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

Lanzarote rewards curious swimmers. This four-hour scuba experience in Puerto del Carmen gives you two guided descents in clear, warm water, with a certified instructor close by from the first breathing exercise to the final ascent. It is designed for beginners, yet the shallow first session and maximum ratio of two participants per instructor make it feel personal rather than rushed.

I like the small instructor groups and the calm way the session builds confidence. I also like the chance to see cuttlefish, octopuses, seahorses, squid, and colorful fish rather than simply practicing skills in a swimming pool. The main consideration is that you must fully understand the safety briefing in your selected language, and no refund is provided if you cannot follow the instructions well enough to take part.

Key points to know before booking

• Two underwater sessions: Start at a maximum of 6 meters for 30 to 40 minutes, then continue to a maximum of 12 meters after a break.
• Very close supervision: One professional instructor is assigned to every two participants, within a group limited to six people.
• Wildlife is a real attraction: Past sessions have included octopuses, cuttlefish, seahorses, squid, catfish, and many small and colorful fish.
• Meet at Playa Chica: This is the water site, not the Atlantis center. Look for the Atlantis van, bright yellow instructor clothing, and equipment boxes marked with your name.
• Beginner-friendly setup: Instruction, equipment, insurance, two descents, and a completion diploma are included.
• Plan around your flight: You must wait at least 24 hours after scuba before boarding an aircraft.

What the $153 price covers

At $153 per person, this is not a bargain beach activity, but it is a fair price for a properly supervised first scuba session. You are paying for four hours of staff time, two separate underwater outings, a full set of equipment, insurance, instruction, and a diploma at the end.

The strongest value comes from the supervision. With one instructor for every two participants, you are not simply following a large group around the sea. The instructor can watch your breathing, hand signals, comfort level, and pace. That matters a great deal if you feel nervous once the regulator is in your mouth.

Photos are part of the experience title, but the supplied details do not explain how many photos you receive or how they are delivered. I would confirm those details before booking if the images are an important reason for choosing this activity.

The price also includes a snack break between the two sessions, according to the schedule. Bring your own towel and swimwear, and do not expect hotel transport. You make your own way to Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen.

Meeting at Playa Chica, not the center

The meeting instructions deserve careful attention. You do not meet at the Atlantis office or center. Your meeting point is Playa Chica, which is also the place where you enter the water.

Look for an Atlantis van parked nearby. Instructors wear bright yellow clothing, and the white equipment boxes are labeled with each participant’s name. That setup should make the meeting point easier to spot, but allow enough time to locate it without a last-minute sprint in swimwear and rented gear.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. If you are staying elsewhere in Lanzarote, you need to arrange your own transport to Puerto del Carmen. The activity lasts about four hours, but the exact starting time depends on availability, so check the schedule before building other plans around it.

The first 6-meter session builds confidence

The day begins with an instructional session. Your instructor covers safety, breathing, basic equipment, and the hand signals used underwater. You then help assemble the scuba equipment and go through the safety checks before entering the water.

This preparation is not filler. Breathing through a regulator can feel odd at first, and the first few minutes underwater are often more about settling your nerves than spotting wildlife. The instructor’s job is to help you get comfortable without pushing you beyond your limits.

The first descent reaches no more than 6 meters and lasts roughly 30 to 40 minutes. That shallow depth gives you room to learn how your body moves with the equipment and how to communicate without speaking. You can take things at your own pace under close guidance.

This is the part that should suit cautious beginners best. Several participants have found the calm instruction especially useful when they felt nervous about breathing underwater. One instructor, Connor, was praised for helping a nervous beginner complete the full session through steady guidance. Other instructors named by participants include Kieran, Ari, Fer, Gaizka, Mike, Josi, Oscar, and Andrea.

The break between sessions

After the first underwater outing, you return for a pause and a snack. This break gives you time to remove some equipment, warm up, ask questions, and decide how you are feeling before the second session.

That pause is valuable because the two sessions are not identical in purpose. The first is about comfort and basic skills. The second allows you to spend more time looking around once the equipment feels familiar.

Do not treat the break as an afterthought. If your ears need attention, your mask felt awkward, or you want to review a hand signal, this is the best moment to tell your instructor. The small ratio means your concerns should have room in the schedule.

The second session reaches 12 meters

The second descent reaches a maximum of 12 meters. By then, you should have had time to find a comfortable breathing rhythm and become familiar with your instructor’s signals.

The extra depth gives you a better chance to observe sea life and enjoy the feeling of weightlessness. The exact animals cannot be promised, but sightings reported from these sessions include octopuses, cuttlefish, seahorses, squid, catfish, large fish, and many small colorful fish.

The wildlife accounts are one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience. One session included two seahorses and several small octopuses. Another produced cuttlefish and an octopus. Those are encouraging signs for anyone who wants more than a basic equipment lesson, though nature keeps its own timetable.

You should still judge the activity by the quality of the instruction, not by a guaranteed animal checklist. Sea life changes from day to day, and no responsible operator can promise a particular creature.

Why the two-to-one ratio matters

A maximum of two participants per instructor is unusually reassuring for a first attempt. You have someone close enough to notice when you need to pause, repeat a skill, or regain your confidence.

This arrangement also helps couples and parent-child pairs. A family booking included a parent and children who found the staff friendly and clear with their instructions. Another parent and adult child completed the experience together, with the instructor giving extra reassurance when nerves appeared at the start.

The wider group can include up to six participants, but the important number is the two-to-one instructor ratio. Ask at booking how your pairings will be arranged if you are traveling with more than two people.

The instruction team is certified by PADI and SSI, and the activity includes insurance. Those details do not remove every risk, but they show that the session is built around standard scuba procedures rather than casual beach equipment hire.

The underwater setting around Puerto del Carmen

The appeal of this experience is the combination of easy access and clear water. You enter from Playa Chica, rather than taking a boat far offshore. That keeps the schedule straightforward and makes the first session less intimidating.

The water is described as warm, blue, and clear, with living reef areas and plenty of fish. The visibility has been praised as a major part of the experience, helping beginners see what is around them without feeling lost in a dark or murky setting.

You should expect a shore-based outing, not a luxury boat trip. That means less ceremony and more time focused on learning, checking equipment, and getting into the water. If you want a full-day voyage with several sites, this is not that product. If you want a compact introduction close to Puerto del Carmen, the simple format works well.

What the instructors do best

The most consistent strength is the staff’s manner. The instructors are repeatedly described as friendly, patient, clear, and reassuring. That combination is more useful here than showy commentary or complicated technical talk.

Safety is given priority throughout. The briefing is intended to make sure you understand what to do before you enter the water, and instructors adjust their pace when someone lacks confidence. One participant had trouble at the start but returned to the water and completed both sessions after receiving calm reassurance.

Language support is available in Spanish, Catalan, English, and Italian. You must select a language you understand well enough to follow safety procedures. This is not a minor booking detail. If you cannot understand the briefing and instructions, you will not be allowed to participate, and the activity provider will not issue a refund in that situation.

Health rules and flight planning

Before entering the water, every participant completes a short medical questionnaire on site. This is a standard safety check, not a substitute for telling the instructor about a health concern.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems or epilepsy. The age information supplied is inconsistent, listing both under 8 and under 10 as excluded. If you are booking for a child near that boundary, confirm the exact minimum age with Atlantis before paying.

The flight rule is clear: wait at least 24 hours after scuba before boarding an aircraft. I would schedule this activity early enough in your holiday to avoid putting your return flight too close to the final session. This is one of the most important practical points in the entire booking.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Bring swimwear and a towel. Hotel pickup is not included.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this activity to:

• First-time scuba participants who want close instruction
• Couples looking for a shared holiday challenge
• Families with children who meet the age and health requirements
• Swimmers who are curious about sea life but do not want a full certification course
• Nervous beginners who value patience over speed
• Anyone staying in or near Puerto del Carmen who can reach Playa Chica independently

It is less suitable if you want to roam freely without close instruction, dislike safety briefings, or cannot follow detailed directions in one of the listed languages. It is also a poor fit if you are trying to squeeze one last activity into the day before flying home.

This is a first experience, not a certification course. You receive a diploma showing that you completed the session, but the supplied information does not describe it as a full scuba qualification.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Lanzarote plans are still shifting.

The flexibility is useful, but read the medical and language rules before reserving. The cancellation promise does not cover being refused on site because you cannot understand the safety instructions.

My verdict: should you book it?

I would book this if you want a carefully supervised introduction to scuba in Lanzarote, especially if you are nervous about breathing underwater. The two-to-one instructor ratio, shallow first session, warm clear water, and repeated emphasis on patient guidance make it a strong choice for beginners.

The price makes sense if you value equipment, insurance, two sessions, and personal attention in one package. The wildlife is a welcome bonus, with real possibilities for octopuses, seahorses, cuttlefish, squid, and colorful fish, but you should not book on the promise of one particular animal.

Before you commit, confirm the photo arrangements, check the age requirement for children, and keep at least 24 hours between the activity and your flight. If those points fit your plans, Atlantis offers a friendly, well-supervised way to see Lanzarote from a completely different angle.

FAQ

Where does the scuba experience meet?

You meet at Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen. This is the water site, not the Atlantis center. Look for the Atlantis van, instructors in bright yellow clothing, and white equipment boxes labeled with participant names.

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts about four hours. Check availability for the exact starting time.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two sessions are included. The first reaches a maximum of 6 meters and lasts about 30 to 40 minutes. The second reaches a maximum of 12 meters.

How many participants are assigned to each instructor?

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

What is included in the price?

The price includes scuba equipment, two underwater sessions, professional instruction, activity insurance, and a diving diploma. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What should I bring?

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

Can I fly after the activity?

You must wait at least 24 hours after scuba before boarding a flight. Plan the activity accordingly, especially if you are nearing the end of your Lanzarote holiday.