Submarine Safaris Lanzarote

The unusual part is simple: you do not view Lanzarote’s sea life from a glass-bottom boat. You sit inside a real submarine, descend as far as 30 meters, and watch the seabed through large portholes. Fish drift past, shipwrecks appear below, and the vessel may rest on the ocean floor for a while.

I like the smooth transfer service from the main resort areas, and I like the way the seating gives two people access to each porthole, so there is no bad side of the boat. The main drawback is the short running time. Adults looking for a long marine safari may find roughly 40 minutes beneath the water a little brief, even though the full visit takes about an hour.

Key points to know

• Real submarine experience: You descend to as much as 30 meters below the surface in a purpose-built passenger submarine.
• Shipwrecks and sea life: Look for shoals of fish, rays, wrecks, and views of the seabed.
• Clear commentary: Headphones and an audio guide explain the submarine, marine life, and sights outside.
• Easy resort transfers: Daily buses connect with Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, and Playa Blanca.
• Family-friendly format: Children enjoy the fish checklist, certificate, and unusual setting, though children under two cannot board.
• Plan for a small ladder: You need to walk down a short ladder to enter the submarine, so limited mobility can be a concern.

Why Puerto Calero makes a good launch point

Submarine Safaris operates from Calero Marinas in Puerto Calero, on Lanzarote’s southern coast. The marina gives you a straightforward meeting point, with free parking in the area if you are driving.

For many people, the easiest option is the daily bus service from Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, or Playa Blanca. You receive the pickup point and time by message or email after booking. I would keep that information handy on the day, since the transfer is tied to your sailing time rather than a general open-ended shuttle schedule.

The trip begins and ends at Submarine Safaris Lanzarote on Carr. Puerto Calero. The activity itself lasts about an hour, but allow extra time for the bus ride, boarding, and the free time in Puerto Calero that may be included around the submarine visit.

Puerto Calero is a tidy marina area with shops and places to look around. This gives you a pleasant add-on before or after the underwater trip, though the amount of free time can vary. If your return coach is scheduled soon after the submarine comes back, do not assume you will have a long shopping stop.

Boarding a 44-seat submarine

The submarine is larger than many first-time visitors expect. It holds a maximum of 44 people, and the layout is designed so that each pair of passengers shares a large viewing window. That matters because you are not fighting for one tiny glass panel or trying to lean across strangers to see the fish.

You enter through the top and go down a small ladder. The climb is short, but it is still a ladder, not a level walk-in entrance. If you have limited walking ability, ask about this before booking. Children under two years old are not permitted to go to the submarine.

Inside, the cabin has enough room to move around. One useful detail is that you are not expected to stay frozen in your seat for the entire trip. When the submarine pauses on the seabed, you can move around and look through another window if needed.

People concerned about enclosed spaces may find the cabin less restrictive than expected. The room is described as spacious, and passengers can move about, but you should still make your own decision if you have serious claustrophobia. The submarine has windows, lighting, crew members, and a clear sense of what is happening outside.

Descending to 30 meters below Lanzarote

Once the submarine leaves the marina, the main event is the descent. The vessel can reach up to 30 meters below the surface, taking you into a part of Lanzarote that is normally visible only to divers and marine researchers.

The depth display helps you follow the journey. You can watch the numbers change as the submarine moves down, then compare the reading with the seabed outside. A deck view display adds another point of reference, showing what is happening above the vessel while you look out toward the sea floor.

The trip is not a fast ride through a huge underwater area. It is a carefully paced sightseeing circuit. The submarine may rest on the bottom for a time, giving you a steady view instead of a blur of passing water. That pause is useful for families, since children can settle in and focus on finding fish.

Water clarity and weather affect what you see. On a calm day with clear water, the porthole views can be excellent. On a poorer-weather day, visibility may be less impressive, which is why the operator can cancel for safety or viewing conditions and offer another date or a full refund.

Fish, rays, wrecks, and the seabed

The sea life is the heart of the trip. You might see large shoals of fish moving together, individual fish near the submarine, rays, and other local marine life. The exact sightings cannot be guaranteed, so you should approach this as a chance to observe the coast rather than a fixed wildlife show.

The shipwrecks add a strong sense of occasion. Several wrecks may be visible along the route, and they give the audio commentary something concrete to explain. Looking at a rusting vessel below you is different from seeing an ordinary reef, especially for children who may be waiting for a dramatic moment.

One unusual feature mentioned during the trip is a below-sea wine cellar. It is the sort of detail that can make this more than a basic fish-viewing excursion, though the main sights remain the sea life, wrecks, and seabed.

The best way to enjoy the view is to share the work. One person can watch the fish checklist while another listens for the explanation of the wrecks or the submarine’s equipment. Children aged nine and twelve have particularly good reason to enjoy the checklist, which turns the ride into a small treasure hunt rather than a passive hour at a window.

Headphones make the commentary useful

You receive headphones and an audio guide, with commentary available in multiple languages. The English narration explains what you are seeing and gives basic information about how the submarine works.

This is important because the view outside can be hard to interpret. A dark shape may be a rock, a wreck, or a group of fish at a distance. The commentary gives the scene some order and helps you notice details you might otherwise miss.

The headsets also allow you to listen without relying on a guide speaking to the whole cabin. That keeps the experience calm and makes it easier to follow the information from your own seat. Staff and captains are described as friendly and helpful, and the operation is generally well coordinated.

You should not expect a long naturalist lecture or a specialist marine biology course. The information is aimed at holidaymakers and families. That is a strength if you want an accessible introduction, but an adult with a serious interest in marine science may want more depth.

How long the experience really feels

The published duration is about one hour, while the actual time beneath the water can feel closer to 40 minutes depending on the sailing and operating schedule. That distinction matters when you are comparing this with a half-day boat trip.

I think the length works well for families. Young children get a memorable ride without having to sit through a long excursion, and you still have time to visit the marina or continue with your day. For adults, the shorter format is both a benefit and a limitation. It is easy to fit into a holiday schedule, but you may wish it lasted longer once the fish and wrecks begin to appear.

A return transfer can be delayed occasionally, so avoid booking a tightly timed restaurant reservation or another paid activity immediately afterward. If you are connecting to a cruise ship schedule, plan carefully. A taxi from the port area may cost about 30 euros each way, and the price difference between a cruise package with transport and arranging this visit independently may not be worthwhile.

Is the $83.68 price fair?

At $83.68 per person, this is not a cheap family ride. You are paying for a rare type of transport, a crewed submarine operation, the audio guide, headphones, a certificate, and, where applicable, the resort transfer.

The value depends on what you want. If you simply want to see fish, a beach, snorkel trip, or glass-bottom boat may cost less. If you want to say you have traveled inside a submarine, the price becomes easier to justify because this is not an ordinary sightseeing cruise.

The free daily bus adds real value if you are staying in Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, or Playa Blanca. A taxi can quickly change the total cost, especially for a family. Driving is another practical choice, since parking near the marina is free.

The personalised dive certificate is a small souvenir rather than a major financial benefit, but children often enjoy having a formal record of the experience. Add the fish checklist, shipwrecks, and time at the marina, and the outing works best as a distinctive family activity rather than a bargain attraction.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend the submarine to families with school-age children, first-time visitors to Lanzarote, and anyone who has always wanted to ride in a submarine. It is also a good choice if you want a marine experience without swimming, snorkeling, or wearing special equipment.

Children get several things to focus on: the descent, the depth display, the fish, the wrecks, and the certificate. The submarine feels safe and organized, and the ability to move around helps keep the hour from becoming dull.

Adults who enjoy unusual transport and coastal scenery should have a good time. The experience is atmospheric when the vessel settles on the seabed and shoals of fish move past the windows.

You may be less impressed if you expect rare animals, a long route, or a highly technical underwater expedition. Wildlife sightings vary, and one trip may show several wrecks and plenty of fish while another offers fewer types of marine life. It is best viewed as a memorable sightseeing ride with an ocean theme, not as a substitute for scuba certification or a serious wildlife survey.

Practical details that can affect your day

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Check the message or email carefully for your pickup point and time if you use the Submarine Bus.

The tour operates in English, and the audio guide provides the main commentary. Headphones are included. Food and drinks are not included, so plan to eat before or after the visit in Puerto Calero or elsewhere.

Most people can take part, but remember the short ladder at the submarine entrance. This is the one physical detail most likely to affect your decision. The maximum group size is 44 people, which keeps the cabin manageable while still making this a shared excursion rather than a private trip.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour period are not accepted for a refund. Since the trip depends on good weather, the operator may offer another date or a full refund if conditions force a cancellation.

My verdict on the Puerto Calero submarine

I would book this if you want a memorable, low-effort way to see beneath Lanzarote’s coastal waters. The strongest parts are the real submarine, the clear porthole layout, the wrecks, and the easy resort transfers.

Keep your expectations in proportion. The ride is short, marine life is never guaranteed, and the price is high for an hour-long activity. Still, few holiday excursions let you sit at 30 meters below the sea, watch fish pass the window, and receive a personalised certificate at the end.

For families, first-time submarine passengers, and anyone seeking a story to take home, this is a sound choice. If you are visiting from a cruise ship, compare the transport costs and timing before booking independently. Otherwise, the Puerto Calero trip earns its place on a Lanzarote itinerary.

FAQ

Where does Submarine Safaris Lanzarote depart from?

The meeting point is Submarine Safaris Lanzarote at Carr. Puerto Calero, Puerto Calero, Las Palmas, Spain. The activity also ends back at this meeting point.

How long does the submarine experience last?

The listed duration is about one hour. The time beneath the water can be around 40 minutes, depending on the operating schedule.

How deep does the submarine go?

The submarine can travel to a depth of up to 30 meters.

Are transfers included from the resort areas?

A daily bus service is available from Costa Teguise, Puerto del Carmen, and Playa Blanca to Puerto Calero. The pickup point and time are sent by message or email after booking.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes. English is offered, and headphones with an audio guide are included.

What can I see from the submarine?

You may see different fish species, shoals of fish, rays, shipwrecks, and views of the seabed. Sightings depend on conditions.

Can children take part?

Children can take part, but children under two years old cannot go to the submarine.

Is the submarine suitable for people with limited mobility?

The submarine is not suitable for people with limited walking difficulties because you must go down a small ladder to enter it.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.