Diving in Hurghada: Try Dives, Daily Dives, PADI Courses & Prices
Hurghada is one of the easiest places in the world to dive: warm water all year, visibility often above 20 metres and dozens of reefs within an hour of the marinas. There are three ways to dive with us — an Intro dive if you have never dived before, the PADI Open Water course if you want your own certification, and Daily diving if you already hold one.
We work with dive centres across Hurghada and book you with one close to your hotel, so your transfer stays short whether you stay in El Gouna, central Hurghada, Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay. Diving equipment and a dive guide or instructor are always included.
Intro or Daily diving: which one is for you?
| Intro dive | Daily diving | |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | Beginners aged 10+, no certificate needed | Certified divers (any recognised agency) |
| Dives | 2 dives without an island, or 1 dive with an island visit | 2 boat dives, no island |
| Time underwater | About 10–15 minutes per dive | About 45–55 minutes per dive |
| Price | €55 per diver (no island) | €65 per diver |
| Included | Instructor, full equipment, lunch and drinks, hotel transfer | Dive guide, full equipment, lunch and drinks, hotel transfer |
Both programmes are booked on the scuba diving page: choose Intro or Daily diving in the booking form and pay online or with a small deposit. Intro dives combined with Orange Bay, Hulla Hulla or Dolphin House are priced on request.
Learn to dive: the PADI Open Water course
The PADI Open Water Diver course is the world's most popular first certification. It lets you dive to 18 metres with a buddy anywhere in the world, for life.
| PADI Open Water course | |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3–4 days |
| Training | Theory, shallow-water skills, then 4 open-water dives on the reef |
| Who can join | Age 15+ (Junior Open Water from age 10), basic swimming, medically fit |
| Price | €380 per student |
| Included | PADI certification fee, course materials, instructor, full equipment, lunch on the boat, hotel transfers |
Book it on the scuba diving page by choosing 'PADI Open Water course'. Already did an Intro dive? Tell us when you book — the dive centre can often credit it towards the course.
What Daily diving includes
- Two boat dives of about 45–55 minutes each, planned by your dive guide for your level and the day's conditions.
- Full equipment: BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, tank and weights.
- Lunch, water and soft drinks on board, with time to snorkel between the dives.
- Hotel pickup and drop-off; a small supplement applies from areas outside central Hurghada.
Bring your certification card (or digital card) and, if you have one, your logbook. If you have not dived for a long time, the dive centre may ask for a short refresher before the first dive.
Where you dive
Day boats choose the reefs each morning according to wind and current. Popular sites include the walls and drifts of Small Giftun, the shallow coral gardens of El Fanous, the caves and plateaus of Umm Gamar, the fish-rich reef of Gotta Abu Ramada and the easy reef of El Fanadir close to town.
Our guide to 29 reefs, islands and wrecks describes each site, and the Red Sea marine life guide helps you name what you see.
Water temperature and the best time to dive
| Season | Sea temperature | Wetsuit |
|---|---|---|
| Dec – Feb | around 22–23°C | 5 mm full suit |
| Mar – May | around 22–25°C | 5 mm, or 3 mm from May |
| Jun – Aug | around 26–29°C | 3 mm or shorty |
| Sep – Nov | around 26–28°C | 3 mm |
You can dive all year. Autumn has the warmest water; winter is cooler but often has the clearest days. See the best time to visit Hurghada for air temperatures and wind.
Safety rules
- Everyone completes the dive centre's medical questionnaire; some conditions need a doctor's approval first.
- Junior divers follow the depth and supervision limits of their certification, and under-18s need parental consent.
- Do not fly for at least 18 hours after diving, and 24 hours after several days of diving. Plan your dives early in the holiday.
- Never touch the coral, and keep your fins off the reef.
Frequently asked questions
How much does diving in Hurghada cost?
With us, an Intro dive without an island is €55 per diver, Daily diving for certified divers is €65 per diver and the PADI Open Water course is €380 per student. All include full equipment, lunch and hotel transfer from central Hurghada.
Is the PADI certification fee included in the course price?
Yes. The €380 course price includes the PADI certification fee, course materials, instructor, equipment, lunch on the boat and hotel transfers — there is nothing extra to pay at the dive centre.
Is equipment included?
Yes. Full diving equipment is included in both the Intro and Daily diving prices, so there is no separate rental charge.
Can my non-diving partner come along?
Yes. Choose 'Mixed group / non-diving companions' in the booking form and tell us who will dive; companions snorkel while you dive.
Which dive centre will I dive with?
We book a partner dive centre close to your hotel and tell you the centre's name with your booking confirmation.
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