REVIEW · TOSSA DE MAR
Tossa de Mar: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Tossasub Diving Center · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Your first breaths underwater can feel surprisingly normal. In Tossa de Mar, this beginner program pairs coaching with SSI Try Scuba so you know what comes next, including a 12m max depth for your first underwater session.
I love that you start with a short theory and equipment setup before you ever enter the water. You’ll also enjoy a small group (up to 6) with instructors speaking Catalan, English, French, and Spanish.
Do check your health screening first, because the activity isn’t suitable for lots of conditions, and you must complete the medical questionnaire before you go in.
In This Review
- Key highlights worth planning around
- Why Tossa de Mar works well for a first scuba session
- What happens during your SSI Try Scuba training (3 hours)
- The controlled underwater time: max 12m and a supervised 40–45 minutes
- Instructors, small-group pace, and the comfort factor you can feel
- Price and value: what $91 covers (and what you still need)
- Safety rules that affect who should book
- What to bring, when to arrive, and rain-or-shine reality
- Should you book this beginner scuba session in Tossa de Mar?
- FAQ
- How deep will I go?
- How long is the underwater part?
- What should I bring with me?
- What is the minimum age?
- Is the course suitable if I have a medical condition?
- Does it run in bad weather?
Key highlights worth planning around
- SSI Try Scuba recognition rating after a successful course, so you leave with something official to show
- Max 12m depth and about 40–45 minutes in the water with close instructor supervision
- Small group of 6 means more attention while you learn breathing, movement, and basic communication
- Practical gear fitting is included, and they’ve offered masks with corrective lenses for glasses wearers
- Marine life sightings you can actually expect on a beginner outing, including fish, an octopus, and even a jellyfish
- Photos along the way are part of the experience, which helps you remember the moment without juggling a camera underwater
Why Tossa de Mar works well for a first scuba session
Tossa de Mar gives you an easy, tourist-friendly base for trying scuba for the first time in Catalonia. The program is built for beginners who want structure: you learn the basics on land first, then you practice in a controlled setting where the goal is confidence, not speed.
One reason I’d pick a place like this is simple: your first underwater experience is mostly about comfort. You’ll spend time learning how to breathe underwater, how to move with the gear, and how to deal with that strange feeling of not having gravity the same way you do on land. That training matters more than chasing something fancy underwater.
And yes, the sea life can be fun too. Past groups have reported seeing plenty of fish, plus memorable extras like an octopus and even a jellyfish. For beginners, that’s a great payoff: you’re not just learning skills—you’re also getting a real-world look at what’s out there.
You can also read our reviews of more scuba diving tours in Tossa De Mar
What happens during your SSI Try Scuba training (3 hours)
This is a fast-moving course, scheduled for about 3 hours total, and designed to lead you from theory to first supervised water time. The core idea is simple: you practice the skills you need before you go anywhere near the real challenge of staying calm underwater.
In the first part, you’ll receive an instructor-led introduction to how scuba works. The coaching covers:
- how to use the equipment you’ve been given
- how to breathe underwater
- how to get used to the different body feeling (the lack of gravity effect)
- basic underwater communication skills
Then comes the setup phase. You’ll get fitted with the necessary scuba equipment (included in the price) before heading to the beach. This matters because properly fitted gear helps you learn faster. If something doesn’t feel right, you want that sorted before you’re already in the water.
The program is also tied to SSI Try Scuba. If your course goes well, you can earn an SSI Try Scuba recognition rating at the end. That’s a useful goal for first-timers—it gives the training a clear finish line and something official to remember.
The controlled underwater time: max 12m and a supervised 40–45 minutes
Your first underwater session happens with direct instructor supervision and a maximum depth of 12 meters. Expect about 40–45 minutes in the water, which is long enough to learn, feel comfortable, and actually notice what’s around you.
The “controlled and confined environment” approach is the biggest reason this works for beginners. Instead of throwing you into a free-for-all, you’re learning how to manage your breathing, your buoyancy basics, and your movement while staying within safe boundaries.
You’ll enter the water with your instructor, then you’ll work through your beginner skills—breathe, move, and use the basics of underwater communication. The staff also takes the pressure off by staying close and adjusting to your comfort level, especially when groups include kids or people returning after a long break.
When the water time ends, you head back to the center. You can shower and change afterward, which is a small detail that makes a big difference when you’re planning the rest of your day.
Instructors, small-group pace, and the comfort factor you can feel
This program caps groups at 6 participants, which is exactly what you want for a first scuba outing. Smaller groups usually mean you’re not waiting your turn while your confidence leaks out.
Language support is another practical win. The instructors can coach in Catalan, English, French, and Spanish, so you’re less likely to lose key instructions in translation. Clear instruction is what helps you relax when you’re new to underwater breathing.
The reviews highlight a pattern: instructors stay patient and attentive. Names that come up again and again include Uri, David, Mark, Israel, Pep, Marina, Emma, Mano, and Yuri. You’ll also see the same theme in how they handle first-timers: they make the steps feel manageable and keep watch when you’re practicing skills.
One smart touch from past groups: they may have a diving mask with corrective lenses if you wear glasses. That’s not something every beginner program offers, and it can prevent blurry discomfort from turning into a distraction underwater.
And when it’s time to wrap up, your guides often take pictures during the experience. That helps you focus on breathing and learning instead of trying to capture everything with a phone you can’t use properly in the water.
Price and value: what $91 covers (and what you still need)
At $91 per person for about 3 hours, the price is mostly about what’s included. Here’s what you’re getting up front:
- Diving equipment (so you don’t have to rent or shop for gear)
- Diving insurance and liability insurance
- instructor-led training through the SSI Try Scuba flow
For many first-timers, that combination is the real value. The equipment and safety coverage remove the guesswork, and the structured instruction helps you actually enjoy the experience instead of just getting through it.
What you pay extra for:
- a bathing suit
- towel
- flip-flops (and shower sandals are specifically noted as not included)
- anything else you want personally, like a post-experience snack
If you’re budgeting, build the small add-ons into your total cost. It’s still a bargain when you compare it to paying separately for gear plus lessons plus insurance.
Safety rules that affect who should book
Scuba is amazing, but this program is clear about limits, and you should respect them. You’ll need to complete the medical questionnaire the diving center provides, and the activity isn’t recommended for anyone with many health issues.
The program lists people it’s not suitable for, including those with:
- heart problems
- respiratory issues
- ear problems
- kidney problems
- high blood pressure
- epilepsy
- diabetes
- recent eye problems or recent surgeries
- pregnancy
- non-swimmers
It also notes age rules. Minors must be at least 8 years old, and children need parental or guardian authorization. If you have a child between 8 and 15, you’re expected to indicate that during booking.
Other real-life rules you’ll feel on the day:
- no alcohol or drugs
- no touching plants underwater
- the activity starts promptly, and entry isn’t permitted once it begins
- unaccompanied minors aren’t allowed
If you’re on the fence, the best approach is to be honest with the questionnaire and tell the center about anything relevant. For a beginner course, safety isn’t a checkbox—it’s what keeps the experience smooth.
What to bring, when to arrive, and rain-or-shine reality
This runs rain or shine, so you should plan for wet weather. Not everyone wants that on vacation, but it’s also common-sense: your schedule shouldn’t collapse just because clouds show up.
Bring:
- swimwear
- towel
- flip-flops
Plan to keep things simple. You won’t want a bulky bag during setup, and you’ll appreciate having basic items ready for the shower and change afterward at the center.
You’ll meet at the Tossasub center, and you must redeem your voucher at the ticket counter before the activity starts. Also, it begins promptly at your scheduled time, so arrive early enough to check in without stress.
One travel-tip that matters if you’re hopping onward the same trip: it’s recommended to wait at least 12 hours after the activity before flying.
Should you book this beginner scuba session in Tossa de Mar?
If you want a first scuba experience that’s structured, beginner-friendly, and focused on comfort, I think this is a strong choice. It’s built around learning the basics in a controlled setting, with close instructor supervision, and it ends with an SSI Try Scuba recognition rating you can point to afterward.
It’s especially a good fit for:
- families with children 8+ who can swim and can follow instructions
- people who want small-group attention rather than being one face in a crowd
- first-timers who prefer clear steps: theory first, gear next, then a supervised underwater practice
Skip it (or wait) if you’re dealing with health conditions on the center’s not-recommended list, or if you’re not comfortable as a swimmer. And if you’re the type who gets anxious about tight schedules, plan extra buffer time because the activity starts promptly and can’t be delayed for late arrivals.
If your goal is a first underwater taste that feels safe and fun—with fish sightings and the chance of wow moments like an octopus—this is the kind of beginner program worth booking.
FAQ
How deep will I go?
Your first supervised underwater session has a maximum depth of 12 meters.
How long is the underwater part?
The first underwater experience is around 40–45 minutes.
What should I bring with me?
Bring swimwear, a towel, and flip-flops. Shower sandals are not included.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age for minors is 8 years old, and children must have parental or guardian authorization.
Is the course suitable if I have a medical condition?
It is not recommended for people with pre-existing medical conditions, and the center requires every participant to complete a medical questionnaire.
Does it run in bad weather?
Yes. The activity takes place rain or shine.
