lanzerote diving purto del carman

[speedygonediving]

hi all
im off to lazerote at the weekend for 14 day and i hope to do some diving when im out there i have been on a few web sites but they are all much the same
im stopping in purto del carman so i was wondering if anyone has been there to dive if so wheres the best dive centre as i think its better to go with a recomendation than hoping for the best
all info will be greatfuly receved
thanks alot chris

[Bardo]

Originally Posted by speedygonediving

hi all
im off to lazerote at the weekend for 14 day and i hope to do some diving when im out there i have been on a few web sites but they are all much the same
im stopping in purto del carman so i was wondering if anyone has been there to dive if so wheres the best dive centre as i think its better to go with a recomendation than hoping for the best
all info will be greatfuly receved
thanks alot chris

I spent a week out in Puerto Del Carmen back in May 2004 and found the diving surprisingly good, especially if the dive centre takes you further north to places like Mala (definately a 'must do' for any trip to Lanzarote!). One dive you simply must do are the 'Erizoz Wrecks' - a series of wrecks sunk as an artificial reef in PDC harbour. They make a simply stunning dive! One thing you do have to keep an eye out for is that a lot of the dives tend to start off the beach at Play Chica and can therefore be a bit 'samey' - do a couple at Playa Chica by all means (especially 'The Cathedral' - well worth a dive!) but make sure you don't end up doing effectively the same dive day after day!

There are plenty of good dive centres to choose from whilst you're out in PDC. I personally dived with MA Diving - a dutch (I think) outfit that's very professional and up together. They'll happily pick you up and drop you off at your hotel and the dive guides don't mollycoddle you if you're experienced enough to look after yourself.

[atlantic-diver]

hi , will be diving at pdc in lanzarote from 10/11 for a week.
i use safari diving right on the beach and they are great . after 2 trips i was getting used to the same sights but if u ask other sites are available.(mala, temple hall etc)
i was there in may and the enzo wrecks(old harbour wrecks) were not being dived due to some sort
of political fallout but a mile futher done the coast are the new harbour wrecks which were sunk in 2003 for divers , just starting to get some life on them.
apart from usual saw rays and seahorses on last trip.
see photos at LANZAROTE MAY 06
if this does not open goto main web page and navigate from there

kenny

[MATTBIN]

Alternatively Costa Teguise has Calipso (or is it with a 'y') and is a class outfit. TerryH on here works/teaches there part-time (in as much as he's there part of the year). Did my OW and extra dives with them in 2001, not dead yet so I think they might be OK.

Mala - definitely do it.

Matt

[David D]

Stayed at PDC June '05 and did three dives from Playa Chica with Safari.

I found the vis pretty good, the water chillier than I'd expected (glad I had a 5mm full length, even so cold at the end of each dive), and the fish life to be poor. The "reef" is ok for a bimble or two, but that's it. Didn't do any of the harbour wrecks or Mala (which gets much better reviews) so can't add much more.

Safari were ok. Insisted on accompanying us on the first dive (what's the point of c-cards if dive centres disregard them), left us alone after that, but they are pricey. Unaccompanied dive, cylinder, and lead was (from memory) thirty of more euros each.

Depends on how much effort you regard is involved in travelling with gear. After a few trips to the Red Sea you couldn't pay me to go through that sort of aggro to dive PDC, but for those on a learning curve who enjoy diving for it's own sake, maybe worth it.

[TerryH]

Hi Chris,

While in theory you can just walk off the shore anywhere, in practice
Lanzarote has two main dive areas. No2 on this list and a site you will
get to know well is Carmen. Loads of wrecks, dropoffs, the odd cave and
some stunning vistas.

But ................

The No1 site isnt here, its further north-east at Mala.

And that in essence is the problem. If you have a range of dive sites literally
on your door step, then why would you bother to get the van out and drive
over to the other side of the Island?

Calipso are based in Costa Teguise, but run Iveco minbuses to ALL the sites.
You will not only see them at Carmen each day, but another bus will be
on its way to Mala. You can stay at Carmen and still dive with Calipso.

So without saying one school is better than the other, I'd always go for the
one that isnt going to have to make an excuse yet again for not getting the
bus out !!!!!!

If you are there for 2 weeks, definately go with Calipso :-)

TerryH

[Scuby]

Manta were good too - a 2 minute walk from the shore so if you're doing diving as part of a "normal" holiday (rather than a dedicated diving holiday) means you can turn up for the dive, do the dive, bugger off back to your hotel for a while if you wanted and maybe do another in the afternoon... And saves hauling kit into a bus which I liked, just throw it on, toddle down to the water and throw yourself in Very nice friendly people, all English-run, but then i'm sure some of the others are just as good.

David

[johntemp]

Another vote for Calipso in Costa Teguise - superb bunch

[HelenP]

Hi Chris,

I'm going to Lanzarote on 12th nov. Diving with Calipso. Maybe see you there.

Helen

[Darren555]

Originally Posted by HelenP

Hi Chris,

I'm going to Lanzarote on 12th nov. Diving with Calipso. Maybe see you there.

Helen

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