Puerto de Mogán: Submarine Tour

The most unusual part of Puerto de Mogán’s seaside menu is below the surface: a ride in the Golden Shark, a real passenger submarine that carries you down to 25 metres. From your seat, you can watch the seabed, shipwrecks and marine life through large windows, without needing to swim.

I like two things in particular: the 40-minute length gives you time to settle into the experience without taking over your day, and the audio guide in nine languages makes the sights easier to follow. A screen for each passenger also shows the submarine’s movements as it goes down and comes back up.

One caveat: what you see depends on water conditions. On a clear day, fish and underwater features can be easy to make out; after rain, the water may be cloudy, and some trips see fewer fish than others. The submarine is not suitable for children under two or wheelchair users.

At a glance: what makes this submarine trip different

• A 25-metre descent: See the seabed from inside a passenger submarine, without swimming or changing pressure.
• Two shipwrecks: The route passes wrecks on the sea floor, often with fish nearby.
• An artificial reef: Concrete structures provide habitats for marine life and add another point of interest to the route.
• A compact 40-minute trip: Long enough for a memorable look below the surface, but short enough to fit into a day in Puerto de Mogán.
• Nine audio-guide languages: Choose from German, Spanish, English, French, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish or Finnish.
• Clear limits on access: Children under two and wheelchair users cannot take part; you also need to manage the boarding ladder.

A submarine ride, not a glass-bottom boat

The Golden Shark gives you a different view of the Atlantic than you’ll get from a boat with a glass floor. You go below the surface, with the seabed at eye level through large windows, rather than looking down through a small panel from above. The maximum depth is 25 metres, and the tour information says you experience no change in pressure.

That distinction matters if you’re curious about the sea but not keen to swim, snorkel or handle a mask. You can watch the underwater world from a seated position, with headphones for the commentary and a screen showing the submarine’s movements. You don’t need to be a confident swimmer to take part.

Still, this is a short sightseeing route, not an expedition into open ocean. The experience is designed around the Puerto de Mogán seabed, including wrecks and an artificial reef. If you expect a long trip through wild, untouched waters, the set route and 40-minute duration may feel modest.

From the dock to the seabed

The submarine departs from the dock at Pantalán Dique Sur in Puerto de Mogán. Exchange your voucher in the boarding area at least 20 minutes before departure. The boarding gates close 10 minutes before the trip starts, so don’t plan to arrive at the last minute.

Once aboard, you can watch the submarine’s manoeuvres on a screen provided for each passenger. This adds something to the ride: you see the descent and surfacing as events in their own right, not just a short wait between the dock and the underwater views. The crew gives instructions and safety messages, and the driver speaks English, Spanish and German.

You’ll need to be able to get into the submarine. One visitor specifically noted the ladder, so consider that before booking if climbing aboard is difficult for you. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the minimum age is two.

The company says trips operate only in favourable conditions. Good weather on land does not guarantee that the submarine will go out; if conditions prevent the trip, you’ll be offered a refund or another date. That can be disappointing if this is the one activity you built your day around, so it’s wise to keep a little flexibility in your plans.

Two wrecks and a man-made reef

The seabed is the main event. The route passes two sunken boats, with fish sometimes swimming around them, and an artificial reef made with concrete structures. These features give the trip more to look at than a plain stretch of sand, and the audio guide can help you follow the route and hear some history about the ships.

The wrecks also create a useful focus for the 40-minute visit. Rather than simply looking out at the sea floor, you have recognisable features to spot and compare as the submarine moves past. You may see fish around the wrecks and reef, and some trips have brought sightings of creatures such as an octopus. But marine life is not scheduled or guaranteed.

That’s where expectations matter. Some days offer clear views and a good variety of fish; on others, the water may be sandy or cloudy, and the seabed can look sparse. Recent rain was one reason a visitor found visibility reduced. If you’re booking mainly to see abundant wildlife, remember that this is a natural setting, not an aquarium.

I’d frame the trip as a chance to see a part of the sea you normally can’t reach, with wrecks and constructed reef features to look for. The precise quality of the view is variable, but the experience of being inside a submarine is the part that stays distinctive even when the water is less than clear.

The audio guide and onboard screens

Headphones are included, and the audio guide is available in nine languages: German, Spanish, English, French, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and Finnish. That range is helpful for families and groups who don’t all speak the same language. The driver’s spoken languages are English, Spanish and German, while the recorded guide covers more options.

The commentary follows the route and explains what you’re seeing, including details about the ships. You can listen while looking through the window, rather than trying to catch a single live talk in a noisy or multilingual group. Some people may prefer more narration and less music, so if you like a steady stream of facts, the balance may not be exactly what you’d choose.

The screens give you another angle by showing the submarine as it submerges and surfaces. They’re especially useful if you’re curious about how the vessel moves, or if you want to follow the manoeuvres while the underwater view changes. The headphones are included, and some people have been able to keep them afterward, though that should not be assumed as part of the offer.

Is 40 minutes enough?

For most people, 40 minutes is a sensible length for a first submarine trip. It gives you time to look around, hear the commentary and see the key features, without asking you to sit in a small enclosed space for much of the day. Several visitors wished the trip lasted longer, which says something about how absorbing it can feel, but others found the duration just right.

The compact timing also makes this an easy activity to pair with a visit to Puerto de Mogán. The submarine returns to its departure point, so there’s no complicated onward transfer at the end of the ride. You can plan to explore the town or have a meal afterward, though allow time for the voucher exchange and boarding before the scheduled departure.

If you’re uneasy in confined spaces, take that seriously. The submarine is enclosed, and the route lasts around 40 minutes. One visitor found the ride straightforward and had little discomfort, apart from a strange feeling while surfacing, but individual reactions vary. There’s no need to be a swimmer, but comfort in an enclosed cabin is a different question.

What $45 buys you

At $45 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend 40 minutes by the sea. The value comes from doing something you can’t replicate with a short coastal walk: riding in a submarine, reaching 25 metres and seeing wrecks and reef structures from underwater. If that novelty appeals to you, the price feels more reasonable than it might for a standard boat outing.

The included audio guide, headphones and individual screens add practical value. You don’t have to pay extra for the basic commentary or to share one viewing screen with a group. The main uncertainty is the visibility and marine life, which can vary with conditions and cannot be controlled by the operator.

Printed photos are available for purchase after the trip. Some visitors bought two for €5, describing them as an affordable keepsake, but the photos are optional and not included in the $45 price. If you want your own pictures, bring a camera or phone you can use safely and comfortably from your seat, and don’t count on seeing the same conditions as someone who went on a clearer day.

If you’re staying in the south of Gran Canaria, the supplier may be able to offer free pickup, depending on availability. Ask directly after booking by calling 0034 928 56 51 08, Monday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Pickup is limited to Bahía Feliz, Playa del Inglés, Meloneras, Arguineguín, Puerto Rico and Taurito, so confirm before making plans around it.

Who will enjoy the Golden Shark most?

This is a good fit if you want a family-friendly activity that doesn’t involve swimming, or if you’re simply curious about what the sea floor looks like from a submarine. The trip has worked well for adults and children, and the short duration can suit younger children better than a long boat excursion. But children’s attention spans vary; a small child may lose interest before the submarine returns.

It also suits people who like a clear structure: board, follow a set route, see the wrecks and reef, then return to the same dock. The language options make it practical for international groups, and the screens and commentary give you more context than a silent window view.

It is less suitable if you need step-free access, are younger than two, dislike enclosed spaces or expect guaranteed sightings of large animals. The name Golden Shark may set your imagination roaming, but don’t book on the assumption that you’ll see sharks. The route is about the local seabed, wrecks, fish and reef structures.

Should you book this Puerto de Mogán submarine tour?

I’d book the Golden Shark if the idea of going below the surface is exciting in itself, and you’re happy to treat fish sightings and visibility as a bonus rather than a promise. Two wrecks, an artificial reef, multilingual commentary and a 25-metre descent give the short trip a clear purpose. For many visitors, the unusual way of seeing the seabed is worth more than the length of the ride.

Skip it if you’re uncomfortable in enclosed spaces, cannot manage the boarding ladder or need wheelchair access. And if your main goal is to see a large number of animals, remember that nature may offer a quieter view. For a first submarine ride, though, this is a tidy, memorable outing with a manageable time commitment and a strong sense of occasion.

FAQ

How long is the submarine tour?

The tour lasts about 40 minutes. It returns to the departure point at the dock in Puerto de Mogán.

How deep does the Golden Shark go?

The submarine reaches a maximum depth of 25 metres. The tour information says you do not experience a change in pressure.

What might I see underwater?

The route passes two shipwrecks and an artificial reef, with fish and other marine life sometimes visible. What you see can vary with water clarity and conditions.

What languages are available for the audio guide?

The audio guide is available in German, Spanish, English, French, Italian, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and Finnish. The driver speaks English, Spanish and German.

Where do I meet, and when should I arrive?

The meeting point is the boarding area at Pantalán Dique Sur in Puerto de Mogán. Exchange your voucher at least 20 minutes before departure; boarding gates close 10 minutes before the trip.

Can children under two or wheelchair users take part?

No. The activity is not suitable for children under two or wheelchair users. You also need to be able to board the submarine using the ladder.