Hurghada: Scuba Diving for Beginners & Certified Divers

This Hurghada Red Sea boat day is interesting because it mixes straightforward training with real underwater time from the water. I love the intro scuba session setup for first-timers, typically 15 to 20 minutes per underwater stop, with an instructor guiding you step by step. I also love the pairing of two snorkeling stops with onboard lunch and unlimited hot and soft drinks, though you should plan for a possibly tight or slow-feeling transfer back.

What makes this trip feel safe and easy is the crew vibe. I’ve seen names like Omar, Yousef, Baschar, and Nassr linked to the patient, funny, calming approach that helps if you are nervous. The boat is reported as clean and well maintained, with shower and bathroom facilities on board, so you do not end up smelling like salt for the rest of the day.

At around $30 per person, this is strong value for a full day on the Red Sea, especially if you are new and want professional guidance and included equipment. If you already have certification, there is an extra charge for the certified scuba option. This is not the right fit if you are pregnant or have heart or respiratory issues, and children under 12 can snorkel but cannot take the underwater session.

Key highlights that matter in real life

• Two underwater sessions suited to your comfort level, with short intro timing for beginners (15 to 20 minutes)
• Two snorkeling stops that let you enjoy the reef from the surface too
• Patient instruction with instructors who explain the site before each underwater stop
• Unlimited hot and soft drinks plus buffet lunch served onboard
• Well-run pickup and drop-off in Hurghada (with add-ons needed from some nearby areas)
• What you bring makes a difference, especially a towel, sun protection, and a camera

Hurghada Red Sea boat day: why the setup works for beginners

This is the kind of excursion that makes sense if you want the Red Sea without turning it into a complicated project. You get hotel pickup, a cruise out to strong snorkeling and underwater areas, and clear guidance. Then the day is padded with downtime on the yacht, so it does not feel like a rushed checklist.

The big advantage for beginners is the pacing. Instead of throwing you in for a long session, the intro underwater time is short, typically 15 to 20 minutes per stop depending on conditions. That means you can focus on breathing, buoyancy, and staying calm, with instructors nearby and briefing you before you enter the water.

I also like that the day includes surface time. Snorkeling stops are built in, and people specifically note that the snorkeling area lines up with what you get underwater. So even if you are still building confidence, you still see plenty, including fish life and coral reef scenery.

One more practical win is the comfort factor: shower and bathroom facilities are available onboard. After time in the sun and saltwater, this makes the end of the day much nicer.

Pickup, yacht ride, and how the day typically flows

Your morning starts with hotel pickup in Hurghada, then a transfer to the port where you board the yacht. Once you arrive, the yacht team gets you sorted and moving, and the day transitions into the open-water part of the experience.

From there, the plan is to head toward the best snorkeling and underwater sites. Along the way, you can relax and take in the Red Sea weather from the open sea, not just from shore. This matters because Egypt heat can be intense, and having built-in rest time keeps the day from feeling exhausting.

On arrival at each area, the format stays consistent: you get briefed about what you will see and what you need to do, then you head into the water. Lunch is served onboard during the trip, not at the very end when everyone is already hungry and grouchy.

At the close of the day, you return to port and get dropped back to your hotel by car. One caution from real-world experience with this type of trip: transport can feel cramped for short stretches, and the timing of the return transfer can be a little inconsistent.

Intro scuba sessions: what you get and how it feels in the water

If you are brand new, this is designed for you. The trip states it is suitable for beginners who do not have a license. You will also use scuba equipment provided with the selected option.

Here is what the timing means for your nerves. Intro underwater sessions run about 15 to 20 minutes per stop, depending on individual conditions. That is long enough to see fish and reef, but short enough that you can stay focused without fatigue taking over.

The instructors play a huge role in how the day feels. People praise the crew for being patient and understanding, especially with nervous first-timers. Before each underwater stop, instructors provide guidance about the dive sites, and you get support on what to do once you are in the water.

Expect a gentle progression. For first-timers, the pace is typically slower at the start, then you get more comfort as you move into the second underwater stop. That matches what I look for in an intro experience: you learn the basics, then you get a second chance to enjoy it rather than just survive it.

Also, note the limitation: children under 12 cannot take the underwater session. If you are traveling with kids, they can join the snorkeling part, which is still a great way to enjoy the reef.

Snorkeling stops: reef time without pressure

Snorkeling is not just a warm-up here, it is a real part of the experience. The day includes two snorkeling stops, and snorkeling equipment is provided depending on the selected option.

This is a smart combo because snorkeling lets you enjoy coral and fish even if you are not ready to manage all the underwater gear and breathing at once. And because the snorkeling spots are reported to match the underwater areas, you do not feel like you are doing two unrelated activities. You’re seeing the same general reef vibe from two angles.

In practice, snorkeling can be easier on your energy level. You can spend time looking around at your own pace, then hop back on the yacht to warm up, drink something, and recharge. The Red Sea can be sunny and windy out on open water, so having frequent breaks keeps the day pleasant.

If you are the type of traveler who likes photos, snorkeling is also great for quick shots. A camera helps here, and the day’s schedule makes it easy to capture reef moments without planning your own time slots.

Lunch onboard and unlimited drinks: the practical comfort upgrade

Some tours look great on paper but feel unpleasant when you are hungry or sunburned. This one helps you avoid that by building in buffet lunch onboard and unlimited soft and hot drinks throughout the day.

Multiple people mention the food is enjoyable, and one person even calls out chicken nuggets as a highlight. That is not a fancy fine-dining promise, but it is a useful signal: lunch tends to be familiar and filling, which matters when you are out on the water for hours.

On drinks, the listing includes unlimited soft drinks and hot drinks. People also mention getting coffee, cola, and lemonade during the trip. Translation: you can keep sipping without trekking back and forth or asking for everything one item at a time.

You also get downtime between water activities. That means you can cool off in the shade, watch the sea, and not feel like every minute is spent suited up and in the water. For a beginner day, that comfort factor is part of the value.

Gear, showers, and what to pack so you stay comfortable

Good gear can make or break a beginner experience. This trip states scuba and snorkeling equipment are included depending on the option you choose, and there are showers and bathroom facilities onboard.

Still, bring the personal items that help you enjoy the day instead of fighting discomfort. The trip suggests:

• sunglasses
• a sun hat
• swimwear
• a towel
• a camera
• cash
• passport (a copy is accepted)

Cash is not required for the core experience, but it is helpful for tipping. One review specifically recommends bringing cash for a good tip, which fits the general culture on day boats where staff work hard to keep everyone comfortable and safe.

A towel is the big one people forget. Yes, you are on a boat, but after you rinse and change, having your own towel makes the end of the day feel smooth. And sunscreen is implied by the sun exposure, even though it is not explicitly listed, so treat it as a smart add-on.

Price and value check: $30 plus the certified option

The headline price is $30 per person, and that includes a lot of the stuff that usually costs extra on water excursions: hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, the boat tour, buffet lunch, unlimited drinks, and equipment depending on the option.

For beginners, the intro option is where the value shines. You get professional instruction and equipment, with intro session time set at 15 to 20 minutes per underwater stop. That is a budget-friendly way to experience the Red Sea underwater without committing to longer time.

If you are already certified, you need to select the option for the certified scuba sessions, and there is an extra €25 per person. That makes sense because certified sessions typically come with longer underwater time, listed as 30 to 40 minutes per stop depending on conditions.

So the math is simple:

• New to scuba: you pay $30 and get guided intro sessions plus snorkeling and lunch.
• Already certified: you pay $30, then add €25 to match the longer session style.

Either way, you are not just paying for access to the sea. You are paying for the structure: pickup, guided site briefings, onboard meals, and equipment support.

Who should book this Hurghada package, and who should skip it

This works best if you are:

• a beginner with no scuba license
• someone who wants two underwater sessions without overcommitting to long time
• a traveler who likes a mixed day, snorkeling plus scuba, with breaks for food and drinks
• looking for professional instruction and calm guidance if you feel nervous

It is not for everyone. The trip states it is not suitable for:

• pregnant women
• people with heart problems
• people with respiratory issues
• wheelchair users
• children under 12 for the underwater session (they can snorkel instead)

If you fall into one of the health categories, skip it and choose a different kind of Red Sea experience. Water activities add physical demands, even when you are doing the intro option.

Also, check pickup areas. The standard pickup is in Hurghada, but transfers from places like Makadi Bay, Safaga, Soma Bay, El-Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, and Sharm El Naga, plus Viva Blue, may require selecting an add-on at checkout for each participant.

Should you book FTS Travels for beginner scuba and snorkeling?

Yes, if you want a well-paced first scuba experience tied to snorkeling and backed by instructor guidance. The strongest selling points are the patient crew, the clear before-water briefings, and the fact that you get both surface and underwater reef time in one day with lunch and unlimited drinks onboard.

I’d book it with a small caution: transfers can feel tight, and the return timing is not always perfect. If your next plan is time-critical that same evening, build in buffer time.

If you want an easy, structured day on the Red Sea and you like the idea of two underwater stops without a huge learning curve, this is a very solid choice.

FAQ

Is this trip suitable for beginners without a scuba license?

Yes. The experience is suitable for beginners who do not have a license. You still get instructions from a certified diving instructor, depending on the option you select.

How long are the underwater sessions?

Intro underwater sessions are typically 15 to 20 minutes per dive, depending on individual condition. The professional option runs about 30 to 40 minutes per session, depending on individual condition.

What is included in the price?

The included items are hotel pickup and drop-off at Hurghada, the boat tour, instructions from a certified instructor (based on the option), two underwater sites (based on the option), two snorkeling stops (based on the option), lunch onboard, unlimited soft and hot drinks, and shower and bathroom facilities. Equipment is also included depending on the selected option.

Can children go on this excursion?

Children under 12 can’t take the underwater scuba sessions, but they can go snorkeling.

Who should not book this trip?

It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, people with respiratory issues, and wheelchair users.

What should I bring, and do I need the original passport?

Bring sunglasses, sun hat, swimwear, towel, camera, cash, and your passport. A copy of your passport is accepted.