REVIEW · SCUBA DIVING IN CYPRUS
Try a Scuba Diving Experience
First scuba lesson, no stress. In Protaras, this half-day try scuba outing pairs basic instruction with sterile supplied gear and photos and videos included. The main tradeoff is it is weather-dependent, and you are doing a first-timers session, not a full certification course.
What makes this one work is the teaching vibe. Instructors such as Shaun, Shawn, Nick, Richard, Kim, Lisa, and Bec show up in feedback as calm, funny, and very hands-on, especially for nervous beginners and families.
In This Review
- Try Scuba In Protaras, Cyprus: What You’re Actually Buying
- Getting There: Pickup, Meeting Point, And Timing That Works
- Sterile Gear, English Instruction, And The Safety Stuff That Matters
- Training In Shallow Water: Skills, Breathing, And Hand Signals
- Your First Underwater Experience: Marine Life Odds In A Small Bay
- Photos And Videos Included: The Best Part To Plan For
- Price And Value: Is $90.74 Worth It For A First-Timer?
- Who This Is Best For (And One Reason To Reconsider)
- Practical Tips For A Smooth First-Time Session
- Should You Book This Try Scuba Experience?
- FAQ
- How long is the Try Scuba session?
- Where does the experience start?
- Is pickup available?
- What is included in the price?
- Do you offer instruction in English?
- What age is it suitable for?
- How often does it run?
- Is this private for just my group?
- What happens if weather is poor?
Try Scuba In Protaras, Cyprus: What You’re Actually Buying

This is a short, structured introduction to scuba for first-timers. You get a guided setup, a skills practice in very shallow water, then a first underwater experience guided by an expert, with a chance to spot local marine life like turtles.
At $90.74 per person for about 3 hours, it is not the cheapest activity in the area. But it is good value because the gear is supplied, the instruction is individualized to your level, and the price includes all photos and videos. For many people, that photo set is the part they want most after a one-time bucket-list moment.
Also, you are not doing this solo. It runs 7 days a week with morning or afternoon sessions, and it is offered as a private activity, so only your group participates.
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Getting There: Pickup, Meeting Point, And Timing That Works

Your start point is the Sirens scuba center area in Paralimni, at E306 513, Paralimni 5297, Cyprus. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you are not stuck coordinating a separate return.
If you want pickup, they can transport you to and from your accommodation or hotel within a 15 km radius of their Protaras dive base. If you are driving yourself, they note there is a very good Google Map on their website, and you can tell them your plan ahead of time.
The timing is half-day, about 3 hours total. That means you can still do other things the same day in Cyprus, which is handy if you are juggling a beach, a boat tour, and dinner plans.
One practical note: your exact plan can shift with wind and swell, since the experience requires good weather. If weather cancels it, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
Sterile Gear, English Instruction, And The Safety Stuff That Matters
You will use provided scuba equipment, and the center states the gear is supplied and sterile under Covid governance. Even if you are not thinking about hygiene first, it is reassuring when you are dealing with shared gear and a brand-new setup.
Instruction is in English. You are taught how the equipment works, and you practice the basics before going beyond the shallows. That matters because scuba is less about raw strength and more about correct positioning, smooth breathing, and clear communication.
They also teach the relevant underwater hand signals. That part is underrated. When you understand what the instructor is trying to communicate, the whole experience feels calmer fast, even if you start with nerves.
If you need a service animal, service animals are allowed, so you can plan with that in mind.
Training In Shallow Water: Skills, Breathing, And Hand Signals

The flow is simple and beginner-friendly. You head to a bay about 2 minutes from the center, where you start with shallow water skills. This is where you learn how breathing feels with the regulator and how to control your pace without rushing.
You also learn how the hand signals work while you are still close to the instructor. That is a smart way to reduce stress, because you are not guessing while you are already underwater.
What I like here is the sequence. You are not thrown into the deep end. You practice breathing and basic control in a safe, predictable setting, then you move on once you feel ready.
From the way people describe the experience, the instructors tend to be patient with first-timers. Several comments call out guides who helped beginners stay calm and who stayed attentive the whole time, not just during the equipment talk.
Your First Underwater Experience: Marine Life Odds In A Small Bay

Once you are comfortable with the shallow water basics, you go on your first guided underwater outing. The guide is with you for safety and support, and you are shown how to move and communicate.
For wildlife chances, the description notes you might see one of the turtles if you are lucky. In feedback, people specifically mention turtles and also other sea life such as fish, lionfish, and needlefish, plus underwater sculptures.
A small but useful detail: one review mentions about 45 minutes underwater for a first-timers session. That suggests you are not just “briefly trying it,” even though it is still a try experience.
If you are going with kids or teens, they say it is suitable for adults and children from 8 years upward. One family-focused review highlights the organized way the staff supported a 12-year-old, which is a good sign if your group includes younger divers.
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Photos And Videos Included: The Best Part To Plan For

This is one of the strongest value points. All photographs and videos are included in the price, so you do not have to pay extra to remember the day.
Based on guest feedback, photos and videos are taken during the session, and some groups report receiving them via WhatsApp the day after. Another detail that stands out is that some guests mentioned being filmed and photographed with multiple cameras, including three different cameras, with the media delivered free of charge.
So here is my practical advice: make sure you are comfortable sharing contact details for delivery. If WhatsApp is your preferred channel, that is likely how you will get it, based on feedback.
Also, before you go, think about what you want from the photos. If you want more “face and reaction” shots, you can mentally remind yourself to do small head turns and keep your body relaxed once the instructor signals you to check things around.
Price And Value: Is $90.74 Worth It For A First-Timer?

Let’s look at what you actually get for the money.
You pay $90.74 per person for roughly 3 hours. In that time, you receive:
- instruction on equipment, breathing, and hand signals
- supplied gear that the center states is sterile under Covid governance
- transport options if you are within 15 km of their base
- a structured shallow-to-underwater progression
- all photos and videos included in the price
- a private setup for your group
The value is highest if you are a true beginner and want everything handled. You are paying for the safety framing, the coaching, and the media you get after, not just for access to the water.
If you already have certification and want long, technical training, this likely would not satisfy that goal. But as a first try, it can be a very efficient bucket-list check.
Who This Is Best For (And One Reason To Reconsider)

This try scuba experience fits best if you fall into one of these groups:
- First-timers who want an expert with you at every step
- Families with kids 8 and up who want structured support
- People who get nervous at the start and want patient, calm guidance
- Couples and friends who want a private group feel
Reviews repeatedly mention instructors who stay professional and focused on making people comfortable. Comments also mention that it can be done even if you have bad knees, suggesting the staff handles positioning thoughtfully.
One reason to reconsider is simple: if you want a long underwater session every day or a full course that leads to certification, this is not that. It is designed as a try experience, with limited time in the water and a finish at the meeting point.
Also, because the activity requires good weather, you should have a flexible mindset. Wind or poor conditions can affect whether you go.
Practical Tips For A Smooth First-Time Session

Here are the choices that usually make the day go better, especially for beginners.
Wear something you can get wet and that will dry fast. Even if the water is not cold, you will still leave the experience damp.
Bring a simple dry bag if you have one. You are going from meeting point to a nearby bay, doing training, then returning. Keeping small items secure makes it easier to stay relaxed.
Arrive ready to listen. The more you follow the instructor’s timing with breathing and hand signals, the faster you will feel comfortable. That is where those patient instructors like Shaun and Nick tend to shine, and you will benefit from it quickly.
If you are a nervous beginner, it helps to know that your guide will likely be focused on calming you down early. Feedback highlights that staff consistently helps people remain calm and answers questions before you move into deeper water.
Finally, plan your photos. If your group tends to lose track of time, set expectations that the media is included, and often delivered after the session.
Should You Book This Try Scuba Experience?
I would book it if you want a well-run first scuba session in Protaras that includes equipment, instruction, and the best part, photos and videos, all in one price. The private group feel and the repeated focus on calm, patient teaching are exactly what first-timers need.
You might skip it if you are looking for a long course experience, or if you know you will struggle with the idea of getting through shallow water practice before going underwater. And if your schedule is tight, keep in mind it depends on good weather.
If you want the most value, go when you have time to fully recover afterward, plan a relaxed meal, and be ready to follow the hand-signal system. That is the difference between a stressful first try and a genuinely fun, confidence-building outing.
FAQ
How long is the Try Scuba session?
It lasts about 3 hours (approx.).
Where does the experience start?
It starts at the Sirens center at E306 513, Paralimni 5297, Cyprus.
Is pickup available?
Yes, pickup and return from your accommodation or hotel are available if you are within a 15 km radius of the dive centre in Protaras.
What is included in the price?
Provided scuba equipment is included, and all photographs and videos are included in the price.
Do you offer instruction in English?
Yes, the experience is offered in English.
What age is it suitable for?
It is suitable for adults and children from 8 years upwards.
How often does it run?
It runs 7 days a week, with sessions in the morning or afternoons.
Is this private for just my group?
Yes. Only your group will participate.
What happens if weather is poor?
The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.
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