Snorkeling in Playa Chica is shockingly easy to start. This experience combines a clear, hands-on snorkel briefing with the kind of calm, crystal-clear bay you’ll enjoy even if it’s your first time. I love how the guide gets you set up quickly with the right equipment and then keeps you moving at a pace that feels manageable.

The main thing to consider is that it runs only when conditions are right. It requires good weather, so if the sea isn’t cooperating, you may be offered another date or a full refund.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• Playa Chica bay: A top local spot for snorkel sessions, especially for first-timers
• Small group size (max 10): More attention when you’re learning mask, snorkel, and fin control
• Guided practice first: You’ll rehearse breathing with the snorkel and learn how to clear it
• Real fish targets: Bream, ornate wrasse, damsel fish, and parrot fish are on the watch list
• Gear included: Wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins are all provided
• Photos and videos: If you want a souvenir, you’ll likely get visual extras to share later

Playa Chica is the reason this works for beginners

Puerto del Carmen has a lot going on, but the snorkeling focus here is one specific place: Playa Chica in Lanzarote. That matters, because a good snorkel experience isn’t only about fish. It’s also about feeling comfortable in the water fast, without that first-day panic.

The tour is built around a “learn, then enjoy” flow. You don’t just get handed gear and pointed toward open water. Instead, you start in the bay, where the guide can help you get sorted—fins on, mask seated, snorkel positioned. Once everyone feels okay, you move into the actual tour segment and explore the life in the area.

If you’re new to snorkeling, this is the big win: you’re not guessing how to breathe or how to handle your mask. You’ll get instruction before you start looking for fish. And if you’re more confident already, you’ll still appreciate the structure. It keeps the group together and cuts down the time wasted on fixing gear mistakes.

The $40 price: what you’re really paying for

The cost is $40.12 per person, and it runs about 1 hour 30 minutes total. The snorkel time is about 30–45 minutes, with the rest dedicated to briefing, equipment fitting, and getting everyone ready.

On paper, that might sound like a short chunk of water time. In practice, it’s a sensible setup for first-timers. You’re paying for coaching, not just rental gear. The value comes from:

• A guide who stays close enough to help in real time
• Time spent practicing breathing with the snorkel
• A controlled route around the bay rather than a free-for-all

Also, the group stays small (maximum 10 travelers). That size alone changes the feel of the experience. You’re more likely to be watched, corrected, and encouraged instead of left to figure it out on your own.

What happens at the meeting point (and why it matters)

You meet at Manta Diving Lanzarote, C. Tenerife, 2, 35510 Puerto del Carmen, and the activity ends back at the same spot. That simple “start and finish here” rhythm is helpful when you’re traveling with a tight schedule. It also reduces stress: you don’t need a separate plan for getting back to your hotel or dinner.

The tour is near public transportation, which is handy if you’re not renting a car. And since it’s a guided experience with equipment included, you’ll want to arrive with the mindset that you’ll be using their kit, following their timing, and leaning on their instructions.

Briefing, gear fitting, and the practice that saves you

Right away, the instructor runs a briefing. This isn’t just rules and safety talk. You’ll get practical info on:

• How snorkel breathing works
• How to clear your mask and snorkel if something goes off
• How to move comfortably with fins

Then comes the hands-on part: the guide helps you put on the fins, mask, and snorkel. Getting that right early matters more than people expect. A mask that sits even slightly wrong can make you waste energy and lose focus once you’re in the water.

In shallow water, you’ll practice breathing with the snorkel. This is one of the reasons the experience is so beginner-friendly. You’re not silently struggling. You’re learning a basic skill with the guide watching, so you can fix issues right away.

The snorkel route around Playa Chica

Once everyone is comfortable, the guide takes you out on the main snorkeling tour for about 30–45 minutes. The focus is on marine life in the Playa Chica area, which is known for being busy with fish.

You’ll move as a group, guided along the bay. One description of the session notes a route around the rocks along the coast, which lines up with the idea that you’re kept in a manageable, visually interesting area—not roaming too far.

You can think of this as a guided “fish safari from the surface.” You’ll be floating, scanning, and getting help when you need it. If you’re sensitive to water time, this is also a good length. It’s long enough to feel like you actually did something, but not so long that it becomes tiring.

What you can see: the fish checklist

This experience gives you a set of fish to watch for, and that’s a smart approach. It turns snorkeling from vague “I saw something” into real noticing.

Keep an eye out for shoals and individual fish such as:

• Bream in shoals
• Ornate wrasse (colorful and easy to spot once you’re looking)
• Canarian and Atlantic damsel fish
• Parrot fish

You might not see every single species every time. But having a clear checklist helps you stay engaged. You’re less likely to get discouraged if the first minute is quiet. Instead, you know what the guide expects you to look for, and you’ll get prompts while you’re there.

The water is described as crystal clear, which helps your chances of spotting fish and makes it easier to spot colors and movement at the surface level.

Wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins: comfort tips that actually matter

The tour includes a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins. That removes a big planning hassle. You don’t have to hunt down rentals, pick the wrong size, or try to figure out which fins fit your feet.

Comfort is the difference between enjoying the ocean and counting minutes. Here’s what to pay attention to:

• Make sure the mask sits comfortably before you start moving. If it leaks, it’s going to get annoying fast.
• Use the fin time to find your rhythm. Too much kicking can tire you out before you even reach the better viewing areas.
• Practice clearing your snorkel and mask during the shallow section. That’s where the skill clicks, and it transfers to the main tour.

If you’ve never snorkeled before, you’ll likely feel more confident after the first practice moments. That’s part of the design: build the skill, then reward it with fish viewing.

Guides who actually coach you: Sam and Víctor

One of the biggest strengths of this experience is the quality of the instruction. Two guide names show up in feedback: Sam and Víctor. The theme is consistent—guides are attentive, explain things clearly, and keep you comfortable the whole time.

That kind of coaching is more than nice. It changes the outcome.

When a guide checks on you, you spend less time worrying about your gear and more time looking around. When the guide explains what you’re likely to see, you spot more. And when the guide stays with the group, you don’t fall behind or feel lost.

If you want a snorkel session where someone treats you like they’re teaching you a skill (not just babysitting you), this is the right style.

Photos and videos: a souvenir that doesn’t require your own camera skills

Snorkeling is one of those activities where filming can be awkward. The buoyancy, the mask, the saltwater—everything conspires against smooth footage.

One of the nice extras mentioned is that the team takes photos and videos and then sends them to you. That’s a smart add-on. It means you get memories without needing to master an underwater setup on the spot.

How to decide if this is the right fit for you

This snorkel experience is best for:

• First-time snorkelers who want a calm introduction
• People who prefer small groups and lots of attention
• Anyone who likes learning simple skills—mask, snorkel clearing, and fin movement
• Families and casual travelers who want a fun, guided nature moment without a long commitment

You might want to rethink it if:

• You’re expecting a long, deep-water expedition. This is a short, guided bay snorkel focused on what you can see comfortably from the surface.
• You’re traveling on days with uncertain weather, because the tour requires good conditions. If the sea is too rough, the plan can change.

If you’re okay with that, you’ll probably enjoy it more than you expect—especially the way they teach you the basics first.

Quick practical expectations (so you’re not surprised)

Here’s the vibe you should plan for:

• You start with briefing and gear fitting at the meeting point area
• You spend time practicing in shallow water before the main tour
• Then you snorkel for 30–45 minutes with the guide showing marine life
• The total time is about 1.5 hours, and you return to the start point

That pacing keeps it beginner-friendly. It also makes it easy to fit into a day in Puerto del Carmen.

Should you book? My honest take

If you’re new to snorkeling and you want a confident first experience in Lanzarote, I think this one is a strong pick. The key reason is the structure: you learn mask and snorkel basics right away, you get help fitting the gear, and you’re guided while you look for a specific fish list in a bay setting.

If you’re the kind of person who gets annoyed when instruction is rushed or vague, this tour’s style should work well—especially if you like knowing what you’re looking at. And if you want photos without playing cameraman, that’s a helpful bonus.

Just remember the weather requirement. If your schedule is flexible, even better—because good sea conditions are part of the deal.

FAQ

Where does the snorkeling tour start in Puerto del Carmen?

The tour starts at Manta Diving Lanzarote, C. Tenerife, 2, 35510 Puerto del Carmen, Las Palmas, Spain. It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the experience, and how long will I snorkel?

The total duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes. The guided snorkeling time is typically around 30–45 minutes.

What snorkeling equipment is included?

You get a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and fins. The guide also helps you put the equipment on.

Do I need previous snorkeling experience?

No. The experience is designed for beginners and includes an instruction briefing plus practice in shallow water.

What marine life can I expect to see?

You’ll look out for shoals of bream, colorful ornate wrasse, canarian and atlantic damsel fish, and parrot fish.

How many people are in the group?

The group has a maximum size of 10 travelers.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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