Lanzarote Scuba Diving: Shore Dives & Small Groups

Two dives in one morning, volcanic reefs at your feet

You meet your PADI instructor at Playa Chica, complete a site briefing, and complete two dives at different shore-entry locations with volcanic reefs, caverns, and marine life ranging from small schooling fish to large groupers and rays. The excursion includes tanks, weights, water, and cookies. You surface between dives for a 45-to-60-minute interval. Each dive lasts roughly 45 minutes, and the exact sites depend on weather, water conditions, and your group's experience level.

Step-by-step itinerary

Scuba diving excursion in Playa Chica

• Meet instructor in Playa Chica
• Organize equipment and complete paperwork
• Instructor briefing on dive site and marine life
• Gear up for diving
• First dive at selected dive site
• Surface interval with refreshments
• Second dive at different dive site
• Enjoy underwater scenery and marine life

The experience

Most dive operators want you on a boat. Here, you walk into the water from Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen and you're already down. The Lanzarote shore dives start where the beach ends: no commute, no seasickness, just your PADI instructor and up to four other certified divers heading straight into water that drops from a shallow plateau into underwater mountains, caverns, and volcanic rock formations. The depth ranges from 5 to 40 meters depending on which of the ten-plus dive sites you choose that day, and the visibility usually sits between 15 and 40 meters, which means you'll actually see what's down there.

The marine life isn't background scenery. It's the whole reason to go. Schools of small fish move through the reefs, but so do groupers, barracudas, tunas, rays, angle sharks, cuttlefish, and octopus. Seahorses hide in the volcanic crevices. The instructor briefs you on what to expect and what the conditions are that morning, then you gear up and drop in for the first dive, which runs about 45 minutes depending on your air consumption. After that, you surface for a 45-to-60-minute break with water and cookies while your tanks get swapped out, and then you do it again at a different site. The whole excursion is built around small groups (never more than five divers per guide), so you're not herding with twenty other people.

Which dive sites you actually visit depends on the day's weather and water conditions, and on how experienced your group is. A newer certified diver might stay shallower and explore the reefs and overhangs. Someone with more hours logged can go deeper into the slopes and caverns. The instructor plans it all in the briefing, so there's no guessing. You need to bring your certification card (digital or printed), and your last dive has to be within the last 12 months. If you're not certified yet, they run a separate Discover Scuba package, but this one is for people who already know how to dive and want to actually do it.

What’s included

• Guaranteed small groups with a maximum of 5 divers per PADI Divemaster or Instructor.
• two dives at different Playa Chica shore-entry sites with depths from 5-40 meters.
• tanks and weights.
• water and cookies during the surface interval.
• site briefing and dive planning with the instructor.
• access to ten-plus different dive locations depending on conditions and experience level.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:15

AgesAdult (10 to 70 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: “The activity itself will be hold at Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen. We meet you directly at the dive/snorkel site in Playa Chica, Puerto del Carmen.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelers

Operated by Scuba Legends Dive Center Lanzarote

Is this one for you?Right for certified divers who want to skip the boat ride and dive straight from shore into volcanic reefs and caverns with an experienced instructor: the small group size and shore access mean less logistics and more time actually underwater.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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.

Do I need to bring my own diving equipment?

Tanks and weights are included. You'll need to bring or rent a wetsuit, mask, fins, and BCD if you don't have your own. Check with the operator about rental options.

What if the weather is bad on the day I'm booked?

Diving requires certain weather conditions. If the activity is cancelled due to poor conditions, you'll be offered an alternative date or a full refund.

Can I dive if I'm not certified?

No, this excursion is for certified divers only with a Junior Scuba Diver certification or equivalent and a dive within the last 12 months. The operator offers a separate Discover Scuba Diving package for non-certified divers.

What's the minimum age?

The minimum age is 10 years old, and you must hold a valid Junior Scuba Diver certification or equivalent.

How long does the whole experience take?

Each dive is approximately 45 minutes, with a 45-to-60-minute surface interval between them. Plan for a few hours total including briefing, gearing up, and the interval.

Can I fly home the same day?

No, you cannot fly within 18 hours after two consecutive dives. Your departure flight should not be earlier than 6am the following day.

What marine life will I see?

Common sightings include schools of small fish, groupers, barracudas, tunas, rays, angle sharks, seahorses, cuttlefish, octopus, sponges, and crabs. Visibility of 15-40m means you'll see most of it clearly.

How many people dive in each group?

Maximum 5 divers per PADI instructor, so groups stay small and manageable.