Lloret de Mar: Scuba Diving Experience no License Required

The memorable part of this two-hour session is the change from breathing air above the surface to taking your first steady breaths underwater. In Lloret de Mar, an instructor guides you from a calm, pool-like bay into open water, where you can explore to a maximum depth of 12 meters.

I like two things about the format: you get time to learn the equipment before entering the sea, and the group is capped at 10, which makes individual attention more likely. Instructors Valentin and Sergio have led a family group, and the experience has been described as careful, friendly and responsive when a beginner felt anxious.

The main consideration is that this is an introduction, not a full course or a guaranteed easy swim. You need to be comfortable in the water, and the session is not suitable for people with certain health conditions or those prone to seasickness. Photos and videos are not included, so settle expectations about them before you start.

What to know before you book

• First-time friendly: No previous scuba experience or license is required. The session starts with an explanation of the gear and basic theory.
• A gradual route underwater: Practise in a sheltered, pool-like bay before moving beyond it into open water.
• Maximum depth of 12 meters: The session lets you get close to marine life, though sightings and conditions are not specified.
• Small group, up to 10 people: Your instructor works with you and your group, rather than leading a large crowd.
• Two hours, with equipment included: The $118 price covers the guided activity, entrance fees and necessary scuba gear. Food, drinks and photos or videos cost extra.
• Several instructor languages: Spanish, English, French, Russian and Dutch are listed.

From gear briefing to first breaths

The session begins at Dolphins Diving Center’s office, where you meet your instructor. The activity lasts two hours, but the precise time spent in each part is not specified. Check the available start times when choosing a slot, and arrive ready to listen before you get into the water.

First comes a theory session and an explanation of the equipment. That may sound like the least exciting part, but it is where you learn what each piece does and how to use it. For a first-timer, that makes the next step less of a leap into the unknown. Pay attention, ask questions and take the time you need to feel comfortable before moving on.

You then enter a sheltered bay described as pool-like. Here you practise your first breaths underwater and get familiar with the scuba gear. The calm setting is useful because you can focus on breathing and getting used to the sensation, rather than dealing with open water straight away.

Once you are ready, the instructor takes you a few steps beyond the bay. This is where the experience shifts from practice to exploration, with a maximum depth of 12 meters and the chance to get close to marine life. The session promises views of the Costa Brava coast as well as the world below the surface, but the available details do not specify a route or particular animals. Treat wildlife as a possibility, not a guaranteed attraction.

The progression is a strong feature: learn first, practise in calmer water, then move farther out with guidance. Still, your comfort matters more than completing every stage. One participant described feeling anxious and needing to stop at different points as the pressure changed. The instructors responded quickly and helped the pair return safely to shore. That is useful reassurance, but it is also a reminder to tell your instructor how you are feeling and to stop if you need to.

What the $118 price covers

At $118 per person, this is a relatively compact activity, so value depends on what you want from it. You are paying for a guided first experience, use of all necessary scuba equipment and entrance fees. You do not need to own gear or know how to use it in advance, which makes this a straightforward way to find out whether you enjoy being underwater.

The session is two hours, not a full day out. If you want a complete scuba qualification, this is not that. Think of it as a first taste: enough to learn the basics, try the equipment and spend time in the water with an instructor. For a curious beginner who does not want to commit to a course, that can be a sensible use of your holiday budget.

Food and drinks are not included, and neither are photos or videos. There is also a listed personal trainer fee of 30 GBP, though the information does not explain exactly what that fee covers. Ask the provider to clarify it before booking so you know whether it applies to your session and what it buys.

Be especially clear about photos. A family participant described receiving attractive images and video, while another person reported that promised photos did not arrive. Since media is excluded from the price, confirm whether it is available, what it costs, and how and when it will be delivered. Enjoy the moment first; regard photos as an optional extra, not part of the guaranteed package.

Instructor attention and group size

The small-group cap is 10 participants. That is a practical advantage for beginners, since there are fewer people sharing the instructor’s attention than on a large group outing. It is not a private lesson, though, and the instructor is assigned to you and your group. If you want one-to-one coaching, ask about the separate personal trainer fee before booking.

The most reassuring detail is how the instructors have handled nervous first-timers. In one account, two people with anxiety felt very unsettled and did not progress at the same pace. The instructors noticed the panic underwater, got them out safely and helped them return to land. The pair felt respected rather than pushed, and planned to try again. That points to the right kind of approach for a beginner: calm guidance, clear attention and no pressure to prove anything.

A family session included two adults, one child and two teenagers. Valentin and Sergio were singled out for being professional, kind and upbeat, while keeping safety in focus. Their names are useful if you are asking about staff, but instructors can vary, so do not assume they will lead every session.

The experience is offered in Spanish, English, French, Russian and Dutch. If you are nervous, ask for instruction in the language you understand best when you meet the team. Clear communication is not a small extra when you are learning to breathe underwater.

Who is likely to enjoy this

This suits adults and children old enough to take part who like water and want to try scuba without prior experience. It also makes sense for couples, friends or families looking for a shared activity with a clear beginner structure. The family session suggests that different ages can take part together, though each person’s comfort and eligibility still matter.

There is an age detail worth checking: the activity information says it is available for everyone above 10, while the exclusion list says children under 8 are not suitable. Those statements leave ages 8 to 10 unclear. If a child in your party falls in that range, confirm directly with the provider before paying.

This is not suitable for people with heart problems, high blood pressure, or a tendency toward seasickness. The stated maximum participant weight is 331 pounds, or 150 kilograms. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and you must not feed marine animals.

No previous experience is needed, but liking water is important. If you are uneasy in a pool or uncomfortable with the idea of breathing through equipment, this may not be the best first activity. On the other hand, if you are curious and willing to follow instructions at your own pace, the calm practice bay offers a gentler start than heading straight into open water.

What to bring and how to plan

Bring swimwear and a towel. Scuba equipment is included, so there is no need to bring your own gear. Food and drinks are not provided, but the session is two hours; plan around your day accordingly.

The meeting point is the activity provider’s office at Dolphins Diving Center. No transport to the center is included in the details, so make your own way there and check the address and start time when booking. The activity is wheelchair accessible, a useful feature for planning, though you may want to contact the provider about any specific access needs.

Booking terms offer flexibility: you can reserve a place without paying immediately, and cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity begins qualifies for a full refund. That gives you some room to adjust plans if the weather or your schedule changes, but check the precise terms shown at booking.

Should you book this Lloret de Mar session?

Book it if you want a guided first taste of scuba, value a gradual introduction and are comfortable being in the water. The combination of an equipment briefing, sheltered practice and a short move into open water makes the format appealing for a beginner. The small group limit and reports of attentive instructors add to its appeal, especially if you are nervous.

Skip it if you want a full certification course, guaranteed photos or a long underwater outing. Confirm the extra trainer fee, photo arrangements and age eligibility for children aged 8 to 10 before you commit. At $118, the best value is for someone who wants to try the sensation of breathing underwater with an instructor nearby, not someone expecting a complete course or a packed schedule of coastal activities.

FAQ

Do I need a scuba license or previous experience?

No. Previous experience is not required, and the session begins with an explanation of the equipment and basic theory.

How long does the activity last?

The session lasts two hours. Available starting times depend on the date you choose.

How deep does the session go?

The maximum depth is 12 meters.

What is included in the $118 price?

The price includes entrance fees, a guided session and all necessary scuba equipment. Food, drinks, photos and videos are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear and a towel.

Which languages can the instructors speak?

Instruction is listed in Spanish, English, French, Russian and Dutch.