Puerto del Carmen: 2 Guided Scuba Dives (certified only)

Puerto del Carmen’s underwater reserve is the star here, especially the chance to spot an angel shark, one of the area’s rarest residents. The skipper chooses two sites according to the day’s sea and weather, so you get conditions that suit the water rather than a fixed route.

I like the small guide groups, capped at four divers per guide, and the yearly replaced Cressi equipment, which takes some worry out of using rental gear. The main consideration is simple: this is only for certified divers, and the schedule depends on sea conditions.

Key points to know before booking

• Angel shark territory: These protected waters hold the only remaining stable population of angel sharks.
• Two underwater sessions: You spend about two hours at Puerto del Carmen sites, with the boat crew selecting the best locations that day.
• Guide groups of four: A guide can keep a close eye on each small group and match divers by certification level.
• Quality rental kit: Tank, weights, fins, boots, wetsuit, mask, buoyancy jacket, and dive computer are provided.
• Simple boat logistics: A van carries you from Atlantis Diving Lanzarote to the RIB launch site, then back after the activity.
• Flexible finish: After the second session, you can remain at the beach or return to the center to complete your logbook.

Why Puerto del Carmen works so well for scuba

Puerto del Carmen offers easy access to the sea and a protected underwater setting. The marine reserve helps safeguard much of the area’s plant and animal life, giving you a better chance to see more than an empty stretch of seabed.

The most distinctive possible sight is the angel shark, also known as Squatina squatina. This unusual animal has a flattened body and often rests on the bottom, where its shape can make it hard to spot. You should not book this trip expecting a guaranteed sighting, but the area’s stable population gives the search real purpose.

I also like that the plan is not locked to one site. The skipper decides where to go after checking the conditions, which matters around the Atlantic islands. Sea state, visibility, and wind can affect comfort and safety, so a flexible route is more useful than a promise to visit one famous location in all conditions.

The experience is designed for people who already hold a recognized qualification. You need PADI, SSI, or CMAS Open Water Diver, Advanced, or Rescue Diver certification. This is not a first-time lesson or a try-out session for someone who has never used scuba gear.

Meeting at Atlantis Diving Lanzarote

Your morning begins at Atlantis Diving Lanzarote in Puerto del Carmen. The center is on the lower level of a commercial center, reached by a long ramp. Allow a little extra time to find the correct entrance, especially if you are carrying personal equipment or meeting the group for the first time.

From the center, you load into a van for the transfer to the RIB launch site. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the center. That is worth checking before you book, since the activity begins and ends at the same meeting point.

At the center, you will use the supplied scuba kit unless you have arranged another option. The package includes:

• Tank and weights
• Fins and boots
• Wetsuit
• Mask
• Buoyancy jacket
• Dive computer

The equipment is Cressi, and the operator says it is replaced each year. That does not remove the need to check your own fit, but it is a useful point for anyone who prefers not to bring a full kit on holiday. A properly fitting mask, wetsuit, and buoyancy jacket can make a noticeable difference to comfort.

The van ride and RIB launch

The van transfer keeps the morning fairly straightforward. Instead of carrying tanks and weights through town or arranging a separate taxi to the harbor, you travel with the equipment from the center to the boat launch.

The RIB speedboat is the main link between shore and the two underwater sites. It gets you out on the water without the slower feel of a large vessel, though a RIB can be more exposed to wind and spray. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider preparing for the boat ride even though the total outing lasts only four hours.

The skipper chooses the locations based on the day’s weather and water. That decision is important, not just convenient. Calm conditions can make entry, descent, and time underwater more comfortable, while better visibility can improve your chance of spotting animals.

You are not promised a particular reef, wreck, or animal. Instead, you get a practical plan shaped by the conditions on the day. For an experienced certified diver, that approach usually makes more sense than following a rigid sightseeing route.

Two guided underwater sessions around Puerto del Carmen

The main part of the activity lasts about two hours at Puerto del Carmen. Those two hours are divided between two guided sessions at separate sites, rather than one long stay in a single location.

A guide leads you underwater and helps you look for local marine life. That support is valuable in a reserve where animals can blend into the bottom or remain still for long periods. An experienced guide can point out smaller creatures you might otherwise swim past, while also helping the group move at a sensible pace.

The group arrangement is one of the strongest practical features. The total activity is limited to six participants, and each guide works with no more than four divers. You are also grouped with people at the same certification level. That can make the session feel more controlled, since the group is less likely to split between very different comfort levels or experience.

The information provided does not name the guides, so you should not expect to request a particular person. The key point is the guide-to-diver ratio. A small group gives the guide more opportunity to monitor air use, position, and general comfort than a large boat group would.

Between the two sites, follow the guide’s instructions about staying together and conserving energy. This is not the setting for rushing ahead in search of wildlife. The more calmly you move, the better your chance of noticing an animal resting on the bottom.

What the protected reserve adds

Much of the subaquatic plant and animal life in these waters is protected. That gives the outing more meaning than a simple equipment rental followed by a swim underwater. You are visiting an area managed for marine life, with the possibility of seeing species that depend on a healthy seabed.

The angel shark is the most unusual draw, but it should be treated as a possibility rather than a promise. Wildlife is unpredictable. Even in a good area, visibility, animal behavior, and the timing of your route all matter.

I would approach the trip with two goals: enjoy the underwater setting first, then treat any rare animal as a bonus. That mindset protects you from disappointment and helps you pay attention to the smaller details around you.

The reserve also makes the guide’s role more useful. You are not simply being shown how to operate equipment. You are being led through a living environment where the best sights may be quiet, low to the bottom, and easy to miss without careful observation.

Rental gear, certification, and safety

You need to bring proof of your diving certification and a medical statement. If you do not have a current diving medical certificate, you may self-certify by completing a medical questionnaire. Read that requirement carefully before the morning of the activity.

The operator can arrange diving insurance at the center for 8 euros per day, but it is not included in the advertised price. I would decide in advance whether you need that cover rather than leaving the question until you are standing at the desk with the group ready to depart.

Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The activity is also not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems or epilepsy. These are basic safety restrictions, but they matter because the trip involves boat transport, scuba equipment, and time underwater.

Certification alone is not the same as current confidence. You may hold an Open Water qualification and still feel rusty after a long break. The supplied information does not describe a refresher session, so contact the center before booking if you are unsure about your readiness.

How the four-hour schedule feels

The stated duration is four hours, with starting times shown when you check availability. The morning meeting, van transfer, boat ride, two underwater sessions, and return to the center all fit within that half-day window.

The Puerto del Carmen portion is listed as about two hours. The remaining time covers preparation, transport, site changes, and the return. Do not plan a tight connection immediately afterward, since sea conditions and boat timing can affect the pace.

At the end, you have two choices. You can stay at the beach, which suits anyone who wants to continue enjoying the coast, or return by van to Atlantis Diving Lanzarote and fill out your logbook.

The logbook option is a small but useful touch. Recording the sites, conditions, and wildlife while the details are fresh can help you keep track of your experience, especially if you are building your certification record. The available information does not promise specific site names, so leave room in your notes for the skipper’s final choice.

Is $118 a fair price?

At $118 per person, the price is reasonable for a half-day outing that includes equipment, transport to the boat, the RIB ride, and two guided sessions. You are not paying only for tank rental. The fee also covers the guide, boat operation, vehicle transfer, and the convenience of having the day organized from one center.

The value is strongest if you need a full set of rental equipment. Bringing your own gear could change the calculation, but the listed price still includes the boat, guide, and transport. The yearly replacement claim for the Cressi equipment is another benefit for people who prefer current rental kit.

Remember to add the possible 8 euro daily insurance cost if you arrange it through the center. Hotel transportation is not included, and you must reach the meeting point in Puerto del Carmen yourself.

For a certified diver who wants two guided sessions without committing to a full-day boat outing, the four-hour format is efficient. It leaves part of the day free, but it also means less time on the water than a longer expedition. That trade-off will matter more to serious divers than to someone looking for a convenient holiday activity.

Who should book this experience

This trip suits certified divers who want a guided introduction to Puerto del Carmen’s underwater sites. It is especially practical if you are traveling without equipment, since the major items are supplied and the van handles the transfer to the RIB.

It also suits divers who prefer small groups. With no more than six participants overall and no more than four divers per guide, the setup is more personal than a large boat operation. The same-level grouping may help if you want a steady pace without being paired with people far above or below your qualification.

The activity is less suitable for beginners, uncertified swimmers, or anyone hoping for a relaxed snorkeling outing. It is also not ideal if you need hotel pickup, want a guaranteed site, or dislike plans that change with sea conditions.

If you have not used scuba gear recently, ask about your readiness before paying. The tour is built around certified participants who can take part in two underwater sessions, not a classroom lesson.

Cancellation and planning details

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps you from paying at the time of booking. Check the available start times before choosing your date, since the activity is scheduled in the morning.

The guides can work in Catalan, English, Spanish, and Italian. Bring your certification and medical statement, and arrive at the Atlantis Diving Lanzarote center on the lower level of the commercial center.

The activity ends back at the same center unless you choose to remain at the beach after the two sessions. Since no hotel transfer is included, plan your route to and from Puerto del Carmen before the day begins.

Should you book the Puerto del Carmen scuba trip?

I would book this if you already hold a suitable certification, want two guided underwater sessions, and value a small group over a fixed site list. The protected setting, possible angel shark sighting, close guide ratio, and included equipment make the $118 price sensible for many visitors.

I would skip it if you are uncertified, badly out of practice, or looking for a full-day expedition with guaranteed locations. The best reason to choose this experience is its practical balance: a half-day on the water, a flexible route chosen for conditions, and enough guide support to help you notice more beneath the surface.

FAQ

Is this activity suitable for beginners?

No. It is only for certified divers with PADI, SSI, or CMAS Open Water Diver, Advanced, or Rescue Diver certification.

What equipment is included?

The package includes a tank, weights, fins, boots, wetsuit, mask, buoyancy jacket, and dive computer. The equipment is Cressi and is replaced each year.

How many people are in the group?

The total group is limited to six participants. Each guide works with no more than four divers, and participants are grouped with others at the same certification level.

Where does the activity start and end?

You meet at Atlantis Diving Lanzarote in Puerto del Carmen, on the lower level of a commercial center reached by a long ramp. The activity ends back at the same center, unless you choose to remain at the beach after the sessions.

Is diving insurance included?

No. Insurance is not included, but it can be arranged at the dive center for 8 euros per day.

What happens if I do not have a current diving medical certificate?

You may self-certify by completing a medical questionnaire. You should also bring your diving certification and medical statement to the meeting point.