shore sessions at Playa Chica: The first reaches 6 metres for 30 to 40 minutes, while the second goes to a maximum of 12 metres.
• Very close instructor supervision: One trained instructor looks after no more than two participants.
• Small overall group: The group limit is six people, which helps keep the pace calm and personal.
• Sea life is part of the appeal: Fish, octopus, cuttlefish, seahorses, and other creatures have been seen in the area.
• Equipment and insurance are included: You also receive a diploma at the end and photos are part of the experience title and booking offer.
• Plan around your flight: Leave at least 24 hours between your last underwater session and boarding an aircraft.

What the four-hour experience is really like

This is designed for beginners, not certified scuba users looking for a technical outing. You meet at Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen, where the Atlantis van and instructors in bright yellow clothing make the meeting place easier to spot.

One detail matters here: Playa Chica is the dive site, not the dive centre. Look for the van near the beach, along with white equipment boxes labelled with each participant’s name. That setup should save you from wandering around Puerto del Carmen trying to find a shop first.

The full experience takes about four hours. That includes the briefing, equipment preparation, two sessions in the water, a rest with a snack, and the final wrap-up. You should bring swimwear and a towel. Hotel transport is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to Playa Chica.

The group limit is six, but the more important number is two. Each instructor supervises no more than two participants. For a first attempt, that is a strong arrangement. You have someone close by to watch your breathing, posture, comfort, and hand signals instead of being one face in a large group.

Learning the basics before entering the water

The first part takes place on land, where a certified instructor explains the equipment, breathing technique, safety rules, and basic underwater communication. You also learn the skills needed to clear your mask, manage the regulator, and respond to simple instructions, although the exact teaching sequence can vary.

The language requirement is strict and sensible. You must be able to fully understand the safety talk and instructions in the language selected when you book. Spanish, Catalan, English, and Italian are offered.

This is not the time to rely on a friend translating important instructions. If you cannot follow the briefing clearly, you will not be allowed to enter the water, and no refund is issued in that situation. If you are booking for a mixed-language group, check that every person can understand the selected language before paying.

You also complete a short medical questionnaire on site. It is a standard check to confirm that you are fit for scuba activity. People with heart problems or epilepsy should not book, and the experience is not suitable during pregnancy.

The age information needs a little care. The supplied guidance lists children under 8 as unsuitable and also separately lists children under 10. Since those limits do not match, confirm the current minimum age with Atlantis Diving Lanzarote before booking for a child.

The first session: shallow, slow, and confidence-building

After the briefing, you help assemble the scuba equipment and carry out safety checks with your instructor. You then enter the water at your own pace.

The first session reaches a maximum of 6 metres and lasts about 30 to 40 minutes. That depth is deliberately modest. The purpose is to help you get used to breathing through the regulator, moving with fins, clearing your ears, and communicating underwater without pressure to go farther.

This is the point where the instructor ratio pays off. Several people who had never tried scuba before felt nervous about breathing underwater, and calm guidance helped them continue. One first-time participant was unable to complete the session, which is an important reminder that not everyone adjusts immediately. A good operator should let you stop rather than push you, and the experience is structured around that choice.

You might see fish and other sea life even on this shallow outing. The area has produced sightings of small octopus, cuttlefish, and other creatures, but wildlife is never guaranteed. Your best approach is to move slowly, listen to the instructor, and keep watching the rocks and open water around you.

The session lasts long enough to settle into the equipment without becoming an endurance test. You are not expected to perform like a trained scuba user. You are learning how to stay calm and comfortable.

The break between sessions

Once the first session is complete, you return for a rest and snack before going back into the water. This pause matters more than it may sound. It gives you time to discuss what felt easy, what felt awkward, and what you want to improve.

Use this break to tell your instructor if your mask leaked, your ears were slow to equalize, or you felt anxious. The instructors are expected to work at your pace, and clear feedback helps them adjust the second session.

The break also makes the four-hour schedule feel more reasonable. Two underwater sessions can be tiring for a beginner, especially when you are concentrating on breathing and body position. Bring your own towel, and follow the provider’s instructions about food and rest.

The second session: up to 12 metres

The second outing goes to a maximum of 12 metres, giving you more room to explore and a better chance to see the underwater setting beyond the first shallow area. You only progress when you are ready, so the greater depth is an option within the session, not a demand to descend immediately.

At this point, you may feel much more natural with the regulator and fins. The reviews describe sightings of colourful fish, octopus, cuttlefish, seahorses, and larger fish. One outing produced two seahorses, while another included catfish and a small octopus. These are possible sightings, not a promise, but they show the variety that can appear around Playa Chica.

The clear, warm water is a major advantage for beginners. Good visibility lets you focus on the creatures and volcanic underwater setting instead of trying to work out what is happening around you. It also makes it easier for the instructor to keep an eye on you.

Do not expect a formal wildlife safari or a long boat trip to a remote site. This is a shore-based introduction, with the practical simplicity that brings. You enter from Playa Chica, practise close to shore, and spend your time learning rather than travelling between locations.

Instructors, safety, and the comfort factor

Atlantis Diving Lanzarote uses instructors certified by PADI and SSI, and the activity includes insurance. The strongest thread in the available feedback is not fancy equipment or a dramatic setting. It is the way instructors handle nerves.

Kieran was praised for clear explanations and steady reassurance when a father and daughter were anxious. Connor helped a first-timer who was worried about breathing underwater, while Gaizka was described as kind and patient. Other instructor names connected with past sessions include Mike, Ari, Fer, Josi, Oscar, and Andrea.

Staff change, so you should not book expecting one particular instructor unless the provider confirms that person. The useful point is the teaching style the activity aims for: safety first, direct explanations, and no rush when someone needs a moment.

That approach is especially valuable if you are unsure about scuba. A confident swimmer is not automatically comfortable breathing through a regulator, and a calm instructor can make the difference between stopping early and completing both sessions.

The safety rules are firm. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. You must answer the medical questions honestly, understand the briefing, and follow the instructor’s instructions. That may feel strict, but underwater activities leave little room for confusion.

What the $153 price includes

At $153 per person, this is not the cheapest beach activity in Lanzarote. It is also more than a short supervised swim. The price includes the equipment, two underwater sessions, insurance, instructor supervision, and a diving diploma.

The one-to-two instructor ratio is the key value. You are paying for close attention, not just access to a mask and tank. If you are nervous or want a proper introduction before deciding whether to take a full certification course, the price makes more sense.

Photos are included in the advertised experience, giving you a record of the day without needing to handle your own camera underwater. The diploma is a small extra, but it gives children and first-timers a tangible reminder of what they accomplished.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. Factor in your transport to Playa Chica and allow enough time to arrive ready for the meeting instructions. The equipment should be waiting in labelled white boxes near the Atlantis van, which keeps the start straightforward once you reach the correct place.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Lanzarote plans are still shifting, but they do not override the strict language and medical rules.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this to an adult or older child who is curious about scuba but does not yet want to commit to a certification course. It also suits couples, parents with eligible children, and small groups who want a shared first underwater experience.

It is a good choice if you value personal supervision more than a large social outing. The maximum group size is six, while the one-instructor-for-two-divers ratio keeps the teaching close.

You should think twice if you dislike being in the sea, cannot comfortably follow instructions in Spanish, Catalan, English, or Italian, or have a condition listed as unsuitable. It is also a poor fit for anyone flying home soon after the activity, since you need at least 24 hours before boarding a plane.

Certified scuba users may find the beginner structure too basic. The experience is built around learning and confidence, not advanced routes or independent exploration. One certified participant previously adjusted the original plan, but you should discuss that with the provider rather than assume the same arrangement is available.

Practical tips for a smoother morning or afternoon

Arrive with swimwear on or easy to change into, and bring a towel. Since hotel transport is not included, save the Playa Chica meeting details and look for the bright yellow instructors, Atlantis van, and labelled white equipment boxes.

Choose the booking language carefully. Every participant needs to understand the full safety explanation, not simply recognise a few words. If someone in your group is uncertain, contact the provider before the cancellation deadline.

Keep your schedule open after the activity. The 24-hour no-flying rule means you should not plan this on the day before your flight. It is also wise not to pack the rest of the day too tightly, since the experience lasts four hours and includes a rest period.

Finally, tell the instructor if you are anxious. Nervousness is common on a first attempt, and the staff are there to adjust the pace. Trying to hide discomfort helps nobody.

Should you book the Playa Chica experience?

Book it if you want a carefully supervised first taste of scuba in warm, clear water, and you like the idea of two sessions rather than one brief attempt. The shallow first outing, small groups, close instructor care, and chance to see octopus, cuttlefish, seahorses, and fish give you a fair introduction to Lanzarote below the surface.

At $153, it earns its price mainly through the instructor ratio and included equipment, insurance, photos, and diploma. Skip it if you cannot meet the language or medical requirements, need hotel transport, or have a flight within 24 hours.

For a nervous beginner, the strongest reason to book is simple: you get room to learn slowly. That is exactly what a first underwater experience should provide.

FAQ

Where does the activity meet?

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

How long does the experience last?

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

How deep are the two sessions?

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

How many people does each instructor supervise?

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

What languages are available?

Instruction is offered in Spanish, Catalan, English, and Italian. You must fully understand the safety briefing and instructions in your selected language.

Is scuba equipment included?

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

What should I bring?

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

Can I fly after the activity?

You must wait at least 24 hours after scuba activity before boarding a flight.

Who should not take part?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems or epilepsy. The supplied age guidance lists children under 8 and children under 10 as unsuitable, so confirm the current minimum age with the provider before booking for a child.