Intro Diving 2 Stops For Beginners with Pick-up and Lunch – Hurghada

Hurghada’s Red Sea reefs give you a low-cost first taste of scuba without signing up for a certification course. You get two guided underwater sessions, an instructor close beside you, and a full day on a boat for $40.

I like the calm, personal instruction and the easy hotel pickup. I also like that lunch, water, soft drinks, hot drinks, and equipment are included. The main catch is time underwater: each session is advertised at 15 minutes, and some people report getting less. You should book this as a first taste, not a full scuba course.

• Two short beginner sessions: Each underwater stop is planned for about 15 minutes.
• Close instructor support: Guides such as Bassiouni and Badr have been praised for patient, reassuring help.
• Red Sea scenery: Expect coral gardens, schools of colorful fish, and other marine life.
• Full-day boat outing: The day lasts about seven hours, with lunch and drinks between water sessions.
• Hotel transfers included: Pickup and return are provided from Hurghada hotels, with surcharges for some nearby areas.
• Cash marine fee: The national park charge is $5 per person and is not included.

A First Red Sea Scuba Experience for $40

This is a simple way to find out if scuba suits you. You do not need a formal qualification, and the instructor stays within easy reach as you learn the basic equipment and underwater routines.

The price is one of the strongest points. For $40 per person, you receive transport, a boat trip, equipment, two guided sessions, lunch, and drinks. That is good value if you want a short introduction rather than several days of training.

Still, the low price comes with a practical limit. This is a group boat outing, with space for up to 30 people, so part of the day may involve waiting for equipment, briefings, or other groups to take their turn.

From Hotel Pickup to the Marina

The scheduled start is 8:00 am. Pickup is included from Hurghada hotels, which saves you the trouble of arranging a taxi before sunrise or finding the marina yourself.

Pickup times can vary by hotel location. Transfers from Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh cost an extra $5 per person. Pickup from Safaga or El Gouna costs an extra $10 per person. Check this before paying, since the advertised $40 price does not cover every area.

The group may include up to 30 people. That does not mean you will be underwater in a group of 30. The instructors organize smaller groups for the sessions, and the guide should remain close to you in the water. The larger group mainly affects the pace of the day.

A few practical delays are possible at the harbor. One account describes paperwork and crew movements taking longer than expected. I would not book this on a tight schedule with an evening flight or another fixed activity afterward.

Learning the Basics Before Entering the Water

At the dive center or boat, you receive the equipment and a short introduction. The instructor explains how to use the mask, breathing equipment, and safety gear before you enter the water.

This short lesson matters. Scuba can feel awkward at first, especially when breathing through equipment and managing your position in the water. One first-time participant found the activity more difficult than expected, even while enjoying it greatly. That is a useful warning: you do not need to be an athlete, but you do need to listen closely and stay calm.

The best part of the setup is the instructor support. Guides are expected to accompany you throughout the underwater session, rather than sending you off to explore alone. Several comments praise instructors for explaining clearly, responding to each person’s ability, and helping nervous beginners feel safe.

Bassiouni and Badr are two instructor names connected with especially positive experiences. You cannot assume you will be assigned to either one, but the operation appears to use instructors who are used to first-time scuba guests.

You can also stop after the first session if you decide the activity is not for you. The second session is not supposed to be forced. That flexibility is important for anyone who feels nervous, cold, or uncomfortable underwater.

The First 15-Minute Underwater Session

The first session is your chance to get used to the equipment and breathing pattern. You will be guided below the surface and shown the coral and fish at a beginner-friendly pace.

The Red Sea is the reason to choose this outing. The scenery includes coral gardens and colorful fish, with some people seeing schools of fish during their short time below. The experience is not built around advanced wreck exploration or long technical routes. It is about getting a clear first look at reef life.

Fifteen minutes can sound short, and it is. For a first attempt, though, a brief session can be enough to learn how your body reacts to the equipment. You may spend part of that time adjusting your breathing, equalizing pressure, and following hand signals.

The biggest variable is the actual duration. The planned time is 15 minutes, but some comments describe sessions lasting closer to six minutes. I would ask the crew to confirm the expected underwater time before entering. If the first session ends unusually quickly, politely ask what happened and what to expect from the second.

Some people also report that both sessions took place at the same general site, with different directions explored each time. That means you might not get two completely different reef locations. The scenery can still be worthwhile, but do not book this expecting a new site every time.

Lunch and the Long Break on the Boat

Between the two water sessions, you have time to rest on the boat. Lunch is included and consists of buffet-style Egyptian dishes, with unlimited bottled water, soft drinks, and hot drinks.

The meal is useful rather than fancy. One comment makes the sensible point that food is not the main reason to book this outing. You should expect a straightforward boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. After a morning around the water, that is usually enough.

The break can feel long. One of the clearest criticisms is that there may be several hours of waiting for the second session, with relatively little time actually underwater. If you enjoy sitting on a boat, talking, eating, and looking out at the sea, the pace may be fine. If you want continuous activity, it could feel slow.

Bring patience and a cover-up. The information supplied does not specify changing facilities, and the boat toilet has been described as dirty. That is worth knowing before you commit to a full day at sea.

You should also keep drinking water. Bottled water is included, and the boat provides other drinks, so staying hydrated should be easy. The marine environment and sun can make a seven-hour outing tiring even when the physical activity is limited.

The Second Session and What You May See

The second session gives you another chance to settle into the equipment. If the first attempt felt rushed or uncomfortable, tell your guide what you need before entering again.

The instructors are meant to stay beside you and guide you through the full session. That close support is especially helpful when you are still learning to control your breathing and movement. You can focus on the reef instead of worrying about navigation.

Expect the same broad type of scenery as the first session: coral, small reef fish, and perhaps larger groups of fish moving together. Water visibility, marine life, and comfort can change with the day, so no exact animal sighting can be promised.

Do not expect a long independent swim. This is a supervised introduction, and the short sessions are designed to give you a taste of scuba. If you want extended time below the surface, more varied sites, or greater independence, a certified course or a more advanced scuba trip would be a better choice.

Weather also matters. The boat may be canceled in strong wind or poor conditions. In that case, you should receive the option of another date or a full refund. A shore-based alternative may sometimes be offered, but the supplied information includes an example in which that replacement provided only about 15 minutes in the water. Ask exactly what the alternative includes before agreeing to it.

Equipment, Safety, and Instructor Support

The package includes scuba equipment and safety equipment. You do not need to bring your own tank, mask, or basic gear.

The safety briefing is an important part of the experience. One highly positive account describes it as excellent, with a professional crew throughout the boat. Other comments praise the guides for clear instructions and for adapting to different abilities.

That said, safety depends on communication. Tell the instructor if you are anxious, struggling to equalize, feeling cold, or having trouble breathing comfortably. The guide cannot solve a problem you keep quiet about.

You should also understand that beginner scuba is not effortless. The equipment has weight, breathing feels different, and the sea can be unsettling at first. The activity is suited to most people according to the supplied participation information, but you should still be honest about your comfort level and follow the staff’s instructions.

Service animals are allowed, and the activity is near public transportation. Those details may matter to some people, though the included hotel transfer is likely the easier option for most bookings.

What the $40 Price Really Covers

At $40, this is an unusually inexpensive way to try scuba in Hurghada. The value improves because the cost includes the hotel transfer, boat trip, equipment, instructor, lunch, and drinks.

You should add the $5 national park or marine admission fee per person, paid in cash. This is a small extra, but it is easy to miss when comparing the headline price with other outings.

You may also face a transfer surcharge depending on your hotel. A pickup from Makadi or Sahl Hasheesh adds $5 per person. Safaga and El Gouna add $10 per person.

Optional underwater photographs are another possible expense. One comment reports a charge of €50 for pictures. I would bring your own waterproof camera or GoPro if you have one, but confirm that you can use it safely and without distracting from the instructor’s directions.

The overall value is best for someone testing the idea of scuba. You receive a full outing and a controlled introduction without paying for a multi-day qualification course. It is less appealing if you mainly want a long time below the surface or a polished luxury boat day.

Who Will Enjoy This, and Who May Not

This outing suits you if you:

• Have never tried scuba and want a short introduction
• Prefer having an instructor close by
• Want coral and fish without committing to certification
• Like a relaxed day on a boat
• Need hotel pickup and a simple all-in-one package
• Are comfortable with a group setting and possible waiting

It may not suit you if you:

• Want two long sessions below the surface
• Dislike boats, waiting, or shared facilities
• Need a highly private experience
• Expect two entirely different reef locations
• Want a luxury meal or spotless onboard bathroom
• Have a strict schedule after the tour

The experience is especially useful for couples and friends trying scuba together. You can encourage each other, but each person still receives close guidance in the water.

Booking, Cancellations, and Useful Preparation

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 8:00 am start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Since wind can stop the boat from going out, leave room in your schedule if this is a key part of your holiday. Poor weather should result in a different date or a full refund.

Bring swimwear, sun protection, and a towel if available. Keep cash ready for the $5 marine fee, and budget extra for a transfer surcharge if your hotel is outside central Hurghada.

I would also confirm three points before departure: your pickup time, the expected length of each underwater session, and the meeting location. Those questions can prevent confusion, especially since pickup delays and short water sessions have been reported.

Should You Book This Hurghada Scuba Outing?

I would book it if you want an affordable first look at the Red Sea and accept that the real activity time may be brief. The strongest parts are the patient instructor support, colorful reef scenery, included transport, and low overall cost.

I would not book it if your main goal is extensive scuba time. For that, choose a certified course or a longer specialist trip. You should also reconsider if a dirty boat toilet, waiting between sessions, or a basic buffet lunch would spoil your day.

For a first experiment, though, this package has a sensible shape: learn the basics, try two short sessions, eat lunch, and decide if you want more. Go in with realistic expectations, carry cash, and ask about timing. That is the best way to get good value from the $40 price.

FAQ

What time does the experience start?

The scheduled start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two sessions are included, each advertised at about 15 minutes.

Is scuba certification required?

No. This is an introductory experience designed for beginners and does not require a formal certification course.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for Hurghada hotels. Extra charges apply for transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, Safaga, and El Gouna.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, along with unlimited bottled water, soft drinks, and hot drinks.

What extra fee must I pay?

A national park admission or marine fee of $5 per person must be paid in cash.