Your first breath underwater starts here. In Tossa de Mar, this SSI Try Scuba beginner session is built for learning fast, in a small group (max 6) with instructors who can guide you in Catalan, English, French, or Spanish. It’s a 3-hour experience that turns nervous energy into calm skills you can use right away.

I like how the coaching stays practical and reassuring. Instructors such as Uri and David get praised for making the theory feel manageable, then helping you get comfortable with the gear and the sensations of being underwater.

One thing to plan for: it’s not for everyone medically. You’ll need to complete a medical questionnaire, and the experience is not recommended for people with certain conditions (including heart or respiratory problems, some ear issues, recent eye surgery, or pregnancy).

Key points that matter before you book

• 12m max, 40–45 minutes underwater keeps the first session focused and controlled
• Max 6 participants means more attention when you’re learning something new
• SSI Try Scuba recognition gives you a real end-of-course milestone
• Equipment included and fitted on-site, with reports of corrective-lens masks available
• Guides take photos so you don’t have to juggle a camera during your first underwater time
• Rain or shine plus a prompt start means you should plan your day around the scheduled time

Why Tossa de Mar works so well for a first scuba session

Tossa de Mar is the kind of place where a beginner program makes sense: you’re not signing up for a long, complicated training arc. You’re doing a short, structured taste of scuba skills with close supervision, a maximum depth capped at 12 meters, and an underwater window around 40–45 minutes.

The big win for you is the setup. This experience is designed to reduce the unknowns. You learn the basics first, then you get the chance to apply them while still staying inside a controlled environment. That’s exactly what you want when your brain is asking questions like What do I do with my breathing? and How do I move when there is no gravity?

And the instructor team matters. The program has been getting strong feedback for calm, supportive guidance—names that pop up include Uri, David, Mark, Mano, Yuri, Israel, Pep, Marina, and Emma. When you’re new, that kind of attentive teaching makes the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling capable.

The 3-hour plan: what happens from check-in to recognition

This is a 3-hour course end-to-end, paced so you can learn basics, get equipment sorted, and still finish with a real underwater experience.

Here’s how the time typically flows:

1) Arrive and get checked in

You meet at the Tossasub center (the meeting point is listed as the Tossasub Diving Center). If you’re using a voucher, you must redeem it at the ticket counter before the activity begins.

A prompt start is part of the deal. Plan to arrive early enough to get settled, because entry isn’t permitted once the session has started.

2) Gear setup and a first look at what you’ll wear

Next, you’re fitted with the scuba equipment. This step is more important than it sounds. When gear doesn’t fit right, your confidence drops fast—especially with a first-time mask and regulator setup.

If you wear glasses, take note: at least one past participant mentioned the center had a mask with corrective lenses available. Even if you don’t need it, it’s a sign they think about comfort, not just paperwork.

3) The basics lesson before you enter the water

Before going anywhere near the water, you get instruction on the core skills you need for a safe first attempt. You’ll learn how to breathe underwater, how to use your equipment, and how to move with less gravity pulling you around.

You’ll also cover basic communication underwater. That’s a quiet but critical part of learning. When you can signal and respond clearly, your mind stops searching for solutions mid-session.

4) Short underwater entry with an instructor

After the lesson, you head to the beach area and enter the water with your instructor. The first underwater portion has a stated maximum depth of 12 meters and typically lasts about 40–45 minutes.

Because it’s supervised closely, this isn’t an open-ended exploration. It’s a guided practice time focused on comfort, breathing rhythm, and basic movement.

5) Back at the center: shower, change, and SSI Try Scuba recognition

When you finish, you return to the center where you can shower and change. If everything goes smoothly, you receive the SSI Try Scuba recognition rating at the end of the course.

What you learn before you go underwater (and why it matters)

The training is built around reducing fear and building muscle memory. You’re not just being told what scuba is; you’re being coached on what your body has to do in the water.

From the program outline, you can expect basics in a few practical categories:

• Breathing underwater: This is the #1 mental hurdle for first-timers. The goal isn’t to make you feel like an expert; it’s to help you practice breathing calmly through the regulator while underwater sensations settle in.
• Using your equipment: You’ll learn how the gear works together and what you should do (and not do) once you’re in the water.
• Movement without gravity: Underwater feels different fast. You’ll learn basic ways to move so you’re not fighting the environment.
• Basic underwater communication: Clear signals help you stay relaxed. When you know how to understand your instructor, you spend less time guessing.

The best part is that this isn’t a lecture-heavy approach. The instructor guidance is designed to feel balanced—enough information to make you safe and confident, without drowning you in theory.

The underwater session at up to 12m: controlled, supervised, and not too long

That 12m maximum depth is a comfort factor. For you, it means you can focus on learning the basics rather than thinking about how far you’re going or what happens at deeper levels.

The stated underwater time is around 40–45 minutes, which is long enough to feel the experience (breathing, movement, seeing marine life) but short enough to stay within a beginner-friendly structure.

What you might see depends on conditions, but the feedback pattern is consistent: lots of fish, and on some outings, participants reported seeing an octopus. One participant even mentioned a jellyfish as part of their animal sightings.

Also worth noting: the guides take pictures during the experience. That matters because your first underwater memory should be more than a blurry moment you tried to capture while learning to stay calm.

Instructors and small-group care: the reason beginners feel safe

Scuba training lives or dies by instructor vibe. In past experiences connected to this program, instructors were repeatedly described as friendly, patient, and attentive—especially with kids and first-timers.

Names that came up often include Uri and David. People also mentioned Mark leading sessions well and Israel and Pep guiding with confidence. For families, small-group supervision is the big deal. One parent noted they felt able to relax because the instructor paid close attention to their child.

If you’re bringing a child, this setup can be a comfort to you. The experience is explicitly designed for beginners, and the structure means your kid isn’t left to figure things out alone.

The group limit is also meaningful. With up to 6 participants, you’re not competing for individual coaching the way you can in larger groups.

Family fit: ages 8+ and what you should know for kids

This experience has clear age rules:

• Minimum age for minors is 8 years
• Children must have parental or guardian authorization
• Unaccompanied minors are not allowed

So if you’re traveling as a family, it’s built to include kids old enough to follow instructions and get comfortable with the gear.

From the feedback included with this activity, the team has a reputation for working well with children—one participant even described their daughter’s experience as smooth and memorable, with careful attention as the session progressed.

My advice: if your child is excited but anxious, tell the instructor right away. This kind of coaching is exactly where small adjustments (pace, reassurance, extra attention to breathing practice) can make everything click.

Price and value: is $91 for 3 hours actually fair?

At $91 per person for a 3-hour beginner program, the value comes from what’s included, not just the clock.

You get:

• Diving equipment
• Diving insurance
• Liability insurance

You’re also getting an SSI program component with Try Scuba recognition, plus close instruction in a small group of up to 6 people. For a first-time activity, that combination reduces the usual hidden costs: gear rental, scrambling for last-minute safety coverage, and paying extra for basic guidance.

What you should budget separately is simple:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Flip-flops (also helpful for moving around before and after)

Add in your time and mindset. This is short enough to fit a travel day, but structured enough that you shouldn’t feel like you wasted money on a random swim.

Also: the program has a 4.9 rating from 232 reviews. That doesn’t replace your judgment, but it’s a strong signal that the instruction quality and safety culture are holding up across different groups.

Practical tips for your day in Tossa de Mar

Here’s how to show up prepared so you spend your energy on the experience, not logistics.

What to bring

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Flip-flops

If you’re prone to cold, consider dressing warmly before and after, because the experience happens rain or shine.

What not to do

• No alcohol and drugs
• Don’t touch plants

Those rules are about safety and respect for the underwater setting.

Timing and flights

The program recommends waiting at least 12 hours after the activity before flying. If you have a tight travel schedule, plan your scuba session earlier in the day or on a different day than your flight.

Health check matters

You must complete a medical questionnaire. This activity is not recommended for people with pre-existing medical conditions, including issues with the heart, respiratory system, ears, kidneys, or diabetes—and it also isn’t recommended for pregnant people or those with recent eye problems or surgeries.

If you’re unsure where you fit, don’t guess. Use the medical questionnaire as the decision tool it’s intended to be.

Should you book this beginner SSI Try Scuba session in Tossa de Mar?

Book it if:

• You want a first-time scuba experience with a structured lesson before your underwater time
• You prefer small-group coaching (max 6)
• You’d like the SSI Try Scuba recognition at the end
• You’re excited about seeing fish up close and possibly spotting something special like an octopus
• You appreciate instructors who are described as patient and reassuring—names like Uri, David, Mark, and others come up for a reason

Skip it or reconsider if:

• You’re dealing with any medical issues listed as not recommended in the health guidance
• You’re traveling with a minor who will be unaccompanied
• You’re not comfortable with water and basic instruction first (this is for non-swimmers only if you can follow the program’s requirements—if you’re unsure, ask before booking)

If your goal is a safe, beginner-friendly underwater introduction with real coaching, this one checks the boxes. You’ll leave with learned skills, not just a quick thrill.

FAQ

How long is the beginner SSI Try Scuba experience in Tossa de Mar?

It lasts 3 hours total.

What is the maximum depth during the underwater portion?

The first supervised underwater session goes to a maximum depth of 12 meters (with about 40–45 minutes underwater).

Is equipment provided?

Yes. Diving equipment is included.

Is there a group size limit?

Yes. It’s a small group limited to 6 participants.

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instructors speak Catalan, English, French, and Spanish.

What is the minimum age for kids?

The minimum age is 8 years, and children need parental or guardian authorization.

Do I need to complete any health paperwork?

Yes. All participants must complete a medical questionnaire provided by the diving center.

What should I bring with me?

Bring swimwear, a towel, and flip-flops.

Will the activity happen in bad weather?

Yes. It takes place rain or shine.