Beginner diving trip Hurghada – first-time divers. Lunch, transfer, gear included. $45. Real review. Safe. Fun. A bit scary. Worth it?
Hurghada Beginner Diving Trip with Lunch, Transfer & Gear | First-Time Divers (New)
Quick facts:
- Price: $45 (includes lunch, transfers, full gear)
- Duration: 4-5 hours
- Includes: theory session, shallow dive (5-8m), gear, lunch, soft drinks
- Best for: first-time divers, nervous swimmers, curious travellers
- Good: patient instructors, safe shallow sites, all gear included
- Bad: short dive, group can be big, pool session extra time
- Bring: swimsuit, towel, certification? (not needed), courage
Beginner diving Hurghada: first-time fears
The van arrived. Late. Fifteen minutes. Normal.
We drove to the dive centre. Smelled of neoprene. Wet suits hanging. The instructor was German. Efficient. Blonde ponytail. She smiled. 'Nervous?' I lied. 'No.'
Fourty-five dollars. Everything included. Gear. Lunch. Transfers. Even a towel. Good deal.
The group was small. Six beginners. Two instructors. Good ratio.
We started in the pool. Shallow end. Knees wet. Then waist. Then chest. The instructor explained the gear. BCD. Regulator. Tank. How to breathe. How to clear the mask. How to recover the regulator.
My heart was racing. The instructor noticed. 'Normal,' she said. 'Everyone feels this.'
First-time divers Red Sea: the pool session
The pool session lasted one hour. We practised breathing underwater. Kneeling on the bottom. Bubbles rising.
The mask clearing was hard. Water up my nose. I coughed. Tried again. Easier. Third time? Fine.
The regulator recovery was simple. Reach back. Sweep the hose. Find the mouthpiece. Breathe.
My wife did better than me. She stayed calm. I panicked twice. The instructor held my arm. 'Look at me. Breathe. Slow.'
After an hour, I felt ready. Not confident. But ready.
The Red Sea beginner dive was next. Boat ride. Fifteen minutes. Shallow reef. Sand bottom. Max depth five metres.
Diving with gear included: the first sea dive
The boat stopped. We put on our gear. Heavy on land. Light in water.
Giant stride entry. Step off the boat. Hold your mask and reg. Splash. The water was warm. 26 degrees. Instant calm.
The instructor held my BCD. Signalled down. I deflated. Sank slowly. Equalised my ears. Pinched my nose. Blew. Pop. Equalised again.
The bottom was sandy. A few rocks. Small fish. A clownfish in an anemone. The instructor pointed. I nodded.
The dive lasted twenty-five minutes. Felt longer. I breathed more than I needed. Air consumption high. Normal for beginners.
We swam in a circle. Stayed close to the instructor. She pointed at a lionfish. Stay back. I stayed back.
The discover Red Sea diving Hurghada experience was safe. Controlled. The instructor never let go of my BCD. I felt secure.
Beginner dive experience: the good and the small issues
The dive was short. Twenty-five minutes. Experienced divers stay down an hour. But for a first timer? Enough. My jaw was tired. My ears were fine.
The group stayed together. No one panicked. One girl had trouble equalising. The instructor took her up slowly. Fixed it. Came back down. Professional.
The lunch was basic. Rice. Chicken. Salad. Served on the boat. Edible. Not memorable. The rice was dry. The chicken was fine. The salad was sad. But you're not here for the food.
Hotel Transfers – Pickup and drop-off from your Hurghada hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle
Full-Day Boat Trip – Approximately 7–8 hour excursion on a comfortable dive boat
2 Guided Introductory Dives – Two dives at top Red Sea reef sites (~15 minutes underwater per dive for beginners)
Professional PADI Instructor – Licensed, English-speaking instructor supervising your dives
Full Scuba Diving Equipment – Mask, snorkel, fins, wetsuit, BCD, regulator, tank (12L), and weights included
Safety Equipment – Life jackets and first aid kit onboard
Snorkeling Equipment – Available for non-divers or surface intervals
Buffet Lunch – Freshly prepared lunch served onboard
Unlimited Soft Drinks & Water – Soda, water, tea, and coffee throughout the trip
Fresh Fruits – Seasonal fruit served onboard
National Park Fees – Included in many packages
All Service Charges & Taxes – No hidden fees on most packages
Transfer Surcharge for Remote Areas – Extra fees for hotels outside central Hurghada (Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga) – typically €10–€15 per person
Underwater Photos & Videos – Professional photography available for purchase (recommended by many reviewers as a memorable keesake)
Alcoholic Beverages – Not included (available for purchase)
Gratuities – Tips for crew, instructor, and driver (optional but appreciated)
Dive Computer Rental – Available for extra fee (not necessary for beginners)
Medical Insurance – Not included (diving insurance recommended)
Marine Park Fee – Some operators charge ~€5 per person separately – check your booking
Itinerary
Beginner Diving Day Trip (approx. 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
07:00 AM – 08:00 AM – Hotel pickup. Air-conditioned vehicle collects you from your Hurghada hotel lobby. Please be ready at the main entrance by the road, not at reception
08:00 AM – 08:30 AM – Arrival at the dive marina. Meet your instructor and complete brief paperwork (medical questionnaire, liability waiver)
08:30 AM – 09:00 AM – Safety & Skills Briefing (20–30 minutes). Your instructor covers:
Breathing techniques – how to breathe through the regulator
Equalization – clearing your ears as you descend
Hand signals – underwater communication
Mask clearing and regulator recovery basics
Equipment familiarization
09:00 AM – 10:00 AM – Cruise to first dive site (~45–60 minutes). Light refreshments served
10:00 AM – 10:30 AM – Shallow Water Practice Session (15–20 minutes). Practice basic skills in safe, shallow water before your open water dive
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM – First Open Water Dive (15–25 minutes underwater). Guided dive at a calm, beginner-friendly reef (max depth ~5–8 meters). Explore vibrant coral gardens with your instructor by your side
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM – Surface interval (45 minutes). Relax on deck, enjoy soft drinks, and share your experience with the instructor. Snorkeling option available
11:45 AM – 12:30 PM – Cruise to second dive site. Lunch preparation begins
12:30 PM – 01:00 PM – Second Open Water Dive (15–25 minutes underwater). A different reef location – possibly Abu Ramada or Small Giftun Island. Max depth ~10–12 meters (conditions permitting)
01:00 PM – 02:00 PM – Buffet Lunch served onboard. Enjoy a freshly prepared meal while cruising back
02:00 PM – 03:00 PM – Relaxation time. Sunbathe on deck, snorkel, or simply enjoy the Red Sea views
03:00 PM – 04:00 PM – Return cruise to Hurghada Marina. Soft drinks and fruit served
04:00 PM – Arrival at marina. Transfer back to your hotel
Timings may vary depending on dive sites, weather, and group size. Your exact pickup time will be confirmed via email or WhatsApp one day before your tour
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any previous experience to join this tour?
No experience required. This tour is specifically designed for complete beginners who have never dived before. The Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) program is conducted in shallow, calm waters (5–10 meters) and includes a safety briefing, basic skills practice, and a guided dive
Do I need to know how to swim?
Basic swimming ability is required. You should be comfortable in the water and able to float/swim. According to PADI standards, participants should be able to swim 200 meters (or 300 meters with mask, fins, and snorkel) and tread water for 10 minutes . If you're nervous or a weak swimmer, your instructor can provide additional support.
How deep will I go?
First dive: Typically 5–8 meters (16–26 feet)
Second dive: Up to 10–12 meters (33–40 feet), always under direct instructor supervision
Beginners are never taken beyond recreational limits
What dive sites will I visit?
What dive sites will I visit?
Beginner-friendly dive sites in Hurghada include:
El Fanadir – gentle slopes with soft corals
Abu Ramada – vibrant coral gardens
Small Giftun Island – protected marine park
El Mina – shore dive with easy access
Shaab Abu Gota – shallow reef with diverse fish
Your instructor selects sites based on weather conditions and sea visibility on the day
from35.00 EGP30.00 EGP /person
-14%
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