PADI Advanced Diving Course in Hurghada – Learn Scuba Diving

The Red Sea rewards calm, careful beginners. I like the promise of small groups capped at four, and I like that an English-speaking PADI IDC Staff Instructor guides you through both study and practical work. The main catch is the extra £140 charge for PADI materials and certification, plus a possible transport fee outside central Hurghada.

This is a focused two-day course for certified Open Water divers who want more skill, confidence, and underwater range. The course includes equipment, bottled water, and private transport, but you should confirm the exact adventure dives, instructor, and final price before setting off.

Key things to know before booking

• Maximum of four students: Small groups allow closer supervision and more time for questions.
• Two days of practical training: You complete five adventure dives, including deep and navigation work.
• English-speaking instruction: Your course is taught by an English PADI IDC Staff Instructor.
• Choice of specialty dives: After the required deep and navigation sessions, you discuss which options suit you.
• Pickup is included in central Hurghada: Hotels outside the central area may incur an extra £15 to £25.
• The Red Sea is the classroom: Several people describe the sites as feeling like an aquarium, with warm-water conditions and strong marine appeal.

What the PADI Advanced course is really for

The PADI Advanced course is not a beginner lesson. You need to be ready for the next stage after Open Water certification, where the goal is not simply to stay underwater, but to become more capable and self-reliant.

You begin with the PADI manual and then put the lessons into practice. The course is built around five adventure dives. Two are fixed: the deep dive and the navigation dive. The remaining three are selected with your instructor from the available options.

That structure gives the course a useful balance. You are not forced into a completely fixed program, but you also do not spend two days choosing only the easiest activities. The required sessions deal with important skills, while the optional choices let you shape the experience around your interests.

I see this as a good fit if you already have basic certification but feel you need more time under supervision. It also suits someone who wants to continue training during a Hurghada holiday instead of booking unrelated recreational outings.

The course is described as lasting approximately two days. The daily start time is 8:00 am, and the activity returns to the meeting point. Be prepared for full mornings and much of the day, since the course includes preparation, equipment checks, briefings, practical work, and written study.

Day one: depth, navigation, and your first choice

Your first day begins at the Seagull Beach Resort on Sheraton Road in Hurghada. Pickup is offered, and private transportation is included for the listed area. This is useful if you are carrying equipment or staying somewhere without an easy route to the meeting point.

The first required session is the PADI Deep Adventure Dive. This gives you experience at greater depth than standard Open Water training. The value here is not just reaching a particular number. You learn how your planning, air use, buoyancy, and sense of time can change as you go farther down.

Your instructor should explain the plan before entering the water, including how the group will communicate and what you need to monitor. This is where a small class matters. With no more than four students, you have a better chance of receiving direct correction instead of simply following a larger group.

The second required session is the PADI Navigation Adventure Dive. Underwater navigation is one of the most practical parts of advanced training. It helps you understand direction, distance, reference points, and how to return to a planned location rather than relying entirely on a guide.

That skill becomes especially useful in unfamiliar conditions. The Red Sea may offer clear water and appealing scenery, but clear water does not automatically make navigation easy. Learning to pay attention to your heading and position makes future outings more relaxed and more organised.

You then complete one additional adventure dive of your choice. The available options are discussed with your instructor, so the best selection depends on your experience and interests. Ask about the choices before the course begins if you already know what you want to work on.

Day two: three more adventure dives

The second day includes three further adventure dives. Together with the two completed on day one, these sessions complete the practical part of the PADI Advanced course.

This is where the program becomes more personal. Some people may want to improve control in the water. Others may prefer an activity that adds a new type of planning or observation. The supplied information does not list every available specialty, so do not assume a particular option is guaranteed. Discuss the menu with your instructor on the first morning.

The course description says that your instructor will help you decide what suits you best. That is important because the right choice depends on more than curiosity. Your existing certification, comfort level, recent experience, and personal aims should all shape the plan.

The schedule may feel busy. Five practical sessions across two days is efficient, but it does not leave much spare room if you are tired or need extra time with a skill. If you have not been underwater for a while, tell the instructor before the first session. One person who had taken a three-year break found the course useful for rebuilding confidence and refreshing skills, which suggests that the staff are accustomed to helping people regain comfort.

At the end, you complete the requirements for the PADI Advanced certification, provided all course conditions are met. Certification materials and the certification fee are not included in the advertised price, so budget for those separately.

Small groups make the biggest difference

The most convincing feature here is the maximum group size of four students. That is not a minor marketing detail. In underwater training, an instructor has to watch equipment, position, breathing, buoyancy, hand signals, and general comfort. Fewer students make it easier to spot problems early.

The small-group setup should also make the course less intimidating. Several people describe the instructors as friendly, professional, and reassuring, including those completing their first certification courses with the company. One solo woman said she felt safe and well looked after during the process, from the resort to the site and back.

The provider identifies English PADI IDC Staff Instructors, and names connected with the operation include Steve and Emma. Other feedback also mentions Maged and Erin. Staff availability can change, so treat those names as examples rather than a promise that one particular person will teach your course.

I like the stated priority of safety followed by fun. That order is exactly right for training. A relaxed atmosphere helps you learn, but the instructor still needs to be serious about checks, limits, and controlled practice.

What the Red Sea adds to the course

Hurghada is a strong setting for this kind of training because the underwater scenery gives you a reason to stay engaged. The practical sessions are not held in a dull training tank. You are learning in the Red Sea, where the sites are repeatedly described as bright, full of life, and similar to an aquarium.

That scenery has real teaching value. When you are practising navigation or managing your position, you can connect the skill to an actual setting rather than treating it as a dry exercise. The environment may also make the course feel like part of your holiday instead of a classroom obligation.

Still, the scenery should not distract you from the training. The course is not simply a sightseeing package with a certificate attached. You will have reading to complete, equipment to prepare, and skills to demonstrate. If your main aim is relaxed underwater sightseeing, a standard recreational outing may feel easier.

Several people also praise the guides for combining a friendly manner with serious supervision. That balance matters when you are learning. You want someone who can keep the mood light on the boat or at the meeting point, but who will not ignore a problem because the group is having fun.

Equipment, transport, and what is included

The course includes use of scuba equipment, bottled water, and private transportation. That keeps the basic booking fairly simple. You do not need to arrange a separate equipment rental package before arriving.

Pickup is offered, with the main meeting point at Seagull Beach Resort, Sheraton Road. The listed transport arrangement applies to central Hurghada. If your hotel is outside that area, an additional £15 to £25 may apply. Confirm the amount before booking, since the exact charge depends on your location.

The published inclusions mention bottled water, but they do not promise meals. Some accounts describe comfortable boats and good food during longer outings with the company, but you should not treat that as part of this two-day course unless the operator confirms it. Bring any snacks you need and ask what the day’s boat arrangements include.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. That makes the schedule easier to manage, particularly if you have an evening flight or another hotel booking, but I would still avoid planning anything tight after the final session.

The real price: $344.40 plus the course fee

The advertised price is $344.40 per person. On value, that is reasonable if you want instruction, equipment, transport, and five practical sessions in a small group rather than a simple guided outing.

The price is not the final amount, however. PADI materials and certification cost an additional £140 per person, paid directly to the instructor. That is a large extra charge compared with the headline price, and it should be included in your holiday budget from the beginning.

You may also pay £15 to £25 for transport if your hotel is outside central Hurghada. Ask whether the quoted $344.40 already reflects your exact pickup location, and confirm the currency used for every additional payment.

The value is strongest for someone who genuinely wants the qualification and the added skills. If you only want to see Red Sea marine life, you may find a shorter recreational session better suited to your budget and available time. If you want formal progress, the small group and English instruction help justify the cost.

Who will get the most from this course

I would recommend this course to:

• A recently certified Open Water diver ready for the next step
• A diver returning after a long break who wants structured practice
• A solo visitor who values close supervision and clear communication
• A family or small private group that wants to train together
• Anyone who wants an English-speaking instructor and a formal PADI qualification
• A diver who prefers choosing some adventure sessions around personal interests

It may not suit you if you have only a very short stay, dislike structured training, or want a purely sightseeing-focused day. The course includes study and assessment, not just time in the water.

You should also be honest about your recent experience. The course is designed for the next stage after Open Water certification, so it is not the place to conceal nerves or pretend that you are more current than you are. Tell the instructor if you need a slower briefing, a refresher, or extra explanation.

Booking advice and cancellation terms

You receive confirmation at the time of booking. The activity is listed as suitable for most people, and service animals are allowed. It is a private activity for your group, with no other participants added to it.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 8:00 am start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The provider may also cancel because of poor weather, in which case you are offered another date or a full refund.

Because the course depends on conditions at sea, avoid booking it immediately before an important flight or train connection. The exact timing can be affected by weather, and the final day should not be squeezed against your departure.

Should you book the PADI Advanced course in Hurghada?

Book it if you want a real qualification, personal instruction, and a small group in one of the Red Sea’s best-known settings. The strongest reasons are the four-student limit, the English-speaking staff, the useful navigation and depth training, and the chance to choose part of your program.

Before paying, confirm three things: the exact instructor, the adventure dive choices, and the full cost including the £140 PADI fee and any hotel transport charge. If those figures fit your budget, this looks like a well-supported way to build confidence and skill in two concentrated days.

If you simply want a relaxed look at the underwater world, choose a recreational outing instead. This course asks more of you, but it also gives you more than a pleasant morning in the Red Sea.

FAQ

Where does the course start?

The listed meeting point is Seagull Beach Resort on Sheraton Road in Hurghada, Egypt.

What time does the course begin?

The start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately two days.

How many students are in each group?

The provider teaches small groups with a maximum of four students at one time.

Is an English-speaking instructor provided?

Yes. The course is taught by an English PADI IDC Staff Instructor.

What dives are included on the first day?

Day one includes the PADI Deep Adventure Dive, the PADI Navigation Adventure Dive, and one additional adventure dive chosen with your instructor.

What happens on the second day?

You complete three further adventure dives to finish the practical requirements for the PADI Advanced course.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Use of scuba equipment is included.

Are PADI materials and certification included in the price?

No. PADI materials and certification cost an additional £140 per person, paid to the instructor.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and private transportation are offered. Hotels outside central Hurghada may incur an additional £15 to £25 transport charge.