Descend Beneath the Atlantic from Puerto Calero
Here’s something you can’t do on many holidays: climb aboard a genuine submarine and descend thirty metres beneath the surface of the Atlantic to explore the seabed for yourself. Departing from Puerto Calero Marina, this submarine safari takes you down through the clear waters off Lanzarote’s south coast to see fish swimming freely in their natural habitat and even a cluster of shipwrecks resting on the ocean floor, all from the comfort of a pressurised cabin with large viewing windows. It’s a real dive in a real submarine, one of only a handful in the world used for tourism, and no swimming, diving experience or getting wet is required. Rated 4.6 across well over a thousand reviews, it’s one of the most memorable and unusual things to do on the island, and a particular hit with children.
- Duration 1 Hour
- Hotel Pickup Included
- Photo Opportunities Take your Camera
- Family Friendly 2 Years and Over
Here’s what the experience involves, what you’ll see, and everything you need to know before you book.
What the Lanzarote Submarine Dive Experience Involves
This is the real thing, not a glass-bottomed boat or a semi-submersible. You board an actual submarine, the Sub Fun Tres, which descends to a depth of around thirty metres, roughly a hundred feet, taking you properly beneath the surface of the Atlantic. The vessel is spacious and comfortable, with forty-four seats and twenty-two large windows, so everyone gets a proper view out into the blue rather than jostling for a porthole. The dive itself lasts around forty-five minutes to an hour, and an audio guide, available in ten languages including English, talks you through what you’re seeing and the marine ecosystems you’re passing through, with a focus on why these waters are worth protecting.
One of the best things about it is how accessible it is. The cabin is kept at normal atmospheric pressure throughout, which means there’s no effect on your ears and no need to equalise as you descend. That also makes it suitable for pregnant women and for people with heart conditions or ear problems, who can enjoy the dive without concern. The only restriction is that children under two can’t be taken on board for safety reasons.
What You’ll See During The Submarine Dive
The waters off Puerto Calero are clear and full of life, and the submarine takes you right down among it. Expect to see shoals of fish swimming freely around the vessel, sea bream in particular tend to gather as the crew feed them alongside the windows, along with the wider marine life of the Atlantic seabed. The real highlight for many is the trio of shipwrecks resting on the ocean floor, which the submarine passes on its route, an atmospheric and slightly eerie sight that children especially love. The clarity of the water this far down is genuinely surprising, and seeing it all from inside a submarine rather than through a mask gives the whole thing a proper sense of adventure.
What’s Included in The Lanzarote Submarine Safari
The experience includes the submarine dive itself aboard the Sub Fun Tres, the multi-language audio guide with headphones provided free of charge, a personalised dive certificate to take home as a souvenir, and a free fish identification chart to help you spot what you’re seeing. Free transport is provided from Puerto Calero, and hotel pickup and drop-off is available from certain resorts depending on your chosen dive time. After your dive you also get free time to enjoy the attractive Puerto Calero Marina, with its smart waterfront restaurants, cafés and shops. Food and drinks aren’t included, so bring some money if you fancy a bite or a coffee at the marina afterwards.
Getting There and Pickup
The submarine operates from Puerto Calero Marina, on the island’s south coast between Puerto del Carmen and Playa Blanca, where the Submarine Safaris base is located. The operator runs up to seven dives a day, six days a week, so there’s plenty of flexibility to find a time that suits you. Hotel pickup is available and tied to specific dive times: pickups from Playa Blanca serve the earlier dives, while pickups from Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen serve others, so check which dive time matches your resort when you book. If you’re making your own way there, aim to arrive at the meeting point at the marina around thirty minutes before your scheduled dive time. It’s worth noting that a couple of guests have mentioned sat-nav directions to the marina can be imprecise, so allow a little extra time to find the Submarine Safaris office.
An experience for (nearly) everyone!
This is one of the most family-friendly activities on the island, and children are consistently the ones who come away most thrilled by it, so it’s a brilliant choice if you’re looking for something to wow the kids. It’s equally appealing for couples and anyone who likes the idea of ticking a genuine submarine dive off the bucket list, which is exactly how many reviewers describe it. Because the cabin stays at normal pressure and there’s no physical exertion involved, it suits a very wide range of people, including those who can’t or don’t want to snorkel or dive, and older visitors. It’s a short, easy, comfortable experience rather than a demanding one, which is a big part of its appeal.
The main thing to set expectations on is the length: the dive is around forty-five minutes to an hour, so it’s a add-on experience rather than a full day out. Several guests suggest pairing it with time exploring Puerto Calero Marina afterwards to make more of the trip, which the included free time makes easy.
What Previous Guests Say
The submarine dive earns consistently strong reviews, and the recurring themes are clear. Guests repeatedly describe it as a bucket-list experience and a must-do for anyone visiting Lanzarote, and praise the friendly, professional and safety-focused staff. Children loving it is the single most common thread in the feedback, making it a reliable family choice. The shipwrecks and the sheer novelty of being in a real submarine come up again and again as highlights. The main practical tips from past guests are to try for a seat towards the front for the best views, to allow a little extra time to find the marina, and to bear in mind the dive is fairly short. Overall it’s regularly described as a genuine highlight of people’s holidays.
Booking the Lanzarote Submarine Dive
This is a popular and genuinely unusual experience with limited seats per dive, so booking ahead is sensible, especially in peak season. Most platforms offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before, and a reserve-now-pay-later option, so you can secure your spot without paying anything upfront. Choose a dive time that matches your resort’s pickup, or plan to make your own way to Puerto Calero Marina in good time. For a truly different day on the island, descending beneath the Atlantic in a real submarine to see fish, shipwrecks and the ocean floor up close, this submarine safari is one of Lanzarote’s most memorable experiences and a guaranteed hit with all ages. Check availability and book your place below.
