Lanzarote Introductory Scuba Diving Experience

Playa Chica offers an easy introduction to scuba, with clear water, a short walk from the Manta Diving Lanzarote centre, and a shallow seabed suited to first-timers. You learn the basics on land, practise in waist-deep water, then spend about half an hour below the surface with an SSI instructor beside you. Victor and Piere are among the instructors named for this experience, though your guide depends on the day.

I like the small maximum group of six, with one instructor for every two students, and I like that the package includes the full set of equipment plus 10 to 20 souvenir photos. The main point to consider is that this is a short try-out, not a certification course, and the sea can affect the schedule or location.

Key points before you book

• Playa Chica setting: Start at the Puerto del Carmen centre, then walk to the bay for the water session.
• Shallow beginner depth: Expect around 5 metres, with the detailed plan describing a maximum of about 6 metres.
• Patient instruction: The session includes a briefing, breathing practice, and three basic underwater skills.
• Small groups: No more than six people take part, with one SSI instructor assigned to every two students.
• Photos included: You receive around 10 to 20 underwater photos by email after the session.
• Good first test: The two-hour format lets you try scuba without signing up for a longer course.

What this Lanzarote scuba session is really like

This is designed for you if you are curious about scuba but do not want to commit to a multi-day qualification. You are not expected to arrive with experience. The instructor handles the equipment, explains the basic rules, and stays with you throughout the underwater portion.

The full session lasts about two hours. That includes paperwork, the safety talk, changing, equipment fitting, shallow-water practice, and approximately 30 to 35 minutes below the surface. The actual underwater time is only part of the booking, but that is normal for a first session. You need time to get comfortable with breathing through a regulator and moving with fins.

The setting helps. Playa Chica is close to the centre in Puerto del Carmen, so there is no long boat trip or complicated transfer before you begin. You walk down to the bay with your instructor, put on the equipment at the water’s edge, and enter the sea in waist-deep water.

Starting at Manta Diving Lanzarote in Puerto del Carmen

Your meeting point is Manta Diving Lanzarote at C. Tenerife, 2, 35510 Puerto del Carmen. The centre is near public transport, and the activity finishes back there. Bring swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes. You should also plan to arrive ready for paperwork and equipment fitting rather than treating this like a quick beach activity.

A short medical history is part of the arrival process. Every participant completes a health questionnaire before getting into the water. This matters because scuba is not suitable for everyone, and conditions such as asthma, heart complaints, or other serious medical issues may prevent you from taking part. If you have any concern, check with your doctor before booking.

The minimum age is 10. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and at least two people are required per booking. The activity is also classed as requiring a moderate level of physical fitness. You will walk to the bay, carry or wear scuba equipment, enter the water, and spend time swimming with fins, so it is more demanding than simply snorkelling from the shore.

The briefing makes the first attempt less intimidating

Before you enter the water, your SSI instructor explains how the equipment works and what will happen during the session. This is where you learn the essentials of breathing, clearing your mask, responding to basic problems, and communicating underwater.

The exact three skills are not listed, so I would not expect a full training course. The point is to give you enough practice to feel calm and capable during the short underwater tour. If you need extra time, say so. The instructors are expected to work at the pace of the group, and that is especially important for children or anyone who feels nervous in the water.

Several comments about this activity point to the instructors’ patience and calm approach. That is the feature I would value most here. A beginner session succeeds when the instructor notices small signs of discomfort, slows down, and explains the same point in a different way. The limited group size gives the guide room to do that.

You should not feel pressured to descend before you are ready. The plan is to practise breathing in waist-deep water first, then move below the surface once you are comfortable. That gradual start is far better than being taken straight into open water with unfamiliar equipment.

Getting fitted with the full equipment set

The centre supplies the equipment, including a wetsuit, mask, fins, boots, and scuba gear. You only need to bring swimwear, a towel, and dry clothes for afterward.

Fitting matters more than it may sound. A leaking mask can distract you for the whole session, while fins that are too loose can make swimming awkward. Tell the instructor immediately if anything pinches, rubs, leaks, or feels too large. You will get more from the session if you spend a few extra minutes sorting out the fit before entering the sea.

The wetsuit also helps with comfort in the water. Even in a warm holiday setting, you may notice the temperature after 30 minutes. The supplied boots make the walk into the bay easier, but you should still expect to move carefully over the shoreline while wearing unfamiliar equipment.

Walking into Playa Chica and practising in shallow water

After the briefing and fitting, you stroll from the centre to Playa Chica. At the bay, you put on the equipment and enter waist-deep water. This is the most useful part of the preparation because you can concentrate on breathing without immediately worrying about depth.

Your instructor checks that you can breathe steadily through the regulator and feel comfortable with the mask and fins. You then practise the basic skills before heading farther out. The bay is known for clear water and marine life, but the first priority is not spotting fish. It is becoming relaxed enough to use the equipment properly.

If you are bringing children, this stage may take longer. An 11-year-old participant is specifically described as having started out nervous in the water and later wanting to go again. That makes this a sensible choice for a family with a child who is interested but uncertain, provided the child meets the minimum age and is accompanied by an adult.

The 30 to 35 minute underwater tour

The standard plan takes you to around 5 metres for 30 to 35 minutes. The detailed description also gives a depth of 6 metres, so think of this as a shallow introductory session reaching roughly 5 to 6 metres, rather than a fixed technical limit.

Once you are below the surface, the instructor leads you around Playa Chica and stops to point out marine life. You may see sea bream, parrotfish, damselfish, flounders, and ornate wrasse. The exact sightings depend on conditions and luck, so you should not book this expecting one particular animal.

The shallow depth is a major advantage for first-timers. You remain close to the bay and do not have the sensation of descending into a large, dark space. You can focus on the rhythm of breathing and on looking around rather than managing a demanding swim.

Some sessions may run longer or reach greater depth if the instructor considers the group ready and conditions allow. One account describes a 45-minute session reaching 10 metres, but that should not be treated as the standard promise. Book on the expectation of 30 to 35 minutes at around 5 to 6 metres.

What you may see around Playa Chica

Playa Chica is a good place for a first look at Lanzarote’s marine life because the route is accessible and the water is often clear. You might see small schooling fish, colourful parrotfish, wrasse moving around the rocks, damselfish, and flounders resting near the seabed.

An angel shark has also been spotted during one session, but this is a lucky sighting, not part of the guaranteed program. The same applies to visibility. Clear water makes it easier to enjoy the bay, yet weather and sea conditions can change what you see.

The appeal here is not a dramatic offshore expedition. It is the chance to notice ordinary sea life at close range while an instructor handles the route and keeps an eye on you. For a first attempt, that low-pressure format can be more valuable than a longer trip with a more ambitious agenda.

Group size and instructor support

The maximum group size is six, with one SSI instructor for every two students. That ratio gives you much more attention than a large group lesson. It also means you are unlikely to be left waiting while a dozen other beginners complete the same exercise.

The instructor stays with you throughout the session. You can expect guidance during the briefing, shallow-water practice, the three skills, and the underwater tour. The strongest theme in the feedback is the feeling of safety created by instructors who explain clearly and move at the student’s pace.

Names mentioned for the team include Victor and Piere. You may not have either one on your date, but the important practical point is the one-to-two instructor ratio and the SSI professional qualification. If you are anxious, tell the centre when booking or tell your instructor at the start. Clear communication gives the guide a chance to adapt.

Photos and the value of the $81.10 price

At $81.10 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Lanzarote, but it includes more than time in the water. The price covers an SSI professional instructor, rental equipment, the complete introductory session, and around 10 to 20 souvenir photos sent by email afterward.

You do not need to buy a mask, fins, wetsuit, or boots for a one-time attempt. That matters if you are testing the sport before deciding if you want a full course. The photos are another useful touch, especially for families, since handling a camera while learning to breathe underwater would be a distraction.

The value depends on your goal. If you already hold a certification and want a substantial underwater outing, this will probably feel too short and shallow. If you want a guided first look without paying for a full qualification, the equipment, instruction, small group, and photographs make the price reasonable.

The activity is commonly booked about 16 days ahead. I would reserve earlier if your schedule is tight, since the group is limited to six and weather can affect the available dates.

Weather, flying, and other practical limits

Do not schedule this too close to your flight. The advice is to avoid scuba within 12 hours of flying. Build that gap into your Lanzarote plans, especially if you are booking the session near the end of your holiday.

The experience requires suitable weather. If poor conditions lead to cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. This is a good reason to schedule it early in your stay. If the sea is not suitable on your first chosen day, you have more chance of moving the activity rather than losing the opportunity altogether.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. Confirmation is normally provided at booking, although a booking made within one day of the activity is confirmed as soon as possible, subject to availability.

The session is not recommended during pregnancy or for people with heart complaints or other serious medical conditions. The health questionnaire is not a formality, so answer it honestly and ask a doctor if you are unsure.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this for a first-time adult, a family with children aged 10 or older, or anyone who wants to test scuba before committing to a longer course. It also suits you if you prefer a shore-based activity with no boat transfer and a clear, simple schedule.

The small group is helpful for nervous beginners. The shallow water is helpful for anyone who wants to stay close to shore. The included photos are helpful if you want a record of the moment without carrying your own camera.

I would look elsewhere if you want a long underwater session, advanced instruction, or a guaranteed sighting of a particular animal. This is an introduction, not a certification course, and the experience is built around comfort and basic skills rather than distance or depth.

Should you book the Playa Chica session?

Yes, if you are curious about scuba and want a carefully managed first attempt in Lanzarote. The combination of shallow water, a small group, close instructor support, supplied equipment, and included photos gives you a fair test of the sport without a large time commitment.

Book it early in your stay, leave at least 12 hours before flying, and bring swimwear, a towel, and dry clothes. If you are nervous, say so before entering the water and allow yourself time during the shallow-water practice. For a first underwater outing at $81.10, Manta Diving Lanzarote offers a practical way to find out if scuba suits you.

FAQ

How long does the Lanzarote scuba session last?

The full activity lasts about two hours. This includes paperwork, the briefing, equipment fitting, shallow-water practice, and approximately 30 to 35 minutes underwater.

How deep will I go?

The experience is described as reaching 5 metres, while the detailed plan states 6 metres. You should expect a shallow underwater session at roughly 5 to 6 metres.

Is scuba experience required?

No. The activity is made for beginners and includes an explanation of scuba basics, breathing practice, and three skills in shallow water before the main session.

What equipment is included?

The price includes rental equipment, including a wetsuit, mask, fins, and boots, along with the scuba equipment needed for the session.

What marine life might I see?

You might see sea bream, parrotfish, damselfish, flounders, and ornate wrasse. An angel shark has also been seen, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Can children take part?

The minimum age is 10. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and the booking requires at least two people.

Can I fly soon after the activity?

You should avoid flying within 12 hours after scuba. The activity also requires suitable weather, and a poor-weather cancellation can be moved to another date or refunded in full.