Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the chance to see two different Red Sea sites in one day, with colorful coral and fish below the surface and open water views above it. You get a 35-minute first session, a second session of about 30 minutes, lunch on board, and time to swim or snorkel.

I like the simple all-day rhythm: a comfortable hotel transfer, a boat ride of roughly 40 minutes, two guided sessions, and a meal without needing to arrange anything separately. I also like the small-group promise of up to 10 people and the calm support offered to first-time participants. One important caution: past complaints raise concerns about crowding, equipment shortages, guide conduct, and short underwater sessions, so confirm the day’s group size and equipment before departure.

Key points to know before booking

• Two Red Sea sites: You visit one underwater location before lunch and a second after eating.
• Good for first-timers: Instructors explain the site and stay close to beginners during the first session.
• About eight hours out: The day includes hotel pickup, a 40-minute boat ride, two scuba sessions, lunch, snorkeling, and the return trip.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect a straightforward onboard meal, mineral water, and soft drinks.
• Small-group booking: The stated limit is 10 participants, but confirm this when you send your hotel and room details.
• Bring sun protection: Comfortable shoes and a sun hat are listed. Pets are not allowed, and the trip is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users.

What the $72 price really covers

At $72 per person, this is priced as a full-day boat outing rather than a short introductory pool lesson. The fare includes round-trip transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, the boat program, tanks and weights, lunch, mineral water, and soft drinks.

That package can be good value if you want to try scuba without arranging transport, food, equipment, and a boat separately. The day gives you two chances below the surface, which is useful because the first session often serves as a chance to settle your breathing and get comfortable with the equipment.

There is one extra charge to plan for. Instructor fees are listed as €4 in cash, so bring that amount in addition to the tour price. The wording around equipment is also worth checking. Tanks and weights are included, but the information does not clearly say that every item of personal equipment is included, so ask about the wetsuit, mask, fins, and regulator before you leave your hotel.

The most important value question is not the lunch or the transfer. It is the quality and length of the underwater time. A well-run two-session day can be excellent value. A badly organized day can feel short, crowded, or rushed even when the headline price looks reasonable.

Leaving Hurghada for the Red Sea

Pickup is from your hotel in Hurghada, and you are asked to send your room number so the guide can find you. The vehicle is described as new, comfortable, air-conditioned transport, which matters in Hurghada’s heat and keeps the morning easy.

The boat ride takes about 40 minutes. That is enough time to settle in, listen to the safety briefing, and enjoy the view as the city gives way to open water. The cruise itself is part of the appeal: you get broad Red Sea views, fresh air, and a slower pace before the first underwater session.

Do not treat the boat ride as dead time. You will want your sun hat, water, and comfortable shoes close at hand. The boat is your base for most of the day, so keep personal belongings compact and easy to manage.

The advertised group size is limited to 10 people. That should allow a more personal briefing and less waiting than a large boat operation. However, one serious past complaint described more than 20 people on the boat, along with limited air supply and poorly managed sessions. I would confirm the expected number of participants before paying, and again when the pickup details arrive.

The first 35-minute underwater session

The first stop lasts about 35 minutes in the water. Before you enter, the instructor explains the site and the basic procedures. Beginners can expect close guidance, and one account describes an instructor holding a new participant’s arm during the first underwater session before giving that person more independence later.

That approach makes sense. Your first few minutes are usually spent adjusting to breathing through the regulator, clearing your ears, controlling your position, and learning how the equipment responds. You should not feel pressured to keep up with experienced people.

Certified participants may find the first session more controlled than expected. The guide leads the group, and the level of freedom depends on your experience and the instructor’s assessment. One past account described a participant being allowed more independence after showing good control and explaining previous experience.

The Red Sea is the main attraction here. The underwater sites are described as colorful, with coral and fish providing plenty to look at even during a short session. The exact reef is not specified, so do not book expecting a named site or a particular species.

A 35-minute session can be enough for a satisfying introduction, but it is not a long technical outing. Experienced scuba participants should set expectations accordingly. You are buying a guided recreational day, not an advanced expedition.

Lunch on board after the first session

After the first session, you return to the boat for about 45 minutes of lunch and rest. This break is useful for more than eating. You can warm up, drink water, discuss the first site with the guide, and prepare for the second session.

Lunch, mineral water, and soft drinks are included. The meal is practical boat food rather than a restaurant experience, and that is exactly what you want in the middle of a day on the water. You do not need to return to shore or carry a packed lunch.

I would keep breakfast sensible and bring any personal snack you need, since the information does not describe the menu or cater for special diets. The boat can also feel exposed to the sun during the meal, so a hat and sun protection are useful.

This is one of the better features of the schedule. The first underwater session is followed by a real pause rather than a rushed turnaround. You get time to enjoy the day instead of treating it as a series of tightly packed activities.

A second site and a shorter 30-minute session

After lunch, the boat moves to a new location for the second underwater session. The change of site is valuable because it gives you another view of the Red Sea rather than repeating the same reef. Conditions, coral, fish, and visibility can differ between sites, although no specific guarantee is made.

The second session lasts about 30 minutes. For a beginner, that can be enough to finish the day feeling more confident than during the first attempt. For an experienced participant, it may feel brief, especially if the group is large or the guide has to manage several ability levels.

You may also choose to swim or snorkel instead. That flexibility suits mixed groups, since not everyone needs to spend the same amount of time below the surface. It also gives you a way to enjoy the water if you are tired or decide that scuba is not for you that day.

Pay attention to how the first session is handled before committing emotionally to the second. You should receive clear explanations, a properly fitted suit, and equipment that works correctly. A past complaint described an incorrect wetsuit size and another described limited air supply. Those reports do not establish what every guest will experience, but they are good reasons to check the kit before entering the water.

Snorkeling and the ride back

The schedule allows about 45 minutes for snorkeling after the second scuba session. This is a welcome change of pace. You can stay near the surface, look down at the reef, and enjoy the water without the breathing equipment and formal guidance required below.

Snorkeling also works well for anyone in your group who does not want to take part in scuba. The information does not specify whether snorkeling equipment is included, so ask before departure if you need a mask and fins.

The late afternoon return brings you back to Hurghada after roughly eight hours out. The day is long enough to feel substantial, but it also means sun exposure, boat motion, and repeated time in the water. I would not schedule a demanding evening activity immediately afterward.

Guides, languages, and the level of support

Guiding is available in English, French, German, and Russian. That is helpful for safety instructions, especially if this is your first time using scuba equipment. Still, language availability may depend on the guide assigned that day.

One first-time participant had difficulty following instructions without a French-speaking guide, despite French being listed as an available language. If language is important to you, confirm it in writing instead of assuming it will be available automatically.

The experience is intended for both beginners and experienced scuba participants. That broad promise can work when the guide separates people by ability and keeps the briefing clear. Beginners need patient instruction, while experienced participants need enough freedom and underwater time to avoid feeling held back.

I would tell the guide your real experience level before the first session. If you have done scuba before, say how recently and what certification or training you have. If you are nervous, say so plainly. The first session is the right time to make sure the guide understands what you need.

There are also serious boundaries to keep in mind. One past complaint described unwanted touching underwater by a guide. Any physical contact should be limited to genuine safety needs and clearly explained. If anything feels inappropriate, end the session and report it to the tour operator immediately.

What to pack and what to confirm

The stated packing list is short: comfortable shoes and a sun hat. In practice, you should also bring swimwear, sun protection, and any personal medication you need for an eight-hour day. Those additions are sensible preparation, not items confirmed as supplied by the operator.

Before booking, I would ask these questions:

• Is the group definitely limited to 10 people on the date I want?
• Is a wetsuit included, and can you confirm the available size?
• Are mask, fins, and regulator included?
• Is snorkeling equipment supplied?
• Will the instructor speak my preferred language?
• Is the €4 instructor charge still payable in cash?
• How long will each underwater session be in the expected conditions?

The tour does not accept pets. It is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users. Those restrictions matter because this is a boat-based activity with repeated transfers between vehicle, boat, and water.

Who will enjoy this day most

This outing suits a first-time participant who wants a guided introduction without arranging each part independently. You get instruction, two chances to practice, a meal, transport, and time to snorkel.

It also suits a couple or small group with mixed interests. One person can take part in scuba while another swims or snorkels, provided the boat’s arrangements allow it. The small-group format should make the day less impersonal than a large group boat, assuming the stated limit is honored.

Experienced scuba participants should book with more caution. The Red Sea sites may be colorful and enjoyable, but the sessions are only around 35 and 30 minutes. If you want long bottom time, advanced routes, or a strongly technical focus, this program may feel basic.

The tour is less suitable if you need guaranteed accessibility, a specific wetsuit size, a particular named reef, or a fixed guide language. You can ask about these details, but they are not guaranteed by the information provided.

Should you book this Hurghada scuba day?

I would book it if you are a beginner or casual scuba participant who values convenience, hotel pickup, lunch, two guided sessions, and a chance to snorkel. The strongest parts are the colorful Red Sea setting, the two-site format, the patient support described for first-timers, and the useful break between sessions.

I would not book without confirming the group size, equipment, guide language, and cash instructor fee. The mixed record on organization and equipment is too important to ignore. If the operator confirms a 10-person group and properly fitted equipment, $72 can be fair value. If you are an experienced scuba participant seeking long sessions, choose a more specialized program.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada scuba experience last?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including hotel pickup, the boat ride, 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, mineral water, and soft drinks are included on board.

Is hotel pickup available?

Yes. Pickup and return from hotels in Hurghada are included. You should send your room number so the guide can locate you.

What languages are available?

Guiding is listed in English, French, German, and Russian. Confirm your preferred language before the day of the trip.

Is there an extra charge?

Yes. An instructor fee of €4 in cash is listed as not included in the tour price.