Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch

Red Sea color comes quickly underwater. This eight-hour Hurghada outing combines two guided scuba sessions, a boat ride, lunch, and time to swim or snorkel, making it a simple way to see more of the coast in one day. I especially like the small-group promise of up to 10 people and the chance to visit two separate sites rather than repeating the same spot.

The included hotel transfer in a new air-conditioned vehicle is another welcome touch, particularly in Hurghada’s heat. Lunch, mineral water, soft drinks, tanks, and weights are included too. My main caution is consistency: most feedback praises the staff and reef scenery, but serious complaints raise concerns about overcrowding, equipment shortages, and one troubling report of inappropriate physical contact underwater.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate underwater sessions: The first lasts about 35 minutes and the second about 30 minutes, with a new site between them.
• Lunch is served on the boat: You receive food, mineral water, and soft drinks after the first session.
• Snorkeling time is built in: You can stay on the surface for about 45 minutes if you prefer not to make the second underwater outing.
• Hotel pickup is included: Send your room number so the guide can identify the correct pickup point.
• The advertised group size is limited to 10: One serious complaint described a much larger group, so confirm arrangements before departure.
• There is a small extra cash charge: Instructor fees are listed as €4 per person and are not included in the $72 price.

What the Hurghada day is really like

This is a full-day Red Sea boat trip aimed at both first-time participants and experienced scuba users. You are collected from your hotel in Hurghada, driven to the departure point, and then taken by boat toward the first site.

The total duration is about eight hours. That sounds long, but the day is divided into short blocks: roughly 40 minutes sailing, 35 minutes underwater, 45 minutes for lunch, 30 minutes for the second underwater session, 45 minutes snorkeling, and the return journey.

I like that rhythm. You are not expected to spend the whole day below the surface. There is time to sit on deck, eat, watch the coastline pass, and enjoy the water without a mask and tank.

The advertised group limit of 10 people should make the experience easier to manage. Small groups matter on a boat because they usually mean less waiting for equipment, clearer instructions, and more room for personal help. Still, you should confirm the group size when you book, since one very negative account described more than 20 people onboard and shorter-than-promised underwater sessions.

Hotel pickup and the 40-minute ride to sea

Pickup is included from hotels in Hurghada. You are asked to provide your room number, which helps the guide find you among the many hotels and resorts spread across town.

The transfer is described as a comfortable, new, air-conditioned vehicle. That is useful rather than glamorous. Hurghada can be hot, and a cool ride is a much better start than arriving at the marina already tired and sweaty.

Bring comfortable shoes and a sun hat. You will spend time moving between hotel, vehicle, boat, and equipment, and the sun can be strong while you wait on deck.

The first boat journey takes about 40 minutes. This is part of the experience, not just transport. You get open views of the Red Sea and the Hurghada coast, with time to settle in before the first underwater session.

The exact boat facilities are not specified, so I would keep your expectations practical. The useful inclusions are clear: lunch, mineral water, soft drinks, tanks, and weights. If you need a particular wetsuit size, confirm it before the morning of the trip rather than assuming the right fit will be available.

The first 35-minute scuba session

At the first site, an instructor explains the location and leads the group into the water. Beginners are welcome, and the activity is also intended for experienced participants who simply want to enjoy the Red Sea.

That mixed audience can work well if the staff divide people according to confidence and ability. A first-time participant may need close support, while an experienced scuba user usually wants more freedom. One positive account describes an instructor holding a beginner’s arm closely at first, then allowing more independence after seeing that the pair already knew how to manage themselves.

That is the right general approach. Good supervision should match your skill level instead of treating everyone the same.

The underwater scenery is one of the strongest reasons to book. A detailed account describes colorful fish and coral, and another calls the reef setting a dream. You should expect the appeal to come from the living reef, changing colors, and clear Red Sea views rather than from a long technical training session.

The first session lasts about 35 minutes. For a beginner, that is enough time to learn how the equipment feels without making the first attempt exhausting. For an experienced user, it is a moderate-length outing rather than a serious extended exploration.

Be clear about what you want before entering the water. If you are new, tell the instructor exactly how much help you need. If you already have experience, explain that too. One complaint from an experienced pair suggests that the level of independence changed only after they repeated their background.

Lunch, drinks, and a useful break on board

After the first session, lunch is served onboard. The listed food details are limited, but mineral water and soft drinks are included, and there is time to rest before the second site.

This pause is important. A day at sea can be tiring even when the underwater sessions are short. Eating on the boat keeps the day moving and gives you a chance to warm up, dry off, and discuss the next session with the guide.

I would not treat lunch as the main reason to book. It is best viewed as a practical meal that saves you from arranging food separately. The real value is having the food and drinks already included while you are offshore.

Use the break to check your comfort and equipment. If your mask leaks, your suit feels wrong, or you are unsure about the next session, speak up before the boat reaches the second site.

The second 30-minute session at a new site

The boat moves to a different location for the second underwater session, which lasts about 30 minutes. A change of site gives you a better chance of seeing different reef shapes, fish, and coral formations than you would get by remaining in one place.

This second session is shorter, but it can still be worthwhile. Experienced participants may appreciate another look at the Red Sea, while beginners may find the second attempt easier because the equipment and basic routines are now familiar.

The guide remains responsible for leading the group. You should follow the instructions given onboard, particularly if conditions or visibility change. The activity is presented as suitable for beginners and experienced users, but that does not mean it is unstructured. Your safety depends on listening closely and telling the instructor if you feel uncomfortable.

There is one major quality-control concern to keep in mind. A strongly negative account described a first session reduced to a 30-minute check at about 14 meters and a second session of only 20 minutes at less than 10 meters, allegedly because the boat ran short of air supply. That is a serious allegation, not a normal feature of the advertised program. It is also why I would confirm the operator, boat capacity, and equipment arrangements before departure.

A 45-minute snorkeling option

After the second session, the schedule allows about 45 minutes for snorkeling. You can use this time to stay on the surface, swim, or simply relax onboard.

This makes the outing more flexible. A companion who does not want to use scuba equipment can still enjoy the Red Sea, and a first-time participant can choose snorkeling if the underwater sessions feel like enough.

The snorkeling period also prevents the day from becoming too equipment-focused. You get another chance to look into the water without the weight of a tank and without needing to follow the same underwater route.

Pets are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users. Those restrictions are worth checking before payment, especially because the day involves a vehicle transfer, a boat, and movement around marine equipment.

The reef scenery and what you may see

The strongest praise centers on the Red Sea itself. Colorful coral and fish are repeatedly singled out, and the reef scenery is the main reward for accepting the long day.

I like that the program combines views above and below the water. During the sailing portions, you can watch the coast and sea. At the sites, the focus shifts to coral and fish. At lunch, you get a quieter break on the boat.

The experience is not designed as a specialist expedition. It is a straightforward introduction to Hurghada’s underwater world, with an instructor, two short sessions, and a basic meal included. Experienced users should see it as a convenient recreational day, not as a demanding technical program.

Water conditions, visibility, and marine life can vary. The supplied details do not promise particular animals or exact reef locations, so I would avoid booking with a fixed expectation of seeing one specific species.

Guides, languages, and how much support to expect

Live guidance is available in English, French, German, and Russian. That is useful for a mixed international group, but language support may not always be equally strong in every language on every departure.

One first-time participant found the experience excellent but had trouble understanding the explanations because French guidance was not available and their English was limited. If you are not comfortable with English, German, Russian, or the other language offered that day, confirm the guide language before booking.

The best staff feedback praises the care provided both onboard and in the water. One account calls the supervision excellent, while another describes the staff as lovely and says the first experience went very well.

There are also two serious warnings that should not be brushed aside. One report describes a missing women’s small wetsuit and an unsuitable child-sized replacement. Another describes unwanted touching by a guide underwater. If anything feels unsafe or inappropriate, end the session, return to the boat, and report the problem immediately. I would also ask in advance about available suit sizes and request that equipment be checked before departure.

Group size, organization, and the main risk

The advertised group limit is 10 participants. At that size, the day should feel more personal and less like a production line. You have a better chance of asking questions and receiving attention during equipment checks.

Yet one account says more than 20 people were on the boat, with sessions conducted one after another. It also alleges shortages of air, water, and organization. That conflicts sharply with the small-group description and the generally positive feedback.

Because the complaint is so specific, I would not ignore it. Before booking, ask the provider to confirm:

• The maximum number of people on your departure
• The number of instructors
• The planned length of both underwater sessions
• The availability of your wetsuit size
• How the €4 instructor fee is collected
• Whether tanks and weights are prepared for every participant

These questions take little time and can prevent a disappointing day.

Is $72 good value?

At $72 per person, the price is reasonable if the advertised elements are delivered. You are paying for hotel pickup and return, the boat trip, two guided sessions, tanks and weights, lunch, mineral water, soft drinks, and snorkeling time.

The value is especially good for someone who wants a single organized day rather than arranging transport, equipment, food, and a guide separately. The inclusion of a new air-conditioned vehicle also matters in Hurghada, where hotel transfers can add friction to a busy day.

The price does not include a €4 cash instructor fee. That is small, but you should budget for it because it changes the true cost slightly and requires cash.

For experienced scuba users, the value depends heavily on actual session length and group size. A well-run two-site day can be worthwhile. A crowded boat with reduced underwater time is not. For beginners, close supervision and a comfortable pace matter more than getting maximum minutes underwater.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms make it easier to hold a place while finalizing your Hurghada plans.

Who should book this Red Sea outing?

I think this suits:

• First-time participants who want a guided introduction
• Experienced scuba users seeking an easy recreational day
• Couples or friends with mixed interests in scuba and snorkeling
• Visitors who want transport, food, and equipment handled together
• People who value a small-group format

I would be more cautious if you need a particular wetsuit size, have limited English, or expect a specialist-level underwater program. Pregnant women and wheelchair users should not book this activity because it is specifically listed as unsuitable for them.

The overall rating is 4.3 from 80 ratings, which suggests a generally positive experience but not a flawless one. The praise focuses on colorful reefs, friendly staff, and good first-time supervision. The poor feedback focuses on organization, crowding, equipment, and personal conduct. That mix points to a tour whose quality may depend strongly on the specific departure and crew.

Should you book it?

Book it if you want a convenient Hurghada day with two guided Red Sea sessions, a boat ride, lunch, and snorkeling, and if you are comfortable confirming the practical details first. The reef scenery and supportive instruction can make this a fine first underwater experience.

I would send your room number, request your preferred guide language, confirm the group size, and ask about your wetsuit before paying. If the provider confirms a maximum of 10 people and clear equipment arrangements, the $72 package offers solid convenience. If they cannot answer those questions, choose a more transparent operator.

FAQ

How long is the Hurghada scuba tour?

The activity lasts about eight hours, including hotel pickup, sailing, two underwater sessions, lunch, snorkeling, and the return to Hurghada.

How many underwater 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 lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard, along with mineral water and soft drinks.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip transfer from your hotel in Hurghada is included in an air-conditioned vehicle. You should send your room number so the guide can identify the correct pickup.

What languages are available?

Live guidance is available in English, French, German, and Russian.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The schedule includes about 45 minutes for snorkeling, swimming, or relaxing after the second underwater session.

Are tanks and weights included?

Yes. Tanks and weights are included in the listed price.

Is there an extra fee?

Yes. Instructor fees of €4 in cash are not included in the $72 price.