Safari Diving Lanzarote
PADI 5-Star Dive Resort on Playa Chica in Puerto del Carmen, one of 9 MOD ComMac-approved centres worldwide, with 40+ years on the island.
Last updated May 2026
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About
Safari Diving Lanzarote has operated from Playa Chica beach since the early 1980s, making it one of the longest-established dive centres in Puerto del Carmen. The centre sits on the sand at the foot of the pier — gear goes from bench to beach without a walk across town. Its PADI 5-Star Dive Resort status is one layer of the accreditation picture; the others are harder to collect. Safari holds approval from the British Ministry of Defence as one of nine MOD ComMac-certified centres worldwide, the Spanish Q quality award as the only dive school in Lanzarote to earn it, and the Sport Diver Magazine Best Dive Centre in Europe, Middle East and Africa award for 2016. BSAC, SSI, NAUI, and CMAS certifications sit alongside the PADI programme.
Bart Prinsen and Marian de Jongh Swemer own both this centre and Dive College Lanzarote in Playa Blanca. That shared ownership creates a practical offer: Puerto del Carmen diving in the morning, Museo Atlantico or Flamingo Wall in Playa Blanca the next day, transport included and paid at one till. The weekly schedule is structured — named sites on named days, two departures daily — with a flat pricing rule that runs through it: shore and boat dives cost the same.
The instructor team speaks seven languages. Debora Colombo handles the photography programme, running workshops that combine theory sessions with in-water practice.
What divers say
4.8 across 812 TripAdvisor reviews — 734 marked Excellent. Google sits at 4.7. Both platforms show a pattern consistent with a centre that runs repeat visitors year after year.
Location is the dominant theme: the beach entry, no transfers, no extra boat charge. Staff quality runs close behind. Instructors Tim, Marta, Marcin, and Eva are named across different seasons and activity types; Debora appears in nearly every photography review and is credited by multiple reviewers with finding seahorses on dives where other guides did not. Long-term guests — one family on their thirteenth visit, another diver on their fourth — describe the centre as a standing fixture in their Lanzarote trips rather than a one-off booking. Course reviews note safety-first briefings that explain the reasoning behind each procedure, not just the procedure.
Dive Sites (8)
Pricing
We do our best to show current pricing, but rates may change without notice. Last verified May 2026. Always confirm the latest prices on Safari Diving Lanzarote's official website before booking.
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Courses
Guided Dives
Other Services
Shore and boat dives priced identically. Night dives carry a 7 EUR supplement. Technical diving prices on request. BSAC group package (min. 4 persons, 2 sharing) includes self-catered apartment, 10 dives over 5 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the MOD ComMac accreditation?▾
The Ministry of Defence Commercial Membership Accreditation is awarded to dive centres that meet the standards required to train British armed forces personnel. Safari Diving is one of nine centres worldwide to hold it — a practical signal of the centre's safety standards and instructor quality, regardless of whether you're military.
Where exactly is Safari Diving on Playa Chica?▾
The centre sits directly on the beach at Paseo de la Barilla 4 in Puerto del Carmen, adjacent to the small pier known as El Muellito. Cathedral, Blue Hole, and the Playa Chica house reef are all enterable from the beach in front of the shop.
Are boat dives more expensive than shore dives?▾
No. Safari Diving charges the same price whether you dive from the beach or by boat — 45 EUR for a single guided dive, 80 EUR for two. Night dives carry a 7 EUR supplement. Museo Atlantico trips via the Playa Blanca sister centre also carry a supplement.
What dive sites does Safari Diving cover?▾
The weekly schedule runs morning shore dives to Cathedral, Blue Hole, and Red Coral (30m, advanced) plus a daily house reef dive at 10:15 for all levels. Afternoon boat dives reach the Harbour Wrecks and Richie's Place. Museo Atlantico and Flamingo Wall in Playa Blanca run Wednesday and Friday via the Dive College Lanzarote partnership.
Can Safari Diving arrange photography training?▾
Yes. Debora Colombo, the centre's underwater photographer, runs a named photography workshop covering two theory sessions and four dives. She receives consistent mentions for locating seahorses and guiding photographers to productive subjects. Contact the centre to book a workshop slot.
What certifications and courses are available?▾
The centre covers recreational and professional PADI programmes (Scuba Diver through Divemaster and specialties), BSAC, SSI, NAUI, and CMAS. Technical diving includes Deep, Trimix, Rebreather, and Sidemount — contact the centre for tech pricing.
Does Safari Diving offer hotel transfers?▾
Free pickup and dropoff is provided for divers staying in Puerto del Carmen and Puerto Calero. Group packages are available that combine accommodation in a nearby apartment, 10 dives over five days, and transfers.
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