Try a DIVE, discover scuba diving in Mykonos

At Lia Beach, you learn the basics of scuba, practice in the shallows, then head along Lia reef for an open-water session lasting about 40 to 45 minutes. This is not a full certification course. It is a careful first taste of breathing underwater, guided by a PADI professional from start to finish.

I like two things right away. You get all equipment and DAN Europe insurance included, and the center provides underwater photos at no extra charge. The staff also give nervous beginners time to settle in. Instructors such as Annalisa, Alex, Tobias, Casper, and Kostas are repeatedly praised for calm explanations and close support.

The main thing to consider is that this is an introductory experience, not a dramatic offshore expedition. The route is shallow and designed for comfort, so the underwater scenery can be modest. You are paying for a safe first lesson and a memorable introduction, not a full day of advanced marine exploration.

Key points at a glance

• Lia Beach setting: Start and finish at GoDIVE Mykonos Diving Center on a quieter beach away from Mykonos Town.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: Learn safety, equipment use, and basic underwater skills before entering the open water.
• Shallow first session: One participant was told the program would not go beyond about 6 meters, though exact depth can vary.
• Long underwater portion: The open-water part lasts roughly 40 to 45 minutes within the 90-minute program.
• Photos included: Your instructor takes underwater pictures and sends them to you after the experience.
• Useful extras: Scuba equipment, bottled water, a qualified PADI instructor, and DAN Europe scuba insurance are included.

What your 90 minutes at Lia Beach looks like

You meet at Lia Beach, at the GoDIVE Mykonos Diving Center. This is the starting point and the ending point, so you do not need to arrange a separate meeting location during the activity.

The session begins with a short lesson in scuba theory. Expect basic safety information, an explanation of how the equipment works, and guidance on the simple skills needed underwater. One participant described a safety briefing of about 20 minutes, followed by practice at the water’s edge.

That shore practice matters. The hardest part for many first-timers is not swimming. It is getting used to breathing through a regulator, wearing the mask, and staying calm when the equipment feels unfamiliar. Your instructor can check your comfort before you move farther from shore.

This is where the staff earn much of their praise. Tobias was described as patient with a nervous partner, staying close and offering steady support. Another instructor spent extra one-to-one time with a participant who was struggling. That kind of flexibility is especially useful if you are bringing children or a family member who is unsure about the experience.

Once you are comfortable, you head into the water with your instructor. The program is closely supervised, and new participants are not left to manage the equipment alone. The point is to build basic confidence, not to test how far or how deep you can go.

Lia reef is a gentle introduction, not a grand expedition

The underwater session takes place around Lia reef. The water has been described as very clear, with fish and some Mediterranean marine life visible around the reef. The setting gives you a chance to swim along the sea floor and practice the basic rhythm of scuba without the demands of a more advanced trip.

Keep your expectations sensible. This is a shallow beginner program, and the scenery may not be packed with dramatic formations or large animals. One participant found the underwater sights fairly limited, but still valued the chance to get comfortable with the gear and the process.

That is a fair way to judge this experience. You are not buying a full marine safari. You are buying a controlled first session in clear water, with enough time to stop feeling like the equipment is taking over your body.

Some sessions include plenty of fish, and a baby octopus was spotted during one outing. Those sightings are possible, not promised. Sea conditions, visibility, and the natural behavior of marine life can change from day to day.

The reef can also work well for families. Parents who already had scuba experience felt reassured when their children received a short introduction and close attention in the water. One family had a participant who became nervous, but the instructor gave her individual support until she was ready to continue.

The instructors are the heart of the experience

The equipment matters, but the instructor matters more. A first scuba session can become uncomfortable quickly if your guide rushes you or treats basic questions as a nuisance.

GoDIVE’s staff receive especially strong praise for patience and reassurance. Annalisa is noted for helping first-time participants feel calm and supported. Alex is praised for clear instructions and for checking on each person in a small group. Casper and Annalisa are also singled out for making a first session feel safe and enjoyable.

Kostas, who runs the operation, is mentioned for helping with arrangements and for teaching the fundamentals clearly. Tobias is praised for staying physically close to a nervous beginner and helping her get beyond the first difficult moments at the shore.

These details are more useful than a general claim that the instructors are friendly. If you are worried about panicking, tell the staff before you enter the water. The program is built for beginners, and the strongest part of it is the willingness to slow down and give extra attention when needed.

The group limit is 15 people, although several described sessions were smaller. A small group can make a real difference because instructors have more time to watch each person’s breathing, body position, and comfort level.

What is included for the $193.57 price

The price is $193.57 per person. That is not a small add-on cost, especially if you are already paying for several Mykonos activities. The value depends on what you want from the session.

Included in the price are:

• Scuba equipment
• A qualified PADI instructor
• Underwater photography
• Bottled water
• DAN Europe scuba insurance

You do not need to rent a mask, tank, or other scuba gear separately. The instruction and supervised open-water session are also part of the price, along with the photos that give you a record of the experience.

The photography is a real benefit. Your instructor takes pictures while you are underwater, and participants have reported receiving several good images afterward, sometimes the following day. The exact number and delivery timing are not specified, so treat the photos as a welcome extra rather than a guaranteed professional photo package.

The insurance is another practical inclusion. DAN Europe scuba insurance is provided at no charge, which gives the package more substance than an activity that simply lends you equipment and sends you into the water.

I would consider the cost reasonable if this is a long-held personal goal or a special family activity. It is less compelling if you are only looking for a cheap beach outing. The program is short, but the equipment, instructor, insurance, and photographs are all included.

Getting to Lia Beach and planning around transport

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Port pickup and drop-off are also extra, but the center can arrange either for a surcharge.

This matters if you are visiting Mykonos from a cruise ship. One family used the transportation service and found it helpful, with the operator making sure pickup and return worked for cruise passengers. If you are on a tight ship schedule, arranging transport through the center may be worth the added cost because Lia Beach is not your ship’s arrival point.

The experience begins and ends at the beach. Plan to stay at the meeting point for the full activity rather than expecting to be dropped at another part of the island afterward.

The activity is often booked well ahead, with an average booking time of 41 days in advance. That is a useful warning for summer trips. If you have a fixed Mykonos schedule, do not assume you can wait until the last minute.

Confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability. The activity is offered in English.

Health rules and the flight restriction

Every participant must complete a health questionnaire before scuba. Some medical conditions, including asthma and heart conditions, may prevent participation. If you have a medical concern, consult your doctor before booking rather than waiting until the beach.

You should also avoid scuba within 24 hours of flying. This is important for both arrival and departure planning. If you are flying home the morning after the activity, choose another date or another shore activity.

Most people can participate, but the health questionnaire still matters. You should be ready to answer honestly and to accept professional advice if the staff decide the conditions are not right for you.

Weather can also affect the schedule. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who will enjoy this Mykonos activity most

This is a good match if you have always wanted to try scuba but do not want to commit to a certification course. You get theory, equipment practice, basic exercises, and an open-water session in one compact program.

It also suits couples and families. The instructors have experience helping one person in a group move more slowly than the others. That makes the activity workable when one member is confident and another is nervous.

It can work for certified divers who want a simple first outing with children or relatives, but experienced divers should not expect an advanced route. The program is aimed at beginners, and the shallow reef is chosen for control and comfort.

I would be more cautious about booking it if your main goal is dramatic scenery, great depth, or a full day at sea. You may see fish and perhaps an octopus, but the natural sights cannot be guaranteed. The first goal is learning how to use the equipment and stay relaxed underwater.

Small details that make the session easier

Wear a swimsuit and bring whatever you normally need for a beach visit, though the supplied information does not specify a separate packing list. Bottled water is included.

Arrive ready to spend time learning before entering the sea. The briefing and shore exercises are not wasted time. They are the part that helps you breathe calmly and communicate with your instructor.

If you are nervous, say so early. The staff have shown they can provide one-to-one help, but they need to know when you are uncomfortable. Do not feel pressured to continue simply because other people in your group are ready.

If photos matter to you, ask how and when they will be sent. Underwater photography is included, and several people received memorable images, but the exact number of photos is not stated.

Finally, allow room in your schedule. The stated duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes, but transport, arrival, and changing time can add to the day if you arrange pickup or drop-off.

Should you book Try Scuba at Lia Beach?

Book it if you want a carefully supervised first scuba experience, especially if you are traveling with a nervous partner, child, or parent. The patient instructors, included equipment, DAN insurance, and free underwater photos make the $193.57 price easier to justify.

Skip it if you want a long offshore trip or a spectacular underwater route. Lia reef offers a shallow introduction, and the sights may be pleasant rather than extraordinary.

For most beginners, the appeal is simple: you learn the basics, practice close to shore, spend up to 45 minutes underwater with a PADI professional, and leave with photographs. That is a practical and friendly way to find out if scuba is for you.

FAQ

Where does the scuba experience take place?

It takes place at Lia Beach, at GoDIVE Mykonos Diving Center in Mykonos, Greece. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the activity last?

The full program lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes. The open-water session lasts approximately 40 to 45 minutes.

Is this suitable for someone who has never tried scuba?

Yes. The program is designed for beginners and includes diving theory, equipment instruction, basic exercises, and close supervision from a qualified PADI instructor.

How deep does the beginner session go?

The supplied information does not give a fixed maximum depth. One participant was told that the session would not go deeper than 6 meters and reached about 5 meters.

Are scuba equipment and insurance included?

Yes. Scuba equipment, a qualified PADI instructor, and DAN Europe scuba insurance are included in the price.

Are underwater photos included?

Yes. Professional underwater photography is included at no extra charge. The exact number of photos and delivery time are not specified.

Can I scuba within 24 hours of flying?

No. Scuba within 24 hours of flying is not recommended. You must also complete a health questionnaire, and some medical conditions may prevent participation.