Intro and Professional Scuba Diving Cruise with Lunch in Hurghada

Red Sea color comes with a low price. This Hurghada boat trip combines two guided scuba sessions, snorkeling stops, hotel transport, lunch, and equipment, making it an easy way to see marine life without arranging several separate services. I especially like the included air-conditioned pickup and the presence of professional instructors for both beginners and certified divers.

I also like the clear split between introductory and certified scuba options. Newcomers make two sessions of about 20 to 25 minutes at roughly 7 meters, while PADI-certified divers can pay extra for longer sessions, usually about 30 to 40 minutes, with depth based on their license. The main drawback is that the advertised $15 price does not cover the $10 national park fee or the $10 professional scuba supplement.

Key points to know before booking

• Two underwater stops: Introductory participants receive two supervised sessions at about 7 meters, while certified divers may go deeper according to their qualification.
• Two snorkeling stops: You can stay at the surface and still see parts of the Red Sea without taking the introductory scuba option.
• Lunch is served on board: A buffet meal, soft drinks, and water are included during the roughly eight-hour outing.
• Pickup is included from Hurghada hotels: Transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Safaga cost an additional €5 per person.
• Small maximum group: The boat accepts up to 20 people, which should help keep the instruction manageable.
• Wildlife can be a bonus: Dolphins have been seen during the trip, but no operator can promise a meeting with wild animals.

The morning pickup and ride to the Hurghada marina

The day begins at about 8:00 a.m. with pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. That matters in Hurghada, where getting to the harbor on your own can mean arranging a taxi, finding the correct boat, and dealing with local transport before breakfast.

The included ride keeps the start simple. You should have your confirmation ready on your phone, since mobile tickets are accepted and booking confirmation arrives at the time of reservation. The published maximum is 20 people, so this is not an intimate private charter, but it is also not described as a huge boat operation.

Pickup is designed for Hurghada hotels. If you stay in Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, or Safaga, add €5 per person for transport. That extra cost is small, but it changes the advertised bargain, especially for a couple or family.

The tour lasts about eight hours. With an 8:00 a.m. start, you should expect most of the day to be taken up by transport, safety instruction, boat time, underwater sessions, lunch, and the ride back. Plan other activities for the evening rather than trying to fit in a tight afternoon appointment.

Safety briefing and equipment before entering the water

At the boat or first water stop, a professional scuba instructor and snorkeling instructor explain the equipment and basic safety rules. This is especially important if you have never used scuba equipment before. The aim is to make the first session calm and controlled, not to rush you straight into open water.

The price includes the use of scuba and snorkeling equipment. That is useful for a first-time participant who does not own a mask, fins, or breathing gear. It also makes the trip easier for a certified diver who would rather not carry equipment through Egypt.

Still, included equipment does not remove the need for a careful personal check. Make sure your mask fits, ask how the regulator works, and tell the instructor if you feel nervous or have not used scuba gear for some time. One certified Open Water participant received one-to-one guidance after a long break from the sport, which shows the value of speaking up before the first session.

Most people can take part, according to the supplied tour information. If you have a medical concern, ask the operator before booking. The information does not list specific medical restrictions, so it is wise to settle those questions in advance rather than at the marina.

Two introductory sessions at about 7 meters

The introductory option is built for people without a PADI qualification. You receive two underwater sessions, each lasting about 20 to 25 minutes, at a depth of roughly 7 meters.

That format is a strong choice for a first taste of scuba. The first session gives you time to adjust to breathing through the regulator and moving with fins. The second gives you a better chance to relax, look around, and enjoy the fish rather than spending the whole time thinking about the equipment.

The depth is modest compared with a certified scuba outing, but that is part of the point. Seven meters offers an underwater experience while keeping the introduction within a controlled range. Your instructor supervises the sessions, and the beginner group is kept smaller than the full boat group according to the available trip details.

You should not expect a full certification course. This is an introductory experience, not training that leads to a PADI qualification. If your main goal is to learn formal scuba skills, use this trip as a first experience and arrange a proper course separately.

The two-session setup also makes the day more useful than a single short trial. If you feel awkward during the first attempt, the second gives you another chance. I would still keep expectations sensible: actual time underwater can depend on comfort, instruction, equipment, and conditions.

Certified scuba sessions with extra payment

If you hold a PADI qualification, you can choose the professional option for an additional $10 per person. The available information describes two sessions of about 30 to 40 minutes each, with depth based on your license.

A certified diver who has not been underwater for some time should pay attention to the experience of a returning Open Water diver who received one-to-one guide support and completed two sessions of about 40 minutes at 12 meters. That is a useful indication of how the outing may work for a qualified participant, though your exact depth, time, and guide arrangement are not guaranteed.

Bring proof of your qualification if requested. The operator specifically separates introductory participants from PADI-certified participants, so your license affects the type of underwater session available to you.

The $10 supplement is modest, but it should be included in your budget from the start. At $15, the headline price sounds like a simple snorkeling cruise with a short introduction. A certified diver is really looking at $25 before the national park charge, and the final cost may be higher if transport from one of the outlying resort areas is needed.

Snorkeling stops for a slower pace

The trip includes two snorkeling stops as well as the two scuba stops. This gives you a useful alternative if you decide not to use scuba equipment, or if members of your group have different comfort levels.

Snorkeling is also a good way to spend time on the surface between underwater sessions. You can watch the water, swim at your own pace, and see what is near the reef without committing to a longer scuba session.

The supplied details do not name particular reefs or guarantee a specific species of fish. That is worth remembering when planning your expectations. The Red Sea is famous for clear water and marine life, but exact visibility and sightings change with weather, sea conditions, and the location selected by the crew that day.

Dolphins have been seen during this outing, including a memorable encounter involving a child. Treat that as a lucky possibility rather than part of the fixed itinerary. Wild dolphins do not follow a timetable, and no responsible operator can promise that they will appear.

Lunch, drinks, and the long middle of the day

A buffet lunch is served on board between the water activities. Soft drinks and water are also included throughout the trip, which is important after a morning in the sun and sea.

The meal adds real value to the $15 base price. You do not need to find a restaurant at a remote stop or pack a full lunch before pickup. It also gives you a proper break between sessions, when you can dry off, eat, and settle down before returning to the water.

Keep your expectations practical. The description promises a buffet with several dishes, but it does not list the menu or identify special dietary options. If you have strict dietary needs, contact OMARIKA TOURS before booking rather than assuming the buffet will meet them.

Water is especially important after scuba and snorkeling. Drink regularly, use sun protection, and remember that a day on a boat can feel tiring even when the physical activity seems moderate. The trip includes drinks, but you should still take responsibility for your own comfort.

What the $15 price really covers

At $15 per person, this is an unusually low-cost full-day water outing. The price includes hotel pickup in Hurghada, an air-conditioned vehicle, equipment, instructors, two scuba stops, two snorkeling stops, lunch, soft drinks, water, and the return transfer.

That is excellent value for a first-time participant who wants to try scuba without paying for a full course. The inclusion of snorkeling also helps if one person in your party prefers to remain on the surface.

The headline figure needs a closer look:

• National park fees cost $10 per person and are paid during the trip.
• Certified scuba carries an additional $10 per person.
• Transport from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, or Safaga costs €5 per person.

For a first-time participant staying in Hurghada, the likely base calculation is $25 after the park fee. For a PADI-certified diver, it is about $35 before any resort-area transfer supplement. Currency handling may vary, so confirm the final amount at booking.

Even with those additions, the price remains appealing for a day that includes food, transport, equipment, and instruction. The key is to compare the final cost, not just the first number shown.

Group size, instruction, and comfort

The maximum group size is 20 people. That is large enough for a social boat outing but small enough to avoid the feel of a mass excursion with hundreds of people.

Instruction is the most important part of the group equation. Certified participants may receive more individual attention, while beginners are placed in a smaller group for their underwater sessions. This arrangement is practical because new scuba users need more direct help with breathing, movement, and confidence.

You should tell the instructor your experience level clearly. Say if you have not used scuba gear for years, feel uneasy in open water, or want extra help with your mask and regulator. The available information indicates that instructors work with both complete beginners and certified divers, so the crew needs an honest picture of your ability.

The boat can accommodate different types of participants on the same day. One person can take the introductory scuba option, another can use the certified program, and others can snorkel. That makes the outing a good match for mixed groups, provided everyone understands that the day includes shared boat time.

Who should book this Hurghada outing

I would recommend this trip to a first-time scuba participant who wants a simple introduction with transport, equipment, instruction, and lunch already arranged. The two short sessions offer more room to gain confidence than a single attempt.

It also suits a certified Open Water diver who wants two recreational sessions without organizing a private boat. The extra $10 professional supplement is reasonable, but you should check that the expected depth and session length match your goals.

Families may appreciate the mix of scuba and snorkeling. A child or adult who does not want to use scuba equipment can still enjoy the surface stops, while another family member takes the guided sessions. The reported dolphin sighting adds a pleasant possibility, though it should never be the main reason for booking.

I would hesitate if you need a luxury yacht, a private guide, a named reef, or a guaranteed wildlife encounter. The trip is built around value and shared services. It offers a practical Red Sea day, not a bespoke marine expedition.

Booking details and cancellation advice

The experience starts at about 8:00 a.m., lasts approximately eight hours, and accepts mobile tickets. Confirmation is provided when you book.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that same period are not accepted. Keep that deadline in mind before committing, especially if your Hurghada plans depend on weather or a changeable flight schedule.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at approximately 8:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The full outing lasts about eight hours, including pickup, boat activities, lunch, and the return transfer.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned vehicle are included for hotels in Hurghada.

Is transport from other resort areas included?

No. Transport from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, and Safaga costs an additional €5 per person.

How many scuba sessions are included?

Two scuba sessions are included. Introductory participants receive sessions of about 20 to 25 minutes each at roughly 7 meters.

Can a certified PADI diver take part?

Yes. PADI-certified participants can choose the professional scuba option for an additional $10 per person. Sessions are about 30 to 40 minutes, with depth based on the diver’s license.

Are snorkeling stops included?

Yes. The trip includes two snorkeling stops, along with snorkeling equipment.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch, soft drinks, and water are included.

What is not included in the $15 price?

The $10 national park fee is paid during the trip. Professional scuba costs an extra $10 per person, and some resort-area transfers cost €5 per person.

Should you book it?

Book this Hurghada cruise if you want a low-cost, structured day on the Red Sea with two underwater sessions, snorkeling, food, equipment, and hotel transport. It is particularly good for beginners, mixed groups, and certified divers who value convenience over a private setup.

Before paying, calculate the added fees and confirm your pickup area. If you accept the shared format and understand that dolphins, exact reefs, and underwater conditions cannot be guaranteed, this is a strong-value choice for a first scuba experience or a straightforward day at sea.