Submarine Safaris Lanzarote

Lanzarote’s Submarine Safaris gives you a rare chance to sit inside a real submarine and descend to about 30 metres below the Atlantic. Large portholes, a depth display, and commentary through headphones make the trip easy to follow, while fish, rays, shipwrecks, and a below-sea wine cellar give you plenty to look for.

I like the reliable resort transfer and the fact that the submarine holds no more than 44 people, so every pair of seats has a good view. I also like the family-friendly touches, including a fish checklist for children and a personalised certificate at the end. The main drawback is the short underwater session, which some adults may find less exciting than children do.

Key points about the Puerto Calero submarine trip

• Descend to around 30 metres: You travel below the surface in a purpose-built submarine rather than simply looking through a glass-bottom boat.
• Every seat has a useful view: Two people share each large porthole, and you can move around when the submarine rests on the seabed.
• Look for fish and wrecks: Shoals of fish, rays, several shipwrecks, and a below-sea wine cellar may feature during the trip.
• Transfers cover three main resorts: Daily buses run from Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, and Playa Blanca to Puerto Calero.
• The audio guide adds context: Headphones explain the submarine, marine life, and sights outside the windows.
• Allow extra time carefully: Free time in Puerto Calero is included, but one booking experience involved a rushed return and passengers being left behind, so listen closely to departure instructions.

What the submarine experience is really like

The appeal is simple: you are not watching the ocean from above. You are seated below it, looking outward through large windows as the seabed comes into view.

The submarine travels off Puerto Calero and reaches a depth of up to 30 metres. A small display shows the current depth, while the view outside changes from open water to the seafloor. Depending on conditions and the route, you might see shoals of fish, rays, and the remains of several wrecks.

This is a quiet, contained experience rather than a fast thrill ride. The submarine rests on the seabed for a period, giving you time to study the marine life and move around the cabin. That pause matters. You are not forced to catch every sight in a few seconds through one window.

The cabin is larger than some people expect, with enough room to move between viewing areas. Two people sit at each large porthole, and the layout means there is no obvious bad seat. If you are travelling with children, you can make a game of spotting fish from the checklist provided.

The trip lasts about an hour in total, although the actual time underwater can feel closer to 40 minutes depending on the sailing and schedule. That is enough for a memorable first submarine ride, but not enough for a full marine-life expedition. If you already spend a lot of time snorkelling or scuba diving, you may find the wildlife viewing fairly modest.

Puerto Calero is an easy starting point

The meeting point is Submarine Safaris Lanzarote at Puerto Calero, south of Puerto del Carmen. The marina provides a comfortable setting before and after the trip, with free parking in the area and nearby shops and places to walk.

For most people staying in the main resort areas, the daily bus is the easiest option. Transfers are offered from Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, and Playa Blanca. After booking, the operator sends your pickup point and time by message or email. Check those details carefully rather than relying on a general resort timetable.

The bus service is one of the strongest practical features of this excursion. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi or work out the local bus network, and the transfer is especially useful from Playa Blanca or Costa Teguise. The ride also removes the stress of finding parking before a timed departure.

Cruise passengers need to calculate the cost differently. The submarine is based at Puerto Calero, not directly at the cruise port, so a taxi may cost about 30 euros each way. One cruise passenger found that paying for transport through a cruise booking offered better value than arranging the submarine independently. If you are arriving from a ship, compare the total cost and return timing before booking.

The descent to 30 metres

Once you reach the submarine, staff explain how to board. You need to walk down a small ladder to enter, so this is not a suitable activity if you have limited walking ability or trouble using steps.

Children under two cannot go on the submarine. Most other people can take part, and the roomy cabin helps if you are concerned about enclosed spaces. The atmosphere is controlled and calm, with plenty of room to move. You are not squeezed into a narrow seat for the full trip.

The submarine feels more substantial than many first-time passengers expect. It is not a short glass-bottom boat ride with a few underwater windows. You sit below the surface inside a proper vessel, with the windows positioned for steady viewing.

The audio guide runs through headphones and is available in English. It explains how the submarine works and points out the marine life and wrecks outside. This is useful because the underwater scenes can otherwise be difficult to interpret. A fish may pass quickly, and a wreck can look like an indistinct shape until you understand what you are seeing.

The commentary also gives children something to follow. The fish checklist turns the trip into a small treasure hunt, which can hold their attention better than simply asking them to look through the glass.

Fish, rays, wrecks, and the seabed

The marine life is the main reason to book, but you should set sensible expectations. You might see large groups of fish moving around the submarine, rays, and a range of smaller species. Clear water and good weather improve the view, but this is still a natural environment, not an aquarium with guaranteed sightings.

The wrecks add another layer to the trip. Several shipwrecks can be seen along the route, and their shapes make the seabed more interesting even when marine life is sparse. The atmosphere is especially appealing for children, who tend to enjoy the feeling of finding something hidden below the surface.

A below-sea wine cellar is another unusual sight mentioned as part of the underwater route. It gives the commentary something distinctive to explain and helps separate this trip from a standard boat excursion.

Conditions matter. On a clear day, the water can provide a sharp view through the windows. Poor weather can affect the operation, and the company may cancel for safety reasons, offer another date, or provide a full refund. Even when the submarine runs, water clarity can change how much you see.

The experience is best approached as a chance to observe the ocean floor, not as a guarantee of rare wildlife. You may see plenty of fish and multiple wrecks, or you may find the marine life less varied than expected. That difference is part of the risk with any sea-based activity.

The hour at Puerto Calero

The stated duration is about one hour, and the activity ends back at the meeting point. Free time in Puerto Calero is included, giving you a chance to walk around the marina, browse the nearby market and shops, or find something to eat at your own expense.

This extra time can make the excursion feel less rushed, but do not assume you have a long open-ended break. The available time depends on the day’s operating schedule and your return transfer. One booking had a disappointing lack of time after the trip, and confusion about the return coach left two people behind.

My advice is simple: confirm the exact meeting point and return time before leaving the submarine area. Stay near the agreed pickup location, and do not wander off without checking when the bus departs. The operator generally coordinates transfers well, but a timed excursion rewards careful attention.

Food and drinks are not included. Puerto Calero gives you places to buy them, but you should budget separately if you want a snack or lunch. The submarine itself is the paid part of the outing, not a complete meal-and-sightseeing package.

Is $83.68 a fair price?

At $83.68 per person, this is not the cheapest one-hour attraction in Lanzarote. The price makes more sense when you count the unusual equipment, the organised operation, the audio guide, the certificate, and the return transfer from the main resorts.

A normal boat trip can show you the coast from above. This one takes you below the surface, which is the real value. You are paying for access to something difficult to arrange independently, not simply for transportation around Puerto Calero.

The transfer is particularly helpful from Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise. A separate taxi could quickly reduce the difference between the advertised tour price and the actual cost of arranging everything yourself. From nearby Puerto del Carmen, the value depends more on how much you want the submarine experience itself.

The certificate is a small extra rather than a major reason to book. It works well for children and gives you a physical reminder of the experience, but adults should focus on the underwater journey, not the souvenir.

The strongest value comes for families and first-time submarine passengers. Children get the fish checklist, shipwrecks, and a clear sense of adventure. Adults who enjoy marine life, unusual transport, or bucket-list experiences are likely to find the price reasonable. Adults expecting a long, highly detailed natural-history trip may not.

Families, enclosed spaces, and mobility

This activity suits a wide age range, with one important age limit: children under two cannot board. Families with children around nine to twelve can expect a good balance of novelty and structure, since the checklist and commentary give them things to do.

The submarine is enclosed, but it is not described as cramped. There is enough room to move around, and the large windows help the cabin feel open. If you have mild concerns about confined spaces, the layout may be manageable, though I cannot promise how anyone will react to the setting.

The ladder is the key accessibility issue. You need to go down a small ladder to enter the submarine, so the activity is not suitable for people with limited walking difficulties. Ask the operator before booking if your mobility needs are more specific than the information provided here.

The maximum group size is 44 people. That is large enough to create a shared excursion atmosphere but small enough for the submarine’s viewing layout to work well. Since two people share each large porthole and passengers can move around, you are not dependent on one fixed angle throughout the trip.

Booking, weather, and cancellation rules

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The experience is often booked about 24 days ahead, so reserving early is sensible if you have fixed holiday dates or need a particular transfer time.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses local time, so check the exact deadline rather than counting casually from your hotel.

Weather can affect the schedule. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you are offered another date or a full refund. This is one reason not to place the submarine trip on the final morning of your Lanzarote stay.

The transfer details arrive after booking by message or email. Keep them accessible on the day, especially if you are staying outside the main resort centres or using public transport. One passenger who arrived late after a public transport delay was moved to a later sailing, but that kind of flexibility should not be assumed.

Who should book Submarine Safaris Lanzarote?

Book it if you want an unusual, family-friendly activity that does something a normal boat ride cannot. The submarine, seabed, shipwrecks, fish, and clear audio commentary create a memorable hour, and the included resort transfer makes the day simple for many holidaymakers.

It is especially suitable for families, first-time visitors to Lanzarote, and anyone who has always wanted to ride in a submarine. The experience also works well as a change from beaches, volcanic scenery, and town visits.

Think twice if your main goal is to see a large range of marine species or spend several hours exploring underwater. The trip is short, sightings vary, and some adults may find the wildlife viewing limited. Cruise passengers should also compare the taxi cost with a package that includes port transport.

For most people, I would book it as a distinctive one-hour outing, not as a full-day marine adventure. Choose a day with some flexibility, confirm the bus details, keep an eye on the return time, and treat the certificate as a nice extra. If the idea of watching Lanzarote’s seabed through a submarine window appeals to you, this is a fairly easy way to make it happen.

FAQ

Where does the submarine tour start and finish?

The tour starts and ends at Submarine Safaris Lanzarote, Carr. Puerto Calero, n, 35571 Puerto Calero, Las Palmas, Spain.

Are transfers included from Lanzarote resorts?

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

How deep does the submarine go?

The submarine travels to a depth of up to 30 metres.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is approximately one hour. The underwater portion can feel closer to 40 minutes depending on the sailing and schedule.

Can young children take part?

Children under two years old cannot go on the submarine. Most other people can participate, though you need to use a small ladder to board.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. Free cancellation is also available up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time.