First-time scuba is easier when the rules are clear and the group stays small. Off Lanzarote, this intro scuba session takes you through training in shallow water and then gets you below the surface off Playa Chica. I like the tight setup: max six people and an SSI instructor working with a very small ratio. One consideration: it depends on good weather, and you’ll need to pass a health questionnaire before going in.

You start with paperwork and a short briefing on how scuba works and what you’ll practice. Then it’s wetsuit, mask, fins, and boots (all included), a walk into waist-deep water, and skill practice before the main underwater time around 5–6 metres.

The whole thing runs about two hours, with a 30–35 minute underwater segment and souvenir photos emailed afterward. If you want a long certification-style course, this isn’t it. But if you want a real taste of what it feels like to breathe underwater, it’s a smart way to find out fast.

Key things that make this intro scuba session worth your time

• Small-group control: max 6 travelers, with an SSI instructor for each two students
• All gear included: wetsuit, mask, fins, and boots provided so you just show up in swimwear
• Real training steps: briefing, shallow-water practice, then skills before the main underwater time
• Playa Chica marine life: you may see sea bream, parrotfish, damselfish, flounders, ornate wrasse
• Photo payoff: you’ll get 10–20 souvenir photos emailed after the experience

Why Playa Chica is a smart first step for scuba in Lanzarote

Lanzarote is famous for clear water, and Playa Chica is one of the bays that makes a first scuba try-out feel practical instead of intimidating. This experience is built around that “start easy, then go a bit deeper” rhythm.

The key for me is that the training isn’t just talk. You’ll suit up, walk into waist-deep water, and do breathing practice and skills with an SSI instructor right there. That matters because most first-timers aren’t worried about fish. They’re worried about control—how it feels to breathe, how you manage your body, and whether the instructor is calm enough to keep you steady.

I also like the instructor approach described in multiple accounts. Names like Victor and Pierre come up with the same theme: step-by-step explanations, clear communication, and a strong focus on making beginners feel safe. Even if you’re nervous, that kind of teaching style is usually what helps people relax fast.

The 2-hour flow: from paperwork to about 6 metres

This is a timed, structured session, so you always know what comes next. Expect it to last about two hours from start to finish.

1) Arrive, paperwork, and the health questionnaire

You’ll start at the meeting point: Manta (Manta Diving Lanzarote), C. Tenerife, 2, 35510 Puerto del Carmen, Las Palmas, Spain. The activity ends back at the same place.

Before you get in the water, you’ll complete paperwork that includes a brief medical history and a health questionnaire. Some pre-existing conditions (for example asthma or heart conditions) may prevent you from diving/going underwater activities, so it’s worth asking your doctor ahead of time if you’re unsure. It’s also not recommended for pregnant participants, or for anyone with serious medical conditions or heart complaints.

You’ll also want to know the practical cutoff: diving/going underwater within 12 hours of flying is not recommended.

2) Gear fitting: wetsuit, mask, fins, boots

Next, you’ll get your equipment fitted: wetsuit, mask, fins, and boots. It’s one of the best value parts of the package because you don’t need to rent or buy anything. You just bring your swimwear, towel, and a change of clothes.

If you’ve never been in a wetsuit before, the fitting stage is where you should speak up. If anything feels wrong—mask fit, fin tightness, or wetsuit pressure—that’s when you tell them.

3) The walk to Playa Chica and practice in waist-deep water

Then you’ll head down to Playa Chica. You’ll put on the equipment and walk into waist-deep water. This part is about comfort and basic control.

You’ll practice breathing and get used to how the gear feels before you go below the surface.

4) Skills around 5 metres, then the main underwater time around 6 metres

Here’s what you can expect underwater, in plain terms:

• You’ll go to about 5 metres to practice the essentials and 3 skills with your SSI instructor.
• After you’re comfortable, you’ll go further for the main underwater segment to around 6 metres.
• That main underwater time is about 30 to 35 minutes.

In total, the experience gives you enough time to feel what “scuba breathing” is like, without making the day run long or pushing you into advanced territory.

Along the way, you may see marine life such as sea bream, parrotfish, damselfish, flounders, and ornate wrasse.

Equipment included, but your comfort still matters

The package includes all the underwater equipment. That’s a big deal because it removes a common hassle for first-timers: renting gear can be fiddly, expensive, and time-consuming.

Still, the main comfort factor is fit. If you have a small face, wide nose, or you’ve struggled with glasses-style masks before, take the mask fitting seriously. A good mask fit makes buoyancy and breathing feel normal faster.

Also bring a towel and a change of clothes. Your day doesn’t end in the water. You’ll want to dry off and cool down after.

Instructor ratio and what it means for beginners

This experience is small-group by design: maximum 6 travelers. The tour notes say the SSI instructor ratio is one instructor per two students.

That ratio matters more than people think. It reduces waiting, helps you correct mistakes quickly, and it’s easier to calm down when you can tell your instructor is focused on you rather than managing a crowd.

If you’re traveling with kids, this structure is especially important. The minimum age is 10, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The accounts that stand out describe instructors staying patient and adjusting pace so nervous students can build confidence step by step.

What you might see underwater (and how to get the most from it)

You aren’t signing up for a checklist of landmarks. You’re going in to experience how life looks below the surface.

The expected marine sightings listed for Playa Chica include:

• sea bream
• parrotfish
• damselfish
• flounders
• ornate wrasse

And at least one account adds an extra surprise: an angel shark sighting. You should treat that as a possible bonus, not a guarantee, but it’s a good reminder that the underwater world here can deliver more than just small reef fish.

To get the most out of your time, go in with a calm mindset. During the main underwater segment (around 6 metres for 30–35 minutes), you’ll have enough time to look around, not just rush through the experience. If you spend the practice phase focused on control, the later time feels more like a real window into the bay.

Price and value: is $81.10 a good deal?

At $81.10 per person, this sits in the “try it now” category rather than “full training” territory. The value comes from three things you don’t usually get in one package:

1) SSI professional instruction

2) Rental equipment included

3) A guided underwater experience built for first-timers

It also includes souvenir photos—10 to 20 images emailed after your session. That’s a nice perk because it removes another common cost and hassle: you don’t need to worry about buying an underwater camera or getting shaky phone footage.

Could you spend less by borrowing basic gear and going on your own? Sure. But first-time underwater breathing isn’t a do-it-yourself moment for most people. The cost here is paying for safety, coaching, and structure—exactly what you want when you’re new.

Who this is best for (and who should rethink it)

This setup fits best if you:

• want an easy first scuba try-out without committing to a longer course
• have moderate physical fitness
• like the idea of a small-group experience with close instructor attention
• are okay doing a health questionnaire and following safety guidance

It’s also a family-friendly option in the real sense. The minimum age is 10, and the instructor approach described (patient, attentive, focused on nervous students) can work well for kids who need reassurance.

You should rethink booking if you:

• are pregnant (it’s noted as not recommended)
• have serious medical conditions or heart complaints (check with your doctor; some conditions may prevent you from participating)
• plan to fly soon and can’t meet the 12-hour recommendation

Weather matters more than you think

This is an outdoor activity, and it requires good conditions. The experience notes say it depends on good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

So if Lanzarote weather is doing its usual mood swings, plan to be flexible. If you’re visiting and have only one day lined up, you might want to keep an extra morning or afternoon buffer.

Final call: should you book this intro scuba session?

I’d book it if your goal is simple: you want to learn the basics, feel what underwater breathing is like, and see real marine life off Playa Chica without a long course. The small-group setup (max 6) and the tight instructor attention are the big reasons it works for first-timers.

Skip it if you know you’ll struggle with the medical side of the process, you can’t meet the flying timeframe, or you want a guaranteed full refund only on short notice. Also, if you’re chasing a super-advanced underwater experience, this is intentionally a beginner format.

If you want, tell me your group’s ages and whether anyone has asthma or heart issues. I can help you sanity-check the fit before you commit.