Frequently Asked Questions
Diving with Viva Blue Diving in Lanzarote

Since 10 September 2026, Pura Vida Diving Lanzarote has been called Viva Blue Diving.

It is not a new dive centre, nor has there been a change of ownership. We are still at the same dive centre in Playa Blanca, with the same team and the same way of working. What has changed is our brand.

We wanted a brand that would work better internationally and reflect the evolution of the dive centre after years of welcoming divers from many different countries.

Viva Blue keeps the energy and connection with the sea that have always been part of the dive centre, but with an identity that is easier to understand and pronounce, regardless of the language.

Yes. You’ll find the same familiar faces, the same instructors and the same way of teaching and organising dives.

Our approach to working with small groups also remains unchanged, as do our safety and training procedures.

Yes. All bookings previously made with Pura Vida Diving Lanzarote remain valid with Viva Blue Diving.

You do not need to make a new booking or take any action because of the name change.

Yes. Your certification was issued by the relevant training agency and does not depend on the dive centre’s current trading name.

The change from Pura Vida Diving Lanzarote to Viva Blue Diving does not affect the validity of any certifications obtained previously.

You can now find us as Viva Blue Diving.

Our website is vivabluediving.com and we are still based in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote. You can also contact us via WhatsApp on +34 620 281 900 or by email at info@vivabluediving.com.

Viva Blue Diving is the evolution of Pura Vida Diving Lanzarote, the dive centre where we have been training divers and organising dives from Playa Blanca for years.

The change made in September 2026 was simply a rebrand: the dive centre, the team and our activities all remain the same.

Viva Blue Diving is an SSI Career Centre and we offer training from beginner programmes through to professional levels.

If you are already a certified diver with another recognised organisation, such as PADI, CMAS, FEDAS, NAUI, ACUC or another agency, we can review your certification and organise your dives according to your qualification level and experience.

We regularly work with international customers.

When making your booking, let us know which language you feel most comfortable with and we will confirm the team’s availability for your chosen dates. In addition, much of SSI’s digital training is available in a wide range of languages.

We work with small groups and, as a general rule at the dive centre, with a maximum of four students or divers per professional.

For introductory activities, the level of individual attention may be even greater depending on the programme and the conditions.

It is an introductory experience that allows you to breathe underwater for the first time accompanied by an instructor, without needing to hold a diving certification.

Before entering the water, we explain how to use the equipment, how to breathe, how to equalise your ears and the basic hand signals used for communication.

For a first diving experience, you do not need to be a strong swimmer, although you should feel comfortable in the water.

For the Open Water Diver course, there are water skills assessments that must be completed during the training.

Yes. Breathing underwater is a completely new sensation, and it is normal to feel nervous before your first dive.

We start slowly and do not continue the descent until you feel ready. Let your instructor know before entering the water so they can adapt the pace to suit you.

As a general guide, allow around two and a half hours for the full experience.

You’ll usually spend around 30 to 40 minutes underwater, although this can vary depending on the participant and the diving conditions.

SSI offers introductory programmes from the age of 8 in confined water.

For certain open water programmes, the minimum age is 10, with the relevant limits and requirements applying to each programme.

Yes. Many people dive wearing soft contact lenses.

If you need a prescription mask, let us know your requirements before booking and we’ll check what options are available.

For some activities, we may be able to take photos or videos of your experience.

Ask us when booking and we’ll confirm whether this is available for your activity and under what conditions.

Depending on the introductory programme you complete, some parts of the experience may count towards further SSI training.

If you decide to continue with the Open Water Diver course, we’ll review what you have already completed and explain what can be credited towards your training.

If you want to become a certified diver, the SSI Open Water Diver course is the usual starting point.

There is also the SSI Scuba Diver course, which is a shorter programme that can later be upgraded to the Open Water Diver certification.

We usually run the course over three or four days, depending on the student’s pace and the conditions.

Starting the digital theory before arriving in Lanzarote allows you to make better use of your time on the island.

Our courses include everything needed to complete the training for each programme: learning materials, the equipment required during the course, training dives and digital certification once all the requirements have been successfully completed.

Always check the specific course page to see exactly what is included.

A diving certification does not have an expiry date as such.

However, if you have not dived for a long time, your skills may become rusty, so it may be advisable to complete a skills refresher.

You can continue your training with a range of programmes and specialties, such as Advanced Adventurer, Diver Stress & Rescue, Nitrox, Navigation, Deep Diving, Night Diving, Perfect Buoyancy or Underwater Photography.

Yes. As an SSI Career Centre, we offer training pathways that can take you all the way to professional levels.

If your goal is to work in the diving industry, we can assess your current level and help you plan the right training pathway.

In many cases, yes. We’ll need to check the training agency, the programme you started and which parts of the course have been properly recorded.

No problem. While one person is doing the course, the other can enjoy Playa Blanca, go snorkelling or ask us about other available activities.

We can prepare tailored options for groups, families, dive clubs and multi-day programmes.

Send us your dates, number of people, ages and diving experience, and we’ll advise you on the available options.

Bring your diving certification, either physical or digital, along with information about your recent diving experience.

You will also need to complete the relevant paperwork for the activity.

Yes, but after a long period without diving, it may be advisable to complete a skills refresher before joining a regular dive.

We organise both shore dives and boat dives, depending on the dive site, sea conditions and the schedule for the day.

Yes. Nitrox is available for divers with the appropriate certification.

You can also ask us about completing the Nitrox speciality with us.

You must have the appropriate insurance coverage for recreational diving.

When you book, we’ll let you know what coverage applies to the activity you have chosen.

We usually do two dives in the morning, with the appropriate surface interval between them.

Depending on the schedule, afternoon or night dives may also be available.

Not at all.

Many divers come to the dive centre on their own. We organise the groups according to certification level, experience and the requirements of each dive.

Yes. The Atlantic Museum is located off the south coast of Lanzarote, near Playa Blanca.

If you are already a certified diver, we’ll review your certification and experience to organise your visit.

There are introductory programmes that may allow people with no previous diving certification to visit the Atlantic Museum accompanied by a dive professional, provided they meet the relevant requirements.

Please contact us before booking so we can confirm how this activity is currently organised.

Common species include angel sharks, different types of rays, moray eels, groupers, octopuses, cuttlefish, barracudas and large schools of fish.

Sightings can never be guaranteed, as marine life is wild and varies depending on the season and the dive site.

It depends on the dive site.

There are many sheltered areas in the south, while other locations can have more challenging conditions. We choose the dive sites based on sea conditions, the group’s experience and the conditions on the day.

As a general guide, the sea temperature in Lanzarote usually ranges from around 18°C to 23°C throughout the year.

How cold you feel depends on the time of year, the length of the dive, the number of dives you do and your personal tolerance to the cold.

If you tend to feel the cold easily, let us know when booking.

You can dive in Lanzarote all year round, although each season offers different conditions.

The water is usually warmer in late summer and throughout autumn. Winter is particularly interesting for divers hoping to increase their chances of seeing angel sharks.

Lanzarote generally offers good underwater visibility, although this can vary depending on swell, recent storms and local conditions.

Wind is part of Lanzarote’s climate, but having access to different dive sites means we can often find an alternative when conditions are not suitable in one area.

Safety always determines whether an activity can go ahead.

Participants must complete the medical questionnaire required for the activity.

Depending on your answers, you may need a medical assessment or clearance before diving.

These conditions must be declared on the medical questionnaire and may require medical assessment before taking part in the activity.

Scuba diving is not recommended during pregnancy.

If you are pregnant, please ask us about alternative activities.

It is not recommended.

Congestion can make it difficult to equalise your ears and sinuses properly. If you cannot equalise easily, you should not force the descent.

It is best to avoid drinking enough alcohol to affect your hydration, sleep, coordination or reaction time.

You should never dive under the influence of alcohol.

The required interval depends on the number and profile of the dives you have completed.

We always recommend allowing sufficient time between your last dive and your flight.

A significant increase in altitude after diving also reduces ambient pressure.

If you plan to travel to a high-altitude area after diving, please let the team know.

We work with small groups, provide a briefing before each dive, and have emergency procedures and the required safety equipment in place.

In the event of a possible diving emergency, the emergency services should be contacted and the appropriate medical protocol followed.

Our emergency action plan covers the necessary assistance and evacuation procedures depending on the situation.

It depends on the time of year and the activity. During busier periods, we recommend booking well in advance.

Payment terms depend on the activity and the booking system used.

Before confirming your booking, you’ll be able to review the applicable payment conditions.

The terms for changes and cancellations are shown during the booking process and may vary depending on the activity booked.

Contact us as soon as you become aware of the situation and we’ll review the terms of your booking.

Contact us and we’ll let you know what options are currently available for gifting a diving experience or training course.

We are in Playa Blanca, in the south of Lanzarote.

Av. Islas Canarias 1 Centro Comercial Punta Limones, Local 33 35580 Playa Blanca, Lanzarote

Usual opening hours:
Monday to Saturday, 08:00–17:00.
Closed on Sundays.

Playa Blanca is approximately 35 km from Lanzarote Airport.

You can get there by hire car, taxi or public transport.

If you need transport from your accommodation, please contact us before booking and let us know where you are staying.

There are parking areas around Punta Limones Shopping Centre and Playa Blanca harbour.

• Swimwear.
• A towel
• Semthing warm to wear afterwards.
• Water
• Sun protection
• Your diving certification if you are already a certified diver.
• Any documentation required for the activity.

The exact time depends on the activity and will be confirmed when you book.

We recommend arriving a few minutes early.

Yes. It’s a good idea to arrive properly fed and hydrated, while avoiding very heavy meals just before getting in the water.

For activities that include equipment hire, we provide the necessary diving equipment.

Check the specific activity page to see exactly what is included.

Yes. If you have your own equipment and are used to diving with it, you can bring it with you.

We have a range of sizes available to fit different divers.

If you need an unusual size, please let us know before booking.

We have diving equipment available at the centre and offer a range of services related to equipment maintenance and cylinder fills.

If you are a certified diver and have good buoyancy control, you can bring a camera as long as it does not interfere with the safety of the dive.

No photograph is worth touching, chasing, feeding or disturbing an animal.

Playa Blanca town centre and seafront promenade: A convenient option if you do not want to rely on a car.

Marina Rubicón: A good choice if you want to stay close to the marina, restaurants and seafront.

Montaña Roja, Faro Park and Las Coloradas:
Quieter, more residential areas.

You do not necessarily need a car to get to the dive centre if you are staying nearby in Playa Blanca.

However, if you want to explore the rest of Lanzarote, having a car gives you much more freedom.

For a trip focused on guided dives, four or five days will give you the chance to explore different areas.

A week gives you even more flexibility and allows you to combine diving with exploring the island.

You can visit places such as Timanfaya, Jameos del Agua, Cueva de los Verdes, Mirador del Río, La Geria or the beaches of Papagayo.

Yes, as long as they take part within the programmes, limits and conditions established for their age.

SSI offers programmes for children and age-appropriate training options.

Depending on the activity and availability, there may be options for non-diving companions or alternative activities.

Yes. We offer snorkelling activities so you can discover Lanzarote’s underwater world without needing scuba equipment.

Yes. We can organise programmes for dive clubs, groups of friends, families and other groups.

Email us at info@vivabluediving.com.

We organise diving trips for our community to different international destinations.

Destinations and dates change each season. Check our social media channels or contact the dive centre for the latest information.

We take part in activities aimed at protecting the marine environment, such as clean-ups and awareness initiatives.

During our dives, we follow one simple rule: observe without touching, chasing, feeding or disturbing marine life.

You can follow Viva Blue Diving on social media, keep up with the latest news at vivabluediving.com or contact us directly whenever you’re thinking about returning to Lanzarote.