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

The best part of this Puerto del Carmen experience is the gentle introduction. You learn the basics on shore, then enter the water with an instructor beside you rather than being left to manage new equipment alone. The first session reaches only 6 metres, giving you time to settle into breathing underwater before the second reaches 12 metres.

I like the unusually small instructor ratio, one professional for every two participants. I also like that the day includes two sessions, a snack break, equipment, insurance, and a diploma rather than a short trial in a swimming pool. The main consideration is simple: you must fully understand the safety briefing in your chosen language, and you cannot fly for at least 24 hours afterward.

Key points

• Two shore-based sessions: Begin at 6 metres for 30 to 40 minutes, then continue to a maximum of 12 metres.
• One instructor for every two people: This gives beginners close support and room to progress at their own pace.
• Playa Chica meeting point: Look for the Atlantis van, bright yellow instructors, and equipment boxes labeled with your name.
• Marine life to look for: Fish, octopus, cuttlefish, seahorses, and other sea life have been spotted in the area.
• Beginner-focused instruction: The session covers breathing, safety, communication, equipment use, and basic underwater skills.
• Practical restrictions: Bring swimwear and a towel, complete a medical questionnaire, and leave 24 hours between scuba and flying.

What the four-hour Puerto del Carmen session is really like

This is a first-time scuba experience built around two shore entries at Playa Chica. You do not need a certification to take part, but you do need to listen closely, understand the instructions, and be comfortable following safety procedures.

Your four hours include teaching, equipment preparation, safety checks, both underwater sessions, and a break. The actual time underwater is not the whole morning or afternoon, so expect a steady pace rather than four continuous hours in the sea.

The setting suits beginners well. Playa Chica gives the activity a direct start from shore, and the maximum depths remain modest. That matters if your main concern is breathing through a regulator, clearing your ears, or staying calm while wearing a mask and fins.

Meeting the Atlantis team at Playa Chica

Pay close attention to the meeting instructions. The stated meeting point is Playa Chica, which is the water-entry site, not the Atlantis office or dive centre.

Look for the Atlantis van, instructors in bright yellow clothing, and white equipment boxes. Each box is labeled with the participant’s name. That small detail should make arrival easier, especially if several groups are gathering near the beach.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen, so allow extra time to find the correct spot. Arriving at the wrong Atlantis location could create needless stress before an activity that already asks you to learn new skills.

The staff speak Spanish, Catalan, English, and Italian. At booking, choose a language you understand well enough to follow a fast safety instruction. This is not a casual language preference. If you cannot fully understand the briefing, you will not be allowed into the water, and no refund is issued in that situation.

Learning to breathe, communicate, and stay safe

The first part takes place at the meeting point, where a certified instructor explains the equipment and the basic rules. You learn how to breathe through the regulator, use underwater hand signals, and respond to common situations.

This teaching matters more than a long list of fish sightings. New scuba participants often need a few minutes to get used to the sound and feel of breathing underwater. You also need to learn how to equalize pressure, control your position in the water, and communicate without speaking.

The instructors are certified through PADI and SSI, and the activity keeps the ratio at one instructor for two participants. That is a strong arrangement for a first attempt. Your instructor can watch your face, breathing, body position, and comfort level instead of managing a large group.

The supplied experiences repeatedly highlight patient, calm instruction. Connor helped one nervous participant get through the fear of breathing underwater. Kieran supported another beginner who had a wobble at the start, then helped that person return to the water and complete both sessions. Gaizka was praised for a kind and patient approach, while Ari, Fer, Mike, and other Atlantis instructors have also been singled out for making beginners feel secure.

Staff assignments can change, so you should not book expecting one particular instructor. The useful point is the style of teaching: the activity is designed to let you proceed at your own pace, with safety taking priority over rushing you to the next stage.

The first underwater session reaches 6 metres

After the lesson, you and your instructor assemble the equipment and carry out safety checks. Then you enter the water from Playa Chica and begin the first underwater session.

The maximum depth is 6 metres, with around 30 to 40 minutes in the water. This is the confidence-building stage. You can concentrate on breathing steadily, watching your instructor’s signals, and getting used to the sensation of weightlessness without starting at the deeper limit.

Do not treat the first session as a test you must pass quickly. If you feel uneasy, the small group format gives the instructor a better chance to pause, explain a point again, or help you regain control. The experience is strongest when you focus on the basics rather than trying to collect a long list of sightings.

The water is described as clear, warm, and blue, though conditions can vary. Good visibility helps you watch the bottom and marine life, but it does not remove the need to stay close to your instructor and follow the agreed signals.

A snack break before the second session

After coming out of the water, you have time to rest and eat a snack before the second session. This pause is practical, not decorative. Scuba equipment and unfamiliar breathing take effort, and beginners benefit from a chance to warm up, talk through the first session, and reset before trying again.

Use the break to tell your instructor what felt easy and what did not. Perhaps your mask needed attention, your ears took time to equalize, or you found the regulator strange at first. Clear feedback helps the next session feel more comfortable.

Bring swimwear and a towel. The activity includes the scuba equipment and insurance, but food is not listed as an included item, so do not assume a substantial meal is provided. A small snack is mentioned as part of the break, but you should still plan sensibly around your own needs.

The second session reaches 12 metres

The second session goes to a maximum of 12 metres, giving you more time to look for marine life and use the skills from the first attempt. The increase is gradual rather than dramatic. You have already been underwater, practiced the basics, and had a chance to tell the instructor how you are feeling.

This is the point where the experience may become less about managing equipment and more about observing the sea. The underwater world around Lanzarote can include colorful fish, small octopus, cuttlefish, and, if conditions and luck cooperate, seahorses.

Specific sightings recorded on past sessions include two seahorses, several octopuses, catfish, squid, and large fish. No wildlife encounter is guaranteed, and the sea does not work to a schedule. Still, the repeated mention of varied marine life makes the second session more than a technical exercise.

You may also receive underwater photographs, as the activity title includes photos. The supplied details do not specify how many images you receive or how they are delivered, so confirm those points when booking if photographs are important to you.

Why the small group size matters

The advertised group limit is six participants, but the more important figure is one instructor for every two divers. A small overall group can feel friendly, yet the instructor ratio is what directly affects your time and attention underwater.

This setup is especially useful if you are nervous. One participant described being unable to complete a session, while their partner continued through both depths. That is a reminder that scuba does not suit every person on the day, even when the staff are supportive.

The format also works for couples, friends, and families with eligible children. You can share the experience, but do not expect to remain side by side without the instructor directing the pace and position of the group.

The age information needs checking before you book. The supplied restrictions list both children under 8 and children under 10 as unsuitable, which is inconsistent. Ask Atlantis to confirm the current minimum age for your child rather than relying on the lower figure.

Marine life and the character of Lanzarote’s water

The attraction here is not a dramatic wreck or a deep technical route. It is the chance to see ordinary sea life at close range in clear, warm water while learning a new skill.

Past sightings include colorful fish, octopus, cuttlefish, seahorses, squid, catfish, and larger fish. You might see several species in one session, or you might spend more time watching the bottom and practicing your skills. Both outcomes are normal.

Lanzarote has a strong reputation among the supplied participants for visibility and marine life, but avoid booking with a fixed wildlife checklist. The value comes from having enough underwater time to look carefully. An octopus may hide, and a seahorse can be easy to miss even when the water is clear.

The weightless feeling is another part of the appeal. Once your breathing settles and the equipment feels familiar, you can move slowly and observe rather than swim hard. That slower pace is good for spotting small creatures and helps conserve energy.

Is $153 a fair price?

At $153 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend four hours in Puerto del Carmen. It is also not a simple one-time tryout. The price covers two underwater sessions, all scuba equipment, insurance, instruction, and a completion diploma.

The one-to-two instructor ratio is the strongest value point. Private instruction would normally cost more, while a large beginner group could leave you waiting for attention. Here, your payment covers a structured lesson and two chances to get comfortable.

The second session makes the price easier to justify. If you were only given a brief introduction and one short water entry, the cost would feel harder to defend. Two sessions let you learn from the first attempt and use that progress immediately.

I would see the activity as good value if you want a serious first taste of scuba rather than a quick holiday novelty. It is less compelling if you dislike guided instruction, want a full certification course, or are looking for hotel transportation and a relaxed beach outing.

Reserve and pay later terms are available, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Keep the flight restriction in mind when choosing your date: you must wait at least 24 hours after scuba before boarding an aircraft.

Who should book this experience?

This suits adults and eligible children who are curious about scuba but have no certificate. It also suits a nervous beginner who values close supervision. The calm support described by participants who worked with Connor, Kieran, Gaizka, Ari, and others is exactly what you want when breathing underwater feels strange.

It can also work for someone who has tried scuba before but is not currently certified, though the standard format is designed for beginners. A certified participant may need a different arrangement, as one past session was adjusted for someone already qualified.

Do not book if you are pregnant, have heart problems, or have epilepsy. Everyone completes a short medical questionnaire on-site before starting. The questionnaire is a standard safety step, but it does not replace asking a medical professional if you are unsure about your fitness for scuba.

You also need to be sober. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Most importantly, you must understand the chosen language well enough to follow safety instructions exactly.

What to bring and what to plan around

Pack swimwear and a towel. The necessary scuba equipment is provided, along with activity insurance and the diploma at the end.

Arrange your own transport to Playa Chica because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Find the Atlantis van and yellow-clad instructors rather than heading to a separate office.

Schedule this early enough in your holiday to respect the no-flying rule. After scuba, leave at least 24 hours before taking a flight. This is particularly important if you are visiting Lanzarote near the end of your trip.

The activity lasts four hours, but starting times vary. Check availability for the date you want, and leave room afterward rather than booking a tight connection or an important appointment.

Should you book the two-session Atlantis experience?

I would book this if you want a carefully supervised first scuba experience in Lanzarote, especially if the one-to-two instructor ratio helps you feel at ease. Two sessions, a shallow first stage, a deeper second stage, equipment, insurance, and a diploma give the $153 price solid value.

Think twice if you are not confident in the briefing language, have a medical concern, or must fly the next day. Also confirm the minimum child age, since the supplied age limits conflict.

For a beginner who wants to see fish, octopus, cuttlefish, and perhaps a seahorse while learning at a manageable pace, this is a practical choice. The small groups and patient instruction are the real reasons to book, not a promise of guaranteed wildlife or photographs.

FAQ

Where does the scuba experience meet?

The meeting point is Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen. This is the water-entry site, not the Atlantis dive centre. Look for the Atlantis van, bright yellow instructors, and white equipment boxes labeled with each participant’s name.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts four hours. This includes the instruction, equipment preparation, safety checks, two underwater sessions, and the break between them.

How deep are the two sessions?

The first session reaches a maximum depth of 6 metres and lasts around 30 to 40 minutes. The second reaches a maximum depth of 12 metres.

How many people does each instructor supervise?

One professional instructor is assigned to every two participants. The overall group is limited to six people.

Is scuba equipment provided?

Yes. All necessary scuba equipment is included. Activity insurance and a diving diploma are also included.

Are hotel transfers included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must make your own way to Playa Chica.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in Spanish, Catalan, English, and Italian. You must be able to fully understand the safety briefing in the language selected at booking.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed during the activity.

Can I fly after the experience?

You must wait at least 24 hours after scuba before boarding a flight. All participants also complete a short medical questionnaire on-site before entering the water.