Sharm: Introductory Dive from the Shore & PADI Courses

Sharm’s Fanar Beach gives beginners a straightforward introduction to the Red Sea, with a shallow-water scuba session designed to help you get comfortable before heading farther from shore. You can also use this start as the first step toward a PADI Open Water certificate.

I like the hotel pickup and return, which removes much of the transport fuss, and I like the chance to take underwater photographs in one of Sharm’s well-known coastal areas. The multilingual instruction is useful too, especially if you prefer Arabic, English, or Russian.

The main caution is that the quality of the day depends heavily on the staff and local arrangements. One serious complaint describes a late instructor, poor communication, and an uncomfortable experience at a replacement center, so confirm your pickup details and speak up about any ear or water concerns before entering the sea.

Key points to know before booking

• Fanar Beach meeting point: The activity begins at the entrance to Fanar Beach in Hadaba, with hotel pickup available in Sharm.
• One beginner session: The $47 option includes equipment, one introductory underwater session, transport, and a guide.
• PADI route available: A 2 to 3 day PADI Open Water course includes shallow-water skills, a session to 18 meters, lunch, and an exam.
• Patient instruction matters: Several strong comments praise calm, friendly teaching, with Nader singled out as a caring instructor.
• Bring your own towel and camera budget: Towels and underwater photographs cost extra, and food is not included with the introductory option.
• Know the limits: The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, or wheelchair users.

Fanar Beach is a gentle place to begin

The basic experience starts with a pickup from your Sharm hotel, at a time arranged for you. You then make your way to Fanar Beach in Hadaba, where the guide meets you at the entrance.

This matters because a shore-based session is less complicated than a boat outing. You do not need to manage a long ride at sea before learning how to breathe through the regulator or adjust to wearing the equipment. From the beach, you can focus on the water, your instructor, and your own comfort.

The advertised plan is aimed at beginners and uses shallow sites. That makes it a sensible choice if you are curious about scuba but unsure how you will react underwater. The stated goal is not simply to show you fish and coral, but to help you overcome a fear of water and understand the basic rules of the activity.

You should arrive on time at the meeting point if you are making your own way there. If you are using hotel pickup, keep your phone available and make sure you know where the vehicle will wait. One poor experience involved a driver parked out of sight of the hotel entrance, followed by confusion when the passenger was considered late. That is an avoidable problem, but clear communication helps.

What happens during the introductory session

The introductory option includes one underwater session, equipment, instruction, and transport back to your hotel. The exact duration is not given, so do not plan another tightly timed activity immediately afterward.

Your guide should explain the equipment, the local conditions, and the basic skills needed before you enter the water. The instructors are listed as speaking Arabic, English, and Russian, while the main description also mentions Italian support. If language is important to you, confirm the available instructor before booking.

The shallow setting is the useful part of this format. You can concentrate on breathing steadily, clearing your ears, and following hand signals without the pressure of a long boat day. You also have a chance to decide how comfortable you really feel before considering a full qualification.

I would treat the first minutes as an orientation rather than a race to reach the most impressive scenery. Beginners often need time to settle into the breathing rhythm and get used to moving slowly. A calm instructor makes a real difference here. Several positive comments praise the staff for being patient and reassuring, and Nader is specifically described as caring and excellent at instruction.

The session also allows underwater photographs, but these are not included in the price. If pictures matter to you, ask in advance who takes them, how many images are supplied, and what the fee is. The experience promises the chance to make memorable photos, but it does not provide a camera or include an image package.

The 2 to 3 day PADI Open Water option

The separate course is for you if one supervised session is not enough and you want a recognized scuba qualification. The material describes a 2 to 3 day PADI Open Water course, with certification to 18 meters after the required training and exam.

On the first day, you are picked up and taken to the center to choose your equipment. You then watch course videos in your preferred language and receive the information needed before entering shallow water. The first practical stage includes two sessions focused on basic skills.

On the second day, your instructor continues with more skills and two further sessions. You then make a session to 18 meters, before answering the exam and receiving certification if you meet the course requirements.

The wording allows for two or three days, so ask the operator to confirm the exact schedule for your booking. Weather, training progress, and course administration can affect timing, and the available details do not spell out every possible third-day activity.

Lunch and soft drinks are included with the course. That is a useful difference from the $47 introductory option, where food and drinks are not included. The course also includes equipment and hotel transfers, but you must budget separately for the PADI fees.

The listed PADI charge is €81, paid directly at the PADI office. A PADI manual or E-Learning is also extra and paid directly to the office. These costs are important when comparing the total price with other schools. The advertised $47 is best understood as the cost of the one-time introductory experience, not the full price of certification.

What the $47 price really buys you

At $47 per person, the introductory session offers reasonable value if you want a low-commitment first look at scuba. Hotel transport, equipment, one session, and instruction are included, so you do not need to arrange the main pieces separately.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want professional underwater photographs, because those cost extra. It is also not a complete beach day package. Towels are excluded, and food and drinks are excluded for the introductory option.

For someone staying in Sharm who has always wondered what it feels like below the surface, the value comes from keeping the commitment small. You can try the activity without paying for a full course or spending several days in training.

For someone already certified, or for anyone expecting several underwater outings, the basic package may feel limited. It includes one introductory session, not a full day of repeated water time. Ask what is available if you want additional sessions.

The PADI course needs a different calculation. You receive a structured route to certification, equipment, transfers, lunch, and soft drinks, but the €81 PADI charge and learning materials sit outside the advertised course price. Get the complete total before you commit.

The instructors can make or break the day

The strongest comments focus on the teaching. One guide is praised for being friendly and calming, while another is described as excellent, patient, and clear. Nader is named as a particularly caring instructor.

That praise points to what you should want from the staff: simple explanations, a steady pace, and respect for your comfort in the water. A good instructor should check that you understand the basic signals and should not rush you because other people are ready to enter.

There is also a serious warning in the feedback. One participant had previous ear trouble and felt ignored after explaining her anxiety. She also described tanks being handled roughly and being made unwelcome while her partner continued with the session. Her partner completed his underwater outing successfully, but her own experience was poor.

This is useful information even if you have no previous injury. Tell the instructor about ear problems, fear of water, or any medical concern before you put on the equipment. If you feel pressured, stop and ask for a clearer explanation. You should never treat discomfort as something to hide simply to keep the schedule moving.

The service is listed as available in Arabic, English, and Russian, with Italian also mentioned in the main description. Confirm your preferred language when arranging the trip, especially if you are booking the course and need to understand safety instructions and exam material.

Equipment, photos, lunch, and what to carry

Equipment is included for both the introductory option and the PADI course. The supplied details do not list individual items, sizes, or brands, so tell the center your needs when confirming the booking.

Bring your passport or ID card, swimwear, and a towel. The towel is not supplied, and this is easy to overlook when hotel pickup makes the outing feel like a packaged trip.

Underwater photographs are not included. You may want to bring only items that can handle water and leave valuables at the hotel, since no storage details are provided. Ask before the session if you want photos and need to know the price.

Course participants receive lunch and soft drinks. Introductory participants should eat beforehand or plan around the fact that food and drinks are not included. The length of the introductory outing is not specified, so a light meal before pickup is sensible.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or children under 10. Those limits are clear and should guide your decision rather than becoming a last-minute surprise.

Pickup and return details need a little care

The stated plan includes hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm. The formal meeting point is Fanar Beach in Hadaba, where the guide meets you at the entrance. The activity ends back at the meeting point, although the general description also says you are returned to your hotel.

Because those two details are slightly different, confirm whether your exact booking ends with a hotel drop-off or at Fanar Beach. The general transport promise suggests hotel return, but the meeting-point information says the activity finishes at the beach entrance.

Allow extra time for pickup. The reported transport problem involved passengers waiting outside while the driver remained out of sight, then objecting to a delay. A quick message or call can save a great deal of irritation.

The day is not designed for independent wandering around the beach. You need to arrive on time, meet the guide at the entrance, and follow the center’s instructions for equipment and water access.

Who will get the most from this experience?

I would recommend the introductory option to a first-timer who wants to test scuba in a shallow setting without signing up for a course. It also suits someone who wants a simple hotel transfer and does not need a full day on a boat.

It may work well for couples or friends with different levels of confidence, but talk openly about expectations. One person may enjoy the session while another decides not to enter the water. The staff should respect that choice, and you should not feel obliged to continue.

The PADI course suits you if certification is the real goal. It gives you a structured sequence of videos, skills, supervised sessions, a session to 18 meters, and an exam. You need enough time for the 2 to 3 day schedule and enough budget for the separate PADI charges.

I would be more cautious if you have ear problems, strong water anxiety, or need wheelchair access. The experience may still be possible in some cases, but the supplied information does not promise special arrangements. Ask specific questions before paying.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Sharm plans are still moving around.

Should you book it?

Book the $47 introductory session if you want a low-cost first try, value hotel transport, and are happy with one shallow-water outing rather than a full day of scuba. The patient, calming instruction praised in the strongest comments is exactly what a beginner needs, and Nader is a name worth requesting if he is available.

Choose the PADI route only after confirming the full cost, course length, language, and pickup arrangements. It is the better choice for a real qualification, but the separate €81 PADI fee and learning materials change the final price.

My advice is simple: confirm who will meet you, ask about the instructor, disclose any ear or water concerns, and check the photo and food costs. With those points settled, this can be a useful and affordable introduction to Sharm’s underwater world.

FAQ

Where does the activity begin?

The meeting point is the entrance to Fanar Beach in Hadaba. Hotel pickup is also available in Sharm.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in the activity information, but you should confirm whether your exact booking finishes at your hotel or back at Fanar Beach.

What does the $47 introductory option include?

It includes hotel transport, diving equipment, one introductory underwater session, and instruction.

Are food and drinks included?

Food and drinks are not included with the introductory option. Lunch and soft drinks are included if you take the PADI course.

Are underwater photographs included?

No. Underwater photographs are not included and must be arranged and paid for separately.

What languages are available?

Arabic, English, and Russian are listed in the practical information. Italian is also mentioned in the main description, so confirm your preferred language before booking.

What is included in the PADI course?

The course includes equipment, hotel pickup and drop-off, training videos, shallow-water skills, further supervised sessions, a session to 18 meters, lunch, soft drinks, and the certification exam.

Are PADI fees included in the course price?

No. The PADI fee is €81 and is paid directly at the PADI office. The PADI manual or E-Learning is also extra.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, swimwear, and a towel. Towels are not provided.