Intro Diving 2 Stops For Beginners with Pick-up and Lunch – Hurghada

Hurghada’s Red Sea reefs give you a real taste of scuba without signing up for a certification course. After a short lesson, you head out by boat for two beginner sessions, each planned at about 15 minutes, with an instructor close beside you.

I like the simple package: hotel pickup, equipment, lunch, and drinks are handled for you. I also like the calm, personal support reported with instructors such as Bassiouni and Badr. The main catch is time in the water. Some people find the sessions shorter than expected, while the hours between them can feel long.

Key points at a glance

• Two short underwater sessions: Each is scheduled for about 15 minutes, a manageable introduction for first-time scuba participants.
• Close instructor support: You receive basic instruction first, then remain with an instructor during the underwater portion.
• Coral and fish in the Red Sea: Expect coral gardens, colorful fish, and the chance to see schools moving through the reef.
• A full boat day for $40: The price includes hotel transfers, equipment, lunch, water, soft drinks, and hot drinks.
• Extra fees and hotel surcharges: Bring $5 in cash for the national park fee, and check transfer charges if you stay outside central Hurghada.
• Weather can change the plan: Poor conditions may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Two short sessions on Hurghada’s Red Sea

This is an introduction, not a full scuba course. You learn how to use the equipment, listen to a safety briefing, and then enter the water with an instructor who stays within easy reach.

That format works well if you are curious but unsure. You get the sensation of breathing underwater and the chance to look around a reef without making the larger commitment required for certification. At the same time, two 15-minute sessions are brief. If you already have scuba experience, you may find the underwater time too limited.

The Red Sea setting makes the short format worthwhile. The coral and fish are the main attraction, with colorful reef life and, at times, schools of fish. The underwater views can be excellent, but this is not a private reef expedition. The boat can carry up to 30 people, so the day has a group-trip feel.

The 8:00 am pickup and ride to the boat

The day begins at about 8:00 am with hotel pickup in Hurghada. Two-way transport removes the need to find a taxi or work out the harbor on your own, which is a useful benefit in a city where beach hotels can be spread out.

Pickup times can vary slightly. One late collection did not affect the planned schedule, but you should still be ready early and keep your phone available for updates. The standard pickup area covers Hurghada hotels. Transfers from Makadi and Sahl Hashesh cost an extra $5 per person, while Safaga and El Gouna carry a $10 surcharge.

The advertised route also mentions Marsa Alam in the return details, so confirm your exact hotel area before booking. The supplied transfer information is clearest for Hurghada and the listed nearby resort zones.

Equipment, briefing, and first-time nerves

At the dive center, you are fitted with the included scuba equipment and safety gear. A professional instructor explains the basic skills before you enter the water.

That briefing matters more than it may sound. New scuba participants often need a moment to become comfortable with the regulator, breathing pattern, mask, and movement underwater. The instructors are expected to adjust their support to your ability, and direct control in the water is a major part of the package.

If you feel nervous, say so clearly before the first session. The format is designed for beginners, and the instructors can stay close and explain what to do. You are not expected to manage the reef alone. The useful question is not whether you can swim like a strong snorkeler, but whether you can follow instructions and remain comfortable in the water.

Most people can take part, but scuba is not a casual swim. If you have a medical concern, ask the operator before booking rather than waiting until the morning of departure.

What the first 15-minute session feels like

The first underwater session is your main adjustment period. You are learning to breathe in a new way, control your position, and pay attention to the instructor while looking at the reef.

The planned time is about 15 minutes. That may sound short, but for a complete beginner it can feel full. The first few minutes often go toward settling your breathing and becoming comfortable with the equipment. Once you relax, the coral and fish become the focus.

The best part is the sense of being guided rather than tested. Instructors such as Bassiouni have been singled out for calm, friendly support, and Badr has also received praise for looking after first-time participants. You may not be assigned either of them, but their names give you an idea of the kind of personal assistance available on the boat.

Do not expect an extended underwater route. The value here is the first taste: breathing below the surface, seeing coral at close range, and discovering how your body responds to scuba.

The break between sessions

After the first session, you return to the boat for a break. This is where the day can feel slow for some people. A full boat outing includes waiting for equipment changes, other participants, and the next scheduled water entry.

You can use the pause to dry off, enjoy the views, and eat lunch. Buffet-style Egyptian food is included, along with unlimited bottled water, soft drinks, and hot drinks. The meal is practical rather than a major culinary event. It gives you something filling during a long day at sea, but you should not book this as a food-focused tour.

The boat itself has been described as modern and well maintained, though the toilet has drawn criticism for cleanliness. That is worth knowing before you commit to a full day aboard. Bring a small personal kit with tissues, hand sanitizer, sun protection, and any medication you need.

The second reef session and underwater wildlife

The second session gives you another chance to settle into the equipment and enjoy the reef. It is also a useful test of how you feel after the first attempt. If you are tired or uncomfortable, you can choose not to continue. The guides are not supposed to pressure you into the second session.

The two sessions may not always be at completely different reef sites. One account describes both taking place in the same general area but heading in different directions. That is not necessarily a problem. A single reef can offer coral formations and fish in more than one section, but it does mean you should not expect two dramatically different underwater environments.

The reef scenery is the strongest reason to book. You might see coral gardens, many small fish, and schools moving through the water. Visibility and marine life vary with weather and conditions, so no exact animal sighting can be promised. The Red Sea is the setting, not a guarantee of a particular species.

Underwater photography is available in some form, but one important cost has been reported: photos can be sold for about €50. If you already own a suitable waterproof camera or action camera, bring it if the operator permits it. That can save an expensive add-on, though you should focus first on breathing and listening to your instructor.

How the $40 price works out

At $40 per person, this is an inexpensive way to sample scuba in Hurghada. The price includes the boat trip, two underwater sessions, equipment, an instructor, safety equipment, hotel pickup and return, lunch, water, soft drinks, and hot drinks.

That bundle has real value. A first-time participant avoids separate equipment rental, transport planning, and meal costs. You also get a full day around the reef rather than paying only for a short pool lesson.

The price is less attractive if you measure value only by minutes underwater. Two planned sessions of about 15 minutes each give you roughly 30 minutes of scheduled scuba time, while the rest of the seven-hour outing includes transport, briefing, boat travel, waiting, lunch, and surface time. Some people have felt the actual underwater portions were shorter than advertised, so set your expectations around a beginner introduction, not a long reef exploration.

You also need to budget for the $5 national park admission fee, payable separately in cash. Check your hotel location carefully, since the $5 or $10 transfer supplements can change the final total.

What the group size means for your day

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is not a small private outing, even though the underwater support is intended to be close and personal.

A larger group can make the boat more social and may help keep the cost low. It can also create more waiting, paperwork, and movement around the harbor. One account described a slow start with disorganized forms, while other accounts found the day smooth from pickup to return.

This difference may depend on the day, weather, staffing, and how many people are aboard. Go in expecting a budget group excursion, not a quiet custom charter. If personal attention is your top priority, tell the operator about your experience level and ask how instructors are assigned.

Safety, weather, and practical comfort

Safety is one of the better reasons to choose this format. You receive a briefing, use safety equipment, and remain with an instructor underwater. The strongest praise centers on clear explanations, calm guidance, and instructors responding to different comfort levels.

Weather is the main factor outside the operator’s control. Wind can prevent the boat from leaving. In that situation, you may be offered a shore-based alternative, a different date, or a full refund, depending on the circumstances. A shore session will not provide the same full-day boat experience, so clarify the replacement plan before agreeing to it.

The excursion requires good weather. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you can accept another date or request a full refund. If you cancel yourself, you need to do so at least 24 hours before the 8:00 am start time for a full refund. Late changes are not accepted.

Wear practical swim clothing and bring sun protection. The supplied information confirms drinks are included, but it does not promise towels, lockers, or specialist personal items, so do not assume those are provided.

Who should book this experience

I would choose this for a first-time scuba participant who wants a low-cost introduction and prefers having an instructor close by. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who are happy to spend most of a day on a shared boat.

It is especially useful if you are not ready for certification but want more than snorkeling. The two sessions let you test your comfort underwater before spending money on a multi-day course.

I would hesitate if you want long underwater routes, two clearly separate reef sites, or a polished luxury boat day. I would also think twice if you dislike waiting, need spotless facilities, or plan to spend most of the day in the water. For those priorities, a smaller specialist operator may be a better fit, though likely at a higher price.

Should you book the two-session Hurghada trip?

Book it if your goal is to try scuba safely and cheaply in the Red Sea. The strongest features are the close instructor support, colorful coral, included transport, and sensible all-in price.

Before paying, confirm your pickup point, transfer surcharge, the $5 cash marine fee, and the expected water time. Ask about the day’s reef locations if seeing two different sites matters to you. If you accept that the sessions are short and the schedule includes plenty of boat time, Sea Memories offers a practical first step into scuba.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts about seven hours, including hotel transfers, the boat trip, instruction, two underwater sessions, lunch, and breaks.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 am. Hotel pickup is included for applicable Hurghada hotels.

How long is each underwater session?

Each of the two planned sessions lasts about 15 minutes. Actual time may vary, so treat 15 minutes as the approximate schedule rather than a guarantee.

Is equipment included?

Yes. Diving equipment and safety equipment are included, along with instruction from a professional instructor.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is included, along with unlimited bottled water, soft drinks, and hot drinks.

Is there an extra admission fee?

Yes. The national park admission fee is $5 per person and is payable separately in cash.

Are there extra transfer charges?

Yes. Transfers from Makadi and Sahl Hashesh cost an additional $5 per person. Transfers from Safaga and El Gouna cost an additional $10 per person.

What happens if bad weather cancels the trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.