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

Lanzarote’s underwater world is the star here. At Playa Chica, you’ll learn to breathe, signal, and move underwater before making two guided shore dives, one to 6 metres and the next to 12. Fish, cuttlefish, octopus, and even seahorses have been spotted on this route. The small instructor ratio is a major comfort for first-timers.

I like the patient pace and the fact that you get two proper sessions rather than one brief dip. I also like the practical setup: equipment is labeled with your name, safety checks happen at the shore, and you finish with a diving diploma. Guides such as Connor, Kieran, Ari, Gaizka, and Mike have helped nervous beginners settle in.

The main consideration is that this is a real physical activity, not a sightseeing cruise. You must fully understand the safety briefing in your selected language, complete a medical questionnaire, and leave at least 24 hours between the activity and a flight. There is also conflicting age information, with the details listing both under 8 and under 10 as unsuitable, so confirm the minimum age before booking.

Key points to know before you book

• Two shore dives at Playa Chica: Start at a maximum of 6 metres, then continue to 12 metres if you are comfortable.
• One instructor for every two divers: This is especially useful if you are anxious about breathing underwater.
• Four hours from start to finish: The time includes instruction, equipment checks, two sessions, and a break.
• Wildlife can be excellent: Fish, octopus, cuttlefish, squid, and seahorses have all been seen.
• Everything essential is supplied: Equipment, activity insurance, and a completion diploma are included.
• Plan around your flight: Wait at least 24 hours after scuba activity before flying.

Why Playa Chica works well for a first underwater lesson

This activity begins at Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen, not at a separate Atlantis office. That detail matters. You should go directly to the dive site and look for the Atlantis van, instructors in bright yellow clothing, and white equipment boxes labeled with participant names.

The meeting point keeps the day simple. You do not need to arrange hotel transport, and pickup and drop-off are not included. If you are staying elsewhere in Lanzarote, plan your own way to Puerto del Carmen and allow enough time to find the exact shoreline meeting point.

Playa Chica is used for both the preparation and the actual underwater sessions. You will not sit through a long classroom course and then travel far to another location. Instead, the instructor can explain a skill, help you assemble the equipment, and then guide you into the water nearby.

That setup is valuable for beginners. The less time spent moving equipment and finding a second location, the more attention you can give to breathing calmly and following instructions. It also lets the instructor judge how comfortable you are before taking you farther down.

The first 6-metre session builds confidence

Your first underwater session reaches a maximum of 6 metres and lasts around 30 to 40 minutes. This is the confidence-building part of the day, and it is not rushed.

Before entering the water, your instructor explains basic safety, breathing, and hand signals. You will also complete a short medical questionnaire on site. This is standard for scuba activity and helps confirm that you are fit to take part.

You then assemble the equipment with guidance and carry out safety checks. The wording here is important: you are not expected to work everything out alone. The instructors are PADI and SSI certified, and the stated ratio is one instructor to no more than two divers.

Once you enter the water, you can move at your own pace under close supervision. The first session gives you time to become used to breathing from the regulator, feeling weightless, and responding to signals. If you are nervous, this is where a calm instructor makes the biggest difference.

Several people have found the breathing part difficult at first. Connor, one of the instructors praised by name, was able to guide a nervous beginner through a full session by keeping his instructions calm and clear. Kieran received similar praise for helping a hesitant parent continue after an uncertain start.

That does not mean every participant will complete both sessions. One person was unable to finish, while a companion continued to the 6-metre and 12-metre maximums. You should see this as a useful reminder: stopping is better than forcing yourself through discomfort, and the instructor will make safety the priority.

The second session reaches 12 metres

After the first session, you take a break before returning to the water. The information provided does not specify that food is supplied, so bring anything you personally need for a short pause. You are told to bring swimwear and a towel, and both will be useful after spending time in the water.

The second session reaches a maximum of 12 metres. By this point, you have already had time to settle your breathing and learn the basic signals, so the underwater time can focus more on looking around and observing marine life.

The reward is the chance to see more than a quick glimpse. Sightings reported during the activity include colorful fish, octopus, cuttlefish, squid, seahorses, and larger fish. One participant saw two seahorses, while another spotted an octopus and cuttlefish. Wildlife is never guaranteed, but Lanzarote’s clear water gives you a good chance to see what is around you.

The second session is also where the small group arrangement earns its keep. With no more than two divers per instructor, you are not simply following a large line of people. The instructor can watch your position, check your comfort, and point out sea life when it appears.

You should not expect a technical underwater expedition. The maximum depth is modest, the sessions are designed for beginners, and the purpose is to help you enjoy your first introduction. That makes it a good choice if you want a safe taste of scuba without signing up for a full certification course.

The instructor ratio is the strongest feature

The most consistent strength of this activity is personal attention. One professional instructor for every two divers is a much better arrangement for a first attempt than a crowded group where you might struggle to get help.

The published group limit is six participants, but the more important figure is the instructor ratio. Even in a small overall group, you should expect to be paired closely with your instructor rather than left to copy someone else.

The names connected with especially positive sessions include Connor, Kieran, Ari, Gaizka, Mike, Josi, Oscar, and others from the Atlantis team. Staff members are described as friendly, reassuring, and clear when explaining what will happen. You cannot request a particular person based on the supplied information, but the team works across Spanish, Catalan, English, and Italian.

Language comprehension is not optional. You must be able to fully understand the instruction and safety briefing in the language selected when booking. If the team decides you cannot follow the safety procedures, you will not be allowed to take part, and no refund will be issued in that situation.

That rule may feel strict, but it is sensible. Underwater communication is limited to hand signals, and you need to understand the briefing before entering the water. If you are not fluent in the language you select, choose another available language or ask the provider before booking.

What the $153 price covers

At $153 per person, this is not a bargain-priced beach activity. It is also more than a single short introductory session, because the four-hour outing includes instruction, equipment, two sessions, activity insurance, and a diploma at the end.

The strongest value comes from the instructor ratio and the second session. If you are paying to try scuba for the first time, one short attempt may leave you just as you begin to relax. Having another session lets you apply what you learned and gives you more time to see marine life.

All necessary scuba equipment is included, which removes the need to rent items separately. The completion diploma is a small extra, but it gives you a physical reminder of the day and proof that you completed the introductory program. It is not the same as a full scuba certification, so do not treat it as a license for independent scuba activity.

Photos are part of the product title, but the included list specifically names equipment, two sessions, insurance, and the diploma. It does not explain how many photos you receive or how they are delivered. If underwater photographs are important to you, ask Atlantis for the exact photo arrangements before paying.

The value will be strongest for someone who has always wanted to try scuba but does not yet know if it is for them. It is less attractive if you are already certified and want a specialized site, a longer underwater session, or a technical program. One experienced participant did adjust the original plan, but this outing is primarily structured for beginners.

What the four hours feel like

The four-hour duration includes more than time underwater. You need to allow for the initial briefing, medical form, equipment preparation, safety checks, the first session, the break, the second session, and the final diploma.

That is why the actual time underwater should not be compared directly with the price. The first session lasts around 30 to 40 minutes, while the second gives you plenty of time to observe sea life, though an exact duration is not stated.

The day has a practical rhythm. You meet the team, learn the essentials, prepare beside the water, complete the first session, rest, and then return for the second. It is a hands-on lesson rather than a passive boat trip.

You should bring swimwear and a towel. Do not bring alcohol or drugs, and do not plan to consume them before the activity. The information does not list hotel transport, meals, or other personal items as included.

The 24-hour flight rule needs careful planning. After scuba activity, you must wait at least 24 hours before boarding a flight. If you are leaving Lanzarote the following morning, schedule this outing early enough in your holiday to keep that safety interval.

Who will enjoy this most

This outing suits adults and older children who are curious about scuba but do not want to commit to a full course. It is especially good for pairs, such as a parent and child or two partners, because the one-to-two instructor arrangement keeps the lesson personal.

It also suits nervous beginners. Several participants initially worried about breathing underwater or continuing after a wobble, yet calm guidance helped them complete the sessions. You should still be honest about your comfort level and medical condition.

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, or people with epilepsy. Everyone must complete the medical questionnaire, and the provider will decide if you can take part.

The age information needs clarification. One section says children under 8 are unsuitable, while another says children under 10 are unsuitable. Since those limits conflict, contact Atlantis Diving Lanzarote before booking for a child.

The activity is also a poor fit if you need hotel pickup or want a relaxed sightseeing outing with no physical demands. You must reach Playa Chica yourself, listen carefully, handle scuba equipment, and follow safety instructions in the water.

What the underwater setting may offer

Lanzarote is a strong place for a first look below the surface because the water is described as warm, clear, and blue. Visibility helps beginners feel less closed in and makes it easier to spot animals when the instructor points them out.

The appeal is not just the number of fish. Cuttlefish, octopus, squid, and seahorses offer different kinds of sightings, from quick-moving animals to creatures that may sit quietly among the rocks. You might see colorful fish and living reef areas, but the exact wildlife changes with conditions.

The maximum depths also keep the outing approachable. Six metres gives you a gentle start, while 12 metres provides a greater sense of exploration without turning the day into an advanced program.

The setting is still the sea, so conditions and wildlife cannot be promised. You should book for the chance to observe Lanzarote’s marine life, not for a guaranteed octopus or seahorse encounter.

Should you book the Atlantis session?

I would choose this for a first attempt, particularly if you are nervous about breathing underwater or want close support. The combination of two sessions, warm clear water, a maximum of two divers per instructor, and patient staff makes the $153 price easier to justify.

Book it early enough to leave 24 hours before your flight, and confirm the child age rule if needed. Also ask about the included photos if that feature is a major reason for booking.

Skip it if you cannot follow the safety briefing in one of the listed languages, have a medical condition that may prevent participation, or want a certified course rather than an introduction. For the right beginner, though, this is a careful and well-supported way to discover whether scuba belongs in your future holiday plans.

FAQ

Where does the scuba activity meet?

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

How many people are in each group?

The overall group is limited to six participants. The instructor ratio is one professional instructor for every two divers.

How deep are the two sessions?

The first session reaches a maximum depth of 6 metres. The second reaches a maximum of 12 metres.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts four hours. The first session takes around 30 to 40 minutes, while the exact length of the second session is not specified.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a professional instructor, all necessary scuba equipment, two sessions, activity insurance, and a diving diploma.

What should I bring?

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

Do I need to understand a particular language?

You must fully understand the safety instructions and briefing in the language selected at booking. The available languages are Spanish, Catalan, English, and Italian.

Can I fly immediately after the activity?

No. You must wait at least 24 hours after scuba activity before boarding a flight.

Is the activity suitable for children?

The supplied information gives conflicting minimum age guidance, listing both under 8 and under 10 as unsuitable. Confirm the correct age requirement with Atlantis Diving Lanzarote before booking.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.