Puerto del Carmen puts the ocean close. This 2-session scuba try gives you a real beginner path: short skills coaching, two guided underwater descents, and enough time to actually enjoy what’s under the surface in Lanzarote’s clear water. You’re not sent off alone either, and the setup is built for comfort.

Two things I like a lot are the small-group format (max 6) with a tight ratio of 1 instructor per 2 divers and the way the plan starts shallow (about 6 metres) before stepping deeper (up to 12 metres). One possible drawback: there’s no hotel pickup, and the meeting spot is the actual water entry point at Playa Chica, so you’ll want to get there easily on your own.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Beginner pacing: first descent capped at 6 metres to build confidence, then a deeper up-to-12-metre session
• Small groups: limited to 6 participants, with two divers per instructor
• Calm instruction culture: instructors are repeatedly praised for patience with nervous first-timers (names like Kieran, Connor, Ari, and Gaizka show up often)
• Real wildlife chances: many groups report seeing cuttlefish, octopus, seahorses, squid, and lots of fish
• All the essentials included: full equipment, insurance, and a take-home certificate

Puerto del Carmen’s best “first time” plan starts at Playa Chica

If you’re looking for a first scuba experience that feels controlled rather than chaotic, Puerto del Carmen is a smart base. The water is clear and warm for the Canary Islands, and the course is designed around learning how to breathe and communicate underwater, not just “going in and hoping.”

What makes this one work for you is the structure: you get an instructor-led briefing, you practice the basics under guidance, and then you do two separate underwater descents with a clear depth goal for each. That matters, because your brain tends to relax when you know what comes next.

Also, the meeting setup is straightforward once you know where to look. You meet at Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen (this is the water entry point, not a separate office to check in). Look for the Atlantis van nearby and instructors dressed in bright yellow. You’ll also spot the white equipment boxes labeled with your name, ready to go.

The 4 hours: from gear boxes to two depth targets

This is a tight half-day, and it’s built to keep you busy without rushing you. The overall duration is about 4 hours, which is ideal if you want a real activity but don’t want your whole day swallowed.

1) Skills briefing and safety check (before you get wet)

You’ll start at the meeting area where a diving professional teaches what you need: breathing, basic underwater communication, and safety rules. A key detail here is that language comprehension is mandatory for the selected booking language. You must be able to understand the safety briefing fully, and if you can’t follow it, the provider won’t let you start—and there’s no refund in that case.

You’ll also complete a short medical questionnaire on-site. That’s standard protocol for scuba readiness, but it’s worth taking seriously. If you have any relevant medical history, it’s smart to review it before you go so there are no last-minute surprises.

Then comes the practical part: you head from briefing to the water entry point, assemble the scuba equipment, and do safety checks with your instructor(s) watching. This is one of those steps that doesn’t sound exciting, but it’s exactly what keeps first-timers calm.

2) First underwater descent: up to 6 metres for confidence

The first session is intentionally conservative: you descend to a maximum of just 6 metres. Expect about 30 to 40 minutes underwater. That time window is long enough to get over the initial “what is my body doing?” feeling, but short enough that you’re still fresh.

You’re also more likely to see plenty of marine life at this stage because you’re near the surface. In the experiences shared by others, groups frequently report colorful fish and encounters that build excitement quickly—like cuttlefish, octopus, and other small sea creatures.

Pro tip for your enjoyment: focus on slow movements and controlled breathing rather than trying to spot everything at once. If you do that, you’ll likely feel more at ease during the descent and you’ll spend more time actually observing.

3) Break and snack on land

After the first session, you take a break and have a snack. You’ll feel the benefit of this reset. Even for confident swimmers, the first descent is a mental workout. Having a quick pause before the second one helps you go in with a clear head.

Bring your swimwear and a towel, because that’s what you’re asked to bring, and you’ll want to dry off and warm up before gear changes.

4) Second underwater descent: up to 12 metres with more time to look

The second session goes deeper: a maximum of 12 metres, with plenty of time to see sea life. At this depth, you often get a different view of the underwater world—more space to glide, more chances to watch fish behavior, and a better sense of the “new world” feeling people describe.

From what’s been reported, common highlights include fish variety and sightings like seahorses, squid, octopus, and catfish. Not every group gets every animal, of course, but the course is clearly planned for wildlife viewing rather than just training drills.

At the end, you take home an underwater training diploma/certificate as proof you completed the experience.

Safety first: why the instructor ratio matters more than fancy gear

The included setup is not just “equipment supplied.” The real value is how closely you’re watched while you learn. The provider runs 1 professional instructor for every 2 divers, and the group is limited to 6 participants.

That ratio changes the entire experience for you if you’re nervous. With fewer people in the water at once, your instructor can correct your posture, breathing rhythm, and buoyancy technique faster. It also means you get quicker answers when something feels off.

I also like that the team’s communication approach shows up repeatedly in past experiences: instructors are described as patient with less confident members and calm when someone needs reassurance at the start. Names that show up often include Kieran and Connor, plus other instructors like Ari and Gaizka. Even if your instructor is someone else, that coaching style is what you’re paying for.

One more safety consideration that affects your planning: there’s a rule about flying. After any scuba session, you need to wait at least 24 hours before boarding a flight. If you’re flying out of Lanzarote soon after your activity, schedule it carefully.

What you’ll likely see in Lanzarote’s warm, clear water

You’re not booking this for a swimming pool experience. You’re coming for Lanzarote’s underwater life, and the course is built around that goal.

Expect crystal clear warm blue waters and the chance to see colorful fish and living reefs. The exact mix changes with conditions, but the recurring sightings include:

• Cuttlefish and octopus
• Seahorses (mentioned in multiple experiences)
• Squid
• Catfish
• Lots of smaller fish species in visible numbers

The “weightlessness” people mention is real for most first-timers. Once you stop fighting your body and start letting the gear and breathing do their job, you tend to glide more than splash. That’s when you can focus on watching—not just surviving.

Also, doing two different depths helps your observation. Many first-timers see more from a familiar height, then notice new details once they descend deeper. The course is basically giving you two “views” of the same underwater neighborhood.

Price and value: what $153 buys you (and what it doesn’t)

At $153 per person for about 4 hours, this can be a good value—especially if you add up what’s included.

Here’s what you get:

• All necessary scuba equipment
• Insurance for the activity
• Two underwater sessions
• A certificate at the end
• Instructor coverage at 1 instructor per 2 divers

What you don’t get:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off

That last part matters for cost-effectiveness. If you’re staying in Puerto del Carmen and can reach Playa Chica easily, you’ll likely feel like the price is fair. If you’re farther out, you may spend extra on transport—so plan your route before booking.

Also consider the real value: first-timers often struggle most with anxiety and technique, not with gear. Paying for a structured, instructor-led format with a small group usually saves time and stress. You’re buying clarity, supervision, and a safer learning curve, not just time underwater.

Who should book—and who should skip this underwater intro

This course is designed for people who want to try scuba with real support, and it fits best when you’re comfortable following instructions. Language comprehension is non-negotiable for safety, so if you’re choosing English, Spanish, Catalan, or Italian as your session language, make sure you can understand the safety briefing fully.

It’s generally not suitable for:

• Children under 8 years
• Children under 10 years (the provider lists both, so confirm the minimum age rules when you book)
• Pregnant women
• People with heart problems
• People with epilepsy

If you’re unsure about medical eligibility, use the medical questionnaire seriously and answer honestly. The provider won’t compromise on safety, and it’s better to resolve questions before you travel.

On the upside, this is a great fit for:

• absolute first-timers who want step-by-step guidance
• people who want a small group rather than a busload
• anyone who wants a structured try-out with two depth stages instead of a single quick plunge

Practical tips so you feel ready at the water’s edge

These are the details that tend to separate a smooth start from a stressful one.

Plan your arrival at the water entry point

You’re meeting at Playa Chica, and you’re looking for the Atlantis van and instructors in bright yellow. Since the meeting is at the water entry spot—not a separate office—get there early enough to park, check in, and get into your swimsuit without panic.

Bring only what you need

Bring:

• Swimwear
• Towel

Leave room in your day for drying off, changing, and handling your things. You’ll likely feel better if you travel light.

Avoid alcohol and drugs

Alcohol and drugs aren’t allowed. This is about both safety and your ability to follow instructions clearly.

If you feel nervous, that’s normal—tell the instructor

Many first-timers worry about breathing underwater. The reassurance style from the team is repeatedly mentioned in experiences, and instructors typically guide you at your pace rather than rushing you. If you need a moment, ask for it.

Should you book Atlantis’s 2-session scuba try in Puerto del Carmen?

I’d book this if you want a beginner-friendly scuba intro that trades big crowds for tight supervision. The combination of small group size, 1 instructor per 2 divers, and the two-stage approach (up to 6 metres, then up to 12 metres) is exactly what helps you build confidence without guessing.

I’d hesitate if you:

• need hotel pickup (because it’s not included)
• can’t meet the language comprehension requirement for the safety briefing
• have conditions that the provider lists as not suitable
• have a flight within 24 hours and can’t adjust timing

If your goal is to see real marine life in clear warm water with calm instruction, this plan is a solid choice.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at Playa Chica (Puerto del Carmen). It is the water entry point, not the equipment center. Look for the Atlantis van and instructors wearing bright yellow.

What’s included in the price?

The package includes all necessary scuba equipment, two underwater sessions, insurance for the activity, and an underwater training diploma/certificate. There’s also 1 professional instructor for every 2 divers.

What depths do you reach?

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

How long is the experience?

The total experience time is about 4 hours.

What do I need to understand before I’m allowed to start?

You must be able to fully understand the safety briefing and instructions in the language selected at booking. A medical questionnaire is also required on-site.

Do I need to wait before flying after the activity?

Yes. After any scuba session, you must wait at least 24 hours before boarding a flight.