The 11 Best Scuba Dives from Barcelona

1.PADI Discover Scuba Diving

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,016 reviews · 2 hours · from $81Our pick

Start with a 35-minute briefing, then get fitted with a wetsuit and boots before entering from the beach with an instructor. Groups are limited to six, and instructors such as Pau, Alex, and Hugo have helped first-timers settle in. Look for fish and, with luck, an octopus. Photos and video are included.

“Unforgettable experience with amazing instructors! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Diving with this group of instructors was one of the most incredible experiences I've ever had! From the very beginning, you could feel their professionalism, experience, and at the same time, their friendly and welcoming attitude. Everything was clearly explained, safety was always the top priority, and yet we had so much fun and felt completely at ease. The instructors were patient, encouraging, and constantly made sure we were comfortable. Thanks to them, I felt confident even during my very first dive. The underwater world they showed us was absolutely breathtaking – full of color, life, and tranquility. Huge thanks to the entire t...”

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2.Tossa de Mar: PADI Discovery Scuba Diving in Costa Brava

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 276 reviews · from $68Best value

At SuperDive Tossa de Mar, certified PADI instructors prepare beginners for a shore-based scuba session at Mar Menuda Beach. Expect a 40-minute briefing, a short van ride, and about 45 minutes underwater, with equipment, insurance, water and video included. The patient team includes instructors such as Pepe, Cris and Adrian, though your assigned guide may vary.

“The best thing i have ever done in my life. This is the best company to do scuba diving from in Tossa de Mar. I did it with Pepe, Justine and Adrian and it was amazing. Special shout out to Pepe, as i was very scared of water but he took care of it sooooooo amazingly. Best experience of my life. You live your zindagi na milegi dubara dream here with the best people.”

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3.Tossa de Mar: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 232 reviews · 3 hours · from $91

Learn scuba basics at Tossasub Diving Center, then enter the water from the beach with an instructor for a supervised 40 to 45 minute underwater session, reaching no more than 12 meters. The three-hour SSI Try Scuba program includes equipment and insurance, and groups are limited to six. Instructors have included Uri, David and Mano.

“everything!!! it was judt perfect and the guide was super symphatic anf friendly!!!”

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4.Salou: Scuba Diving for Beginners

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 227 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $100

Learn to use scuba equipment with an instructor in Salou, then enter the Mediterranean from the beach and explore at a beginner’s pace. Luis and other instructors have guided first-timers through the lesson, helping them get comfortable breathing underwater. Equipment, insurance and hotel transfers are included. Bring swimwear, sandals, water and ID.

“Luis was fantastic! Not my first time scuba diving but it’s always great fun. Very punctual pick up, calm and friendly instructor and love diving from the beach! Would recommend if in Salou or nearby :)”

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5.Lloret de Mar: Scuba Diving Experience no License Required

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 107 reviews · 2 hours · from $118

In Lloret de Mar, learn the basics of scuba with an instructor, practise breathing in a calm, pool-like bay, then head into open water to a maximum depth of 12 meters. The two-hour session includes gear and guidance. Valentin and Sergio have led family groups, but instructors may vary.

“Amazing, me and my friend have anxiety & cptsd. We were extremely anxious about the entire experience. The instructors - I couldn’t have asked for better people for a first time dive. We didn’t manage the entire experience as we both handled the pressure differently at different levels. Again couldn’t ask for more considerate and respectful instructors let alone a beautiful humour shared too. Divers immediately responded to panic underwater and got us out safely and swam us back when we needed to be on land. Really really really recommend these people. I will be going back again for another try. Thank you guys so much.”

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6.Tossa de Mar Scuba Diving and 3-Course Meal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 45 reviews · 10 hours · from $182Top rated

Ride in a private, air-conditioned van to Tossa de Mar with a small group of up to eight. A PADI instructor guides your beginner scuba session in calm, shallow water, followed by a three-course meal and free time to explore Vila Vella, the beach, and the lighthouse. Guide Matias is a familiar face on this tour.

“Amazing experience from start to finish! Matias greeted us with a warm friendly greeting you would expect from close friends, he explained the whole day to us as we drove to Tossa de Mar in the comfort of the aircon private transport. We arrived at the Kraken diving school and met Raul and Georgina - a small diving school customer focused school where we completed our first intro dive. The experience was frankly amazing, the water was so clear, as was the training from Georgina which meant we could focus on the experience as she inspires confidence. Following our dive, Matias again met us and we walked to our lunchtime…”

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7.Salou: Fun Scuba Dive with Instructor (No License Needed)

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 34 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $147

Meet a qualified instructor for a shallow, one-to-one scuba experience in Salou, with no license or prior experience needed. You’ll learn basic techniques, use supplied equipment and explore underwater with your instructor beside you. The meeting point can change with sea conditions, so contact Diving Salou to confirm where to meet.

“Great activity, did it as a family and it did not disappoint. I would definitely recommend.”

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8.PADI Scuba Diver Course Certification Training

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · 1 day · from $312

Spend a full day with iDive Barcelona Diving School, starting with safety and equipment theory before three supervised water sessions. The group is capped at six, and instruction is offered in Spanish, English, or Italian. The $312 price includes equipment and PADI certification, but not lunch or photos.

“My diving instructor Pau was incredibly kind and patient. He explained everything very clearly and was also excellent at communicating in English. He took the time to make sure that each person in the group understood the material, never rushing anyone or putting pressure on us. If someone didn’t quite get something the first time, he was always happy to explain it again—calmly and thoroughly. You could really tell he put a lot of effort into making sure we felt safe, confident, and comfortable throughout the entire course. I truly appreciated his approach and would definitely choose to dive with him again!”

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9.Salou: Scuba Diving for beginners with hotel pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7 reviews · from $129

Meet your instructor at the Salou beach diving club after pickup from Salou, Cambrils or Pineda. You’ll learn the basics at your own pace, then explore the coves off Cabo de Salou in a small group of up to 10. One outing was led by Paul, praised for his calm approach, but instructor assignments may vary.

“Diving carried out at the edge of the beach with very little depth. Very little to see. Failed to retrieve photos from exit.”

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10.Calella de Palafrugell : Discover Scuba Diving Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 2 hours · from $130

Start at the beach in Calella de Palafrugell with a small group of no more than four. An instructor explains the equipment and safety rules, then guides you through basic underwater exercises and a second session focused on buoyancy. Equipment, insurance and water are included. Instruction is available in English, Spanish, French and German.

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11.L’Escala: Try diving in the Montgri nature reserve

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $102

Meet at Grassi Sub in L’Escala for a three-hour introduction to scuba. After a short briefing, you’ll head by boat into Montgrí Natural Park for a guided underwater session of about 20 minutes, then have time to swim or snorkel. Instructors speak five languages, and Bernadette and Diane are among the staff named.

“Bernadette et Diane ont été très gentilles, seul point à préciser et le questionnaire à remplir surtout si on plus de 45 ans ...”

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