The sea around Lanzarote is clear and full of life, but not everyone wants to dive, snorkel or even sit in a boat for hours. A submarine safari is a straightforward answer: you go below the surface in a real submarine and watch the seabed through windows while staying dry and comfortable in the cabin. The trip lasts about an hour from start to finish, and it suits non-swimmers, older visitors, families with children and anyone curious about the island’s underwater side who would rather not get wet. Compared with the Museo Atlántico, which is a dive among sculptures and needs swimming confidence, the submarine is a passive, relaxed experience, a good rainy-day or windy-day alternative when boat trips are rougher. Visitors see fish and the rocky and sandy seabed, with a commentary from the crew on what is passing the windows, and the trip is popular with visitors from the resorts of Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen.
How it works
You book a date and a departure time, check in at the meeting point and board the submarine for the descent. The trip takes around an hour in total, and the operator sells departures with pickup from Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen as well as from the main meeting point, so look at the options and choose the one that suits your hotel.
Arrive a little before departure for check-in, and read the conditions on age, health and mobility. Seats are limited and the experience is popular, so book ahead in winter.
What to expect
A cabin with seats and windows, a slow descent and a view of whatever is swimming past. What you see depends on the day and the season, so treat the fish as a bonus rather than a guarantee, and keep expectations modest about visibility on days when the water is unsettled.
The cabin is enclosed, so people who feel claustrophobic should think carefully before booking, and the stairs and hatches to board can be steep, which may be hard for anyone with limited mobility. Do not expect to take cameras with flash, and keep your phone on a strap to reduce reflections on the glass.
Making the most of it
Choose a morning or midday trip, when light in the water is strongest, and sit near a window, which you can ask the crew about on boarding. The trip pairs well with a lunch in the marina area, or with a beach afternoon in Puerto del Carmen. For visitors who want to go further under the surface, the Museo Atlántico dive near Playa Blanca is the more adventurous companion, and families who enjoy the submarine often add a catamaran day to Papagayo as the active counterpart.
Bring a light layer, since the cabin can feel cool after the warm sun, and check the weather, because the sea state affects how comfortable boarding is.
What to expect
The experience
A guided trip of about an hour in a real submarine, watching the seabed and marine life through windows while staying dry.
Best time
A morning or midday departure, when daylight in the water is strongest and the sea is often calmer.
How long
About one hour in total, plus check-in time before departure.
Tips
Check the age, health and mobility rules, arrive early for check-in and think twice if enclosed spaces make you uneasy.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Non-swimmers and families who want to see underwater life without diving or getting wet.
- Families
- A popular choice with children, though check age and mobility rules and the narrow boarding steps.
- Couples
- A different, gentle activity for a windy day when boat trips are rougher.
- Pair with
- The Museo Atlántico dive for confident swimmers, or a beach afternoon in Puerto del Carmen.
- Time needed
- One hour, plus travel and check-in.
Good questions
How long is the submarine trip?+
The trip takes about an hour in total. Allow a little extra time for check-in before departure.
Do I need to swim or dive?+
No, you stay dry inside the cabin and watch through the windows, so it suits non-swimmers and anyone who does not want to dive.
Is pickup offered?+
The operator sells departures with pickup from Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen as well as from the main meeting point. Choose the option that matches your hotel when you book.
Will I definitely see fish?+
Marine life varies by day and by season, so fish are likely but not guaranteed. Visibility can be lower when the sea is unsettled.
Is it suitable for people who dislike enclosed spaces?+
The cabin is enclosed, so people who feel claustrophobic should consider it carefully. Check the boarding steps and mobility rules too.
