Frequently asked questions about diving in Lanzarote

What is the water temperature in Lanzarote?

Lanzarote is the island of “never ending spring” which means even in wintertime we can enjoy sunny days and mild temperatures. Therefore, we are happily diving all year round. The water temperature varies from 19°C in winter (6/7mm wetsuit + hood recommended) to a maximum of 25°C in summer (min. 5mm wetsuit recommended).

How is the visibility underwater?

Most commonly we have a visibility of 15-30m. However, it depends on the dive site and daily conditions (e.g., waves, tides, currents, winds).

What’s the best diving season in Lanzarote?

Lanzarote offers excellent diving conditions year-round, thanks to its mild climate and consistently warm waters. Most marine life is visible all year. However, the best season for diving often depends on your preferences:

• Winter (December to February): The water temperature ranges between 18–20°C, and visibility is at its peak, often exceeding 30 meters. This is a great time for divers seeking pristine underwater views and fewer crowds. Especially in winter season it is more likely to spot angelsharks, as they prefer colder water temperatures.
• Spring and Summer (March to August): Water temperatures gradually warm up, reaching around 22°C by mid-summer. These months conditions are calm and marine life is abundant and land temperatures are warm. Especially the school holyday season is peak season and more busy.
• Autumn (September to November): With water temperatures peaking at 23–24°C, this season offers a fantastic combination of warm waters and diverse marine life, including opportunities to see migrating species. Great time to see baby cuttlefish and baby octopus. Also the angelsharks are coming back slowly.

No matter the season, Lanzarote boasts stunning underwater landscapes, including volcanic reefs, caves, and wrecks.

How big are the diving groups?

At Scuba Legends we like to dive in small groups of max. 5 persons per staff member. However, for certain activities like try dives or courses groups often are smaller.

Can I book a private guide or instructor?

Yes, of course! No matter if you want to snorkel, dive or participate in a course, we are happy to arrange a private instructor for you or your group. Please contact us in advance to request availability and prices.

Which is the best resort for diving in Lanzarote?

Puerto del Carmen, no doubt. We are lucky to have some of the most amazing dive sites, by shore and boat, right in front of our doors. The good news is that many dive sites are well protected from wind and weather, easily accessible and enjoyable for all levels of experience.

What’s the marine life like in Lanzarote?

Lanzarote is renowned for its rich and diverse marine life, making it a top destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. The island’s underwater ecosystems thrive due to its volcanic origins and the influence of the nutrient-rich Canary Current. Here’s what you can expect:

• Fish Species: You’ll encounter colourful parrotfish, damselfish, groupers, and barracudas, along with schools of sardines and tuna.
• Rays and Sharks: Lanzarote is home to various rays, including butterfly rays, sting rays, electric rays and eagle rays, as well as the unique angel shark, a species often spotted resting on the sandy seabed.
• Macro Life: For macro enthusiasts, keep an eye out for seahorses, crabs, nudibranchs, and anemones.
• Wrecks and Reefs: Marine life thrives around artificial reefs and wrecks, providing habitats for moray eels, octopuses, and cuttlefish.

Lanzarote’s underwater landscapes are just as captivating as its marine life, with volcanic formations, caves, and swim-throughs adding to the adventure.

Will there be a toilet available between dives?

Usually we come back to shore between dives. Most locations offer public toilets at the dive site or port.

How deep will I dive?

This depends on your certification, experience level, air consumptions and weather conditions. We remain within the framework of the PADI standards and the Spanish law.

How long are the dives?

Depending on the dive profile (depth, conditions, etc.,) the maximum dive time (time underwater) is 45 minutes or reaching the safety reserve of 50 bar. Please calculate additional time for briefings, getting changed, gearing up, as well as entering and exiting the water.

What should I bring for diving?

• Swimwear, dry clothing for after the activity, and a towel
• Certified divers: please ensure you bring your diving certification, proof of insurance, and logbook
• For colder or windy days a sweater or light jacket is suitable

Whilst being in the water, all personal items will be secured in our vehicle alongside our equipment. We recommend bringing only necessary items. We do not assume liability for loss or theft.

What about drinks and food?

Feel free to bring snacks and drinks with you. Nonetheless, during the surface interval we provide water and cookies. Take some extra cash with you just in case you want to get a coffee or lunch between the dives or find some souvenirs on the way.

Is the diving equipment included?

All activities for beginners (snorkel excursions, PADI Discover Scuba Diving, PADI Scuba Diver Course as well as PADI Open Water Diver Course) include equipment and insurance. Activities for certified divers, dive excursions and courses, include tanks and weights only. Dive equipment (set or single items) can be rented at extra charge. 

Do I need a dive computer?

According to the requirements of the Spanish law every diver should have a personal dive computer. You can either bring your own or rent a dive computer (limited availability). 

Which wetsuit do you recommend?

Our rental suits are 6/7mm with hood and we use them all year long. If you bring your own suit, we recommend a minimum of 5mm in summer. If you often feel more cold than others, you might consider to bring neoprene socks, gloves or a undervest. Lanzarote is also a great destination to try your semi-dry or drysuit.

Which tanks do you have?

Generally we use 12 L steel tanks, however, 10L & 15L are available free of charge upon previous request (subject to availability). For sidemount and twinsets and technical diving we use aluminium tanks.

What’s the brand of the rental equipment?

Regulators: Tecline, Scubapro, Apeks, Aqualung

BCD’s: Scubapro

Wings, Bladders: Halcyon, Tecline, Scubapro, Apeks

Suits: Scubapro, Mares

Can I use my own dive equipment?

Yes, feel free to bring your own dive equipment along. Throughout the your diving days we will take care of it as it was our own, including washing, drying and packing your gear.

Can I store my own equipment in the diving center?

Yes, throughout your diving days you can leave your gear at the dive center.

Can I study the theory at home?

Yes, all theory is to be completed in self-study via PADI eLearning prior to course start. Once you booked your course with us we will purchase the PADI eLearning and register you.

What is the schedule of the diving courses like?

We start at 8:15 and finish the training day between 1-3pm (depending on the course and number of participants). We usually do 2-3 dives/training sessions per day.

How long are the course dives?

Depending on the dive profile (depth, conditions, etc.,) the maximum dive time (time underwater) is 45 minutes or reaching the safety reserve of 50 bar. Course dives might require skill practice on the surface as well as out of the water. Furthermore, your instructor will brief you between the dives and explain you all the skills. We usually do 2-3 dives/training sessions per day.

Do we dive from shore or by boat?

Generally the course training is performed from shore in Playa Chica. Not only does Playa Chica offer plenty of different dive sites and marine life, but also great conditions for training. A protected bay with shallow water as up to 10 different dive sites to 40 meters. However, for certain courses (e.g. advanced, wreck specialty courses) we can add up boat dives, if suitable.

Do I have to pay extra for eLearning materials or certification?

No, all course rates include the necessary materials or access to the PADI eLearning and PADI certification fees.

Is my certification guaranteed? 

We wish to inform you that Scuba Legends maintains the authority to withhold certification upon completion of any course should the instructor determine that the student has not met the requisite standards and requirements. It is imperative to understand that certification cannot be guaranteed solely through payment.

Our training sessions adhere strictly to the standards set forth by the diving association, with most skills building upon one another and necessitating successful completion to progress further. Unless a private course has been arranged, if a student opts to discontinue the training or is unable to fulfil the skill requirements despite ample training and practice time, the instructor must proceed with the remaining participants to ensure the course progresses as scheduled.

As outlined in our cancellation policy, neither rescheduling nor refunds are permitted in such cases. However, additional training sessions may be arranged at an additional cost, subject to availability.

The Open Water Course is perfect for beginners and doesn’t require any previous diving experience. But if you’re not comfortable in the ocean or not sure about getting certified yet, it’s a good idea to try diving before signing up for a course. If you’re really nervous or had a bad experience before, you might want to think about booking a private course. That way, the instructor can focus entirely on helping you. If you need more advice, just get in touch with us.

Why do I have to present a medical statement and was never asked that when diving in the past?

The dive organisation as well as the Spanish law requires any diver to fill in a medical questionnaire prior to any in water activities. Certain pre-existing medical conditions might require medical clearance by a physician . Please keep in mind that your honesty is required and particularly important for your and your buddy’s safety, but also for the responsibility of our staff. Should you have any doubts concerning your medical situation or need advice, please contact us. Safety is our highest priority.

Students participating in professional courses such as the PADI Divemaster or Instructor course must always prove a medical diving certificate before the course.

Do I need a diving insurance?

The Spanish law requires every certified diver to have a personal diving insurance. Please bring proof of your diving insurance prior to diving or contact us to sign up for a policy of our daily or long-term plans.

If you dive regularly, it might be useful to have your own annual insurance. If you already have insurance and would like to participate in technical dives or courses, better check whether technical diving is covered.

In addition to a diving insurance, we also strongly recommend a general travel insurance from your local provider to cover non-diving accidents or illnesses abroad.

How long do I have to wait after diving till I can fly home?

After one recreational dive you should wait at least 12 hours, after 2 dives 18 hours. Keep in mind, that in case you join us for technical diving, you might break recreational limits and/ or stay longer or deeper underwater. We recommend you to plan 18 to 24 hours from the moment you surface from your last dive till your flight departure.

I have not been diving since a while, is that a problem?

In case you have not been diving since a while (>6-12 months), especially when less than 30-50 dives, we highly recommend you do a refresher dive to review the basics. Profit of detailed instructions, equipment set up, skill practice and buoyancy training, to find an easy dive to get back into the ocean. Not only is it important for your own safety to feel comfortable and in control, but also would it not be fair towards other divers in the group if you would join dives, you might not be ready for yet.
If you would like to go through the basic diving theory before getting back into the water, we can register you for the optional PADI eLearning ReActivate (extra costs apply) and you will be re-certified upon completion. Especially if your course was some time back, we strongly recommend to also refresh the theoretical knowledge.

Can I fly directly after diving?

According to DAN, you should not fly (or go to altitude higher than 300m) for at least 12 hours after one dive and 18 hours after 2 or more no-deco dives. As we usually start diving early and are out of the water by midday, it is likely you will be able to dive the day prior to your flight departure. In case of technical decompression dives a surface interval of +24 hours is recommended before flying. However, there is no restrictions in diving after flying, you can dive any time after your arrival.

Click here to read about DAN´s latest research.

Why do I have to present a medical statement and was never asked that when diving in the past?

The dive organisation as well as the Spanish law requires any diver to fill in a medical questionnaire prior to any in water activities. Certain pre-existing medical conditions might require medical clearance by a physician . Please keep in mind that your honesty is required and particularly important for your and your buddy’s safety, but also for the responsibility of our staff. Should you have any doubts concerning your medical situation or need advice, please contact us. Safety is our highest priority.

Students participating in professional courses such as the PADI Divemaster or Instructor course must always prove a medical diving certificate before the course.

Where do we meet?

We can either meet at the dive center and drive together to the dive site or you can come directly to the dive site. Generally, we prepare all paperwork, tanks and equipment the day prior to your activity (we bring spare sizes!) and therefore, it is not necessary to come to the dive center prior to your activity. Especially if you are in walking distance or have a rental car, it might be more practical to meet us directly at the dive site. Often, it is easier to find parking than at the dive center, and it gives you more flexibility in time.

Nonetheless, throughout the booking process we ask for your accommodation and if you have a rental car. We then send you individual information regarding the starting time, meeting location, parking and how to get there. Therefore, it is very important to check your inbox for the confirmation email.

Do you offer a pick-up service?

As mentioned previously, we do either meet at the dive center and drive together to the dive site or you can come directly to the dive site. As most of our customers stay nearby and we have plenty of amazing dive sites within walking distance from the dive center, we do not have a regular pick-up schedule. We kindly ask your for your understanding, that especially as a small team, offering individual pick-ups can be time and cost-intensive. It requires us to arrange extra staff, an additional vehicle and to adjust our working schedule and logistics. If you do require an individual pick-up, please consult with us prior to booking to check availability (extra charges might apply depending on the distance).

Within the touristic resorts it is easy to get around by public bus. Especially for short distances we recommend calling a taxi.

Where should I stay during my holidays?

As a dive center we do not actively offer accommodation but can recommend places to stay. However, recommending accommodation can be tricky since it depends on individual preferences , budget and expectations. We recommend you to book accommodation within Puerto del Carmen. It is very practical to stay close to Playa Chica (main dive site), since you could just walk over there in the morning and would not even have to come to the dive center.

Puerto del Carmen offers long beaches, plenty of bars & restaurants, and great opportunities for walks and shopping. Near by the dive center there are many different accommodations ranging from small studios & apartments, to villas and fancy hotels. Lanzarote is a busy island and even in low season you should book your accommodation as early as possible.

Independently of where you are staying, we recommend renting a car to explore the island outside the touristic hotspots.

Can I bring my partner or family with me?

Considering a transfer is not needed, your beloved ones can stay close by at the dive site or port, enjoy the beach or go take a seat in one of the bars. We also offer different activities, including snorkel excursions and try dives for beginners that might be suitable.

We kindly ask you for your understanding that cars and boats have limited seating and we need to plan our logistics accordingly. Please consult us prior to booking for available spots and extra costs (e.g., boat and port fees).

Why do I need to pay in advance?

We understand you may have doubts about paying without having met us yet. As a small dive center, requiring full payment at the time of booking helps us guarantee staffing, block your spots, reserve necessary resources, and plan your experience effectively. This approach ensures we provide you with the best possible service.

Booking and paying online in advance is standard for many activities and experiences, just like purchasing flights or concert tickets. Rest assured, our cancellation and refund policy is designed to offer flexibility in case your plans change, allowing you to adjust or cancel your booking under the terms outlined.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help!

Do I have to book my dives in advance, or can I just pop in?

At Scuba Legends we are a small team, and our focus is on small groups, individual service, quality & safety. To better plan the groups and choose dive sites according to experience level, we work mostly with pre-bookings rather than last minute walk-ins. Please keep in mind that we receive bookings from multiple platforms and availability can change any time. Therefore, we recommend you book your dates as soon as possible.

The quickest way to book is online through our website. However, if you have questions beforehand, you can also call us or contact us via email or Whatsapp.