Diving prices in Mallorca vary widely, from a short try dive to a full course. The price you see first is often not what you pay.
Your problem is knowing which format fits you and what the total includes. This guide explains the typical price of each format, what it covers, the extras to expect, and where to book.
What a beginner dive usually costs in Mallorca
A beginner Discover Scuba Diving experience in Mallorca typically costs between €88 and €130 per person. Cala Santanyí starts at €88, Cala Millor at €99 and El Arenal at €130, so the spot you choose makes a real difference.
This range shows a typical trend, not a calculated average. Booking fees are added on top, so the amount you pay at checkout can be higher than the price shown.
A try dive usually takes 2 to 3 hours in total, so ask what that total covers before you book. Cala Santanyí takes 2 hours, Porto Cristo 2.5 hours and El Arenal 3 hours.
A beginner dive reaches about 6 to 8 metres, but the El Arenal dive stops at 6 metres. To see the Porto Cristo option, which reaches that deeper range, open our Porto Cristo beginner scuba page.
Single dives for certified divers
If you are already certified, a guided single dive starts at about €42 without equipment. With full equipment, expect about €64 to €70 per person, depending on the type of dive.
The gap between the two prices is the rental gear, so ask whether the quoted price includes it. If you plan several dives, a multi-dive package lowers the cost of each one, so compare the per-dive price before you book.
Shore dive or boat dive
Dive from the shore
- A house-reef dive costs about 40% less than a single boat dive, so it is the cheaper option.
- Ask whether the site is in a marine reserve. That adds €5 per dive.
Boat dive
- It costs more than a shore dive, but reaches sites you cannot access from land.
- Check the extras: a night dive adds €10, and a marine-reserve surcharge adds €5 per dive when it applies.
What a PADI course costs, and what it adds up to
The Open Water Diver course is the main cost of learning to dive. In Mallorca, the listed examples run from €449 to €590 per person.
Some prices cover only the practical training, while others add the online theory and the dives. E-learning and certification are often extra, so ask for the total first.
See the seabed without a certificate: join our Coll Baix snorkelling boat trip from Alcúdia, read about the best snorkeling spots in Mallorca, or swim in underground lakes at the Cueva Acuática. Certified divers can also dive with sharks at Palma Aquarium.
The three PADI courses have different price ranges, and only the Open Water course has an early-booking rate.
| PADI Scuba Diver | PADI Advanced Open Water | PADI Open Water | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listed price | €299–€370 | €309–€379 | €499 |
| Early-booking price | — | — | €449 |
| Typical length | — | — | 3–5 days |
The €449 rate saves €50, about 10%, but only if you book at least four weeks ahead and before 1 June.
An Open Water course usually takes 3–5 days: about 15 hours of practical training, plus about five hours of online theory.
What the price covers and what gets added on
A beginner dive price in Porto Cristo covers a guide, full diving equipment, a tank, insurance, the boat trip, basic instruction and a guided dive. That is the core of what you pay for.
Transfers, reserve entry and a certificate are not included in that example, so check whether they are added before you pay.
Before you pay, ask for the full list of inclusions and check these common extras:
- Dive computer, dive knife and surface marker buoy: mandatory in Mallorca at one centre, at €5, €1 and €2 per day.
- Full equipment rental: €25 per day at one Mallorca centre, so ask whether it is already in your price.
- Marine reserve surcharge: €5 at one centre, on top of a 2026 reserve permit of €5.24 per day.
- Transport: the Cala Millor course includes it, but the Porto Cristo boat trip does not include hotel pick-up.
Who can try diving, and what the medical check involves
Most people with no diving experience can try, as long as they meet the age rule. For a Discover Scuba Diving try dive at Porto Cristo, the minimum age is 10, and anyone under 18 needs parental authorisation.
A try dive is not the full Open Water course, and it does not certify you to dive independently with a buddy. To dive on your own, you need the full course.
Medical check
-
Check age and swimming
Minimum age is 10. Pass one test: swim 200 metres without stopping, or walk 1.6 km in 14 minutes.
-
Fill in the medical form
Done when every answer is no. No doctor is then needed.
-
Get a doctor if needed
A yes on question 3, 5 or 10, or on any question on page two, needs a doctor’s evaluation.
-
Send the form before the dive
Done when the operator confirms receipt. A late form can cost you the price.
Comparing prices fairly before you book
A listed price only means something once you know what it leaves out. At Porto Cristo, our beginner experience costs €129 before booking fees, and those fees are added at checkout.
Cala Santanyí lists €88 and Cala Millor €99, which look cheaper, but only the final total shows what you pay. Before you compare, check that total, the dive location and the cancellation terms.
Before you pay, check these three points:
- Inclusions: ask for the full list in writing, with booking fees included.
- Location: a boat dive costs more than a dive from the shore, so the departure point changes the total.
- Cancellation: one offer refunds in full up to 24 hours before, while another refunds nothing if you cancel less than 24 hours before.
Protected zones limit the number of divers. At El Toro and Malgrats, each dive point takes 12 divers per visit, and no more than 48 divers can be in the area at once.
The common mistake is comparing headline prices alone, since fees and cancellation terms can reverse the order.
Choose your format first: a try dive, a single dive for certified divers, or a PADI course. Then ask for the total, with booking fees and rental gear included, before you compare prices.
To book a try dive, check the cancellation terms on our beginner scuba page before you pay.
Book your beginner dive in Porto Cristo
FAQ
Is there diving in Majorca?
Yes, there is diving in Mallorca. Beginner try dives and guided dives for certified divers are both available, including at Porto Cristo and Cala Santanyí.
Which one you pick depends on whether you already hold a certificate, so check that first.
What is the 120 rule in diving?
The 120 rule is a planning shortcut for estimating bottom time, the minutes you can spend at depth.
It works in feet, not metres: subtract your depth in feet from 120 to get a rough maximum bottom time in minutes (for example, 60 ft ≈ 18 m gives about 60 minutes). It is an old rule of thumb and does not replace a dive computer, dive tables or your instructor’s dive plan.
Can a 60 year old do scuba diving?
Yes, age 60 alone is not a bar to diving. What matters is your health: you must meet the medical requirements, and if the PADI medical questionnaire calls for it, you need a doctor’s evaluation before you dive.
Browse our best things to do in Mallorca and get our Mallorca Ultimate Guide for the best coves and local tips.
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