Try Scuba Diving in Hurghada: trip overview
The Red Sea is one of the best places in the world to try diving: warm water, excellent visibility and colourful reefs just a few metres below the surface. You do not need a certificate — just reasonable health and a willingness to listen.
A certified instructor explains the equipment and practises the basic skills with you in shallow water before you descend. You stay close to your instructor the whole time, at a maximum depth of about 12 metres. If you love it, the dives can count toward a full Open Water course.
Highlights
- Beginner-friendly dives with a certified instructor
- Full theory and equipment briefing on board
- Two shallow dives on a sheltered reef
- Snorkeling for non-diving family members
- Lunch on board and hotel transfers
Your day, as it feels
Everyone remembers their first breath underwater. It's strange for a second — then suddenly it isn't, and you realise you're hovering beside a coral reef, watching fish at eye level, completely calm.
Your day starts with a relaxed briefing on board: how the equipment works, how to equalise your ears, and a few simple hand signals. You practise the basics in shallow, sheltered water with your instructor right beside you. Only when you feel ready do you descend, slowly, along a gentle reef.
The second dive is usually the magic one. Now that you're comfortable, you can enjoy the colours and creatures around you — and many guests leave already planning their Open Water course.
Why guests choose this trip with Hurghada Day Trips
Instructor-led, small ratios
A certified instructor stays within arm's reach during your dives.
Built for nervous beginners
Skills are practised in shallow water first; you can stop at any time.
Warm, clear water
The Red Sea is one of the easiest places in the world to learn.
A first step, not a dead end
Your dives can count toward a full certification course.
Itinerary, hour by hour
- 08:00
Hotel pickup
Transfer to the dive centre and marina.
- 09:00
Briefing and paperwork
Medical questionnaire, equipment fitting and theory.
- 10:30
First dive
Skills practice in shallow water, then a short guided swim.
- 12:30
Lunch and rest
Surface interval on board.
- 14:00
Second dive
A slightly longer reef dive at a gentle pace.
- 16:00
Return
Transfer back to your hotel.
Times are approximate and confirmed with your booking. Pickup times vary by hotel area — you receive yours the evening before.
What's included
- Hotel transfers
- Instructor, equipment and air
- Two introductory dives
- Lunch and drinks on board
Not included
- Dive photos
- Tips (optional)
Optional extras — told to you before you book
| Optional extra | Cost |
|---|---|
| Dive photos (optional) | price told before shooting |
Your safety on this trip
- A medical questionnaire before diving; some conditions need a doctor's approval.
- Maximum depth of around 12 metres for beginners.
- Well-maintained equipment checked before every dive.
- Oxygen and first-aid kits on board, as standard for licensed dive boats.
- Clear no-fly guidance: avoid flying for 18–24 hours after diving.
What other travellers complain about — and what we do instead
We read public reviews of Hurghada excursions so you don't have to learn the hard way. Here is what goes wrong on some trips of this kind, and the standard we hold ourselves to.
Is this trip right for you?
Perfect for
- Adventurous first-timers aged 10+
- Couples who want to try something new together
- Snorkellers ready for the next step
Maybe not for you if…
- Guests flying home within 24 hours
- Anyone with medical conditions not cleared by a doctor
- Pregnant travellers
Insider tips from our team
- Plan this early in your holiday to respect the no-fly time.
- Equalise early and often — before you feel pressure in your ears.
- Don't worry about swimming skills; buoyancy and breathing matter more.
What to bring
- Swimwear and towel
- Completed medical form (sent after booking)
Good to know
- Guests with heart, lung or ear problems, or who are pregnant, may need a doctor's approval — you will answer a medical questionnaire.
- Do not fly for at least 18–24 hours after diving. Plan this trip early in your holiday.
- Minimum age is usually 10 years.
Hotel pickup areas
Pickup and drop-off are arranged from hotels in central Hurghada and from El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay, Safaga. Read our pickup areas guide for typical transfer times.
Try Scuba Diving in Hurghada: questions & answers
I'm nervous — can I stop at any time?
Absolutely. Your instructor goes at your pace and you can come up whenever you want.
Can my non-diving partner come?
Yes, they can join as a snorkeler at a lower price.
What if I panic underwater?
Your instructor is trained for exactly that. You'll simply ascend together slowly. Most nerves disappear after the first minutes.
Can children dive?
Children from 10 years can join with an instructor, subject to the medical questionnaire.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
No, basic water comfort is enough.
