Scuba Diving Open Water PADI Course – Sharm El Sheikh

Three days can put you underwater with purpose. This Sharm El Sheikh course combines classroom study, shallow-water practice, and boat trips to Ras Muhammed National Park, making it a practical first step toward a PADI Open Water certification. I like the patient instructors, especially Tamer, Khaled, and Ahmed, and I like that hotel pickup, lunch, drinks, and boat transport are included.

The main catch is the pace. You study theory in the evening and spend long hours on practical work, so this is not a lazy holiday add-on. You should also budget for the national park fee, book, and license costs, which are not included in the $420 price.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven to eight underwater sessions: The full course includes pool or shallow-water work followed by boat or shore sessions.
• Ras Muhammed by boat: Two days include boat trips to the national park, with lunch, water, and soft drinks.
• Maximum depth of 18 meters: This is the standard limit for an Open Water course.
• Tamer, Khaled, and Ahmed: The instructors are praised for staying calm, patient, and encouraging.
• Two course formats: You may begin in a pool or shallow water, or start from shore with an introductory session.
• Extra costs apply: The five-euro-per-day national park fee, book, and license fees are paid separately.

Starting a PADI course in Sharm El Sheikh

An Open Water course is the first full certification step for a new scuba diver. You do not need previous scuba experience, although the provider also describes an introductory option if you would prefer to try the equipment and underwater skills before committing fully.

The course is built around three parts: theory, basic skills, and open-water training. You learn the rules and procedures, practice in a pool or shallow water, then use those skills in the sea under an instructor’s supervision.

The schedule is described in two slightly different ways. The tour summary says about three days, while the detailed program says the full course lasts four days and includes seven to eight underwater sessions. I would plan for four days if you need the full certification, rather than trying to squeeze everything into a short break.

That extra time matters. You are not simply being taken underwater for a quick look at coral. You are learning how to use scuba equipment, manage yourself in the water, and complete the required exercises. The pace is useful, but it can feel intense if you have other major plans in Sharm El Sheikh.

Day one: theory, equipment, and shallow-water skills

The first day is devoted to the foundation of the course. You receive the necessary Open Water theory book from the scuba center and work through the learning material with a PADI instructor.

A DVD is part of the study program. You can watch it at your hotel in the evening if you bring a computer, or you may watch it during the shore-based portion of the course. That flexibility is helpful, but you should not treat the video as optional entertainment. The theory supports the practical work, and you will need to understand what you are doing before moving into deeper water.

You then practice in a swimming pool or shallow water. This is where you get used to breathing through the regulator, handling the equipment, and following the instructor’s directions. The supplied information does not list every individual exercise, so you should expect a general skills session rather than a fixed list of named drills.

The shallow-water setting is a sensible beginning. You can focus on your breathing and movement without immediately dealing with a full sea trip. If you feel nervous, this is the time to speak up. The strongest part of the teaching style appears to be its calm approach. Tamer is described as giving students time to become comfortable, while Khaled and Ahmed are praised for patience, kindness, and humor.

That human side matters. New scuba students often need clear instructions repeated in plain language. An instructor who stays calm can make the difference between a manageable challenge and an unnecessarily stressful morning.

The shore-based alternative for a gentler start

You may also begin the course from shore with an introductory session. In this version, you watch the DVD at the hotel or during the shore program, then continue the course from the shore on following days.

This option may suit you if you want to build confidence gradually. There is less emphasis on getting onto a boat immediately, and the shore format gives you a simpler setting for continuing the basic skills.

The trade-off is that the boat program includes the Ras Muhammed National Park trips, lunch, drinks, and several underwater stops. A shore-based schedule may be easier for learning, but the boat days are likely to be the more scenic part of the course.

Ask the provider which format applies to your booking. The supplied details present both options, but do not say that every student can freely switch between them once the course begins.

Days two and three: boat trips to Ras Muhammed

The main sea portion takes place over two days on a daily boat trip to Ras Muhammed National Park. The program includes between three and five underwater stops, depending on the schedule and course arrangement.

Ras Muhammed is the reason many visitors choose Sharm El Sheikh for scuba training. Here, your classroom skills move into a larger marine setting, with the boat serving as your base between sessions. You can expect a full day rather than a brief morning appointment, since one direct account describes five to six hours of practical work.

Lunch, water, and soft drinks are included. That is a useful part of the package because boat days can be long, and you do not need to organize a separate meal. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also included, which makes the $420 price easier to assess.

The boat format gives you more than transport to a training site. It combines instruction with a full day on the water and access to a well-known national park. Still, this is a certification course first. If you are hoping for a relaxed sightseeing cruise with only a short swim, you may find the training schedule demanding.

The exact number of stops is listed as three to five, while the complete course is described as having seven to eight sessions overall. Those figures likely include the shallow-water or shore work, but the details do not spell out the division. Use the numbers as a general guide, not a guaranteed daily timetable.

The 18-meter limit and what it means

The maximum depth for the course is 18 meters. That is the standard Open Water certification limit and gives you a clear boundary for the training.

For a beginner, the depth limit is reassuring. You are not being asked to manage advanced conditions or go beyond the level of your qualification. The emphasis remains on control, safe procedures, and comfort in the water.

You should also remember that depth is only one part of the experience. The course requires study, equipment practice, and repeated sessions. If you are not comfortable after the first attempt, the instructors may need to give you more time before moving ahead. The comments about Tamer, Khaled, and Ahmed suggest that patience is one of the center’s strengths.

The course is therefore a better fit for someone who wants a real qualification than for someone seeking a single novelty activity. You need to take the instruction seriously, complete the exercises, and allow enough time for the course to run at a sensible pace.

How good is the instruction?

The most strongly praised feature is the teaching style. Tamer is described as calm and reassuring, with an approach that gives students time to become comfortable and confident. Khaled and Ahmed receive similar praise for being patient, kind, funny, and relaxed.

That is important information for a first-time student. Scuba training involves unfamiliar equipment and a new way of breathing, so an instructor’s manner can shape the whole day. You want someone who explains clearly and does not rush you through a skill simply to keep the timetable moving.

The course is still intensive. One account describes evening study followed by five to six hours of practical training. You should expect to use your evenings for theory rather than treating them as completely free time.

I would arrange lighter plans around the course. A quiet dinner or an early night is more realistic than a late outing after a full training day. The schedule asks for concentration, especially at the start.

What the $420 price includes

At $420 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend time in Sharm El Sheikh. Its value depends on what you want from the trip.

The price includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• A PADI instructor
• Two days of boat trips
• Three to five underwater stops on the boat program
• Training at Ras Muhammed National Park
• Lunch
• Water and soft drinks

Those inclusions cover several costs that can add up separately. Transport from your hotel removes a practical chore, and meals and drinks are already arranged on the boat days. The instructor-led certification process is also more valuable than a one-off recreational session if you intend to keep scuba diving after Egypt.

The price does not include the five-euro national park fee per person per day. You pay that in cash on site. The book and license fees are also separate, so ask for the current total before you commit.

The course can be a fair value if you want certification and can use the boat days. It is less compelling if your main goal is simply to see the underwater world once. In that case, a shorter introductory session may be enough, though the supplied information does not provide a separate price for one.

Group discounts are available, but the maximum group size is 30 people. That is a fairly large upper limit, even if instruction may take place in smaller working groups. If personal attention is your top concern, ask how many students will be assigned to each instructor.

Who should book this course?

This program suits you if you have no prior scuba experience, want a recognized Open Water qualification, and can give several days to study and practice. It also works well if you are staying at a hotel in Sharm El Sheikh and value included transport.

The calm teaching style may be especially useful if you feel unsure about learning underwater skills. The comments about the instructors point to a supportive atmosphere rather than a rushed, boot-camp approach.

You may want to choose another activity if your schedule is tight, you do not want evening study, or you are looking for a simple half-day outing. The course requires real effort. The certification goal is its strength, but it also makes the experience more demanding than a casual swim.

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The supplied information does not list medical requirements or equipment details, so you should confirm any personal health questions directly with the provider before booking.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

Hotel pickup and drop-off are offered, and confirmation is provided when you book. The course is available with a mobile ticket, which is useful if you do not want to carry printed paperwork.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour period are not accepted for a refund.

Bring a computer if you plan to watch the course DVD in your hotel. Also keep cash available for the national park fee. These are small preparations, but they prevent avoidable trouble on the first day.

Because the schedule may run for three to four days, check your hotel dates before booking. If your return flight or another major excursion is close to the final course day, the timetable may feel too tight.

Should you book the Sharm El Sheikh Open Water course?

Book it if you want to leave Egypt with a new scuba qualification, not just a short underwater taste. The combination of shallow-water training, two Ras Muhammed boat days, hotel transport, meals, and steady instruction gives the $420 price a reasonable foundation.

I would be particularly comfortable recommending it to a beginner who values a calm instructor. Tamer, Khaled, and Ahmed are praised for patience and encouragement, which is exactly what many first-time students need.

I would hesitate only if you have very little time or dislike structured study. Plan for evening theory, long practical days, extra cash for fees, and the possibility that the complete program takes four days. With those expectations in place, this is a focused and useful way to begin scuba training in Sharm El Sheikh.

FAQ

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. Previous scuba experience is not required.

How long does the Open Water course take?

The program is described as taking about three days, while the full detailed schedule says four days with seven to eight underwater sessions. You should allow four days if possible.

What is the maximum depth?

The maximum depth is 18 meters.

Does the course include boat trips?

Yes. The package includes two days of boat trips, including trips to Ras Muhammed National Park.

Are lunch and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch, water, and soft drinks are included on the boat trips.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

What extra costs should I expect?

The national park fee is five euros per person per day and must be paid in cash on site. The course book and diving license fees are also not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.