REVIEW · LANZAROTE

Single Scuba Try-Dive in Puerto del Carmen – small groups – 2 hours

★ 5.0 · 13 reviews 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) From $84 Operated by Atlantis Diving Lanzarote · Bookable on Viator
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At Playa Chica, you get a calm introduction to scuba rather than a rushed swim with a tank. The session reaches only 6 metres, and the instructor stays close while you learn to breathe, move, and look around underwater.

I like the two-person maximum per instructor, which gives you personal attention when the equipment or breathing feels unfamiliar. I also like the simple plan: meet at 2:30 pm, complete the paperwork and briefing, ride to the shore, and spend time in the water without trying to cover too much ground.

The main drawback is that the actual time underwater may feel short. The full activity lasts about two and a half hours, but one participant felt the water portion ended sooner than expected. That is a fair trade for a careful first session, but experienced scuba users will want more depth and time.

Key points to know before booking

Single Scuba Try-Dive in Puerto del Carmen - small groups - 2 hours - Key points to know before booking

  • Maximum depth of 6 metres: This is a gentle first step, not an advanced scuba outing.
  • One instructor for every two people: You receive close supervision and help with the basic skills.
  • Playa Chica location: The underwater session takes place from one of Puerto del Carmen’s main coastal areas.
  • Small-group format: The activity has a maximum of two participants, useful if you prefer a quiet introduction.
  • Bring swimwear and a towel: You should also bring your booking ticket.
  • No alcohol for at least eight hours: Do not attend under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a hangover.

A gentle first look beneath Lanzarote’s water

Single Scuba Try-Dive in Puerto del Carmen - small groups - 2 hours - A gentle first look beneath Lanzarote’s water

This experience is made for someone who is curious about scuba but is not ready to commit to a full certification course. You do not need to begin with a deep descent or a crowded boat. Instead, you learn the basics in shallow water with an instructor nearby.

The maximum depth of 6 metres matters. It keeps the session within a manageable range and lets you concentrate on breathing and comfort rather than on complex skills. You may see plenty of marine life around Lanzarote at this depth, but the focus is learning how the equipment feels.

I would treat this as a first taste, not as a substitute for proper scuba training. The session introduces you to the sensation of being underwater with an air tank, but it does not turn you into a qualified scuba user.

The pace is deliberately unhurried. That is especially useful if you feel nervous about breathing through a regulator, clearing your ears, or moving with fins. You have room to stop, listen, and try again instead of being pushed along.

More Scuba Diving in Lanzarote

What happens at 2:30 pm in Puerto del Carmen

You begin at the scuba center at P.º Barrilla, 3, in Tías. The listed start time is 2:30 pm, so arrive ready for administration and the briefing rather than expecting to walk straight into the sea.

The paperwork comes first, followed by instructions from your professional instructor. This is the time to ask questions about the equipment, the order of the session, and what to do if you feel uncomfortable underwater.

You then travel by the provider’s van between the center and Playa Chica. That transfer keeps the arrangement simple, since you do not need to make your own way to the shore after the briefing.

The activity ends back at the original meeting point. That is useful if you are planning something afterward in Puerto del Carmen, though you should leave some flexibility because the total duration is approximate.

The description gives the experience a total length of about two hours and thirty minutes. The title presents it as a two-hour activity, so allow at least the longer estimate when arranging dinner, transport, or another booking.

Meeting the water at Playa Chica

Single Scuba Try-Dive in Puerto del Carmen - small groups - 2 hours - Meeting the water at Playa Chica

Playa Chica is where the practical part takes place. You arrive with your briefing complete, then prepare for the session with the instructor’s help.

The point of this stop is not to race along the coast. You are there to become comfortable in the water, manage the basic equipment, and observe the marine life around Lanzarote.

A first scuba session can be surprisingly demanding even at a shallow depth. Your attention is divided between breathing, body position, hand signals, and watching where you are going. A slow pace gives you time to settle into those tasks.

The 6-metre limit also makes the experience approachable for people who are unsure about depth. You still get the distinctive feeling of being below the surface, but the session remains focused on confidence and control.

Do not expect a long independent swim. You are accompanied by an instructor, and safety takes priority over distance. That may sound obvious, but it explains why the water portion can seem brief to someone hoping for a full afternoon of exploration.

Why the two-person limit matters

Many beginners worry less about the equipment than about being one person in a large group. Here, each instructor works with no more than two people. That is a strong feature for a first attempt.

Your instructor can watch both participants closely and respond when one person needs more time. If your breathing feels awkward or you need an explanation repeated, the small group makes that easier.

It also means the experience may feel more personal than a standard introductory session with a large class. You are not simply following a line of people into the water. The instructor’s attention is shared, but only with one other participant.

There is one practical point to remember. If two people in the pair have very different levels of comfort, the session must move at a pace that works for both. The provider’s careful approach should help, but this is still a paired activity rather than a completely private lesson.

Marine life without the pressure to go deep

Single Scuba Try-Dive in Puerto del Carmen - small groups - 2 hours - Marine life without the pressure to go deep

The waters around Lanzarote offer plenty to look at, and the session does not rely on depth to make it worthwhile. At 6 metres, you may find marine life in a setting that is easier to observe while you are still learning.

I like that the instructions specifically say there is no need to hurry. Beginners often spend their first few minutes trying to remember every instruction at once. A relaxed approach lets you notice the water around you instead of treating the session as a test.

Keep your expectations measured. The available information does not promise particular animals, a named reef, or a guaranteed sighting. What you can count on is a shallow underwater experience around Playa Chica, with time to look for life in the area.

This is also why the session suits curious first-timers better than serious underwater photographers or certified scuba users. The attraction is learning what scuba feels like and seeing what is close by, not pursuing a specific species or covering a large area.

The instructor and your safety

Single Scuba Try-Dive in Puerto del Carmen - small groups - 2 hours - The instructor and your safety

A professional instructor accompanies every pair, and safety is given as the main priority. That affects the whole mood of the activity, from the briefing to the time in the water.

You should pay close attention before entering the sea. The briefing is not filler. It is where you learn how the equipment works, how to communicate underwater, and what to do if you need assistance.

The instructor’s close presence is particularly valuable if you have never used a regulator. The first breath underwater can feel strange, even when everything is working normally. Having someone beside you makes it easier to pause and regain your bearings.

The available information does not provide instructor names, so you should expect to meet the assigned professional on the day. Instruction is offered in English, which is important if you need clear explanations of safety procedures.

You are expected to have a strong level of physical fitness. That does not mean this is an athletic competition, but you should be comfortable taking part in a water-based activity and handling the basic physical demands of swimming equipment.

What to bring, and what not to do

Single Scuba Try-Dive in Puerto del Carmen - small groups - 2 hours - What to bring, and what not to do

Pack a swimsuit and a towel. You should also carry your booking ticket, since it is specifically listed as something to bring.

The alcohol rule deserves serious attention. You must not take part under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and you should allow at least eight hours without drinking alcohol before the session. A hangover is also not acceptable.

That rule is about more than appearing fit for the activity. Scuba requires clear judgment and attention to instructions. If you are planning a late night in Puerto del Carmen, book this activity before the celebration, not after it.

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The center can control the instruction and safety procedures, but not the sea or weather.

Is $84.21 a fair price?

Single Scuba Try-Dive in Puerto del Carmen - small groups - 2 hours - Is $84.21 a fair price?

At $84.21 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend two hours in Lanzarote. The value comes from the instruction, the tiny group size, the equipment-based introduction, and the included transfer between the center and Playa Chica.

For a person testing scuba for the first time, the two-person maximum is the strongest part of the price. You are paying for attention, not just access to the water. That can make the difference between an enjoyable first session and an uncomfortable one.

The value is less convincing if you already have scuba experience. A 6-metre maximum and an approximate two-and-a-half-hour schedule will probably feel limited to a certified user looking for a longer underwater outing.

I would compare the price with your goal. If your aim is to find out whether you like scuba, the cost is reasonable for a supervised first attempt. If your aim is a long marine-life session, you may prefer a more advanced option, but that is not what this activity is designed to provide.

The main drawback: water time may feel brief

The one clear caution is the length of the underwater portion. The full schedule includes administration, instruction, preparation, transport, and the session itself. Only part of that time is spent below the surface.

One participant praised the instructors for being patient, kind, and safety-minded, but still wished the water portion had lasted longer. That is a useful warning for anyone imagining a full two-hour swim.

The provider’s response also makes the trade-off clear: you eventually have to return to the surface. In other words, the session is built around a controlled first experience, not maximum time underwater.

I would not book this expecting a long exploration. Book it if you want a careful introduction with enough time to learn the basics and see what scuba feels like. That expectation makes the shorter water portion easier to accept.

Who should book this Puerto del Carmen experience?

This activity suits you if you are:

  • Trying scuba for the first time
  • Curious but cautious about breathing underwater
  • Looking for a small group rather than a large class
  • Comfortable with a maximum depth of 6 metres
  • Able to meet the physical fitness requirement
  • Happy to follow an instructor’s pace
  • Staying near Puerto del Carmen and able to reach P.º Barrilla, 3

It is less suitable if you already hold scuba qualifications and want depth, distance, or a lengthy underwater route. It is also a poor choice if you plan to drink alcohol within eight hours of the start time.

Because the maximum is two participants, it can work well for two friends, partners, or family members who want to try the activity together. If only one person in your party wants to take part, the small format still keeps the session personal.

The experience is offered in English. If you need instruction in another language, the supplied details do not confirm that this is available.

Booking, cancellation, and practical timing

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking, and the location is near public transportation. The meeting point is P.º Barrilla, 3, 35510 Tías, Las Palmas, Spain, and the session starts at 2:30 pm.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the activity are not accepted for a refund, with cut-off times based on local time.

Since good weather is required, leave some room in your itinerary if possible. A weather cancellation gives you the choice of another date or a full refund, but a tight same-day schedule may make a rescheduled session awkward.

The return is to the original meeting point. Bring only what you need for the session, including your swimsuit, towel, and ticket.

Should you book it?

I would book this for a first scuba experience in Lanzarote, especially if you value close supervision more than a long session. The maximum of two people per instructor, shallow 6-metre depth, English instruction, and patient pace create a sensible introduction.

I would hesitate only if you expect extensive time underwater or already know that you want a serious scuba outing. In that case, the short water portion and limited depth may leave you wanting more.

For everyone else, this is a practical way to test the water without taking on a full course. Arrive sober, bring a towel, listen carefully to the briefing, and treat the session as a gentle first step rather than a full-scale underwater expedition.

FAQ

Where does the scuba activity start?

It starts at P.º Barrilla, 3, 35510 Tías, Las Palmas, Spain.

What time should I arrive?

The activity starts at 2:30 pm. The administration and briefing take place at the scuba center before you go to Playa Chica.

How long does the activity last?

The approximate duration is two hours and thirty minutes. The activity title describes it as two hours, so allow extra time when planning your day.

How deep will I go?

The maximum depth is 6 metres.

How many people can take part?

The activity has a maximum of two participants, with one professional instructor for every two people.

Is the activity offered in English?

Yes. English is listed as the available language.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, a towel, and your booking ticket.

Can I drink alcohol before the activity?

No. You must not attend under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and you should avoid alcohol for at least eight hours before the session. You should also not attend with a hangover.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor conditions, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

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