Sharm el Sheikh: PADI Diving Courses Package

The Red Sea makes learning underwater skills easier. I like the calm, warm water and clear conditions around Sharm el Sheikh, and I like that the course builds confidence in stages, starting with theory and pool work before moving to open water. The main drawback is the extra cost: equipment, marina fees, meals, and PADI certification charges are not included in the $351 price.

This is a practical way to begin a new hobby, not simply a sightseeing trip. Instructor Yasser earned particular praise for his calm teaching, while Ahmed helped a nervous beginner gain confidence. Plan on two or three busy days, depending on your course, and remember that non-swimmers, pregnant women, and people with heart problems cannot take part.

Key points to know before booking

• Start gently with pool training: The three-day beginner course begins with lessons and practice in a pool before you head into open water.
• Ras Muhammad is the main setting: The national park provides clear water, coral gardens, and marine life for your first proper underwater sessions.
• Instructors make the difference: Yasser and Ahmed were singled out for patient, careful teaching and for helping nervous students feel safe.
• The advanced course needs prior certification: The two-day option is for certified students and can take you to a maximum depth of 30 meters.
• Budget for several extras: Equipment costs €15 per day, certification and the classroom book cost about €100, and marina entry is €10 per person for each yacht day.
• Airport timing matters: You should wait at least 18 hours after your last underwater session before flying.

Why Sharm el Sheikh works so well for beginners

Sharm el Sheikh is a sensible place to learn because the Red Sea usually offers the conditions new students need most: warm water, good visibility, and relatively calm seas. Clear water helps you see your instructor, your equipment, and the coral environment around you. That can reduce the nervousness that comes with your first underwater breathing exercises.

The area also gives you something to look at while you learn. This is not a plain training site followed by a long ride to an interesting reef. Around Ras Muhammad National Park, shallow coral areas and marine life make the practice feel worthwhile from the start.

I would still keep expectations realistic. Your first sessions focus on safety, breathing, buoyancy, and equipment use. You will not spend every minute sightseeing. The reward comes from gradually becoming comfortable underwater, then having enough control to appreciate the Red Sea around you.

The course uses the PADI system, one of the best-known scuba training programs worldwide. A successful beginner course gives you a certification accepted for scuba activities in many parts of the world. That makes the price more useful than a one-off boat trip, particularly if you expect to continue the sport.

Choosing between the trial lesson and the three-day course

The trial option suits you if you are curious but unsure. You spend several hours learning basic information and complete one supervised underwater session. It lets you find out how you feel in the water without committing to a full qualification.

That short option is not the same as becoming certified. Think of it as a test of interest and comfort. If you already know you want a qualification, the three-day open-water course makes more sense.

The beginner course starts with theory and a pool session. You learn the basic principles, get familiar with the equipment, and practice essential skills under an instructor’s eye. This first stage matters because equipment can feel awkward until you have handled it calmly and repeatedly.

The next two days move into open water. The supplied schedule centers on yacht trips, although one recent participant described a progression from the pool to a shore session and then a boat session. That suggests the exact order can vary with the operator, weather, and course planning. Ask for the day-by-day plan when you confirm your booking.

On the final day, you complete the required assessment. The course is not just a scenic outing, so allow enough energy and attention for the academic and practical work.

What the two-day advanced course includes

The two-day option is for people who have already completed the three-day open-water program and hold certification. It is not a shortcut for a first-time student.

This course takes place on open water from a yacht and allows you to increase your maximum depth to 30 meters. The additional training is useful if you want to build skills beyond the basic qualification and feel more capable at different underwater sites.

You should bring proof of your existing certification and confirm that the provider accepts it before arrival. The supplied information clearly requires certification, but it does not specify which cards or agencies are accepted.

The advanced course is shorter, but it is not necessarily easier. You will spend two full days learning from a boat, so protect your energy, drink water, and follow the instructor’s guidance closely.

The boat day at Ras Muhammad National Park

The published boat schedule begins with pickup in Sharm el Sheikh, followed by a coach ride of about 35 minutes. The full pickup process can begin roughly an hour to 90 minutes before the course, and the exact time is sent by WhatsApp 24 hours beforehand.

Once aboard, the sailing portion takes about two hours before the first scheduled underwater session. The initial session is listed as 40 minutes. For a new student, that length is enough to practice skills and observe the reef without turning the first outing into an endurance test.

Lunch follows, with about an hour set aside to eat and rest. Meals and drinks are not included, so check what you need to bring or buy before departure. Water, a towel, sunscreen, and swimwear belong in your day bag.

The later part of the schedule allows about three hours for sailing and further underwater activity. This gives you time to apply what you learned earlier, rather than rushing through one short session. The boat then returns toward Sharm el Sheikh, with about 45 minutes of sailing listed before arrival.

Ras Muhammad is the star of this day. The national park is known for clear water, coral, and varied marine life, so the setting adds real interest to the training. One particularly memorable feature mentioned by a participant was White Island, which gave the trip a Caribbean-like feel.

You should also prepare for a full day in the sun. Boat time sounds relaxing, but students are working, traveling, handling equipment, and staying alert. Sunscreen, water, comfortable clothing, and a towel will make a noticeable difference.

The instructors are the strongest part

The most important part of any beginner scuba course is not the reef. It is the instructor. A beautiful location cannot compensate for rushed explanations or poor supervision.

Here, the strongest praise goes to the teaching. Yasser was described as kind, calm, helpful, and very good at explaining the skills. Ahmed received similar praise for helping a hesitant student trust the process and take things slowly.

That detail matters if you feel nervous about breathing underwater or have concerns about depth. Lisa specifically credited the crew with helping her overcome a fear of deep water. The best instructors do not treat fear as an inconvenience. They give you time, repeat the steps, and keep the session controlled.

The teaching languages are English, German, and Italian. One student initially worried about taking the course in English but still found the instruction clear and friendly. If technical English is difficult for you, ask in advance which instructor is assigned and what language support is available.

Private groups are also available. This can be useful if you want a slower pace, need more individual attention, or are booking with family or friends. The available information does not state the exact private-group surcharge, so ask before paying.

The real cost of the $351 course

The advertised price is $351 per person, but that is not the final amount for most full-course students.

The main extra charges are:

• Diving equipment rental: €15 per day
• PADI certification and classroom book: about €100, depending on the season
• Marina entry: €10 per person for each yacht day
• Meals and drinks: not included

The marina fee deserves special attention. The open-water course uses the marina on two yacht days, so you should expect to pay the €10 charge twice per person. The advanced course uses one yacht day count according to the supplied fee information, so confirm the exact total when booking. You can pay this fee on arrival or select it as an add-on, but the add-on must be selected twice per person for the beginner course.

When you add equipment, certification materials, and marina charges, the total cost can rise well above $351. Even so, the value is reasonable if you want a genuine PADI qualification rather than a single introductory session. The price includes instruction, pool work for the three-day option, open-water training, hotel pickup and return, and yacht access where applicable.

The value is weaker if you only want a casual boat outing. In that case, a trial session may be the better fit.

Pickup, timing, and what to pack

Hotel pickup and return are included for hotels in Sharm el Sheikh. You receive a WhatsApp message 24 hours before the course with your exact pickup time and location.

The stated pickup window is roughly one hour to 90 minutes before the course begins. Keep your phone available and avoid scheduling another activity too tightly against the course.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Drinking water
• Comfortable clothes

The operator prohibits littering and touching plants. Those rules are simple but important. Coral and other underwater life can be damaged easily, and good control in the water is part of being a responsible student.

You must complete a medical questionnaire before taking part. The minimum age is 10. The course is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, or people with heart problems.

Plan flights carefully. You should wait at least 18 hours after scuba activity before flying. That rule can affect your final day in Egypt, so do not book a morning flight immediately after completing the course.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend the three-day course to a first-time student who wants a real qualification and has enough time to learn without rushing. It suits people who enjoy structured instruction, want a new hobby, and are comfortable spending full days around the water.

It is also a good match for a nervous beginner if you request patient instruction. The experiences with Yasser and Ahmed suggest that calm teaching is a major strength here.

Choose the trial lesson if you are simply curious or unsure about breathing underwater. You get a taste of the activity without paying for the full course.

The advanced course suits certified students who want to reach 30 meters and continue building their skills. It is not appropriate for anyone without a previous open-water qualification.

I would not choose this activity if you cannot swim, dislike full-day boat outings, or want a simple, low-cost sightseeing trip. The course demands attention, physical effort, and extra spending.

My verdict on the Sharm el Sheikh PADI course

I would book this course if I wanted to earn a recognized qualification while seeing some of the Red Sea’s finest underwater scenery. The setting is excellent for beginners, and the instructors appear to be the strongest reason to choose this provider, especially if you can work with Yasser or Ahmed.

Before paying, calculate the full cost and ask for the exact schedule. Confirm the equipment fee, certification charge, two marina payments for the beginner course, meals, and pickup time. If those details fit your budget, this is a useful introduction to scuba rather than a shallow holiday add-on.

The best choice is simple: take the trial lesson if you are testing the idea, the three-day course if you want certification, and the advanced option only if you already hold the required qualification.

FAQ

How long does the PADI course take?

The beginner open-water course takes three days. The advanced open-water course takes two days. A trial option lasts several hours and includes one supervised underwater session.

Is previous experience required?

No previous experience is required for the trial session or the three-day open-water course. The two-day advanced course requires an existing certification.

What is the minimum age?

Participants must be at least 10 years old.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and return are available from hotels in Sharm el Sheikh.

When will I receive my pickup time?

You should receive a WhatsApp message 24 hours before the course with the exact pickup time and location.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in English, German, and Italian.

Is scuba equipment included?

No. Equipment rental costs €15 per day.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included in the course price.

How much are the PADI certification fees?

The certification fee and classroom book cost around €100, although the amount can vary by season.

How long should I wait before flying?

You should wait at least 18 hours after scuba activity before flying.