REVIEW · SPAIN

Double Discover Scuba Diving

5.0 · 104 reviews From $1,718 Operated by Piscis Diving · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

The best part of this experience is that your first taste of scuba happens from a boat, not in a crowded swimming pool. After a simple lesson, you make two supervised descents in sheltered sea conditions, with a certified instructor beside you. The Costa Brava waters may reveal octopuses, moray eels, barracudas, and some of the more than 200 fish species recorded in the area.

I like the careful, friendly instruction, especially for nervous beginners. I also like the two-session format, which gives you a chance to settle your breathing and feel more at ease underwater. The main drawback is the listed price of $1,718.14 per person, which is unusually high for a three-hour introductory activity and worth confirming before you pay.

Key points

  • Two boat-based sea sessions: You leave from Club Nàutic Sant Feliu de Guíxols rather than practicing only in a pool.
  • Maximum depth of 12 meters: The activity remains within a controlled depth suitable for an introductory session.
  • Instruction for complete beginners: You receive basic theory, hand signals, safety guidance, and an explanation of local sea life.
  • Patient instructors: Aura and Nica are among the instructors associated with the experience, with special care given to first-timers and younger participants.
  • Possible marine life sightings: Look for octopuses, moray eels, barracudas, squid, and colorful fish, though sightings depend on sea conditions.
  • Free photo session: A photo session may be included, giving you a keepsake from your first underwater outing.

A first underwater experience from the Costa Brava harbor

Double Discover Scuba Diving - A first underwater experience from the Costa Brava harbor

This is designed as an introduction, not a certification course. You do not need previous scuba experience, but you do need basic swimming ability and must be at least eight years old. The aim is simple: learn the essentials, get comfortable with the equipment, and experience the sea under close supervision.

The three-hour schedule runs from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. That morning timing is useful in a coastal town. You can finish before lunch and still have much of the day free in Sant Feliu de Guíxols or elsewhere along the Costa Brava.

The activity is listed under Figueres, but the actual meeting point is Club Nàutic Sant Feliu de Guíxols, at Escullera del Port. Pay close attention to this when planning your route. Sant Feliu de Guíxols is the place where you meet, receive your briefing, board the boat, and return afterward.

More first-time dives in Spain:

The theory lesson: short, practical, and aimed at beginners

Double Discover Scuba Diving - The theory lesson: short, practical, and aimed at beginners

The first part is a basic classroom-style explanation. You learn the main ideas behind scuba, how to use hand signals, and what to expect once you are in the sea. This is not a long academic lesson, which is exactly right for a first attempt.

The most useful part is the safety briefing. Underwater, you cannot simply speak to your instructor, so the hand signals matter. You also learn how the equipment works and how to respond to common situations before leaving the harbor.

The instructor explains the marine life you may see, too. That adds purpose to the session. You are not simply practicing breathing through a regulator, you are learning what to watch for among the rocks and sea floor.

This preparation is especially helpful if you feel nervous. One participant described being worried before starting, then feeling calm because the instructors guided the process step by step. That is the right approach for a first underwater experience: no rush, no pressure, and plenty of attention from the professional beside you.

Boarding the boat at Sant Feliu de Guíxols

Double Discover Scuba Diving - Boarding the boat at Sant Feliu de Guíxols

All sessions are conducted from a boat. That gives the outing a stronger sense of adventure than a pool-based introduction, and it puts you directly in the Costa Brava marine environment.

The boat ride is part of the appeal. Feedback about the vessel describes it as comfortable, with good-quality equipment and a smooth ride. Another family enjoyed the fast boat trip as much as the underwater portion. You should still remember that a boat-based activity is affected by weather and sea conditions, and the experience can be less comfortable if you are sensitive to motion.

The private format is another useful feature. Only your group participates, rather than joining a large public party. That can make a real difference when you are learning. You have more room to ask questions, and the instructor can give closer attention to your pace and confidence.

The group setup does not mean you receive a private instructor for every person at all times. The supplied details do not state the exact instructor-to-participant ratio, so ask if that matters to you, particularly when booking for children or a larger family group.

Two supervised sea sessions, not one quick dip

The practical portion includes two descents in confined sea waters. The maximum depth is 12 meters, keeping the session within a controlled range while still offering a genuine open-water experience.

The two-part structure is valuable. During the first session, you are likely to spend much of your attention on breathing, body position, hand signals, and getting used to the equipment. By the second session, you may have more attention available for the fish, rock formations, and movement around you.

The exact time spent underwater is not fixed in the supplied details. Some accounts describe sessions lasting close to an hour, but you should not assume that this is guaranteed for every booking. Your time can depend on comfort, air supply, conditions, and the instructor’s judgment.

The phrase confined waters means the activity is conducted in a controlled sea area rather than taking you into a demanding offshore setting. That is reassuring for beginners. At the same time, you are still dealing with the real sea, so visibility, current, and marine life can vary from one morning to the next.

A few more dives around Spain worth comparing

What you might see below the surface

Double Discover Scuba Diving - What you might see below the surface

The Costa Brava is the reason to choose a sea-based introduction here instead of a pool lesson. The area has more than 200 cataloged fish species, and the experience may bring you close to octopuses, moray eels, barracudas, squid, and fish in different sizes and colors.

There is no promise that you will see every animal named. Sea life is not arranged for a tour schedule, and conditions affect visibility. Still, the possibility of spotting an octopus or a moray eel gives the session a clear sense of place. You are experiencing the Mediterranean coast, not simply completing a beginner exercise.

Water clarity can be excellent on a good day. One family with children aged 11 and 13 specifically enjoyed the clear water and the confidence-building instruction they received from Aura. That is a useful sign for families, although the activity’s minimum age is eight and basic swimming ability is required.

If you are hoping for a particular animal, keep your expectations flexible. The instructors can explain what lives in the area, but they cannot guarantee a barracuda, squid, or octopus on any given morning.

Calm instruction for nervous beginners and children

The staff’s manner is one of the strongest reasons to consider this experience. First-time participants have described the instructors as calm, encouraging, friendly, and clear. Those qualities matter more than flashy equipment when you are trying to breathe normally underwater for the first time.

Aura is specifically associated with helping younger participants feel safe and confident. Nica has also received praise for making the session enjoyable while helping beginners learn. The available information does not promise that either instructor will lead your particular booking, so treat those names as examples rather than a guarantee.

The instructors also work with adults who are anxious about trying scuba. That makes this a good choice if you have always been curious but have held back because the equipment or breathing technique seemed intimidating.

You should still be honest about your comfort level. Tell the instructor if you feel uneasy, need more time, or want an explanation repeated. The activity is intended to be safe and controlled, but your own communication is part of making it work well.

Equipment, photos, and the practical side of the morning

Equipment is provided for the activity, and the equipment has been described as high quality. The session also includes the possibility of a free photo session, a nice touch for a first underwater outing. Confirm the exact photo arrangements when booking, since the supplied details do not explain how many images you receive or when they are delivered.

Wear practical swim clothing and arrive ready for a water-based morning. The official information does not list a detailed packing list, so you should ask the provider about towels, changing facilities, footwear, and any personal items before setting out.

The meeting point is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying in Sant Feliu de Guíxols and do not have a car. The activity ends back at the same harbor, so you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

The experience is marked as suitable for most participants, but it is not designed for people who cannot swim. The minimum age is eight. The information does not provide detailed medical restrictions, so ask Piscis Diving directly if you have a health concern that could affect scuba participation.

Is $1,718.14 per person good value?

Double Discover Scuba Diving - Is $1,718.14 per person good value?

At $1,718.14 per person, the listed price is the biggest concern. For a three-hour beginner activity, this is a very large amount, even when the package includes instruction, equipment, boat transport, two sea sessions, and a possible photo session.

The value would make more sense if the price is intended for a group package, a booking error, or a different service level than the short introductory session described here. Before committing, confirm the total price, what is included, and whether the figure is truly per person.

If the price is correct, you should compare it carefully with other introductory scuba experiences in the Costa Brava. The boat departure, private group format, two practical sessions, and close instruction are meaningful benefits, but they do not automatically justify such a high charge.

The experience has received a five-star rating from 104 submitted ratings, with 100 percent recommending it. That supports the quality of the instruction and organization, but strong satisfaction does not remove the need to check the price. The smart booking decision is to verify the amount in writing before payment.

Weather, cancellations, and timing

This activity needs good weather. If poor conditions force a cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. That is sensible for a boat-based sea activity, but it means you should avoid scheduling it on the final morning of your holiday if a replacement date would be difficult.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted. The cut-off uses local time.

The provider also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund. Keep these rules in mind when coordinating a family or group schedule.

Who will enjoy this Costa Brava experience?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

  • Adults who have never tried scuba and want a closely supervised first attempt.
  • Families with children aged eight or older who can swim.
  • Couples looking for an active morning rather than a passive boat trip.
  • Visitors who want to see local sea life in its natural setting.
  • Nervous beginners who value patient explanations over a rushed schedule.
  • Small private groups that prefer not to join a large public outing.

It is less suitable if you want a formal scuba qualification. This is an introductory session, not a certification course. It may also disappoint you if you need a guaranteed animal sighting, a fixed underwater duration, or a completely weather-proof plan.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if you want a genuine first step into scuba, like the idea of leaving from a harbor, and value instructors who take time with beginners. The two supervised sea sessions, possible marine life sightings, private group format, and calm teaching style give it more substance than a quick pool demonstration.

Before booking, resolve the price discrepancy. At $1,718.14 per person, the cost deserves direct confirmation from Piscis Diving. If that figure is accurate and fixed, compare alternatives first. If it is a listing error or a group total, the experience becomes much easier to recommend, especially for families and first-timers who want a careful introduction to the Costa Brava underwater world.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Club Nàutic Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Escullera del Port, s/n, 17220 Sant Feliu de Guíxols, Girona, Spain.

Where does the activity end?

The activity ends back at the same meeting point at Club Nàutic Sant Feliu de Guíxols.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately three hours, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Is previous scuba experience required?

No. The activity is designed for people trying scuba for the first time and includes a basic theory lesson before the practical session.

How old must participants be?

Participants must be at least eight years old and have basic swimming ability.

How deep will the session go?

The maximum depth is 12 meters in confined waters in the sea.

How many practical sessions are included?

The practical portion includes two supervised sea sessions with a certified instructor.

What marine life might I see?

Possible sightings include octopuses, moray eels, barracudas, squid, and various fish species. Sightings are not guaranteed.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also result in an alternative date or a full refund.

More dives like this

Discover Scuba Diving, compared.

The full Discover Scuba Diving list →
Discover Scuba Diving
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 1,676 reviews· from $127

Discover Scuba Diving

Read our review →
Barcelona: PADI Discover Scuba Diving
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 1,016 reviews· from $81

Barcelona: PADI Discover Scuba Diving

Read our review →
Discover Diving in Curacao
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 886 reviews· from $125

Discover Diving in Curacao

Read our review →
Mallorca: Discover Scuba Diving for Beginners
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 805 reviews· from $176

Mallorca: Discover Scuba Diving for Beginners

Read our review →
Discover Scuba Diving in Cozumel Paradise Reef
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 686 reviews

Discover Scuba Diving in Cozumel Paradise Reef

Read our review →
Half-Day Scuba Diving Tour – Discover Scuba Diving!
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 669 reviews· from $100

Half-Day Scuba Diving Tour – Discover Scuba Diving!

Read our review →
2 Days Discover Scuba Diving in Nusa Lembongan – Scuba Initiation
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 506 reviews· from $151

2 Days Discover Scuba Diving in Nusa Lembongan – Scuba Initiation

Read our review →
Discover Scuba diving
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 504 reviews· from $102

Discover Scuba diving

Read our review →
Scroll to Top

Where do you want to get in the water?

Choose a coast, a certification level, or an animal.