Beginner Scuba Dive 2 diving Stops & Lunch Boat Trip – El Quseir

The best part of this Red Sea boat trip is its simple format: two underwater sessions, a full day on the water, and lunch served onboard. You do not need to arrange equipment or find your own way to the marina, since hotel pickup and return by air-conditioned vehicle are included.

I like the support from a PADI instructor, especially if you are new to scuba. I also like the chance to compare two separate sites rather than spending the whole day at one location. The main consideration is the early start and the potentially large group, with up to 40 people on the boat.

Key points at a glance

• Two underwater stops: You get two separate chances to practice and see Red Sea coral and marine life.
• Built for beginners: A PADI instructor guides the scuba sessions, and equipment is included.
• Lunch on the boat: Coffee, tea, and soft refreshments are included, so you can refuel without returning to shore.
• Snorkeling is available: You can use snorkeling gear if you prefer to spend part of the day at the surface.
• Hotel transfers are included: Pickup and return use an air-conditioned vehicle.
• Check the extra charges: The national park fee is €7 in cash, and south Marsa Alam transfers cost an additional €7 per person in cash.

Two Red Sea stops in one full day

This experience is aimed at people who want a first taste of scuba without signing up for a long training course. You spend about eight hours on a boat, with two planned underwater sessions and time between them to rest, eat, and enjoy the sea.

The two-stop plan matters. Your first session lets you get used to the equipment, the water, and the basic rhythm of breathing underwater. By the second session, you may feel more settled and able to pay closer attention to coral formations and fish life.

Exact site names are not provided, so you should not expect to choose particular reefs in advance. The crew selects the stops for the day, and conditions may affect the order or location. That is normal for a boat-based Red Sea outing, but it is worth knowing if you are hoping for one famous named site.

The available information describes beautiful coral and good conditions for both snorkeling and scuba. I would set your expectations at a pleasant introduction to the Red Sea rather than a technical expedition or a specialist wildlife trip.

What the first session is likely to feel like

As a beginner, your first task is not to cover a great distance. It is to become comfortable with the mask, breathing equipment, and movement in the water while following the instructor’s directions.

The PADI instructor is there to guide you through the session, which gives this trip a clear advantage over trying to arrange equipment and instruction separately. You should pay close attention during the briefing and tell the instructor about any concern before entering the water.

The supplied information does not state the depth, length, or exact route of either underwater session. That means the experience can be adapted to the group, but you should ask the crew on the morning of the trip if those details matter to you.

If you are nervous, treat the first session as a gentle introduction rather than a test. You can focus on staying calm, checking your equipment, and enjoying the coral close to you. The second session gives you another chance to build on that start.

Why the second stop adds real value

A second session is more than a bonus. Beginners often spend the first one simply learning how to move and breathe comfortably. A later session gives you time to enjoy the setting with less attention fixed on the mechanics.

The two locations may also offer different coral shapes, fish, or underwater views, although no specific site list is given. Even if the scenery is similar, the change of setting keeps the day from feeling repetitive.

There is one practical tradeoff. You will be sharing the boat and the schedule with other people, so the pace is not entirely yours. With a maximum group size of 40, the atmosphere may feel social rather than quiet, and getting in or out of the water may take some time.

That group limit is still useful information. It prevents the outing from being open-ended, but it does not promise a small private boat. If you prefer personal attention and a very quiet setting, ask Camel Travel how many people are expected on your date.

Coral, snorkeling, and time between sessions

You do not have to spend every minute below the surface. Snorkeling equipment is included, giving you a simple alternative during the break between sessions or if you decide that scuba is not for you at a particular moment.

The coral reef is the main natural attraction here. The available feedback specifically praises the reef for snorkeling and scuba, so I would bring a patient eye rather than expecting a fast-moving show. Coral viewing is often best when you slow down and watch the water around the reef.

You may find that snorkeling makes a useful bridge between the two sessions. It keeps you involved in the sea without adding the same equipment and instruction demands. It can also suit someone in your group who wants to join the boat trip but does not want to try scuba.

Masks and other snorkeling equipment are supplied, but personal fit varies. If you own a well-fitting mask, you may prefer to bring it, though the tour does not require that you do so.

Lunch on board keeps the day easy

Lunch is served on the boat, along with coffee, tea, and refreshments. That small detail makes the day more comfortable because you do not need to return to shore or search for food between the two sessions.

The food and boat were both praised in the available feedback, along with the crew. That gives the meal more importance than it might seem at first. After spending time in the water, a straightforward lunch and a place to sit can make the second half of the day much more enjoyable.

The exact menu is not listed, so do not book this expecting a particular dish or special dietary plan. If you have dietary restrictions, contact Camel Travel before departure and ask what can be arranged.

Coffee, tea, and refreshments are included, but the details of the drinks are not specified. You should still follow normal sun and water precautions and ask the crew if you need anything beyond the listed refreshments.

The boat and crew shape the experience

The available feedback gives the crew and boat top marks, which is encouraging for a full eight-hour outing. A boat becomes your base for most of the day, so clean, comfortable shared space and a helpful crew matter almost as much as the reef.

You will spend time moving between sites, waiting for the next session, eating, and drying off. The boat is not just transport. It is where you rest and organize your equipment, so a good crew can keep the day feeling orderly.

No cabin facilities, deck layout, or boat size are specified. I would therefore avoid making assumptions about shade, seating, or storage. Ask about those points if you are sensitive to sun or want to know where personal bags will be kept.

The start time is 8:00 am. That early departure makes sense for a full day on the water, but it may mean an even earlier hotel pickup depending on your accommodation. Confirm the pickup time with the operator after booking.

Transfers from Safaga, El Quseir, and Marsa Alam

The tour information identifies the location as Safaga and describes the experience as an El Quseir boat trip. Since those places are not interchangeable for transfer planning, confirm the exact pickup area before you pay or finalize your plans.

Hotel pickup and return by air-conditioned vehicle are included. That is valuable because you do not need to organize a separate taxi to the departure point, and the air conditioning matters in Egypt’s heat.

A separate charge applies if you are staying in south Marsa Alam. The listed amount is €7 per person, paid in cash on the spot. This is in addition to the advertised $72 price, so budget for it rather than treating the headline price as the complete cost.

A national park fee of €7 per person is also paid in cash on the day. Carry small cash if possible, and ask whether the operator can provide change. The listing does not state the exact park name or whether the fee applies to every departure, so confirm this locally.

Is $72 a fair price?

At $72 per person, the package includes several costs that can add up when arranged separately: hotel transport, up to eight hours on the boat, an instructor, scuba equipment, snorkeling equipment, two underwater sessions, lunch, and drinks.

That makes the price look reasonable for a first-time outing, especially if you would otherwise need to rent gear and arrange transport. The value is strongest for someone who wants a complete day with the basics handled in one booking.

You should add the €7 national park charge to your calculation. If you are staying in south Marsa Alam, add another €7 per person for the transfer. The separate professional scuba charge is listed as €25 per person, but the wording is not clear about when it applies.

Because the package is designed for beginners, ask Camel Travel whether the professional diver supplement applies only to certified participants requesting a different service. Do not assume it is part of the $72 price.

Group discounts are available, which may help couples, families, or friends booking together. The supplied information does not state the discount amount, so request the exact group price before booking.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

This outing suits you if you want a guided first experience with equipment, food, and transport included. It also works well for a mixed group, since some people can use the snorkeling gear while others take part in the scuba sessions.

Couples may find the format especially easy. One available account describes a couple who enjoyed the coral, boat, crew, and food, which matches the trip’s main strengths: shared time on the water without having to organize each part yourself.

It is also a good fit if you value convenience over a private schedule. The eight-hour format gives you plenty of time at sea, but the group setting means you will follow the crew’s timetable.

You may want a different option if you are a certified scuba specialist seeking challenging routes, advanced instruction, or a particular wreck. The program is built around beginners, and the exact underwater sites, depths, and technical details are not provided.

The same caution applies if you dislike early starts, shared boats, or spending much of a day around other people. This is a social boat excursion, not a private charter.

What to confirm before you book

A few questions can save you surprises:

• Ask for the exact hotel pickup time, since 8:00 am is the listed start time, not necessarily your pickup time.
• Confirm whether your hotel is in the included transfer area.
• Ask how the €25 professional scuba charge applies.
• Confirm the €7 national park fee and carry it in cash.
• If staying south of Marsa Alam, budget the additional €7 transfer fee in cash.
• Ask about the expected group size on your date.
• Tell Camel Travel about food restrictions before departure.
• Ask what shade, seating, and storage are available on the boat if those details matter to you.

Confirmation is sent at booking. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, though the operator does not provide more detailed medical or age requirements in the supplied information.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, so check your plans before that deadline.

Should you book this El Quseir boat trip?

Book it if you want an affordable, beginner-focused day with two chances to see Red Sea coral, a PADI instructor, equipment, lunch, and hotel transport in one package. The strongest points are the complete setup, the second underwater session, and the option to snorkel between activities.

Before booking, make sure you understand the extra cash charges and the transfer area. You should also be comfortable with a possible group of up to 40 people and with the early 8:00 am start.

For a first scuba outing, I think the format offers solid value at $72. I would choose it for convenience and a relaxed introduction, not for private attention or advanced underwater exploration.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The listed start time is 8:00 am. Hotel pickup may occur earlier, depending on your accommodation and transfer arrangements.

How long does the boat trip last?

The boat trip lasts up to eight hours.

Are hotel transfers included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and return by air-conditioned vehicle are included, subject to the stated transfer area.

What does the scuba portion include?

The experience includes two scuba stops, scuba equipment, and guidance from a PADI instructor.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, coffee and or tea, and refreshments are included onboard.

Are there any extra charges?

Yes. A €7 national park fee is paid in cash on the spot. Transfers from hotels in south Marsa Alam cost an additional €7 per person in cash. A professional scuba charge of €25 per person is also listed, so confirm whether it applies to your booking.