Sharm: Introductory Dive from the Shore & PADI Courses

Sharm El-Sheikh puts its underwater world within easy reach from shore. At Fanar Beach in Hadaba, you receive equipment, a safety briefing, and a guided introductory session in shallow water, a sensible way to learn how your body and mind react before committing to a full course.

I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, which removes one nuisance from a beach day, and I like the choice between a single underwater session and a two to three day PADI Open Water course. The calm, patient instruction praised by several customers is especially useful if you feel nervous.

The main caution is organization. One customer reported a late pickup, a sleeping instructor, and poor treatment at a replacement center. Confirm your pickup details, arrive early, and speak up about any ear, water, or equipment concerns before entering the sea.

Key points to know before booking

• Fanar Beach is the main setting: Meet at the entrance in Hadaba, where the guide takes you toward the beach and training area.
• The $47 option is introductory: It includes one guided underwater session, equipment, and hotel transfers, but not food, drinks, towels, or underwater photos.
• A PADI course takes two to three days: You practice skills in shallow water, progress to an 18-meter session, then complete the exam.
• Nader receives special praise: One customer singled him out as a caring person and excellent instructor.
• Languages are practical for international groups: Arabic, English, and Russian are listed, with Italian also noted in the activity details.
• This is not for everyone: The experience is unsuitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, and children under 10.

Fanar Beach, where your first underwater session begins

Fanar Beach, in Sharm El-Sheikh’s Hadaba area, is the meeting point for this experience. Your guide meets you at the entrance, so you should arrive on time rather than wandering around the beach complex looking for a staff member.

The setting matters. A shore-based session keeps the day simple. You do not need to board a boat or spend extra time getting to a distant site. You reach the water, receive instructions, and start in a shallow area intended for beginners.

I see this as a good first step for anyone curious about scuba but unsure about the sensation. The equipment can feel bulky at first, and breathing through a regulator takes a little getting used to. Shallow water gives you space to pause, ask questions, and settle down.

The exact schedule is flexible, with hotel pickup available at a time suitable for you. That convenience is useful if you are fitting this around other plans in Sharm. Still, flexible timing makes it especially important to confirm the pickup location and hour clearly.

What happens during the $47 introductory session

The basic package includes hotel pickup and return, diving equipment, and one introductory underwater session. You are guided through the equipment and the specific conditions at the site before entering the water.

The instructor explains the basics you need to know, including how to use the gear and what to expect at the beach. The goal is not to turn you into a fully licensed scuba diver in one morning. It is to give you a controlled first experience and help you decide if formal training suits you.

The program is aimed at shallow sites suitable for beginners. That makes it a better choice than an advanced trip if you have never used scuba equipment. It also suits you if fear of water is the main obstacle. The instructors are expected to help you work through that fear at a measured pace, rather than push you toward greater depth.

Several customers praised the calm and patient teaching. One customer specifically described the instructor as excellent, calm, and reassuring. Nader was also singled out as caring and highly capable. Those comments suggest that instructor manner can be one of the strongest parts of the experience, although your assigned guide may not be Nader.

You can also arrange underwater photographs, but they cost extra. If taking pictures matters to you, ask about the price and arrangements before the session. The activity promises the chance to make underwater photos, but the photographs themselves are not included in the $47 price.

From shallow-water practice to an 18-meter certificate

If one session leaves you wanting more, the PADI Open Water route is the larger commitment. The course takes two to three days and is designed to qualify you to scuba to a depth of 18 meters once you complete the required work.

On the first day, you are collected and taken to the center. You select your equipment and watch course videos in your preferred language. After the classroom material, your instructor explains the essential information before you enter shallow water for two training sessions.

This first day is about learning the basic skills in a manageable setting. You have time to become familiar with the equipment and practice under direct supervision. If you are anxious, this stage is where you should be honest with your instructor. Ear problems, discomfort, or fear are not minor details to hide.

On the second day, your instructor continues the lessons and skills work during two more sessions. You then progress to an 18-meter session. After the practical training, you answer the exam and receive certification if you complete the course requirements.

The program description allows two to three days, so you should not book the course at the end of a short visit unless your schedule has room for the full process. A course needs more commitment than the single introductory session, but it gives you a useful qualification rather than one isolated holiday activity.

Lunch and soft drinks are included with the course. They are not included in the basic introductory package, where food and drinks are listed as extra. That difference affects the real value, especially if you plan to spend most of the day at the beach.

How much value do you get for $47?

At $47 per person, the introductory package is reasonably priced for someone who wants a first look at scuba without paying for a full qualification. Equipment and hotel transfers are included, which saves you from renting basic gear separately or arranging transport to Hadaba.

The price does not cover underwater photographs, towels, food, or drinks. Bring your own towel and budget for refreshments if you are booking the single-session option. You should also carry a passport or identity card, along with swimwear.

The course price needs a closer look because the advertised figure for the introductory activity does not cover every PADI cost. Course participants pay an additional PADI fee of €81 directly at the PADI office. The PADI manual or E-Learning is also an extra cost, paid directly to PADI.

That means you should compare the total course cost, not just the initial booking price. The included lunch, drinks, equipment, hotel transfers, instruction, and exam process add value, but the separate PADI charges are unavoidable parts of the budget.

For a single attempt at scuba, I would choose the $47 session first. For someone already sure about becoming certified, the course is more useful, provided you have two or three days available and understand the additional fees.

The guides and the importance of clear instruction

The listed instruction languages are Arabic, English, and Russian. Italian is also mentioned in the activity information, so ask in advance if Italian-language guidance is important to you.

The strongest praise centers on the instructors’ attitude when things go well. Customers describe the team as friendly, calming, and clear. One customer praised the instructor’s patience, while another gave special thanks to Nader for his care and teaching.

That quality matters more here than fancy facilities. A good instructor checks that you understand the hand signals, knows when you are uncomfortable, and gives you time to regain confidence. Before entering the water, explain any previous ear injury, anxiety, or concern about breathing equipment.

There is also a serious warning to keep in mind. One customer reported feeling ignored after disclosing ear anxiety and decided not to take part after seeing tanks handled roughly. The same person described an uncomfortable wait at a hotel complex. I cannot treat that as the normal experience, since other customers describe a smooth pickup and excellent instruction, but it is enough reason to ask questions and trust your instincts.

You should never feel pressured to continue. If your equipment seems damaged, if instructions are unclear, or if you feel unwell, stop and ask for help.

Hotel pickup, meeting points, and the practical details

The activity offers hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm El-Sheikh, while the formal meeting point is the entrance to Fanar Beach in Hadaba. In practice, you may be collected from your hotel and taken to the beach, but the activity ends back at the meeting point according to the stated details.

Because one customer had trouble locating the vehicle, do not simply wait at the most obvious point outside your hotel. Confirm where the driver will park, what vehicle to look for, and how the guide will identify you. Arrive early, since customers are expected to be on time.

Bring:

• Passport or identity card
• Swimwear
• Towel

Equipment is provided, so you do not need to bring scuba gear. Underwater photographs are not included. Food and drinks are not included in the introductory package, though lunch and soft drinks are included for course participants.

The experience is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or children under 10. Those limits are important because the activity involves beach access, water entry, and scuba equipment.

Who should choose the single session?

I would recommend the introductory option to you if you are curious, short on time, or uncertain about scuba. It gives you a chance to test the experience without signing up for classroom work and several days of training.

It also makes sense if you want a gentle introduction to the underwater world at a shallow site. The guide can explain the site and help you manage the first moments with the equipment. You may come away with a new interest, or simply learn that scuba is not your thing. Either result is useful.

This option is less suitable if your main goal is certification. One session does not make you a PADI Open Water diver. You will need the separate two to three day course, additional PADI fees, and the manual or E-Learning.

Who should take the PADI Open Water course?

The course suits you if you want a recognized qualification and can spare two to three days in Sharm. You receive structured instruction, equipment, several training sessions, an 18-meter session, lunch, soft drinks, and the final exam process.

The course also offers a clearer path for people who want more than a holiday tryout. You begin with videos and basic information, practice skills in shallow water, then move to greater depth under instruction. That gradual order is important for building comfort.

Do not book it as a last-minute add-on if your schedule is tight. The course requires time and attention, and the extra €81 PADI fee plus study materials should be part of your decision from the start.

Should you book this Sharm shore experience?

Book the $47 introductory session if you want a low-cost first try, appreciate hotel transport, and prefer shallow water over a boat-based outing. The calm teaching praised by several customers, plus Nader’s especially positive mention, makes the program appealing for beginners.

Book the PADI course if certification is your real aim and you can commit two to three days. Before paying, confirm the full cost, your language preference, pickup details, and the name of your instructor.

I would not book without discussing previous ear injuries or serious water anxiety first. The mixed service experience shows why communication matters. For a prepared beginner who asks clear questions and arrives on time, this can be a practical way to meet Sharm’s underwater world without a complicated day at sea.

FAQ

Where does the activity take place?

The meeting point is the entrance to Fanar Beach in Hadaba, Sharm El-Sheikh. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Sharm are included.

How much does the introductory session cost?

The listed price is $47 per person.

What does the $47 package include?

It includes hotel pickup and drop-off, diving equipment, and one introductory underwater session.

Are food and drinks included?

Food and drinks are not included in the introductory package. Lunch and soft drinks are included if you take the PADI course.

Are underwater photographs included?

No. Underwater photographs are not included and are an additional expense.

What languages are available?

Arabic, English, and Russian are listed. Italian is also mentioned in the activity details.

How long is the PADI Open Water course?

The PADI course takes two to three days. It includes shallow-water skills practice, an 18-meter session, and an exam.

What additional PADI costs apply to the course?

Course participants pay a PADI fee of €81 directly at the PADI office. The PADI manual or E-Learning is also paid directly to PADI.

Who cannot take this activity?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, wheelchair users, or children under 10.