Scuba Diving Open Water PADI Course – Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh is a fine place to learn scuba skills, especially when your course includes Ras Mohammed National Park. You start with theory and controlled practice, then move to boat trips, where the training becomes a real open-water qualification rather than a brief tryout.

I like the calm, patient teaching style associated with Tamer, Khaled, and Ahmed. I also like that you can choose pool or shallow-water practice first, or begin with a shore introduction. The main drawback is the schedule: evening study plus five to six hours of practical work can feel intensive.

The price is $420 per person, including hotel transport, two boat days, instruction, lunch, drinks, and most course equipment or arrangements described here. You should still budget for the book, license fees, and Ras Mohammed fees.

Key points to know before booking

• Ras Mohammed is the main setting: Two boat days take you to one of the area’s best-known marine parks.
• The course is built for beginners: No previous scuba experience is required.
• Training can begin gently: You may start in a pool, shallow water, or with a shore introduction.
• Expect 7 to 8 underwater sessions: The course includes practical training across several days.
• The teaching style is calm and patient: Tamer, Khaled, and Ahmed are named instructors connected with the course.
• Read the duration carefully: Some details describe three days, while the full course is also described as lasting four days.

Starting with the PADI Open Water course in Sharm El Sheikh

This is not a quick boat outing where you try scuba gear for an hour and return to the hotel. It is a proper beginner course aimed at an Open Water Diver qualification, with classroom work, equipment practice, controlled exercises, and sessions in the sea.

You do not need previous scuba experience. That makes the course suitable if you have always wanted to learn but have never gone below the surface with a tank. If you are unsure, the program also allows you to test scuba through an introductory session before committing fully.

The course takes place in Sharm El Sheikh, a practical base for beginner training because the program can use a pool, shallow water, the shore, and boat sites. You are not forced straight into open water on the first morning. That staged approach matters. Learning to breathe through a regulator, clear a mask, control your buoyancy, and respond calmly takes time.

The maximum depth is 18 meters. That is the standard depth limit given for this course, and it tells you what kind of qualification you are working toward. This is beginner training, not advanced technical instruction.

Your first day: theory, equipment, and controlled practice

The opening day combines study with practical exercises. You receive the required theory book from the scuba center and work through the basic knowledge needed for safe underwater travel.

The course information also refers to watching a DVD. You may watch it in the evening at your hotel, or during the shore-based portion of the course. If you plan to use your own computer, bring it with you. This small point can save you from relying on an unfamiliar setup after a long day.

The theory is not decorative. It covers the principles behind safe depth changes, breathing gas, equipment use, and underwater procedures. You need this information before the sea sessions, and the course is intensive enough that evening study may be part of your routine.

Practical work can take place in a swimming pool or shallow water. This is where you get used to the equipment without the added pressure of a boat trip or deeper water. It is also where an instructor can watch your technique closely and give you time to settle.

That last point is important if you feel nervous. Tamer is described as calm and unhurried, giving students time to become comfortable and confident. Khaled and Ahmed are also named as patient, kind, and good-humored instructors. Those qualities matter more than flashy presentation in a beginner course.

The shore option for a slower start

You may begin with an introductory session from the shore rather than starting in a pool. This option gives you a direct taste of the sea while keeping the entry point relatively simple.

The shore route also lets you handle some theory at the hotel in the evening. The course says you can watch the DVD there, so you can spread the workload instead of trying to complete everything during the first day.

The advantage is flexibility. If you prefer a gradual introduction, the shore option may feel more natural than moving from a classroom straight to a boat. You can work through the basic exercises, continue your training from the shore, and then build toward the course requirements.

The possible downside is that the schedule may feel less compact. The stated course length varies between approximately three days and four days, depending on how the program is organized. Ask for the exact timetable before you pay, particularly if your flight home is close to the final training day.

Two boat days at Ras Mohammed National Park

The main open-water portion takes place over two days aboard a boat heading to Ras Mohammed National Park. The package includes boat-based instruction, lunch, water, and soda or pop.

Ras Mohammed gives the course a stronger sense of place than a purely local practice site. You are not only completing exercises in a controlled environment. You are also training in one of the best-known marine areas near Sharm El Sheikh.

The schedule includes between three and five stops, with the full course described as having 7 to 8 underwater sessions in total. The exact number of stops and sessions can vary, so do not treat every number as a promise for each day. The important point is that you receive several practical sessions rather than one short introduction.

A boat day can be long. The course material refers to five to six hours of practical work, and the theory may continue in the evening. You should think of this as an active training program, not a relaxed sightseeing cruise with a little scuba added.

Lunch and drinks are included, which helps with the long days. Hotel pickup and drop-off are also included, so you do not have to arrange your own route to the marina or training center. That is useful in Sharm El Sheikh, where a fixed pickup can make early starts much easier.

What you will learn in the water

The course is designed to move you from basic familiarity to independent beginner-level scuba skills. The first sessions focus on comfort and control. You learn how the equipment feels, how to breathe through it, and how to manage simple procedures under an instructor’s supervision.

Pool or shallow-water training gives you a place to repeat those skills. Repetition is valuable here. An exercise that feels awkward on the first attempt can become routine after several tries, and the instructor can correct problems before they become habits.

The later boat sessions give you a more realistic setting. You work at open-water sites and progress toward the qualification depth of 18 meters. The course’s total of 7 to 8 sessions provides more time for practice than a single introductory outing.

Still, you should arrive ready to study. One especially useful piece of advice is to plan for evening theory. If you expect only sunny boat rides, the workload may surprise you. Bring a computer if you intend to watch the course DVD at your hotel, and allow enough time each evening to review the material.

The instructor’s manner can shape the whole experience. A calm guide gives you room to solve problems instead of rushing you. The descriptions of Tamer, Khaled, and Ahmed emphasize patience, humor, and kindness. Those are practical strengths for first-time students, particularly when confidence matters as much as physical technique.

What the $420 price includes

At $420 per person, the price should be judged as a multi-day qualification course rather than a one-off sea excursion.

The package includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• A PADI instructor
• Two boat-based training days
• Three to five stops
• Access to boat sessions at Ras Mohammed National Park
• Lunch
• Water and soda or pop

The transport and food reduce the number of arrangements you need to make yourself. The two boat days also add value because they provide repeated time in open water, not just a first look at scuba.

However, the listed inclusions do not cover everything. You pay the Ras Mohammed National Park fee separately, at €5 per person per day, in cash on the spot. You also need to pay for the diving book and license fees.

That means the final cost is higher than the headline price. The extra park fee is modest, but you should carry the required cash. The book and license charges are not specified, so ask for those amounts before booking if you are working with a strict budget.

The price is strongest for someone who wants a recognized beginner qualification and plans to use it again. It is less attractive if you only want to see what scuba feels like for a few minutes. For that, an introductory session may be a better match than a full course.

Group size and the feel of the training

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is large enough to create a mixed group, even though your practical instruction may be organized into smaller working units.

A group of this size can make the boat day social, but it may also mean waiting between activities. If close, one-to-one teaching is important to you, ask how many students each instructor handles during the water sessions.

The course’s strongest personal appeal is its teaching approach. The available feedback praises instructors who stay calm, use humor, and give students time to gain confidence. That is exactly what you want when learning a skill that can feel unfamiliar at first.

You should also be honest about your own pace. The program is intensive, and qualification requires you to complete the theory and practical work. A patient instructor can help, but you still need to take part fully and keep up with the study.

Who will get the most from this course

This course suits you if you want to become a qualified beginner rather than simply try scuba once. It is also a good fit if you are staying in Sharm El Sheikh long enough to allow for three to four days of training.

You will likely appreciate it if you want:

• No-experience-required instruction
• A gradual start in a pool, shallow water, or from shore
• Multiple open-water sessions
• A PADI instructor
• Boat access to Ras Mohammed
• Hotel pickup and included meals and drinks

It may not suit you if your schedule is tight or you dislike evening study. The stated duration is not fully consistent, with the program described in places as three days and elsewhere as four days. Confirm the actual start and finish times before arranging flights.

It is also not the right choice if you only want a casual boat outing. The theory, book, license fees, and practical requirements make this a serious course.

Practical details to settle before you go

Confirmation is received at booking, and mobile tickets are supported. Pickup and drop-off are offered, but you should confirm the exact hotel pickup details with the provider.

The national park fee is paid in cash on site. Put €5 per person per day aside for that charge, and remember that the course information does not state whether the fee is included in the advertised price. It is not.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. No special health requirements are provided in the information available, so ask the operator directly if you have a medical concern or need a specific accommodation.

Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start, along with late changes, are not refunded.

Should you book this Sharm El Sheikh course?

Book it if your goal is a real PADI Open Water course with several training sessions and two boat days at Ras Mohammed. The patient instruction associated with Tamer, Khaled, and Ahmed is a strong reason to consider it, especially if you feel unsure about your first underwater experience.

Before booking, confirm the exact course length, the license and book costs, and how the maximum group of 30 is divided during practical sessions. If you are comfortable with an intensive schedule and want more than a one-hour introduction, the $420 price offers a useful package of instruction, transport, boat access, meals, and repeated practice.

FAQ

Is previous scuba experience required?

No. The course is designed for beginners, and no previous scuba experience is required.

How long does the course last?

The course is described as approximately three days in one place and four days in the full course details. Confirm the exact schedule before booking.

What is the maximum depth?

The maximum depth stated for the course is 18 meters.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The full course is described as lasting 7 to 8 dives or underwater sessions in total.

Where does the boat training take place?

The two boat days include training at Ras Mohammed National Park.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Are food and drinks included?

Yes. Lunch, water, and soda or pop are included during the boat days.

Are national park fees included in the price?

No. The Ras Mohammed fee is €5 per person per day, paid in cash on site.

What happens if I cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.