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

A calm first step into the underwater world. In Puerto del Carmen on Lanzarote, I love how this setup mixes small groups with hands-on coaching so you can focus on breathing, buoyancy, and what is right in front of you. Expect clear warm water, living reefs, and lots of wildlife moments, with guides like Kieran and Connor showing up again and again in the stories people share.

Two things stand out. First, the two divers per instructor model, with instructors who slow down for nervous first-timers. Second, the structure of two underwater sessions, starting shallow (max 6 metres) and then going deeper (max 12 metres) after you build confidence, which is exactly how you want a first experience to feel. One consideration: language comprehension is mandatory, and if you cannot understand the safety briefing in your booked language, you may be turned back from the water with no refund.

Key Things I’d Bookmark Before You Go

• Playa Chica water entry point: meeting is at the shore location, not the dive center, so know what Atlantis looks like (van plus bright yellow instructors).
• Two underwater sessions with staged depths: max 6 metres first, then max 12 metres for more time to spot sea life.
• Max 6 participants, max 2 divers per instructor: plenty of attention for first-timers.
• Equipment handled for you: labelled gear boxes are ready, and all scuba equipment is included.
• A take-home scuba diploma: proof of completing the training, not just a quick ride.

Playa Chica Meeting Point: Spot the Atlantis Van and Your Gear Boxes

This experience starts at Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen, and that location matters. The meeting point is the water entry point, not the dive center. If you are the kind of person who hates last-minute confusion, arrive a little early so you can locate the Atlantis van and the instructors dressed in bright yellow.

As soon as you are there, you will see white equipment boxes, each one labelled with the participant’s name. This is one of those small details that makes the whole day smoother, because you skip the guessing game and get moving toward the safety briefing.

One practical note for logistics: the activity does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. If you are staying in central Puerto del Carmen, you should be able to make it on your own, but it is still worth planning transport early.

The On-Land Safety Lesson: Breathing, Communication, and Understanding the Rules

Before you go anywhere near the water, you get taught the basics by a professional instructor. The focus is not on fancy tricks. It is on the essential stuff that keeps first-timers calm and coordinated, including:

• how breathing and equipment work underwater
• how to communicate while you are down
• safety procedures and what the instructor expects from you

In the reviews, you see a pattern: people repeatedly mention that the instructors go at their pace and do not rush the nervous moments. Names that show up often include Connor, Kieran, Mike, Gaizka, and Andrea, with several guests praising the calm tone and clear explanations.

Then comes a safety step that you should take seriously. You complete a short medical questionnaire on-site. This is standard protocol for scuba participation, and it is there for your safety, not paperwork for its own sake. If anything about your health changes from what you have prepared, be ready to answer honestly.

The one rule that can stop your day

Language is not optional here. Language comprehension is mandatory. You must be able to fully understand the instructions and safety briefing in the language you select at booking. If you cannot, you will not be allowed to participate in the underwater sessions, and the provider will not make exceptions.

If your language skills are borderline, I would choose the option where you feel most confident, then plan to follow every word of the safety briefing.

Session One to 6 Metres: The Confidence Builder That Sets the Tone

The first underwater session is designed to reduce scary surprises. You descend to a maximum depth of 6 metres, with 30 to 40 minutes in the water. You are not meant to race to the deepest part of the sea. You are meant to learn the rhythm: breathe, control your buoyancy, and get comfortable with the feeling of being underwater.

This is where the instructor ratio really shows up. The program limits the group and keeps a professional instructor for every two divers, so you should have a realistic chance to ask questions or get corrected early, before small mistakes grow into panic.

In the stories, beginners often highlight the same theme: they started nervous and then felt safe because the instructor kept things clear and steady. People mention that instructors watched not just the technique, but also the nerves, and they gave reassurance when confidence was wobbling.

What you should aim to do in this first session

Think of this as training time with real scenery. Your goal is to:

• practice breathing without rushing
• learn the communication cues you are taught
• stay aware of your buoyancy so you can relax and enjoy the sea life

If you can do that, you will be in a great mental place for what comes next.

Snack Break Between Sessions: Why the Timing Helps First-Timers

After session one, you come back up and take a break. This is not just to rest your legs. It is time to reset mentally and physically before the second underwater session.

You also get a snack to help you refuel for the next part of the program. That small food break can make a surprising difference in how you feel, especially if nerves made you tense up during the first part of the morning.

Then you prepare again, assemble and confirm your setup, and get ready for a deeper look at the underwater world.

Session Two to 12 Metres: More Time, More Wildlife, Better Photos

The second underwater session goes deeper, with a maximum depth of 12 metres and plenty of time to see sea life. This is where the experience often feels most magical for first-timers, because you are no longer thinking so hard about the basics. You can shift attention to what is around you.

In the reviews, the wildlife sightings people mention range from cuttlefish and octopus to seahorses, squid, and plenty of colorful fish. Some guests talk about seeing more unusual moments, like seahorses and larger fish, while others focus on the variety of reef life.

A quick reality check: sightings are always dependent on conditions and the day. But the fact that so many first-timers report seeing multiple animal types tells me you are not just paying for a quick, empty swim. You are being guided through a habitat that is genuinely worth looking at.

A tip for enjoying session two

Try to slow your movements. The calmer you are, the easier it is to spot things. If you are tense, you tend to flail or rush, which can kick up attention and reduce what you notice.

Also, listen carefully when your instructor gives timing cues. You want to use your time underwater effectively, not just technically reach the maximum depth.

Small Groups and Pro-Level Support: The “Two Divers Per Instructor” Advantage

A lot of scuba experiences sell the promise of wildlife and clear water. What you should care about more, as a first-timer, is how safely you are supported.

Here, the structure is clear:

• Small group size limited to 6 participants
• Maximum of two divers per instructor
• Fully trained professionals with PADI and SSI-style certifications mentioned as part of the provider’s staffing

That matters because underwater learning depends on feedback. When the instructor can actually watch what you are doing, you correct faster. When you correct faster, you relax faster. That relaxation is what turns the day from stressful to fun.

The review pattern strongly backs this up. People repeatedly say they felt safe, that instructions were clear, and that guides were patient when someone was not confident at the start. Names that come up in praise include Geraldo, Emmanuel, Mhari in one story, and Oscar, Josi, Ari, Fer, Natasha, and Anita across others.

You do not need to be fearless. You need an environment that respects nervousness, and this seems built for that.

What You Might See in Lanzarote’s Clear Warm Water

The underwater world around Puerto del Carmen is described as clear, warm, and full of colorful fish and living reefs. That matches what you should aim for when choosing a first scuba experience: the best learning happens when you are not fighting bad visibility.

Based on the wildlife mentioned in the reviews you have here, you can reasonably expect chances at sightings like:

• octopus and cuttlefish
• seahorses
• squid
• catfish and other reef fish
• plenty of colorful fish in general

If you are coming because you love marine life, this is a smart place to try your first scuba session. And if you are coming for photos, this is the type of water and animal mix that tends to produce real moments, not just generic shots of bubbles.

Price and Value: Is $153 Worth It?

At $153 per person for a 4-hour program, value depends on what you compare it to.

What you are getting here is not only a short intro. You get:

• 2 underwater sessions
• all scuba equipment included
• insurance for the activity
• a professional instructor for every two divers
• a take-home scuba diploma
• small-group attention (limited to 6 participants)

What is not included is hotel pickup and drop-off, plus what you bring (swimwear and a towel).

So is it a good deal? For many visitors, yes, because the instructor attention and the fact that it is two guided sessions changes the learning curve. One-and-done intro experiences can feel rushed. This one gives you a shallow starter, a break, and then a second session where you can actually enjoy the sea life with more confidence.

If you have to pay extra for equipment or insurance elsewhere, this price can make more sense fast. If you already know you want both sessions, the structure is also a big part of why it feels like value.

Practical Tips for Your Day: Swimwear, Language, and the Medical Check

To make this day smooth, keep it simple:

• bring swimwear
• bring a towel

Avoid alcohol and drugs, as they are not allowed for the activity.

Then focus on the less obvious items that affect whether you actually get on the water:

• Language comprehension is mandatory for participating.
• you must complete the medical questionnaire on-site.
• after scuba, you must wait at least 24 hours before flying.

That last one matters if you have a tight flight schedule. A lot of people plan a dive activity and then immediately plan travel. The 24-hour wait is there for safety reasons tied to decompression risk.

Who Should Book This, and Who Should Skip It

This program is aimed at people who want a guided first scuba experience with real instruction and a safety-first approach.

It is not suitable for:

• children under 8 years
• children under 10 years (this is listed separately, so check exact age eligibility)
• pregnant women
• people with heart problems
• people with epilepsy

If any of those apply, you should not plan to go.

Also, if you are worried about your ability to follow instructions in your selected language, that is another reason to think carefully. Missing the language requirement can end your day before the underwater sessions even begin.

Best fit

You should strongly consider booking if:

• you are a first-timer who wants structure, not winging it
• you want small groups and close instructor attention
• you like marine life and want a chance at seeing octopus, cuttlefish, seahorses, and colorful fish
• you want a take-home diploma at the end, not just a basic certificate handed out later

Should You Book This Puerto del Carmen Scuba Try Session?

If your goal is a first scuba experience that feels safe, structured, and worth your time, I think this is an easy yes for many visitors.

Book it if you:

• want two staged underwater sessions (max 6 metres, then max 12 metres)
• value small-group teaching with two divers per instructor
• want a guided look at reefs and sea life in warm clear water
• care about getting real coaching, not just equipment and a quick splash

Think twice before booking if:

• you are not confident you can understand the safety briefing in the language you choose
• your schedule includes flying within 24 hours after the experience
• you are uncomfortable with the fact that there is no hotel pickup

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Playa Chica (Puerto del Carmen). This is the water entry point for the activity, not the dive center.

How deep do the two underwater sessions go?

The first session goes to a maximum of 6 metres. The second session goes to a maximum of 12 metres.

What is the duration of the experience?

The total duration is 4 hours.

Do I need to understand the instructor’s language?

Yes. Language comprehension is mandatory. You must be able to fully understand the instructions and safety briefing in the language selected at booking, or you will not be allowed to participate in the underwater sessions.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel.

How long should I wait before flying after scuba?

You need to wait at least 24 hours after any scuba session before boarding a flight.