Scuba Diving in Gran Canaria: Beginners Lessons with Small Groups

Reef diving starts after you master breathing underwater in the shallows.

A 2-hour beginner scuba diving lesson in Gran Canaria teaches you equipment and basic skills in shallow water, then takes you on a guided reef dive to see marine life. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Russian or Ukrainian; groups stay small; all diving equipment is provided. Children from age 10 are welcome, and the dive centre is wheelchair accessible.

The experience

What do you actually do during those two hours? You start at the dive centre with your instructor, complete the paperwork and get fitted into your gear. Then you move into shallow water to practice the core skills (how to breathe underwater, how to clear your mask, how to control your buoyancy) until you feel steady enough to go deeper. The point of this part is not to rush. It is to get comfortable so that when you leave the shallows, you are not fighting the equipment.

Once you have the basics down, you and your small group head out to the reef. This is where you see what you came for: the marine life Gran Canaria actually has. You are not watching from a boat. You are down there moving through it with your guide, who stays close and shows you what to look at. The whole session is two hours from start to finish, so the reef time is the payoff for the prep work in the shallows.

Bring a camera if you have one. The operator mentions it, which means people do it. All the diving equipment is included: tank, wetsuit, weights, mask, fins, everything. The guide is a real person who speaks your language (English, Spanish, Russian or Ukrainian), and the groups are kept small on purpose, which is the only way a beginner session actually stays personal instead of feeling like a cattle call. If you have a medical condition (asthma, heart issues, poor cardiovascular health), you will need to clear it with a doctor first. The dive centre requires a health questionnaire before anyone gets in the water.

What’s included

• Professional guide in your choice of English, Spanish, Russian or Ukrainian.
• all diving equipment (tank, wetsuit, weights, mask, fins, regulator).
• shallow-water skills training.
• guided reef dive with marine life viewing.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except SaturdayDepartures at 11:30 and 14:00

AgesAdult (17 to 85 years) · Child (10 to 16 years) · Under 10: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Meeting at the scuba diving centre. Blue Water Diving”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Blue Water Diving

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to learn diving in a small group with a guide who stays close. The shallow-water practice means you are not thrown into the deep end, and the reef dive is the reward for getting comfortable first. Skip it if you have a medical condition affecting your heart or lungs without clearing it with a doctor first, or if you have dived in the past 12 hours (the body needs time to off-gas).

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, Russian and Ukrainian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 16 years). Under 10: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

Can I bring my own camera underwater?

Yes, bring your own camera if you have one. The operator specifically invites you to bring it, which means the reef and marine life are worth documenting.

What happens if I am nervous about breathing underwater?

The shallow-water skills session is designed for exactly this. You practice breathing and basic techniques in shallow water where you can stand up, so you build confidence before the reef dive. The guide stays with you through the whole process.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the dive centre?

The dive centre does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. Public transportation options are available nearby, and the dive centre is wheelchair accessible if you need to know about access.