Beginner dive from Playa Chica with Instructor

Playa Chica gives first-time scuba guests an easy start: you enter from the beach, practice in shallow water, then move gradually into the bay. The maximum depth is 6 meters, so this is a gentle introduction rather than a full certification session. You’ll see fish, learn basic skills, and get a taste of weightlessness without committing to a full course.

I like the short 15-minute briefing and the beach entry directly in front of the center. I also like the small maximum group of 10, plus the chance to receive around 30 underwater photos. The main consideration is that the advertised price of $89.01 does not include the underwater photo package, which costs another 20 euros.

Key points at a glance

• Beach entry at Playa Chica: You walk into the protected bay directly from the dive center.
• A gentle 6-meter maximum: The session is designed for beginners, with shallow-water practice first.
• A 15-minute pre-water briefing: You learn the basic information before putting on the wetsuit and scuba gear.
• About 30 digital photos: The optional underwater photo package costs 20 euros.
• Small group size: The experience accepts a maximum of 10 participants.
• Instructor Marta Soriano: She is specifically associated with a highly praised experience at Safari Diving Lanzarote.

Starting at Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen

You meet at Safari Diving Lanzarote, Paseo de la Barilla, 4, in Puerto del Carmen. The scheduled start time is 12:00 pm, and the activity finishes back at the same location. Pickup is offered, and the center is near public transportation, so you have more than one way to reach it.

The meeting point matters here because the center sits directly in front of Playa Chica. You do not need to transfer to a boat or spend part of the session traveling offshore. Once the briefing and equipment preparation are finished, you enter the water from the beach.

That setup removes several common first-time worries. There is no boat ladder to manage, no open-water crossing before your lesson, and no long wait before getting wet. You can focus on your breathing, the equipment, and the instructor’s directions.

The beach entry is also useful if you feel nervous. The session begins in shallow water, where you can get used to the sensation of breathing through a regulator and wearing a tank. You are not expected to begin at the full 6-meter depth.

The 15-minute briefing before getting wet

The experience starts with an explanation lasting about 15 minutes. This is where you receive the information needed before entering the water. For a first scuba session, that short talk is not filler. It gives you the basic framework for handling the equipment and responding to the instructor.

You will then put on a wetsuit and full scuba equipment. The supplied equipment is included in the price, so you are not arranging separate rentals for the regulator, tank, or other standard gear used during the session.

The briefing is especially useful if you have never breathed underwater. The feeling can be strange at first, even for confident swimmers. Taking a little time to understand the process before entering the bay helps you approach the first few minutes with less guesswork.

You also need to complete a medical questionnaire before the program begins. This checks that you are fit to take part. Most people can participate, but the questionnaire is an important part of the process, not a formality to ignore.

Learning the basics in shallow water

After the equipment is on, you and the instructor enter the bay from the beach. The first stage takes place in shallow water, where you get used to breathing and practice a few skills.

That gradual start is one of the strongest features of this experience. You are not simply handed gear and sent off to look at fish. You have time to adjust to the regulator, the wetsuit, and the feeling of moving with scuba equipment before going farther out.

The session also introduces weightlessness. Underwater movement feels different from swimming at the surface, and the instructor’s presence gives you a clear point of guidance as you learn. You should expect a beginner lesson rather than independent exploration.

Because the session takes place in a protected bay, the setting is well suited to this kind of first attempt. The water entry is straightforward, and the route begins close to shore. Still, you should be comfortable following instructions and managing the basic sensations of being underwater.

Reaching a maximum depth of 6 meters

Once you have practiced in the shallow section, the instructor gradually takes you deeper into the bay. The maximum depth is 6 meters, or about 20 feet. That limit keeps the experience within the range of a first underwater introduction.

You should not expect the depth or length of a certified scuba excursion. This is a short introductory activity lasting about two hours in total, including the briefing, equipment preparation, shallow-water practice, and underwater tour.

The limited depth is a benefit for some people and a drawback for others. If you want to try scuba without signing up for a course, it is reassuring. If you already have experience and want a longer session or greater depth, this may feel basic.

During the underwater portion, you can expect to see plenty of fish in the bay. The experience is about more than looking at marine life, though. You are also learning how it feels to control your breathing and movement underwater.

Fish, photos, and the extra 20-euro decision

Around 30 digital underwater photos are taken during the experience. That gives you a way to remember the session without trying to handle a camera while learning new skills.

The photo package is not included in the listed price. Underwater photos of the first session cost 20 euros. Add that to the $89.01 activity price when comparing the total cost.

I see the photo fee as a useful choice rather than an automatic extra. If this is your first time underwater, you may prefer to concentrate on breathing and listening to the instructor. If you want a visual record of the experience, the additional 20 euros buys a sizable set of images.

Ask about the photo option before entering the water so you know what to expect. The published details specify about 30 digital pictures, but they do not state the delivery method or how long it takes to receive them. Those are reasonable points to confirm at the center.

What the two-hour schedule really means

The experience lasts about two hours, but that does not mean two full hours underwater. The total includes the 15-minute explanation, changing into the wetsuit, putting on the full scuba setup, shallow-water practice, and the guided route through the bay.

That is a sensible length for a first attempt. New scuba users often need time to adjust, and a short session can be more enjoyable than an exhausting one. You get a clear introduction without giving up half a day.

The 12:00 pm start also makes this easy to fit into a Puerto del Carmen day. You can plan a relaxed morning before meeting at the center, then return to the same place when the activity ends. Since the experience begins and finishes at the meeting point, you do not need to arrange a second pickup location.

Pickup is offered, but the supplied details do not specify the pickup area or schedule. If you want to use that option, confirm the arrangements before booking.

Group size and instructor support

The maximum group size is 10 people. That is not a private lesson, but it is still limited enough to give the instructor a manageable group. Your actual group may be smaller, though no smaller number is promised.

For a beginner activity, instructor support matters more than a long route. You need clear directions during the breathing practice, patience while adjusting to the equipment, and careful supervision as you move from shallow water toward 6 meters.

Marta Soriano is the instructor named in the available feedback. Her guidance was linked to an unforgettable and highly recommended experience. The overall rating is 5 out of 5 from 14 reviews, with 100 percent recommending the activity. That is a small sample, but it points to a consistently positive impression, especially of the personal instruction.

Do not assume Marta will lead every scheduled session unless the center confirms it. If having her specifically matters to you, ask Safari Diving Lanzarote when you book.

Is $89.01 good value?

At $89.01 per person, the price is reasonable if you want an organized first scuba experience with equipment, instruction, beach access, and a guided underwater route. You are paying for more than the time in the water. The cost also covers the staff, scuba setup, wetsuit use, briefing, and supervision.

The value is strongest for a complete beginner. You do not need to purchase equipment or arrange a separate qualification before trying the activity. The shallow start and 6-meter limit also make it less demanding than a full scuba outing.

The price is less attractive if you already scuba regularly. The session is short, stays relatively shallow, and is built around basic skills. Experienced participants may want more depth, more time, or a longer route.

Remember the 20-euro photo charge. With that added, your final cost will be higher than the headline price. You might prefer to skip the photos and keep the base price, or pay the extra amount for a set of roughly 30 digital images.

Who should book this Playa Chica experience?

This activity suits you if you are curious about scuba but do not want to begin with a full course. It is also a good fit if you prefer a beach entry, a protected bay, and an instructor-led session that increases depth slowly.

You should be able to follow instructions and complete the medical questionnaire. The activity information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a detailed list of medical restrictions. If you have a health concern, check with the provider before booking.

Families and mixed groups may find the format convenient because it requires only about two hours. The maximum group size of 10 also keeps it more focused than a large commercial outing.

This is not the right choice if you want independent underwater exploration, a certification, or a long offshore trip. It also may not suit you if you dislike the idea of entering the sea from a beach or wearing full scuba equipment.

Weather, cancellation, and practical planning

The experience requires good weather. If poor conditions cause a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and changes inside that window are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time in Lanzarote.

Confirmation is provided when you book. Bring enough time to reach the center before the 12:00 pm start, since you need to complete the medical questionnaire and prepare for the water.

The activity ends at the original meeting point. Public transportation is nearby, and pickup is offered, but specific pickup details should be checked before you reserve.

Should you book it?

Book this Playa Chica experience if you want a friendly first taste of scuba with a short briefing, a beach entry, shallow-water practice, and a controlled maximum depth of 6 meters. The included equipment and small group limit make the $89.01 price sensible for beginners.

Go in with the right expectations. This is an introduction, not a certification course or a long offshore trip. Budget another 20 euros if you want the approximately 30 underwater photos, and confirm whether Marta Soriano will be your instructor if that is important to you.

FAQ

Where does the activity start?

It starts at Safari Diving Lanzarote, Paseo de la Barilla, 4, 35510 Puerto del Carmen, Las Palmas, Spain.

What time does the activity begin?

The scheduled start time is 12:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

How deep will I go?

The maximum depth is 6 meters.

Do I enter the water from a boat?

No. You enter the water from the beach at Playa Chica, directly in front of the dive center.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Use of the scuba equipment is included in the activity price.

Are underwater photos included?

No. Underwater photos are not included. The photo package costs 20 euros and includes about 30 digital pictures.

What happens if the weather is poor?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.