A real submarine ride in Lanzarote is a bucket-list switch-up. You’ll go below the surface to watch marine life and underwater shipwrecks from big windows, with commentary delivered through headset headphones. It’s one of those experiences where the wow factor is immediate, and the planning stays simple.

What I love most is how well organised it feels from the marina to the ride itself, plus the English audio guide that helps you understand what you’re seeing as it happens. It’s also a good fit for families because the view is accessible to almost everyone onboard.

One thing to think about first: you’ll need to go down a small ladder to enter the submarine, so this isn’t the best option if you have limited walking difficulties.

Key things I’d plan around

• Up to 30m underwater on a real submarine, with a focused sightseeing route
• Max group size 44, which keeps things manageable on board
• Headset commentary in English, so you can follow along without squinting
• Free time in Puerto Calero, letting you stretch your legs around the marina after
• Food isn’t included, so plan a drink or snack before you go down
• Entry via ladder, so consider comfort and mobility before booking

Why the Puerto Calero submarine ride feels special

This isn’t a glass-bottom boat where you mainly look up at water. Instead, you actually travel down to the sea floor and watch the world at the pace nature sets. From the portholes, you get a clear, steady view of fish cruising the area and the underwater structures around you.

Another reason it works so well is the way the experience is framed. The headphones carry guided commentary that explains what you’re likely seeing—plus how the submarine works—so the ride turns into more than just a pretty backdrop. You’ll get a sense of the local marine environment while you’re down there, not just afterward.

And yes, it’s short. The trade-off is you don’t feel trapped for hours. You get a tight run of underwater viewing, then you’re back above-water with time to enjoy Puerto Calero’s marina area.

Getting there in Lanzarote: free bus and the cruise-ship reality

Submarine Safaris Lanzarote is based at Carr. Puerto Calero, Puerto Calero (near the marina area). Parking around the site is free, which is a big plus if you’re driving or renting a car.

If you’re staying in the main resort areas, you can use their daily bus service. The pickup route covers Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, and Playa Blanca, and you’ll be taken directly to Puerto Calero. After booking, pickup time and pickup point are sent to you by message/email.

If you’re arriving by cruise ship, don’t count on an automatic connection. One practical takeaway from people’s experiences: you may need a cab from the port area (often around €30 each way) unless you can easily self-transfer. For most cruise passengers, the ride is still a great choice—just budget time and money for that last leg.

The underwater windows: what you’ll see on the 30m descent

The submarine ride is designed around visibility. Seating is set up so that passengers can see out through the windows (some reviews mention pairs sharing larger portholes), and most people have room to move around when the sub is resting on the seabed.

At around 30m, you’re in the zone where shipwrecks and underwater features become the main attraction. Expect to see fish shoals and a mix of sea life, plus shipwrecks/ruins below you. Many people focus on the wrecks, because they add structure to the scene—there’s something to study, not just open water.

You’ll also see the sea floor from above and through the windows as the submarine settles. People commonly describe it as peaceful and safe, with no sense of a chaotic ride. If you’ve been worried about space, there’s a useful reassurance: the submarine is not just a cramped tube where you can’t move. There’s enough room to shift positions and get your eyes lined up on different angles.

Headset commentary in English: how to make the ride more fun

Headset audio changes the experience. With commentary delivered via audioguide and headphones, you’re not stuck guessing what each fish is or why that wreck matters. The guide also helps explain the submarine setup, so you get context for what you’re doing—traveling through a working vessel, not just watching from a screen.

One smart way to get more out of your time underwater is to treat it like a short guided hunt. There’s mention of a fish checklist your kids can follow along with, which turns the ride into a game: look for the specific species the audio references. That’s a simple trick, but it helps adults too—you’ll track the guide’s cues instead of staring at the biggest movement and calling it a day.

If you’re traveling with kids, this is a big part of why they enjoy it. They’re given a reason to watch closely, and the commentary keeps the pace moving even when the submarine is resting.

Calero Marinas and Puerto Calero: the above-water part you should use

Your experience centers around Calero Marinas, and you also get free time in Puerto Calero. This matters because it gives the day a rhythm. You arrive, you’re checked in and oriented, you do the underwater portion, then you’re not immediately whisked back to the hotel.

Puerto Calero is the kind of marina where you can wander the shops and have a look around. Some people used this as a chance to grab something to drink, browse nearby stalls, or just relax after the main event. There is no food included in the package, so treat this free time as your chance to pick up a snack or plan your meal later.

One caution: some visitors felt the above-water time could be tighter than they expected. You won’t get a detailed schedule here, so the best approach is simple—build your expectations around the idea that you’ll have time to stretch, not necessarily a long, multi-hour stop. If you want a full shopping session, plan it before or after the tour day.

Transfers, timing, and group size (44 people): what it means for you

With a maximum of 44 travelers, you’re in a group size sweet spot. It’s large enough that departures and onboard logistics run smoothly, but small enough that you’re not fighting for window space or waiting forever at check-in.

Transfers are included from designated areas, which keeps the experience from turning into a transportation puzzle. Your main job is to show up at the meeting point on time—or, if you’re using public transport and delays happen, expect staff to be helpful and able to reposition you to a later sailing if there’s availability.

Duration is listed at about 1 hour (approx.), and multiple experiences note the overall ride is around 40 minutes. So don’t book this as your only activity with zero buffer. It’s a great standalone attraction, but give yourself a little breathing room for check-in and transfer timing.

Who should book: families, adults, and anyone with claustrophobia worries

This is a strong pick for families. Kids often love seeing fish up close and spotting shipwrecks, and the guided audio (plus the fun fish checklist idea) makes it feel like an activity, not just a viewing session.

Adults can enjoy it too, especially if you like hands-on experiences and unusual viewpoints. The underwater part is unique, and the shipwrecks add visual interest even if you’re not a marine-life expert.

If you’re claustrophobic, here’s what’s useful: people have described the submarine as having enough space to move around, and the experience feeling safe and calm. Still, you should know that entering requires going down a small ladder, which is the part that may feel most uncomfortable rather than the time inside.

And if you’re traveling with very young children: children under 2 years can’t go. That’s clear, and it helps you choose the right day without surprises.

Accessibility and comfort: the ladder is the key detail

The biggest physical consideration is entry. You’ll go down a small ladder to enter the submarine. That means this experience may not work well for people who have limited walking ability, difficulty stepping, or concerns about balancing on ladder-style access.

There’s no mention of alternative entry methods, so if mobility is a question, take it seriously. It’s not the seating inside that’s the main challenge—it’s the transition from marina to sub.

On the comfort side, people have reported that the submarine is bigger than they expected and that everyone has a fair view from their seating. Those details make a difference if you’re deciding between doing this or skipping it.

Price and value: is $83.68 worth it?

At $83.68 per person, the value is all about what you get included. You’re not just buying a seat—you’re getting:

• A full submarine experience with an underwater descent up to 30m
• Personalised certificate for your experience
• Audioguide and headphones for guided commentary
• Free time in Puerto Calero
• Transfers included from select resort areas (or easy self-transport with free parking)

Food and drink are not included, so budget for snacks or a drink on your schedule.

To judge if it’s worth it for you, ask this: do you want a short, guided underwater sightseeing experience without needing to swim, snorkel, or manage complicated gear? If yes, the price makes sense because most of the work—transport, equipment, and interpretation—is handled for you.

If your top priority is a long, deep underwater session, you may find the timeframe feels short. In that case, choose this for the novelty and the shipwreck viewing, not for all-day exploration.

Tips to make your submarine safari go smoothly

Here are the practical moves that tend to help people enjoy it more:

• Give yourself time to reach Puerto Calero and be ready for the provided pickup schedule if you use the bus.
• Wear footwear you trust for ladder access and marina walkways, since the entry step is the key physical challenge.
• Use the English headset audio actively. Don’t just listen in the background—follow what the guide points out so you catch the different wreck and fish moments.
• If you’re on a busy travel day (especially cruise port days), plan for a possible taxi link and don’t treat the port-to-marina transfer as guaranteed.

Also, manage expectations: the experience is short by design. That’s part of its charm. You’ll get the main show, then you’ll be back up top with time to wander around Puerto Calero.

Should you book Submarine Safaris Lanzarote?

Book it if you want a genuinely unusual view of Lanzarote’s sea life and underwater shipwrecks, with an easy plan and guided commentary. It’s especially appealing for families, and it’s a smart choice when you want the wow factor without the long physical demands of other underwater activities.

I’d skip or rethink it if ladder access is a problem for you, or if you need a longer and more varied marine-life session. The upside is you’ll likely leave with the kind of memory that’s hard to recreate anywhere else: big windows, fish passing by, and the feeling of seeing shipwrecks from inside a real submarine.

If you match those two filters—comfortable with ladder entry, and excited by short guided underwater viewing—this is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the submarine experience?

The overall experience is listed at about 1 hour (approx.). The submarine ride itself is commonly described as lasting around 40 minutes.

Does Submarine Safaris Lanzarote include pickup?

Yes. Pickup is offered from designated meeting points. A daily bus service runs from Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, and Playa Blanca to Puerto Calero. Pickup time and point are sent to you after booking.

What language is the commentary available in?

English commentary is offered, delivered through an audioguide with headphones.

How deep does the submarine go?

The experience includes a descent up to 30m on a real submarine.

Is food included in the price?

No. Food and drink are not included.

Is there a limit on age?

Children under 2 years cannot go to the submarine.

Is the experience suitable for limited walking difficulties?

It is not suitable for people with limited walking difficulties, because you need to go down a small ladder to enter the submarine.

What happens if the weather is poor?

This activity requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.