Intro Scuba Diving

The Red Sea waits below. This Hurghada scuba experience gives beginners two guided underwater sessions, first at roughly 6 meters and then at about 10 meters. I like the small amount of time needed to try scuba and the fact that equipment, lunch, transport, and instruction are included. I also like the chance to swim and snorkel after lunch without wearing scuba gear.

The main point to clarify is timing. Pickup is described as around 8:00 am, while the official start time is 9:00 am, so you should confirm your exact pickup hour with EGYPTOUS. The boat can carry up to 30 people, and one past customer felt the underwater session went deeper and lasted longer than expected. That makes it wise to state your comfort level clearly before entering the water.

Key points to know before booking

• Two guided underwater sessions: The first reaches about 6 meters for roughly 15 minutes, followed by a second session at around 10 meters.
• Lunch is included on the boat: Expect rice, pasta, kofta, chicken, potatoes, salads, and hot and cold drinks.
• Equipment and instruction are provided: The instructor explains safety, helps you put on the suit, and shows you how to handle the air tank.
• Free time follows lunch: You can swim, snorkel, or explore the reefs without scuba equipment.
• Hotel pickup is available in Hurghada: Transfers from Makadi, Safaga, and El Gouna cost extra.
• Good value at $23.26: The price covers transport, scuba equipment, lunch, and the boat-based program, though environmental taxes in Hurghada are not included.

Getting from your hotel to Hurghada Marina

Your day begins with pickup by air-conditioned minibus. The stated pickup time is around 8:00 am, although the formal start time is listed as 9:00 am. Those times may refer to hotel collection and the main activity start, but I would not leave this to chance. Ask EGYPTOUS for the exact collection time when you book.

The transfer matters because it removes one of the usual hassles of a boat outing: finding the marina on your own. You only need to be ready at your hotel and follow the transport instructions. The ride then brings you to the marina, where the boat is waiting.

The group limit is 30 people. That is not a private outing, but it is also not an enormous cruise crowd. You should expect a shared boat, shared instruction, and a schedule that needs to keep everyone moving together. If you prefer a quiet private lesson, this is not the right format. If you want an affordable first look at scuba in the Red Sea, the group setup keeps the cost low.

One practical note: hotel pickup is available in Hurghada, but transfers from Makadi, Safaga, and El Gouna require an extra payment. Check that cost before booking, since a low headline price can look different once an out-of-area transfer is added.

Safety briefing before the first underwater session

Once you board, the instructor explains health and safety rules. You are also shown how to put on the wetsuit and how to carry the air tank. This preparation is especially useful if you have never tried scuba before, or if it has been a long time since your last session.

I appreciate that the program does not simply hand you equipment and send you over the side. The instructor guides the first session, which gives you a chance to adjust to breathing through the regulator and moving with the gear. The first underwater stop is about 6 meters deep and lasts around 15 minutes.

That first session is short by design. It gives you a controlled introduction before the second stop. You can see how comfortable you feel with the equipment, the depth, and the instructor’s directions. If you are nervous, tell the instructor before the boat leaves and again before entering the water.

There is one important detail here. A past customer booked an introductory session because it had been some time since their last scuba outing, then found the actual session deeper and longer than expected. The experience was still rated highly overall, but the concern is worth taking seriously. Ask exactly how long each session will last and confirm the planned depth. The listed plan says roughly 15 minutes at 6 meters for the first session and 10 meters for the second, but clear communication is still your best safeguard.

The first stop at roughly 6 meters

The boat moves from the marina toward the coral reefs and stops at the first underwater site. At about 6 meters, you receive direct help from the instructor during the session. This is the gentlest part of the program and the place where you get used to the basic sensations of scuba.

The attraction is simple: you are not only looking at the Red Sea from a boat. You are close to the reef and able to see fish and coral from below the surface. The description does not promise a particular species, so I would treat the marine life as part of the natural conditions rather than a guaranteed checklist.

The first session lasts about 15 minutes. That may sound brief, but introductory scuba requires more than underwater time. You also have the briefing, changing, equipment checks, boat movement, and instructor support. The short first session helps keep the day approachable for beginners.

You should follow the instructor’s pace rather than trying to turn this into an independent expedition. The point is to become comfortable, observe the reef, and learn how the equipment feels. If you are hoping for a long technical session or a specialist marine biology trip, this outing will feel basic. For a first taste, it is sensibly structured.

The second stop at about 10 meters

After the first session, the boat continues to a second reef site. This time, the planned depth is about 10 meters. The extra depth gives you a stronger sense of what scuba offers, but it also makes communication with the instructor and attention to safety instructions even more important.

The supplied details do not give a precise length for the second session. Do not assume it will match the first 15-minute period. Ask the crew for the expected timing before you begin, particularly if you are returning to scuba after a long break.

The difference between the two stops gives the day a useful rhythm. You start at a shallower point, gain confidence, and then try a deeper location. That progression is more helpful than being placed immediately at the deepest planned point.

The Red Sea reefs are the main reason to book this outing. You will have the chance to see coral and fish at two locations rather than spending the whole day at one site. Conditions can affect visibility and marine life, and the experience does not promise any particular animal, but the setting provides the natural focus.

Lunch with rice, kofta, chicken, and salads

After the underwater sessions, the boat serves lunch. The meal includes rice, pasta, kofta, chicken, potatoes, salads, and hot and cold drinks. For an eight-hour outing, this is more than a minor extra. You are away from land for most of the day, so having food on board keeps the schedule practical.

The menu is broad enough to suit different appetites, at least in general terms. If you have dietary restrictions, ask EGYPTOUS in advance because the available information does not explain how special diets are handled.

Food quality can make a boat day feel either pleasant or merely functional. One detailed customer response praised the meal, along with the crew and the clear explanation of the activity. That matches the appeal here: you can eat without cutting the day short or returning to the marina between sessions.

The boat also provides hot and cold drinks. Bring any personal essentials you need, since the supplied details do not list additional refreshments or specific onboard facilities.

Swimming and snorkeling after lunch

Once lunch is over, you are free to swim, snorkel, or look around the reefs without scuba equipment. This is one of the best features for mixed groups. A person who feels finished with scuba can still enjoy the water, while someone who wants more relaxed reef time has another way to explore.

Snorkeling also gives you a lower-pressure way to observe the marine setting. You do not need to manage an air tank, and you can enjoy the surface at your own pace within the boat’s instructions. The supplied information does not say whether snorkel gear is included, so confirm that point before departure if you need equipment.

This free period makes the program feel less rigid. The two guided sessions provide structure, while the post-lunch time allows you to choose between swimming, snorkeling, or simply spending time around the reef. You should still follow the crew’s directions about where and when to enter the water.

Crew service and the human side of the day

The strongest praise concerns the onboard crew and the way the activity is explained. One customer described the crew as very good and friendly, with clear instruction before the underwater sessions. Another praised the divemaster and crew, even while criticizing the shore staff. That distinction is useful: the experience on the boat may be stronger than the communication around pickup or booking.

There was also a particularly reassuring incident involving a forgotten phone. The crew found it and returned it to the customer’s hotel. That does not guarantee how every lost item will be handled, but it suggests a helpful approach when something goes wrong.

The shore-side complaint should not be ignored. If you need precise answers about pickup, depth, session length, extra charges, or equipment, ask before the morning of the trip. Once you are at the marina, the boat schedule may leave little room for sorting out misunderstandings.

What the $23.26 price really covers

At $23.26 per person, this is a low-cost way to try scuba in Hurghada. The price includes scuba equipment, an air-conditioned vehicle, and lunch. The boat program, instruction, two underwater sessions, reef time, and hotel pickup in Hurghada add considerable value for a full day.

The price is strongest for a first-time participant or someone returning to scuba who wants a guided introduction rather than a private program. You are paying for access, basic instruction, gear, food, and transport in one package.

There are two possible additions to your budget. Transfers from Makadi, Safaga, and El Gouna cost extra, and environmental taxes in Hurghada are not included. Ask for the total before you commit, especially if you are staying outside central Hurghada.

The group size can reach 30 people. That helps explain the price, but it also means the experience will not feel tailor-made. You may wait while other people receive equipment or instruction. For many people, that is a fair trade for an inexpensive day on the Red Sea.

Who should book this Hurghada outing?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time scuba participants who want an instructor-led introduction
• People returning to scuba after a long pause
• Couples or families seeking a low-cost boat day
• Anyone who wants both scuba and relaxed snorkeling time
• Visitors who value hotel pickup and included lunch

I would be more cautious if you want a private instructor, guaranteed quiet conditions, precise control over session length, or a highly specialized marine experience. The program is designed for general holiday use, not advanced certification or technical training.

Most people can participate, according to the stated requirements, but the experience depends on good weather. You should also be comfortable following the instructor’s safety directions and entering the water at the planned reef stops.

The activity is booked an average of 75 days ahead, which suggests you should reserve early if your holiday dates are fixed. The stated maximum is 30 people, so early booking may also help you secure a place on your preferred day.

Cancellation and weather rules

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted.

Weather matters because this is a boat-based activity. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. Confirmation is provided when you book, and the experience has mobile ticketing, so keep the booking available on your phone.

Should you book this experience?

Book it if you want an affordable, guided introduction to Red Sea scuba with two reef stops, lunch, equipment, and hotel transport included. The friendly onboard crew, clear instruction, and chance to snorkel after lunch make the day more useful than a simple short session.

Before paying, confirm your pickup time, any environmental tax, the exact cost of an out-of-area transfer, and the planned length and depth of both sessions. If EGYPTOUS answers those points clearly and you are comfortable with a group of up to 30, the $23.26 price offers very good value. If you need a private or tightly controlled session, spend more for a smaller program.

FAQ

What is included in the Hurghada scuba experience?

The price includes scuba equipment, an air-conditioned vehicle, and lunch. The day also includes instructor guidance, two planned underwater sessions, and time for swimming or snorkeling after lunch.

How deep are the underwater sessions?

The first session is planned at roughly 6 meters. The second session is planned at about 10 meters.

How long does the experience last?

The total outing lasts approximately 8 hours. The first underwater session lasts about 15 minutes, while the exact length of the second session is not specified.

What time does the activity start?

The listed start time is 9:00 am. Hotel pickup is described as taking place at around 8:00 am, so confirm your exact collection time with EGYPTOUS.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes, pickup is offered from hotels in Hurghada. Transfers from Makadi, Safaga, and El Gouna require an extra fee.

How many people can join the trip?

The maximum group size is 30 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded. If poor weather cancels the activity, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.