Do you need a licence to scuba dive in Mallorca?

No. Every option in this guide is a try-dive, also called Discover Scuba, which needs no licence and no experience. A certified instructor stays with you the whole time, all the gear is included, and you dive to a shallow, beginner-friendly depth of about 5 to 6 metres. If you want to dive on your own, you would take a PADI or SSI Open Water course.

Where is the best scuba diving in Mallorca?

The southwest marine reserves are the standout dive sites: the Malgrats and El Toro reserves off Santa Ponsa and Magaluf have far more marine life because fishing is restricted. The north coast around Cap de Formentor and Alcúdia has dramatic, clear water reached by boat, and the east coast around Cala d'Or has calm, sandy coves that suit nervous beginners.

What is the minimum age to try scuba diving in Mallorca?

It depends on the operator, ranging from 8 to 12 years old. The Santa Ponsa marine-reserve dive and the boat try-dive take children from 8, the Discover Scuba and private and Cala d'Or dives from 10, and the Cap de Formentor boat dive from 12. Children usually dive with an adult, so confirm the limit before booking.

What is the best time of year to dive in Mallorca?

June to October is best, when the sea is warmest (around 24 to 26°C by late summer) and visibility is at its best, often 20 to 30 metres. September is a particular favourite for warm water and fewer crowds. Diving runs from spring, when the water is cooler at around 16 to 18°C, and a wetsuit is always provided.

Do you need to be a strong swimmer to scuba dive in Mallorca?

No, but you should be comfortable in the water and able to swim a little. The wetsuit and buoyancy jacket keep you afloat and the instructor controls your depth, so you never rely on your own swimming. Complete non-swimmers are usually not suitable; if you are a weak swimmer, book a private one-on-one dive.

What if I panic underwater on a try-dive?

It is common to feel nervous on the first breath. Instructors are trained for it: they stay within arm's reach, go at your pace, and will calmly bring you to the surface if you signal. You can end the dive at any time, and the shallow-water practice beforehand builds your confidence first.

Can non-swimmers try scuba diving in Mallorca?

Most operators require that you can swim at least a little and feel comfortable in water, so a complete non-swimmer is usually not eligible for a try-dive. A private session is the best option for weak or very nervous swimmers, as the instructor can adapt the dive and stay one-on-one.

Scuba Diving Mallorca 2026: 6 Best Beginner Try-Dives

Q: Is scuba diving in Mallorca safe?

Yes. Try-dives are designed for complete beginners: you stay at a shallow depth of 5 to 6 metres, a certified instructor is with you the entire dive, and the group is small or one-on-one. You start with a briefing and shallow-water practice before the dive. You do need to be comfortable in the water and free of relevant medical conditions, which the instructor will check.

Q: Can certified divers dive in Mallorca too?

Yes. Beyond the try-dives in this guide, dive centres across Mallorca run guided dives for certified divers, often single or double tanks from a boat, including in the Malgrats and El Toro marine reserves and the reefs off Cap de Formentor. Bring your certification card and a recent logbook. Many centres also run full PADI and SSI courses over a few days.

Dive Experience	From	Online Rating	Duration	Dive Site / Area	Boat or Shore	Min Age
Cap de Formentor: Try Scuba from a Boat (SSI) Book Now	€80	⭐ 4.9 (54 reviews) Read Reviews	2–3 hrs	Cap de Formentor (north)	Boat	12
Top Rated Santa Ponsa: Try Scuba in a Marine Reserve Book Now	€115	⭐ 4.9 (187 reviews) Read Reviews	2.5 hrs	Malgrats marine reserve (SW)	Boat (10 min)	8
Most Booked Discover Scuba Diving for Beginners Book Now	€130	⭐ 4.7 (839 reviews) Read Reviews	3.5 hrs	Marine nature reserve (shore steps)	Shore	10
Mallorca: Try Scuba Diving by Boat Book Now	€139	⭐ 4.7 (57 reviews) Read Reviews	2–3 hrs	Coves by boat (Skualo)	Boat	8
Private Beginner Scuba Experience Book Now	€140	⭐ 4.9 (121 reviews) Read Reviews	2.5 hrs	Near Palma, 1-on-1	Shore	10
Cala d'Or: Try Scuba (No Experience Needed) Book Now	€167	⭐ 5.0 (16 reviews) Read Reviews	2.5 hrs	Cala d'Or beach (east)	Shore	10

Best Beginner Scuba Dives in Mallorca

1

Discover Scuba Diving for Beginners

Our top pick and Mallorca's most-booked first dive, at €130, with more than 800 reviews. This 3.5-hour Discover Scuba session takes place in a protected marine nature reserve, with an air-conditioned minivan transfer and an easy shore entry down comfortable steps. After a briefing and some shallow-water practice on the key skills, you dive to a maximum of 6 metres in small groups of up to 6 with two certified PADI instructors, so the supervision is close. Because it is a shore dive, there is no boat transfer and no rough sea to deal with, which helps anyone prone to seasickness. It is the safe, well-run, high-volume choice for a first dive, and the reserve means plenty of marine life. Best for: first-timers who want the most-proven option with lots of instructor attention. Minimum age 10.

2

Cap de Formentor: Try Scuba from a Boat (SSI)

The cheapest way to try diving in Mallorca, at €80, and a boat dive in the scenic north. A speedboat runs you about 15 minutes to a hidden bay at Cap de Pinar or Cap de Formentor, and after a 15-minute briefing you do a roughly 45-minute supervised dive to 5 metres with an SSI instructor. Gear, the tank, water, and cookies are included, and groups are capped at four. The whole thing takes 2 to 3 hours. Best for: budget-minded beginners staying in the north who want a boat dive rather than a shore entry. Minimum age 12.

3

Santa Ponsa: Try Scuba in a Marine Reserve

The top-rated dive here at 4.9, and the one we'd give the edge for the underwater scenery, at €115. From the Club Nàutic Santa Ponsa it is a 10-minute boat ride to the Malgrats marine reserve, where the protected water means more fish and better visibility than an unprotected site. Visibility here often tops 20 metres, and divers regularly spot fish and even octopuses. The 2.5-hour experience includes a basic lesson, shallow-water exercises, and a dive to 6 metres with a PADI instructor, with all gear (wetsuit, mask, fins, cylinder, BCD, and weights) provided. Best for: beginners who want a real marine reserve and a short boat ride, in the southwest. Minimum age 8.

4

Mallorca: Try Scuba Diving by Boat

A scenic boat try-dive, at €139, run by an established dive centre. The 2 to 3 hour trip combines a boat ride to one of Mallorca's coves with a guided first dive of around 45 minutes to 5 metres, with gear, the boat, and the instructor included. It is a good middle option if you want the boat experience and a quiet cove rather than a shore entry, without the premium price of a private session. Best for: beginners who want a boat dive and a calm cove. Minimum age 8.

5

Private Beginner Scuba Experience

A fully private, one-on-one first dive, at €140, about 15 minutes from central Palma. The 2.5-hour session is 100% private, so it is just you and your instructor with no group and no waiting, which suits nervous first-timers or anyone who wants to go at their own pace. Photos and videos of your dive and dive insurance are included along with the gear. Best for: anxious beginners, couples, or anyone who wants undivided instructor attention. Minimum age 10.

6

Cala d'Or: Try Scuba (No Experience Needed)

A try-dive on the pretty east coast, at €167, the priciest here but with a perfect 5.0 rating (from a small number of reviews so far). The 2.5-hour session runs from a calm, sandy beach in Cala d'Or, with about 45 to 50 minutes underwater, full gear, and certified SSI instructors in small groups. The gentle beach entry suits the very nervous. Best for: beginners staying on the east coast who want an easy beach entry. Minimum age 10.

What Is a Try-Dive (Discover Scuba)?

A try-dive, often called Discover Scuba Diving or an intro dive, is a guided first scuba experience for people with no licence and no experience. It is the standard way to try scuba in Mallorca, and every option in this guide is one.

The format is the same across operators. You start with a short briefing (around 15 minutes) where the instructor explains the gear, how to breathe underwater, how to clear your ears and mask, and a few hand signals. You then practise those basics in shallow, calm water, before the instructor leads you on a real dive to a shallow, beginner-friendly depth of about 5 to 6 metres. The instructor stays with you the whole time, and on most options the group is small or one-on-one. Equalising your ears is the one part that takes a little getting used to, and it is practised slowly and individually, so you go at your own pace. All the equipment (wetsuit, mask, fins, tank, buoyancy jacket, and weights) is included, so you just bring a swimsuit and a towel.

A try-dive is a taster, not a certification. You will not come away qualified to dive on your own, but you will have done a real dive and seen the marine life. If you love it, the natural next step is a full PADI or SSI Open Water course.

Best Dive Sites and Areas in Mallorca

Mallorca's dive centres are spread around the coast, and where you dive shapes what you see. Here are the main areas and what each is known for.

The marine reserves (Malgrats and El Toro)

The southwest holds Mallorca's famous protected waters, the Malgrats and El Toro marine reserves off Santa Ponsa and Magaluf. Because fishing is restricted, there is far more marine life, so a try-dive in the Malgrats reserve is the one we'd prioritise if you want to see fish. These are the island's signature dive sites.

The north: Cap de Formentor and Alcúdia

The dramatic north coast around Cap de Formentor, Cap de Pinar, and Alcúdia has clear water and hidden bays reached by boat, with a more rugged, scenic feel. It is the best area if you are staying in the north and want a boat dive.

Palma, Santa Ponsa and the east

Around Palma and the southwest there are easy shore dives and reserve dives close to the city, while the east coast around Cala d'Or has calm, sandy coves with gentle beach entries that suit the most nervous beginners. Wherever you dive, the water is warmest and clearest in summer and early autumn.

What You'll See Underwater in Mallorca

Mallorca's water is part of the Mediterranean, so the marine life on a try-dive is subtle and colourful rather than tropical, and it is one of the best reasons to dive a protected reserve where there is more of it.

On a shallow beginner dive you can expect shoals of small fish like bream, damselfish, and wrasse, often curious and close, and with luck an octopus tucked into the rocks, which divers here spot regularly. The seabed is carpeted with Posidonia, the protected Mediterranean seagrass that keeps the water famously clear, and around the rocks and reefs you may see starfish, sea cucumbers, and the occasional ray or barracuda passing through. The reserves, with their richer life and 20-metre-plus visibility, give you the best chance of seeing it all. You will not see coral or big tropical fish, but the clarity of the water and the calm of floating weightless over a seagrass meadow are what make Mediterranean diving special.

Already Certified? Guided Dives and PADI Courses

The dives in this guide are all beginner try-dives, but Mallorca is just as good for certified divers and for learning to dive properly.

If you already hold a licence, dive centres across the island run guided dives for certified divers, often a single or double tank from a boat, including in the Malgrats and El Toro marine reserves and the wrecks and reefs off Cap de Formentor. You will need to bring your certification card and usually a recent logbook. If you want to learn, a full PADI or SSI Open Water course takes around three to four days and qualifies you to dive to 18 metres anywhere in the world, and many Mallorca centres run them in English through the season. A try-dive is a great way to find out whether the course is worth it for you first.

Scuba Diving vs Snorkeling in Mallorca

Not sure whether to scuba or snorkel? Both show you Mallorca's underwater world, but they suit different people and budgets.

Snorkeling: Cheaper, needs no instructor or gear beyond a mask, and lets you stay as long as you like at the surface. You see the shallows, the seagrass, and fish from above, and you can do it on a kayak or boat trip. Best if you are on a budget, short on time, or not sure about going underwater.
Scuba (a try-dive): Costs €80 to €167 and needs an instructor, but it takes you down to 5 or 6 metres for a proper, weightless look at the marine life up close, with the fish around you rather than below. Best if you want the real diving experience and the bigger thrill of breathing underwater.

If you are curious but cautious, snorkeling first is a cheap way to test the water; if you already know you want to dive, a try-dive is the natural choice. For the surface option, see our Mallorca kayak and snorkel tours, our snorkeling boat tour, and private boat hire guides.

Best Time to Dive in Mallorca

You can dive in Mallorca from spring to autumn, but the water and the visibility change a lot through the season, which is worth planning around.

Best monthsJun–Oct

The sea is warmest (around 24 to 26°C by August and September) and the visibility is at its best, often 20 to 30 metres. Early autumn is a sweet spot: warm water, good visibility, and fewer crowds than midsummer.

ShoulderApr–May

Diving starts up again in spring, with cooler water (around 16 to 18°C) and slightly lower visibility, but quieter sites and lower prices. A wetsuit, provided by the centre, keeps you comfortable.

ConditionsCalm, clear

Try-dives need calm, clear water, so operators may move the site or reschedule in wind or swell. Mornings are usually calmest, and the protected marine reserves stay diveable when more exposed sites do not.

For the warmest water and the best visibility, aim for June to October, with September a particular favourite. Whenever you go, the wetsuit and gear are included, so you only need to be comfortable in the water.

Is Scuba Diving in Mallorca Safe? What First-Timers Worry About

Scuba diving sounds daunting, but a Mallorca try-dive is built around first-timers, with a certified instructor beside you the whole time and a shallow depth that leaves a big safety margin. Here are the worries we hear most, answered.

Is scuba diving in Mallorca safe?

Yes. Try-dives stay at a shallow 5 to 6 metres, you are supervised one-on-one or in a small group by a certified PADI or SSI instructor, and you start with a briefing and shallow-water practice before going anywhere. The instructor controls the dive and can surface you slowly at any time. The main rules are to be honest about your health on the form, and not to fly within 24 hours of diving.

Do you need to be a strong swimmer?

You do not need to be a strong swimmer, but you should be comfortable in the water and able to swim a little. The wetsuit and buoyancy jacket keep you afloat, and the instructor manages your depth, so you are never relying on your own swimming. If water makes you anxious, a private one-on-one dive is the gentlest way in.

What if I panic underwater?

It is normal to feel nervous on the first breath, and instructors are trained for exactly this: they go slowly, stay within arm's reach, and will calmly bring you up if you signal. You can end the dive at any point. The shallow-water practice beforehand is there to build your confidence before you descend, and reviewers consistently say the instructors put nervous first-timers at ease.

Can non-swimmers try scuba diving?

Most operators ask that you can swim at least a little and are comfortable in water, so a complete non-swimmer is usually not suitable for a try-dive. If you are a weak or nervous swimmer, choose a private session and tell the instructor in advance, as they can adapt the experience and stay one-on-one with you.

How Much Does Scuba Diving in Mallorca Cost?

A beginner try-dive in Mallorca costs €80 to €167 per person, with gear and a certified instructor always included. The price mostly reflects the location, whether you go by boat or from the shore, and whether it is a group or a private session, rather than the dive itself, which is a similar shallow depth on every option. What matters more than the price, then, is the dive site: the same money at a marine reserve buys a lot more fish than at an unprotected cove.

Cheapest try-dives€80–115

The boat try-dive at Cap de Formentor is €80, and the Santa Ponsa marine-reserve dive is €115, both including gear, the instructor, and the boat. The reserve dive is the value pick for the marine life.

Most-booked Discover Scuba€130

The classic shore Discover Scuba in a marine reserve is €130, with shallow-water practice, two PADI instructors, and small groups. The most-proven option for a first dive.

Private and premium€139–167

A boat try-dive is €139, a private one-on-one dive with photos is €140, and the Cala d'Or beach dive is €167. You pay for the boat, exclusivity, or a particular spot.

All six are try-dives with gear and an instructor included, so the price mostly reflects the location, the boat, and whether it is a group or private session. A marine-reserve dive is the best value for the underwater life you will see.

From Our Experience

We've found the dive site matters more than the price on a beginner try-dive: every one is a shallow guided dive, so what changes the experience is the location, and a dive inside a marine reserve like the Malgrats shows you far more fish than a cheaper unprotected site.

Tips for Scuba Diving in Mallorca

Choose a marine reserve for the marine life: Every try-dive is a similar shallow depth, so the dive site is what changes what you see. A reserve like the Malgrats off Santa Ponsa has far more fish than an unprotected site.
Smaller groups suit nervous beginners: The more instructor attention you get, the calmer the dive. A private one-on-one or a small group is worth the extra if you are anxious in the water.
Check the minimum age: It ranges from 8 to 12 depending on the operator, so if you are diving with children, confirm the age limit before booking.
You must be comfortable in the water: No experience is needed, but you should be a confident swimmer or very at ease in the sea, and free of relevant medical conditions.
Do not fly within 24 hours: Allow at least a day between your last dive and a flight, so do not book a try-dive for your departure day.
Bring only a swimsuit and towel: All the gear, including the wetsuit, is provided, so you do not need to bring or buy any equipment.
Photos usually cost extra: On the group dives, photos of your dive are an optional add-on (around €10), while the private experience includes GoPro photos and video in the price.
Dive earlier in the day: Mornings usually have the calmest, clearest water, and the marine reserves stay diveable when more exposed sites are too rough.
Avoid a heavy meal or alcohol beforehand: Dive sober and lightly fed, and tell the instructor about any health issues during the briefing.

Why You Can Trust This Guide

We compared the bookable beginner scuba dives in Mallorca across GetYourGuide, Viator, and dive-centre websites to build this guide, weighing the dive site, the depth, the instructor ratio, whether you go by boat or from the shore, the price, and traveler ratings, rather than marketing claims. We focus on what actually shapes a first dive: whether the site is a protected marine reserve, how small the group is, the minimum age, and what is included, since the gear and a certified instructor come as standard. We are careful to flag where a listing's details differ from the booking link, and where a perfect rating comes from only a handful of reviews. Where details were thin, we checked across multiple platforms and recent reviews to confirm the real picture. Our recommendations are independent. We are not paid to feature any operator, and the comparison reflects the pricing, ratings, and traveler feedback as we found them, so you can book the dive that fits your confidence, your group, and the part of the island you are staying in.

How We Selected These Tours

The Spain Travel Insider team built this list around what matters most for a first dive: a genuine, well-supervised try-dive, a good dive site, clear information on depth and age, and gear and a certified instructor included as standard. Every dive here is a verified, bookable experience with a real volume of recent reviews. We left out listings with thin feedback, vague dive sites, or unclear inclusions, which matter most when you are putting your safety in an instructor's hands on your first dive. We also spread the picks across the island and the formats: boat and shore dives, marine reserves and coves, group and private sessions, from the north coast at Cap de Formentor to Santa Ponsa, Palma, and Cala d'Or, so there is a fit whatever your confidence, your budget, and where you are based.

Scuba Diving Mallorca: The 6 Best Try-Dives & First Dives Compared 2026

What You Should Know

Scuba Diving in Mallorca

Discover Scuba Diving for Beginners

Best Scuba Diving in Mallorca: Side-by-Side Comparison

Compare the Most Popular Try-Dives in Mallorca

Book the Most Popular Option Directly

What to Expect on a Try-Dive

Briefing at the dive centre

Into the gear

Practice in calm water

Down to 5 to 6 metres

Surface and debrief

Briefing at the dive centre

Into the gear

Practice in calm water

Down to 5 to 6 metres

Surface and debrief

Best Beginner Scuba Dives in Mallorca

Discover Scuba Diving for Beginners

Cap de Formentor: Try Scuba from a Boat (SSI)

Santa Ponsa: Try Scuba in a Marine Reserve

Mallorca: Try Scuba Diving by Boat

Private Beginner Scuba Experience

Cala d'Or: Try Scuba (No Experience Needed)

What Is a Try-Dive (Discover Scuba)?

Best Dive Sites and Areas in Mallorca

The marine reserves (Malgrats and El Toro)

The north: Cap de Formentor and Alcúdia

Palma, Santa Ponsa and the east

What You'll See Underwater in Mallorca

Already Certified? Guided Dives and PADI Courses

Scuba Diving vs Snorkeling in Mallorca

Best Time to Dive in Mallorca

Is Scuba Diving in Mallorca Safe? What First-Timers Worry About

Is scuba diving in Mallorca safe?

Do you need to be a strong swimmer?

What if I panic underwater?

Can non-swimmers try scuba diving?

How Much Does Scuba Diving in Mallorca Cost?

From Our Experience

Tips for Scuba Diving in Mallorca

Why You Can Trust This Guide

How We Selected These Tours

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Popular Tours in the Area

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