Beginner dive from Playa Chica with Instructor

Playa Chica gives you a gentle introduction to scuba without sending you far offshore. You begin at the beach in Puerto del Carmen, learn the basics, practice in shallow water, then follow an instructor through the protected bay to a maximum depth of 6 meters. Fish, weightlessness, and a calm first taste of the underwater world are the main attractions.

I like the beach entry, which removes the fuss of boarding a boat, and the gradual approach to depth, which gives you time to settle into breathing through the regulator. The small maximum group of 10 also keeps this from feeling like a mass-market water activity. The main consideration is the extra €20 charge for the underwater photos, despite the session including photography.

Key points at a glance

• Playa Chica beach entry: Begin directly from the shore in a protected bay, in front of the Safari center.
• Gentle six-meter maximum: Practice first in shallow water, then move gradually into the bay.
• 15-minute briefing: Learn the basic information and skills before putting on the full scuba kit.
• About two hours: The time includes the briefing, equipment setup, water practice, and underwater session.
• Photos available for €20: Around 30 digital images are taken, but the underwater photo package is not included in the listed price.
• Small group limit: The activity accepts no more than 10 participants.

Starting at Playa Chica with a simple beach entry

The meeting point is Safari Diving Lanzarote, at Paseo de la Barilla 4 in Puerto del Carmen. The activity starts at 12:00 noon and ends back at the same location. Pickup is offered, but because the stated meeting point is the dive center, I would confirm the pickup details before booking rather than assume transportation is included.

Playa Chica is a useful place for a first scuba session because you enter directly from the beach. You do not need to manage a boat ride, climb a ladder in full equipment, or worry about seasickness before you even reach the water. That makes the outing feel more approachable, especially if you are curious but not yet sure how comfortable you will be with a mask, regulator, and wetsuit.

The protected bay also matters. Conditions at sea can change, but a sheltered setting generally gives an introductory session a more controlled feel. The activity still requires good weather, so it is not completely weatherproof. If conditions force a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

The first 15 minutes: useful information before the water

The session begins with a 15-minute explanation. This is not a long classroom course, but it gives you the information needed before entering the bay. You will learn how to use the equipment and what to do during the basic exercises in shallow water.

For a first scuba experience, this short briefing is important. The strange part is not the fish or the depth. It is breathing through a regulator while wearing a mask and a wetsuit, and getting used to the feel of the equipment. A clear explanation lets you deal with those small surprises before you move away from the shore.

You must also complete a medical questionnaire before the activity begins. This checks that you are fit to take part. Answer it carefully and honestly. The fact that the activity is aimed at beginners does not remove the need for a basic health check.

The stated information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a detailed list of medical restrictions. If you have a health concern, ask the provider before booking rather than waiting until the start time.

Wetsuit, full equipment, and the first breathing practice

After the briefing, you put on the wetsuit and full scuba equipment. The equipment is supplied, which is a real part of the value here. You do not need to bring a personal regulator, tank, or other scuba gear for this introductory session.

The first water work takes place in the shallow section near the beach. Here, you get used to breathing through the regulator and complete a few basic skills with the instructor. This gradual start is one of the strongest features of the activity.

I prefer this approach to an immediate descent. In shallow water, you can pause and regain your comfort while still close to shore. You get a chance to understand how the equipment feels before concentrating on fish and scenery. The session is designed to teach the basic sensations of scuba, not simply to put you underwater and hope for the best.

That said, you should not expect a full certification course. The activity lasts about two hours and reaches only 6 meters at its deepest point. It is a tryout and guided introduction, not a substitute for formal training that qualifies you to scuba independently.

Following the bay to a maximum of 6 meters

Once you are comfortable with the initial skills, the instructor takes you through the bay. The route gradually becomes deeper, reaching no more than 6 meters. That is shallow by scuba standards, but it is enough for a first underwater session and keeps the focus on comfort.

The gradual change in depth is useful for two reasons. First, you can pay attention to how your ears and breathing feel as you move lower. Second, the instructor can keep the pace connected to your progress rather than rushing toward a fixed underwater target.

You will experience weightlessness and see fish in the bay. The supplied details do not promise a particular species or a dramatic reef, so I would book this for the pleasure of being underwater rather than for a major wildlife expedition. Lanzarote’s underwater setting is the reason to come, but the exact sights can vary with conditions and the day’s visibility.

The maximum depth also makes this a sensible choice for someone who wants a first taste without committing to a longer, more demanding trip. If you already have substantial scuba experience, however, you may find the route too limited. The appeal is its calm introduction, not technical challenge or great depth.

Why the instructor matters on a first attempt

You stay with an instructor throughout the water portion. That support is especially valuable when you are still learning to control your breathing and respond to the equipment.

One instructor named in the feedback is Marta Soriano, who received particularly warm praise from a participant. The comment described the session with the Safari school and Marta as unforgettable and fully recommended. That is a useful detail if you value a personal connection with the guide, although the supplied information does not promise that Marta will lead every scheduled session.

The instructor’s role is practical. You need someone to guide the route, watch the group, help with basic skills, and keep the pace suitable for beginners. A maximum of 10 participants gives the activity a clear limit, though it does not guarantee a private session or a particular instructor-to-participant ratio.

If you are nervous, tell the instructor early. The shallow practice is there for exactly that reason. You should not feel pressured to move deeper until you are ready.

Fish, weightlessness, and the photo option

The most memorable part for many first-timers will be the feeling of weightlessness. You are not simply standing in the water with a mask. You are learning to move calmly while supported by the scuba equipment, with fish passing through the bay around you.

The activity includes photography during the underwater portion, with about 30 digital images mentioned in the description. However, the photo package costs an additional €20. The wording around photography can be easy to misunderstand, so treat the pictures as an optional purchase rather than part of the $89.01 price.

I see the photo option as convenient rather than essential. You can focus on the experience instead of trying to manage a camera while learning basic scuba skills. If you want a record of your first underwater session, €20 may feel reasonable. If you are mainly interested in the activity itself, you can skip the extra cost.

Ask how and when the images will be delivered before you enter the water. The supplied details confirm digital photos and the price, but they do not specify the delivery method or exact timing.

What the $89.01 price gives you

At $89.01 per person, the price covers roughly two hours, the instructor-led session, and use of the scuba equipment. It also gives you a structured introduction from a shore location rather than an informal swim in the bay.

The value depends on what you want. For a first-time participant, the equipment and instruction are the important parts. Buying or renting a full set of scuba gear separately would add cost and effort, and you would still need an instructor for this kind of introduction.

The price is less compelling if you want a long underwater route, a large number of different sites, or a certified training course. This is a compact introductory activity. You are paying for a controlled first experience, not a full day on the water.

Keep the optional €20 photo charge in mind when comparing the total cost. If you want the approximately 30 images, your final spend will be higher than the listed price. The activity is booked on average about 14 days ahead, so reserving early is sensible if your Lanzarote schedule is fixed.

Who will get the most from this session

I would recommend this activity to you if you have never tried scuba and want a straightforward first step. The beach entry, short briefing, shallow skills practice, and six-meter limit create a gentle progression.

It also suits people who want to stay near Puerto del Carmen. The start and finish are at the Safari center, public transportation is nearby, and the activity does not require a separate boat transfer.

This is a good fit if you like guided activities with a clear structure. You receive the briefing, put on the equipment, practice basic skills, follow the instructor through the bay, and return to the same center.

I would be more cautious about booking it if you already hold significant scuba experience. You may find the shallow depth and short duration too basic. I would also reconsider if you want a guaranteed wildlife sighting, since fish are expected but no particular species or conditions are promised.

The activity is not ideal for anyone who cannot complete the medical questionnaire satisfactorily. The provider says most people can participate, but that does not mean every medical condition is suitable for scuba.

Timing, weather, and cancellation details

The scheduled start is 12:00 noon, and the whole activity lasts about two hours. That leaves you with a useful half-day plan, but you should avoid scheduling something immediately afterward if you want breathing room for equipment changes and the return to the center.

You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted, and a late cancellation is not refunded.

Weather remains the main outside factor. If poor conditions cause the provider to cancel, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Since the session takes place in a protected bay, the setting may feel sheltered, but the activity still depends on safe conditions.

My call: book it for a first underwater experience

Book this Playa Chica session if you want to try scuba with an instructor, supplied equipment, a short commitment, and a gradual route no deeper than 6 meters. The beach entry and shallow practice are the strongest reasons to choose it, while the small group limit adds some comfort.

Before paying, decide if you want the optional photos and ask about pickup if you need transportation. At $89.01, this is fair value for a guided beginner session, but it is not a full certification course or a serious underwater expedition.

If your goal is simply to discover how scuba feels in Lanzarote, this is a sensible, low-pressure choice. If you already know you enjoy scuba and want depth, distance, or a longer route, save your money for a more advanced outing.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Safari Diving Lanzarote, Paseo de la Barilla 4, 35510 Puerto del Carmen, Las Palmas, Spain. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the session begin?

The scheduled start time is 12:00 noon.

How long does the activity last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours, including the briefing, equipment preparation, shallow-water practice, and underwater session.

How deep will I go?

The route gradually reaches a maximum depth of 6 meters.

Is scuba equipment provided?

Yes. Use of the scuba equipment is included in the activity.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.