Submarine Safaris Lanzarote

See Lanzarote from below the waves. Submarine Safaris Lanzarote gives you a rare chance to descend to about 30 metres in a real submarine, watching fish, shipwrecks, and the ocean floor through large portholes. The trip leaves from Puerto Calero, a smart marina on the island’s south coast.

I especially like the included resort transfers and the clear audio commentary, which explain what you are seeing without requiring a live talk over engine noise. The submarine is also roomier than you might expect, with two people sharing each large porthole and space to move around. The main drawback is the short running time. Although the booking is listed as about an hour, some rides last closer to 40 minutes, and the amount of marine life depends on water clarity and luck.

Key points to know before booking

• You descend to roughly 30 metres: This is a genuine submarine ride, not a glass-bottom boat.
• Fish and wrecks are the main sights: Shoals of fish, rays, and several wrecks may appear along the route.
• Puerto Calero is the departure point: Free daily buses run from Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, and Playa Blanca.
• The submarine holds up to 44 people: Seating is arranged so everyone has a useful view through a porthole.
• The ride suits families: Children enjoy the fish checklist, depth display, and unusual setting.
• It costs $83.68 per person: That is fair for such a rare attraction, but adults seeking a long marine-life tour may find it brief.

What happens at Puerto Calero

Your visit begins at Submarine Safaris Lanzarote in Puerto Calero. If you arrive by car, parking in the area is free. The marina itself provides a pleasant setting before and after the ride, with shops and places to look around while you wait.

The operator runs a daily bus from Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, and Playa Blanca. After booking, you receive the pickup time and meeting point by message or email. This is useful because Puerto Calero is not equally convenient from every resort, and arranging a taxi can add a noticeable cost.

The transfer service has generally been well coordinated, particularly from Playa Blanca and the resort areas. I would still keep your pickup message handy and arrive with time to spare. If you are coming from a cruise ship, check the transport carefully. A taxi from the port area has been reported at about 30 euros each way, which can reduce the value compared with a package that includes transport.

At the marina, staff explain the procedure before you board. You receive headphones for the audio guide, and the experience includes a personalised dive certificate. Since the boat has a maximum capacity of 44 people, the group is not tiny, but it is limited enough to keep boarding fairly orderly.

Boarding a real submarine

Getting aboard involves going down a small ladder. That is the one physical point worth taking seriously. The activity is not suitable for people with limited walking difficulties, and children under two cannot go to the submarine.

Once inside, the vessel is roomier than its name might suggest. The cabin has large viewing windows, with two people positioned at each porthole. That arrangement helps prevent the classic glass-bottom-boat problem where one person gets the good view and everyone else looks over shoulders.

You can also walk around when the submarine rests on the seabed. A small display shows the depth, and there is a deck view that helps you understand the boat’s position. The setup feels more like a compact passenger cabin than a cramped sightseeing capsule, which is good news if you dislike tight spaces.

The ride has been described as comfortable even by people who expected to feel claustrophobic. There is enough room to move, and the calm work of the captain helps the trip feel controlled. You are not left guessing what is happening, either. The headphones carry commentary in English, along with other languages, explaining the submarine and the sights outside.

Descending to about 30 metres

The central moment comes as the submarine lowers toward the seabed. The maximum depth is advertised at up to 30 metres, giving you a genuine underwater view rather than a quick look beneath the surface.

The descent itself is part of the fun. You can watch the depth reading change while the water outside shifts from open blue to the darker seabed below. The exact view will depend on weather, visibility, and the condition of the water on the day. Clear conditions make a major difference.

Once the submarine settles near the bottom, the pace becomes unhurried. Fish may gather around the boat, and several people have described shoals following the submarine for a while. Rays are also possible. You should keep your expectations sensible, though. This is not an aquarium with guaranteed species appearing on schedule.

The audio guide adds value here. Instead of simply staring through the glass, you get an explanation of what you are seeing and how the submarine works. The commentary is especially helpful for children, who may otherwise lose interest once the first excitement fades.

Fish, rays, and shipwrecks

The wrecks are among the strongest reasons to book. The route can include several sunken vessels, and seeing them from a submarine gives the scene a quiet, slightly mysterious quality. Some rides have included three wrecks, while others have featured ship ruins and fish moving around them.

The wrecks are not presented as a long archaeological tour, so you should not expect an extended history lesson. Their value is visual. You see the shapes of old ships on the seabed, then watch marine life pass around them. For children, this turns a short boat ride into a small underwater expedition.

The marine life can be excellent, especially when shoals gather near the windows. You might see different fish species and rays, but the variety is not guaranteed. Some passengers have found the selection less varied than expected. That is the fair warning: conditions and chance control the wildlife more than the operator does.

A fish checklist for children adds a simple game to the ride. It gives younger passengers something specific to look for and can keep a nine-year-old or a twelve-year-old focused throughout the trip. Adults may appreciate the scenery more than the checklist, but it is a useful touch for families.

How long is the submarine ride?

The full visit is described as approximately one hour, though the actual submarine ride may be closer to 40 minutes on some departures. That difference matters if you are planning transport, a meal, or a cruise-ship return.

The short length is both a strength and a weakness. You get a distinctive experience without giving up half a day, and the activity fits neatly into a resort holiday. On the other hand, adults hoping for a lengthy exploration of the seabed may feel the ride ends just as they settle into it.

The ride finishes back at the Puerto Calero meeting point. Some departures allow free time at the marina afterward, giving you a chance to visit the nearby market and shops before the return coach. Do not assume you will always have a long break, though. One poorly organised return left people short of time, so confirm the schedule for your departure and listen carefully when staff explain the coach arrangements.

Is $83.68 good value?

At $83.68 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing ride. It is, however, a fairly unusual attraction. Few holiday activities let you sit inside a working submarine and descend to the seabed without any special training.

The price looks better when your transfer is included. Getting to Puerto Calero from Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, or Playa Blanca can otherwise require extra planning and taxi costs. The personalised certificate, headphones, guide commentary, and free time at the marina also make the outing feel more complete.

The value is strongest for families and first-time visitors who want a memorable activity that does not require swimming or snorkelling. Children can see fish and wrecks without getting into the water, and adults can enjoy the novelty of the vessel itself.

For an adult mainly interested in marine biology, the value is less certain. The ride is brief, the fish are not guaranteed, and the range of species may be modest. If you want a longer, more detailed wildlife outing, this may not satisfy you. If you want to say you have travelled beneath the sea in a real submarine, the price is easier to justify.

Who will enjoy this most?

Families are the clearest match. Children tend to enjoy the unusual setting, the fish checklist, the depth display, and the wrecks. The boat feels safe and spacious, and the calm crew helps younger passengers settle quickly.

It also suits couples and adults who enjoy unusual transport or want a break from beaches and resort pools. The view is different from a normal boat trip, and the submarine itself is a large part of the attraction.

People who dislike small spaces may still manage well because the cabin has room to move. The operator says most people can participate, but the small ladder remains a real consideration. Anyone with limited walking ability should check carefully before booking.

This is less suitable if you want a full-day outing, a gourmet meal, or guaranteed close views of rare sea life. Food and drinks are not included, and the activity is focused tightly on the submarine ride.

Planning your visit from Lanzarote resorts

The free bus is one of the most useful parts of the outing. It runs daily from Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, and Playa Blanca directly to Puerto Calero. Your exact pickup time and location arrive after booking, so check your email or message rather than assuming the bus leaves from your hotel entrance.

The activity is often booked well ahead, with bookings commonly made about 24 days before the visit. That suggests you should reserve early if your holiday dates are fixed, especially if you need a particular pickup day.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. The meeting point is Submarine Safaris Lanzarote, Carr. Puerto Calero, n, 35571 Puerto Calero, Las Palmas. The tour returns to that same point.

Wear something comfortable for the transfer and the short walk around the marina. Food and drinks are not included, so plan around the timing if you need a snack. Public transport is nearby, but the organised bus is likely the simpler choice from the main resort areas.

The activity requires suitable weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you can take another date or receive a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted.

My verdict on Submarine Safaris Lanzarote

I would book this if I wanted one memorable, family-friendly activity in Lanzarote that feels genuinely different from a standard boat ride. The best parts are the real submarine, the chance to reach about 30 metres, the shipwrecks, and the well-planned resort transfers.

I would not book it expecting a long marine-life study or a guaranteed parade of unusual creatures. The ride can be short, and some days will show more fish than others. Still, the combination of wrecks, shoals, clear commentary, and a spacious cabin makes it a strong choice for first-time visitors.

The simple decision is this: book it for the unusual submarine experience, especially with children. Skip it if your priority is a long wildlife tour or if the price feels high for roughly an hour.

FAQ

Where does Submarine Safaris Lanzarote depart from?

It departs from Submarine Safaris Lanzarote at Carr. Puerto Calero, n, 35571 Puerto Calero, Las Palmas, Spain.

Is transport included?

A free daily bus service runs from Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, and Playa Blanca to Puerto Calero. The operator sends the pickup time and meeting point by message or email after booking.

How deep does the submarine go?

The submarine can descend to about 30 metres.

How long does the activity last?

The listed duration is approximately one hour. Some accounts describe the submarine ride itself as lasting around 40 minutes.

What might I see underwater?

You may see different fish species, shoals of fish, rays, shipwrecks, and views of the seabed. The exact marine life depends on conditions.

Can young children take part?

Children under two years old cannot go to the submarine. The activity is popular with older children, and a fish checklist is provided on some departures.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund if the experience is cancelled because of poor weather.