Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch

The best part of this Hurghada outing is simple: two separate scuba sessions give you time to see more than one Red Sea site, rather than spending the whole day in one patch of water. Between sessions, you eat lunch on the boat, swim or snorkel, and watch the coast slide by.

I like the small-group limit of 10 and the included hotel pickup in a newer, air-conditioned vehicle. I also like that beginners are welcome while certified participants can still enjoy the coral and fish. The main caution is consistency: several excellent reports praise the staff and underwater sites, but two serious complaints describe overcrowding, poor equipment preparation, and shortened underwater time.

Quick points before you book

• Two underwater sessions at different sites: Each session lasts about 35 minutes, then 30 minutes later in the day.
• A real full-day outing: Plan on eight hours, including a 40-minute boat ride, lunch, snorkeling, and the return to Hurghada.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: A guide stays close during the first session and adjusts support as your confidence grows.
• Lunch and drinks are included: You get a simple onboard meal, mineral water, and soft drinks without arranging food separately.
• Group size matters: The advertised limit is 10 people, so confirm the operating details when you book.
• Bring basic sun protection: Comfortable shoes and a sun hat are specifically recommended. Pets are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users.

What the day on the Red Sea feels like

This is not a quick introductory swim from the beach. You leave Hurghada for a full day at sea, with transport from your hotel, a boat ride, two guided scuba sessions, lunch, and time to snorkel.

I see the format as a good middle ground. You get more water time than on a short tryout, but you do not need to arrange a multi-day certification course. Beginners can learn at a controlled pace, while experienced participants can enjoy the Red Sea without planning their own boat, tanks, weights, or sites.

The underwater stops are the main event. The supplied schedule allows roughly 35 minutes at the first site and 30 minutes at the second. Those times are useful guides, not a promise of exactly that much underwater time for every person. Comfort, skill, air supply, weather, and group organization can all affect the session.

The Red Sea itself supplies much of the scenery. From the boat, you get broad views of the water and Hurghada’s coast. Below the surface, the appeal is coral, colorful fish, and the changing feel of two separate sites. One particularly positive account describes the reefs as full of color, both in the fish and the coral.

Hotel pickup and the 40-minute boat ride

Pickup is included from hotels in Hurghada, and you should send your room number in advance so the guide knows where to collect you. The transfer is described as an air-conditioned vehicle, which matters in Hurghada’s heat and makes the early part of the day easier.

Once you reach the boat, the first scheduled leg takes about 40 minutes. I like this length of cruise because it gives you time to settle in before the first session, but it is still long enough that you should bring your sun hat and wear comfortable shoes.

The boat ride is also part of the value. You are not simply being transported to a pool-like training area and sent home. You spend much of the day offshore, with water and coastal views around you. Keep your expectations practical, though. The supplied information does not promise a luxury yacht, private boat, or a particular marina.

The group is advertised as small, with up to 10 participants. That is a useful limit for instruction, especially when some people are complete beginners and others already know how to manage themselves underwater. One complaint, however, described more than 20 people on the boat despite an expected group of 10. That is a serious point to clarify at pickup. A crowded boat changes the pace of equipment fitting, meals, entry into the water, and personal attention.

The first 35-minute scuba session

At the first site, an instructor explains the location and the basics you need before entering the water. Beginners are welcome, and the guide can stay close while you get comfortable with breathing, movement, and the equipment.

This is where the experience seems most useful for a first attempt. One positive account describes the guide holding a participant’s arm throughout the first session, then giving more freedom once it became clear the pair already had experience. That suggests the intended approach is cautious at first, then less hands-on as your comfort improves.

For a beginner, close support can make the difference between enjoying the Red Sea and spending the whole session worrying about equipment or breathing. For a certified participant, you should state your experience clearly before entering the water and explain how much independence you prefer.

I would also ask direct questions about equipment sizing before leaving the hotel. One serious complaint concerned a promised women’s small wetsuit that was not available, with an unsuitable short children’s suit supplied instead. That is not a minor comfort issue. A badly fitting suit can distract you, make movement awkward, and leave you cold.

The first stop is scheduled for about 35 minutes. The actual experience may feel shorter if you spend time checking equipment, entering the water, or receiving close instruction. That is normal for a beginner session, but experienced participants should confirm how the operator defines the session time.

Lunch on board after the first session

After the first underwater outing, lunch is served on the boat. Mineral water and soft drinks are included, so you do not need to organize a separate meal during the day.

I value this pause because it breaks up the schedule. You can dry off, eat, talk through the first site, and regain energy before the second session. The listed lunch period is about 45 minutes, which is enough for a straightforward meal and a rest, though not an elaborate dining experience.

Keep your expectations in the right place. This is an onboard meal included in an active day at sea, not a restaurant lunch. The supplied information does not specify the menu, so anyone with dietary needs should ask before booking rather than assume a particular dish will be available.

Water quality and basic organization are worth watching. A complaint described unclean, warm drinking water and other supply problems. That report conflicts with the stated inclusion of mineral water and soft drinks, so I would check what is being loaded onto the boat at the start. Bring only what you need, but having your own sealed water bottle can be a sensible backup for a hot day.

The second 30-minute site

The second underwater session takes place at a new site and is scheduled for about 30 minutes. This change is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing over a single-site boat trip.

Different sites can offer different coral shapes, fish, visibility, and swimming conditions. You may also feel more relaxed the second time, since the equipment and basic routine are no longer new. Beginners often benefit from that extra chance to practice, while experienced participants get another section of the Red Sea instead of repeating the first stop.

The schedule allows less time here than at the first site. That may be because the second visit follows lunch and a full morning on the water, or because conditions and air supply shape the timetable. If you are booking mainly for underwater time, ask how long participants normally remain below the surface and how the group is divided.

There is an important difference between an organized group session and a private guide. The guide needs to keep the group together and manage different ability levels. That can mean slower movement for experienced participants and closer supervision for beginners. The advertised small group should help, but the account describing more than 20 people raises a real concern about capacity control.

Forty-five minutes for snorkeling and swimming

After the second session, the plan includes about 45 minutes for snorkeling. You can also swim or simply relax on the boat if you prefer.

This is a welcome part of the day because you do not need scuba equipment to enjoy the water. A friend or family member who does not want to take part in the underwater sessions may find the snorkeling time more approachable, though the experience is still built around scuba.

Snorkeling also gives you a chance to look around at your own pace. You are no longer dealing with the same breathing equipment or formal instruction, although you should still follow the crew’s directions and stay within the permitted area.

The schedule has several moving parts: sailing, equipment preparation, two underwater sessions, lunch, and snorkeling. If one phase runs late, another may be shortened. I would treat the listed times as a useful outline rather than a guaranteed minute-by-minute program.

Staff, language, and the safety question

Support is offered in English, French, German, and Russian. That is helpful, especially for safety instructions, equipment checks, and first-time participants who need clear explanations before entering the water.

Language support may not always match the language you select. One French-speaking participant found it difficult when a French-speaking guide was not available, despite limited English. If you are not comfortable with English, confirm the language arrangement before paying, and make sure you understand the key instructions before going into the water.

The positive side of the feedback is strong. Several accounts describe friendly staff, good care onboard, and a very enjoyable first scuba experience. One experienced participant also praised the attention both on the boat and during the underwater sessions.

The negative side requires equal attention. One account describes a guide repeatedly touching a participant underwater in a way that felt inappropriate, using cold as the explanation. If any contact feels unnecessary or uncomfortable, you have the right to stop the session and raise the matter with the lead staff immediately.

Another account describes serious operational problems, including a group larger than advertised, low air supplies, poor organization, and very short sessions. I cannot treat those problems as routine, but they are too specific to ignore. Ask how many people are booked, confirm your equipment fits, and make sure the crew has a clear plan for both sessions.

What the $72 price includes

At $72 per person, the price covers a lot for an eight-hour day. You receive hotel transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle, boat transport, tanks, weights, two guided scuba sessions, lunch, mineral water, soft drinks, and snorkeling time.

I consider that fair value if the schedule runs as planned. Organizing separate transport, boat access, equipment, instruction, food, and two sites would usually be more work and could cost more. The price is especially sensible for a beginner who wants a structured introduction without arranging certification or buying equipment.

There is one extra charge: instructor fees of €4 in cash are not included. It is a small amount, but you should have the cash ready rather than assume every cost is included in the headline price.

The value drops quickly if the group is larger than promised or the underwater sessions are shortened. For an experienced participant, the amount of actual underwater time matters more than the lunch or transfer. For a beginner, close instruction and a comfortable fit may matter more than a few extra minutes below the surface.

Who should choose this Hurghada outing

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time participants who want guided instruction and a full day on the Red Sea
• Couples or friends with mixed experience levels
• Certified participants who want two sites without arranging a private boat
• People who value hotel pickup and included food
• Anyone who wants a snorkeling option alongside scuba

I would be more cautious if you need wheelchair access, are pregnant, or want a private, highly controlled schedule. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users, and the small-group promise should be confirmed if personal attention is important to you.

Experienced participants should also ask about the planned depth, group size, and expected time underwater. A beginner-focused schedule may feel slow if you already have strong skills. That does not make it a poor choice, but it changes the value calculation.

Bring comfortable shoes and a sun hat. The supplied instructions do not list a full equipment checklist, so ask what personal items are provided beyond tanks and weights. Pets are not permitted.

Booking flexibility and practical timing

The activity lasts eight hours, with starting times available according to the date you choose. Pickup and return are both in Hurghada, so this is best suited to people staying in the city.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option gives you some flexibility while finalizing your plans. I would still confirm the pickup details, your room number, language needs, equipment size, and the €4 cash fee before the day begins.

The return is scheduled for late afternoon. That leaves little room for another major activity afterward, so keep the evening light rather than booking a tight dinner, transfer, or show.

Should you book it?

I would book this experience if you want a convenient, full-day introduction to the Red Sea with two sites, a guide, lunch, and hotel transport. The strongest reasons are the varied schedule, the beginner-friendly format, the good reports about colorful coral and fish, and the chance to snorkel after the second session.

I would not book it without confirming the group size and equipment arrangements. The advertised limit of 10 is appealing, but one account describes a much larger crowd and badly shortened sessions. Ask for your language, check your wetsuit or other gear before entering the water, and keep the extra €4 in cash.

For a first-time participant who receives proper support, this can be a memorable and reasonably priced day. For an experienced scuba enthusiast seeking long, independent underwater sessions, a private or more specialized operator may offer better control.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts eight hours, including hotel pickup, the boat ride, two scuba sessions, lunch, snorkeling, and the return to Hurghada.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is available from your hotel in Hurghada. You should send your room number so the guide can identify the correct pickup details.

How long is the boat ride?

The scheduled sailing time from Hurghada to the activity area is about 40 minutes.

How many scuba 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. An onboard lunch, mineral water, and soft drinks are included.

Can I snorkel instead of taking part in the second session?

The schedule includes about 45 minutes for snorkeling after the second scuba session. You can also swim or relax on board.

Is the activity suitable for beginners?

Yes. The experience is described as suitable for beginners and experienced participants, with instructors guiding participants at the sites.

What languages are available?

Live guide support is available in English, French, German, and Russian.

Is the group private?

No. It is a small-group activity with a stated limit of up to 10 participants.

Are instructor fees included in the price?

No. Instructor fees of €4 are listed as an additional cash charge.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users or pregnant women?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or pregnant women.