A submarine window turns the sea into a show. On this real 106-ton Finnish vessel (Sub Fun Tres), you look out at shipwrecks and marine life from up to 30 meters below, all in a calm, air-conditioned cabin. I love the oversized 60-centimeter viewing ports and the fact you get clear audio context in many languages, not just guesswork. I also like that it’s a tight, one-hour experience with an official certificate at the end, which makes it easy to fit into a busy Lanzarote day. The main drawback is simple: food and drinks aren’t included, and the timing can feel quick if you planned to eat right away.

The ride is built for comfort, not drama. The cabin is kept at normal atmospheric conditions, which can help if you get uncomfortable with ear pressure during travel, and pregnant guests are specifically noted as not being affected. Still, kids under 2 years aren’t allowed due to onboard safety equipment, so it’s not a tiny-kid activity.

Key things that make this submarine ride worth your time

• A real Finnish submarine: 106 tons, built for safe underwater viewing with proper equipment onboard.
• Big viewing ports (60 cm) plus TV monitor angles: you get options for what you look at through your seat.
• Up to 30 meters below the surface: far enough to find shipwrecks and lots of fish action.
• Multilingual audio guide included: Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Spanish.
• Certificate at the end: a personal souvenir that matches the experience.

Why this 106-ton Sub Fun Tres experience feels special in Lanzarote

Lanzarote is famous for volcanic landscapes, dramatic coastlines, and that crisp Atlantic light. But this tour flips the script by putting you inside the water, watching what’s down there without getting wet in the usual ways. You’re not trying to keep balance, swim, or chase perfect conditions underwater. You’re simply in your seat, looking out through thick glass as the world gets bigger and stranger.

What makes it hit differently is the combination of scale and clarity. This is a real 106-ton submarine, and you go down as far as 30 meters. That depth is enough to spot shipwrecks on the ocean floor and see plenty of fish cruising through your view.

I also appreciate the “holiday-friendly” format. It’s short—about an hour for the full onboard time including boarding and disembarking—so you get a memorable “only in Lanzarote” moment without burning your whole day. And after you’re done, you’re back at Puerto Calero Marina with some free time to wander.

Boarding and your seat: what you’ll do during that first stretch

You board the submarine and get allocated your personal seat in an air-conditioned cabin. That matters more than you’d think, because comfort changes how much you enjoy the experience. Instead of hovering near cold metal and feeling rushed, you can settle in.

Your spot is designed around viewing. You sit next to 60-centimeter viewing ports, so your perspective is broad and consistent. And each viewing port also has a TV monitor. That TV setup gives you alternative viewing angles, which helps when you want to track fish moving across the scene.

There’s also a digital display panel with continuous information about the submarine. This helps you understand what you’re seeing—where you are in the underwater route and what’s going on around the vessel—without needing to guess.

You’ll also hear the audio guide. The operator provides headsets with language options including English and many others (Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Spanish). Even if you don’t speak all of them, it’s a relief to know you can hear explanations in your language and follow along with marine life and shipwreck context.

Going down to 30 meters: how the shipwreck viewing works

The whole point of this trip is the underwater theater: clarity, depth, and real objects on the seafloor. You’re taken down as far as 30 meters (100 ft), and that’s deep enough to bring shipwrecks into view in a meaningful way. You look out through the ports while the submarine is positioned to show you what’s around.

Shipwrecks can be hit-or-miss on other activities depending on weather and visibility. Here, you’re in control of the viewing setup: you’re inside a stable vessel with purpose-built ports, and you don’t need to time movements or swim to the right angle. You just look, and the submarine route brings the targets into the right field of view.

You can also expect marine life to appear around the submarine. Many fish tend to explore structures, and the wrecks and surrounding area act like natural meeting points. When fish swim close to the hull area near the viewing windows, the scale can surprise you—suddenly they look bigger and closer than they do on photos.

Marine life you’re likely to spot (and what to watch for)

When people think “submarine trip,” they imagine a few fish and that’s it. The reality is usually better, because your viewpoint includes a wide area of water, and the viewing setup helps you keep track of movement.

From the onboard experience, you’ll typically see a variety of marine life moving alongside the submarine, not just far-off silhouettes. Fish and rays show up often, and you may even catch sightings like barracuda depending on the underwater conditions that day. The key is how consistently you’re placed near the viewing ports rather than trying to chase the action.

Here’s what I’d do to get more from the experience:

• Stay alert for fish that change direction quickly. Those are often the ones that surprise you by ending up right next to your window.
• Watch the edges of the viewing area. Movement near the perimeter often becomes your best view as the submarine shifts.
• Use the TV monitor angle when something starts moving but slips off the main port line of sight. It’s made for this.

Also, the audio guide helps you connect what you’re seeing with what’s happening. Instead of just naming fish you recognize, you understand why the wreck and its surroundings attract life. That turns the trip from pretty views into a real story you can carry home.

The onboard feel: not claustrophobic, not a wet-and-cold ordeal

A lot of people worry that a submarine will feel tight, cold, or uncomfortable. The good news is the cabin is air-conditioned and maintained at normal atmospheric conditions. That’s specifically stated as helpful for people who might otherwise be affected by ear pressure or heart-related issues during travel.

And while every body reacts differently, many guests report the experience isn’t claustrophobic. You’re not squeezed into a tiny space where you can’t relax. You have a seat and a clear focus point on the ports, so your brain stays on the view rather than on how cramped the space feels.

It’s also not a “wet” experience in the way you might expect from water-based activities. You’re indoors, so there’s no saltwater spray or clumsy gear handling. The main thing you’ll notice is the excitement—then, after the ride, that quick shift from underwater wonder to walking back on solid ground.

Puerto Calero Marina: why the free time is a smart bonus

One of the best “value touches” here is that you don’t just drop off, do the underwater viewing, and vanish. You get free time at Puerto Calero Marina after your trip.

That’s useful because it gives you room to process what you saw. It also helps with a very real planning issue: you might feel a little short on time for a full meal if you don’t plan ahead. Since food and drinks are not included in the tour itself, this marina time is where you can fix that—grab something casual, browse, or just walk off the adrenaline.

Puerto Calero is set up for easy strolling and relaxed vacation pacing. Even if you don’t want a long sit-down meal, you’ll usually find a simple option to keep you comfortable until dinner.

Practical tip: if you care about eating calmly, don’t schedule a long restaurant reservation immediately before or right after. Think of the tour as a tight “experience window,” then treat the marina time as your buffer.

Pickup, transfers, and timing: how to avoid a stressful start

This is one of those tours that can go smoothly or turn annoying, depending on how you handle pickup. Pickup is included, but only from certain areas and only at specific times. The operator notes pickup for:

• 13:00 departures from Playa Blanca
• 12:00 departures from Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen

There are also notes that pickup for Playa Blanca is tied to 11:00 or 13:00 departures, while Costa Teguise and Puerto del Carmen pickup applies to the 12:00 departure only.

So the key move is to send your hotel name to the provider so they can arrange the correct pickup point and time. You’ll get the pickup details by email from Submarine Safaris.

Once you’re picked up (or you meet at the marina), you’re taken in an air-conditioned coach to the departure area at Puerto Calero Marina. The on-the-day rhythm is usually straightforward: check in, board, enjoy the underwater viewing portion, then disembark and return to the marina.

Also, check availability for starting times, because the day can include up to 7 departures and runs 6 days a week.

Price and value: is $74 per person really fair?

At around $74 per person, this isn’t a budget add-on—but it also doesn’t feel like a luxury-only toy. The value comes from what you’re getting for the money: a real submarine experience, a planned underwater route up to 30 meters, and viewing designed to be comfortable and accessible.

Think about what you’re paying for:

• The submarine itself (a 106-ton vessel with purpose-built viewing ports)
• Guided audio in many languages
• A structured onboard experience including boarding and disembarking
• A personalized certificate
• Included time at Puerto Calero Marina afterward
• Pickup in select areas and times

If you compare it to typical “see marine life” alternatives, what you’re buying is the angle and the intimacy. You’re looking at shipwrecks from an underwater vantage point, in real time, with fish swimming close to the viewing windows. That’s hard to replicate with just a coastline photo stop or even a basic aquarium visit.

That said, value depends on your expectations. If you want a half-day underwater program with meals, gear prep, and long time on-site, this won’t match that. It’s short, focused, and designed to fit into a day trip schedule.

Who should book this submarine ride in Lanzarote

This is a great fit if you:

• Want a non-swimming underwater experience
• Prefer comfort over cold gear and training sessions
• Travel with kids (just note the under-2 rule)
• Want something genuinely different from the usual Lanzarote shore excursions
• Get nervous about bigger “adventure” activities and would rather sit and watch

It’s also a strong choice for anyone who loves marine life and wants shipwreck viewing without the logistics of traditional scuba or snorkeling. You still get the wow factor, but with a calmer learning curve.

If you have mobility concerns, you’ll probably feel better knowing the crew is used to helping guests on and off the vessel. Just plan to move at your own pace and follow staff guidance.

If you hate tight schedules, you may find the one-hour format feels like it passes quickly. In that case, build your day around it and don’t stack your next plans too close.

Possible downsides to plan around before you go

No experience is perfect, and this one has a few practical considerations.

First, there’s the food situation. Food and drinks are not included. If you normally eat during tours, you’ll need to plan a snack before you board or plan your meal during the marina free time after.

Second, timing can feel rushed if you’re trying to squeeze everything into a crowded itinerary. The onboard experience is efficient, which is great for most people, but it can feel like you blink and it’s over. I’d treat it like a “highlight appointment,” then give yourself time to decompress afterward.

Third, pickup is limited to specific areas and departure times. If your hotel isn’t in a supported pickup zone, you’ll need to get yourself to the meeting area.

Finally, young kids under 2 can’t go. If you’re traveling as a family and you’re deciding who joins, this is an important rule to factor in early.

Should you book this submarine ride or look for something else?

Book it if you want a safe, comfortable, truly different Lanzarote experience with real underwater viewing at up to 30 meters. The combination of big viewing ports, multilingual audio, shipwreck spotting, and that calm air-conditioned cabin makes it easy to recommend to a wide range of travelers. It’s especially worth it if you’re with family, travel as a couple, or simply want a memorable “how is this real?” moment without the stress of traditional underwater activities.

Skip it (or consider alternatives) if you’re mainly looking for a long, meal-included excursion, or if your day is so packed that you can’t spare time for food planning afterward. Also skip it for very young children under 2.

If you’re on the fence, here’s my best deciding tool: ask yourself whether you’ll enjoy watching marine life from a seat more than you’ll enjoy being hands-on. If the answer is yes, this Sub Fun Tres experience is one of the most straightforward ways to see Lanzarote from the sea floor.

FAQ

How deep does the submarine go?

The submarine goes down to a maximum of 30 meters (100 ft).

How long is the experience?

The duration is 1 hour, including boarding and disembarking.

What submarine is used?

The activity uses the submarine Sub Fun Tres, described as a 106-ton Finnish submarine.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup is included for certain areas and specific departure times. You’ll be informed by email about the pickup point and time after you provide your hotel name.

Where is free time provided after the experience?

You get free time to enjoy Puerto Calero Marina after your submarine trip.

What can I see through the submarine?

You’ll have clear views through 60-centimeter viewing ports, and each port has a TV monitor for alternative viewing angles.

Is an audio guide included?

Yes. The audio guide is included with multiple language options such as Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, and Spanish.

Do I get a certificate?

Yes. You receive a personalized certificate.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.