Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the chance to see two Red Sea sites in one day, with a guided underwater session for beginners and enough freedom for experienced participants. I like the two separate water sessions and the simple onboard lunch, which keeps the day moving without sending you back to shore.

I also like the hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle and the small-group promise of up to 10 people. The main caution is important: some past departures have reportedly been much larger, with limited air supply and shortened sessions, so confirm the group size and equipment before you leave.

Key points at a glance

• Two Red Sea sites: You get one guided session, lunch, then a second site for another session.
• Good for beginners and experienced participants: Instructors can stay close to first-timers, while more confident participants may receive more independence.
• Snorkeling is included in the day: You can swim or snorkel after the two scuba sessions.
• Lunch and drinks are served onboard: Mineral water, soft drinks, and a meal are included.
• Hotel pickup makes the day easy: Transport from Hurghada is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Check the final details: A €4 cash instructor fee is not included, and equipment and group-size reports have not always been consistent.

A full Red Sea day from Hurghada

This is an eight-hour boat outing built around two guided scuba sessions. You leave Hurghada, spend about 40 minutes reaching the first site, complete a session of roughly 35 minutes, eat lunch onboard, and then continue to a second site for another session of about 30 minutes.

The plan finishes with around 45 minutes for snorkeling before you return to Hurghada. The listed activity times do not fill the full eight hours, which is normal for a boat day. The remaining time covers boarding, moving between sites, equipment preparation, safety checks, and the trip back to shore.

I see this as a practical introduction to the Red Sea rather than a specialist expedition. You get a full day on the water, two chances to see marine life, and a chance to decide how much activity you want after the main sessions. If you are new to scuba, this schedule gives you a measured first look. If you already have experience, the quality of the guide and the amount of independence you receive will matter most.

The first boat ride and the view from Hurghada

Pickup begins in Hurghada, with transport in a newer air-conditioned vehicle. You need to send your hotel room number so the guide can identify you for pickup. That sounds minor, but it is the sort of detail that prevents a morning of phone calls and waiting in the wrong hotel entrance.

The ride to the boat is followed by roughly 40 minutes of sailing. This is a useful part of the experience, not just dead time. You can settle in, look across the Red Sea, and get ready for the equipment and safety briefing. Bring comfortable shoes and a sun hat, since much of the day takes place in open sun.

The boat ride also sets the pace for the day. This is not a quick transfer to a single nearby platform. You are spending most of the day at sea, so the quality of the boat, crew, seating, shade, and organization can make a real difference. The supplied information confirms lunch, water, and soft drinks, but it does not specify the boat’s shade arrangements or changing facilities. Ask if those details matter to you.

What the first 35-minute scuba session is like

At the first site, an instructor explains the location and leads you into the water. Beginners are welcome, and the guide is expected to stay close while you learn how to manage your mask, breathing equipment, and movement underwater.

A first-time participant described the experience as a very good introduction, with attentive staff. Another account describes the instructor holding a companion’s arm closely during the first session, then giving the pair more freedom after seeing that they already knew how to manage themselves. That is a sensible approach in principle. New participants need close supervision, while experienced participants usually prefer not to be treated like complete beginners.

The session is listed at about 35 minutes. That does not mean 35 minutes of uninterrupted exploration for every person. Your actual time underwater can be affected by the safety briefing, equipment fitting, comfort in the water, air use, and the group’s pace.

For a beginner, that is not necessarily a weakness. A shorter first session can help you get comfortable without turning the experience into an exhausting test. For a certified participant, I would ask how the guide separates beginners from more capable swimmers and how much individual control you will have over the pace.

The Red Sea is the star here. The underwater scenery can include colorful coral and fish, and one account specifically praised the strong colors at the first site. Conditions and visibility can change, so you should not expect a fixed list of animals or a guaranteed coral formation. The attraction is the setting and the chance to see it with a guide, not a promise of a particular species.

Lunch onboard, with a second site ahead

After the first session, lunch is served on the boat. The meal is paired with mineral water and soft drinks, all included in the listed price. This is a welcome pause because you can eat without losing more time to a shore transfer.

Lunch lasts about 45 minutes in the planned schedule. Use it to dry off, rest, and ask the crew about the next site. You should also drink water, even if the weather feels breezy. A full day in the sun, combined with activity in the water, can leave you more tired than expected.

Do not expect a restaurant meal or a broad menu. The information only promises lunch and drinks, not a particular dish or dietary range. If you have dietary restrictions, ask before booking. The tour details do not confirm vegetarian, halal, allergy-friendly, or other special meal options.

The boat then moves to a second site. This change is valuable because the Red Sea does not look the same at every location. You get another setting and another chance to see coral and fish, rather than repeating one short circuit.

The second 30-minute session and free time in the water

The second scuba session is planned for about 30 minutes. By this point, you will have had time to adjust your gear and understand the basic routine, so this session may feel more relaxed than the first.

For experienced participants, the second site may be the stronger part of the day. You already know how the boat operates, and you can focus more on the underwater surroundings. Still, the guide controls the schedule, and the advertised trip is not a private charter. If you want long bottom times or a technical route, this is probably not the right product.

A key question is how the guide handles different ability levels. The experience is marketed for beginners and experienced participants alike, which can work well when the staff organize groups carefully. It can work less well if everyone is kept to the same slow pace or if new participants do not receive enough attention.

After the second session, you have about 45 minutes for snorkeling. This gives non-scuba companions, cautious beginners, or anyone who wants a quieter finish a way to enjoy the Red Sea. You can also swim or simply rest onboard if you have had enough.

The strongest parts of the experience

The most praised feature is the staff’s care during a first scuba experience. Several positive accounts point to friendly service, good attention onboard, and a comfortable introduction. That matters because a calm instructor can make the difference between enjoying the water and spending the whole session worrying about your equipment.

The coral and fish are another clear strength. The underwater sites have been described as colorful, with plenty to see. I would keep expectations sensible, but the Red Sea is a strong setting for this kind of day, especially if you want a first taste of its marine life without committing to a multi-day course.

The mix of activity is also smart. You do not spend eight hours doing only one thing. There is sailing, a first session, lunch, a second session, snorkeling, and time to rest. That makes the outing more appealing for couples or small groups where one person is enthusiastic about scuba and another prefers to swim or watch from the boat.

Important concerns about equipment and group size

This is where I would slow down before booking. The advertised group type is small, with up to 10 participants, but one very negative account described more than 20 people on the boat and a crowded, repetitive operation. That is a major difference. A group of 10 can allow closer supervision. A much larger group may mean slower equipment changes, less personal attention, and less time at the best points.

The same account described a shortage of air and two sessions cut down to roughly 30 minutes and 20 minutes. It also raised concerns about equipment organization and the handling of a beginner’s air supply. These are serious complaints, not small matters of comfort.

There was also a separate complaint about a women’s wetsuit in the requested size not being available. The participant received a short child-sized suit instead. If you need a particular wetsuit size, contact the operator in advance and ask for written confirmation on the day before pickup.

One account also describes unwanted physical contact from an instructor underwater. Any contact should be clearly related to safety, explained when possible, and welcomed by the participant. If you feel uncomfortable, signal your guide and tell the crew immediately. I would not ignore this concern when deciding how carefully to confirm the operator and instructor arrangements.

These reports do not match the positive accounts of attentive service, so the quality may vary by crew, boat, date, or departure. That is exactly why I would ask three direct questions before paying: How many people are booked? How much air and how many tanks are assigned per participant? Who will lead the underwater sessions?

Guides, languages, and communication

The tour offers live guidance in English, French, German, and Russian. That is useful for a mixed international group, but language availability does not guarantee that every language will be represented on every departure.

One first-time participant had trouble understanding the briefing because a French-speaking guide was not available. If your English is limited, confirm that a French, German, or Russian instructor will actually be present on your date. Safety instructions need to be clear before you enter the water.

The advertised provider is Al Hajeej Travel Lux Egypt. A negative account names Oussama and a French-speaking companion in connection with a particular operation, but you should not assume the same staff will lead every departure. Ask for the boat name, pickup contact, and instructor language when you confirm your booking.

Is $72 a fair price?

At $72 per person, the package includes round-trip hotel transport, boat access, two guided scuba sessions, tanks, weights, lunch, mineral water, and soft drinks. On paper, that is a fair amount for a full day, especially if you are staying in Hurghada and would otherwise need to arrange transport and a boat separately.

The value depends on what you want from the underwater time. For a beginner who wants an easy introduction, two sessions plus snorkeling is a useful package. For an experienced participant who expects long sessions, a private guide, or a small boat with plenty of space, the price may look less attractive.

The instructor fee is listed separately at €4 cash. Include that in your real budget, and clarify who collects it and whether it applies to every participant. Small extra charges are easy to miss when comparing tour prices.

The flexible booking terms help if your weather or hotel plans change. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Those policies are useful, but they do not solve the more important question of operational quality. Confirm the practical details before the cancellation deadline passes.

Who should book this Red Sea outing?

I would consider this trip if you are staying in Hurghada, want a single full day on the water, and prefer a package with transport, food, equipment, and a multilingual guide. It is especially suitable for a first scuba experience, provided you are comfortable with the safety briefing and the instructor assigned to you.

It can also suit experienced participants who are happy with guided recreational sessions rather than a specialized program. You may receive more freedom once the guide sees that you are capable, but the trip is still built around a mixed group and fixed schedule.

I would be cautious if you need a specific wetsuit size, have limited English, want wheelchair access, or expect a very small private group. The experience is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users, and pets are not allowed.

Pack comfortable shoes and a sun hat. Confirm the room number for pickup, the language of the guide, the group size, the wetsuit size, and the €4 cash fee. Those five checks could make the difference between a smooth day and a frustrating one.

Should you book it?

Book this Hurghada scuba outing if you want a reasonably priced introduction to the Red Sea with two sessions, lunch, snorkeling, and hotel transport. The colorful coral, friendly staff, and beginner-friendly structure give it real appeal.

I would book only after confirming that your departure will have no more than the promised 10 participants and that suitable equipment is reserved for you. If the operator gives clear answers, this is a convenient way to spend a full day at sea. If the answers are vague, choose a provider with firmer guarantees on group size, equipment, air supply, and instructor conduct.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada scuba tour last?

The experience lasts eight hours, including transport, sailing, two scuba sessions, lunch, snorkeling, and the return to Hurghada.

How many scuba sessions are included?

Two guided scuba sessions are included. The first is scheduled for about 35 minutes, and the second for about 30 minutes.

Is the tour suitable for beginners?

Yes. The experience is designed for beginners and experienced participants. Instructors provide guidance at the sites, and first-time participants can receive close supervision.

What is included in the price?

The package includes round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, tanks, weights, lunch, mineral water, and soft drinks.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. After the second scuba session, the schedule allows about 45 minutes for snorkeling. You may also swim or relax onboard.

Is there an extra fee?

Yes. An instructor fee of €4 in cash is listed as not included in the price. Confirm how this fee is collected before departure.