Intro Diving 2 Stops For Beginners with Pick-up and Lunch – Hurghada

Hurghada’s Red Sea reefs make a fine place to try scuba for the first time. This seven-hour outing gives you two short underwater sessions, a private instructor close at hand, and a full boat day without the cost or commitment of a certification course.

I like the simple package: hotel pickup, equipment, lunch, and drinks are bundled into the $40 price. I also like the calm, beginner-focused setup. Instructors explain the basics before you enter the water and stay beside you while you get used to breathing through the regulator.

The main thing to understand is the timing. Each underwater session is advertised at 15 minutes, and some people report much less actual time below the surface. You may spend several hours on the boat, with waiting between sessions, so this suits you if you want a first taste of scuba rather than a long day underwater.

Key points to know before booking

• Two beginner sessions of about 15 minutes each: You get a useful first look at Red Sea coral and fish without signing up for a multi-day course.
• An instructor stays close: The setup is designed for first-timers, with safety equipment and guidance before and during each session.
• Coral gardens and schools of fish: The underwater scenery is the main reward, with colorful reef life reported at the two stops.
• Lunch and drinks are included: A buffet of Egyptian dishes, bottled water, soft drinks, and hot drinks keep the boat day easy.
• Hotel transfers save taxi trouble: Pickup and return service is included from Hurghada hotels, with added charges for several outlying resort areas.
• Bring cash for the $5 park fee: The national park admission or marine charge is not included in the advertised price.

What your $40 buys on the Red Sea

At $40 per person, this is priced as an accessible introduction to scuba, not as a full training course. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off, a boat trip, two underwater sessions, scuba equipment, safety equipment, an instructor, lunch, and drinks.

That package offers good value if you mainly want to find out how you feel underwater. A formal certification takes more time, study, and money. Here, you can try the breathing gear, learn basic procedures, and see reef life before deciding if you want to continue with more training.

The price is not quite all-inclusive. Set aside another $5 per person for the national park admission or marine charge, payable in cash. If your hotel is in Makadi or Sahl Hasheesh, expect an extra $5 per person for the transfer. Pickup from Ahia also carries the $5 supplement, while Safaga and El Gouna transfers cost an additional $10 per person.

The price does not include underwater photographs. One person reported a charge of about €50 for pictures, so bring your own GoPro if you have one and want to record the reef. Do not count on the boat’s photo service being a small add-on.

The morning pickup and boat transfer

The advertised start time is 8:00 a.m. Hotel pickup is one of the most useful parts of the package. You do not need to bargain with a taxi or find the marina on your own, and return transport is included at the end of the day.

Pickup timing can vary. One account describes a late collection that did not affect the planned schedule, while another describes poor communication around a weather cancellation. I would keep your phone available the evening before and allow some flexibility in your morning plans.

At the dive center or boat meeting point, you are fitted with the included equipment. The exact boat route and reef locations are not specified in advance, so the day’s stops can depend on conditions and the operator’s plan.

The boat has been described as modern, clean, and well maintained. The crew handles the equipment and safety routine, though the harbor process may feel untidy at times. Paperwork and boarding can take longer than expected, so do not judge the whole day by the first few minutes at the port.

The group limit is 30 people. That is large enough to create waiting time, especially if several people are new to scuba, but the actual underwater groups are handled with instructors. A key safety point is that each beginner is guided closely rather than being sent off alone.

The short lesson before entering the water

Before the first session, an instructor explains how to use the equipment and what to do underwater. You should expect an introduction to breathing through the regulator, basic hand signals, and safety procedures. The instructors are also there to respond to your comfort level.

That close support matters. Many first-timers find the first moments awkward. Breathing through a mouthpiece feels different, and staying relaxed can be harder than expected. The best part of this format is that you do not have to solve those problems alone.

Several accounts praise the instructors for being patient, calm, and clear. Bassiouni is named as a careful and friendly instructor, while Badr is praised for looking after participants closely. The individual instructor you receive can vary, but the format keeps a professional nearby throughout the underwater portion.

You are not forced to complete the second session if you decide scuba is not for you. That is a useful touch for nervous beginners. You can treat the first session as a test, then choose whether to continue after you return to the boat.

First underwater session: getting comfortable on the reef

The first 15-minute session is mainly about getting settled. You may spend part of it adjusting your breathing, following the instructor, and learning to move with the equipment. That leaves limited time for sightseeing, but it is enough to get a first impression of the Red Sea below the surface.

The attraction is the coral and fish. The reef areas are described as colorful, with many fish and occasional schools moving through the water. You may see coral gardens and small marine creatures, though the exact wildlife changes with the site and conditions.

Do not expect a long independent swim. This is an introductory session, and your instructor remains close. That may feel restrictive to an experienced scuba user, but it is exactly what helps a beginner concentrate on breathing and basic movement.

The first session can also be physically demanding. One first-time participant found the activity more difficult than expected, even while enjoying it. If you feel uncomfortable, signal your instructor rather than trying to push through. The aim is to learn safely, not to prove anything.

The wait between sessions

The boat day includes a break between the two sessions. This gives you time to dry off, eat, drink, and decide how you feel before returning to the water.

It can also be the least satisfying part of the schedule. Some people feel there is a lot of waiting for only a short amount of underwater time. If you book this outing, think of it as a day at sea with two short scuba sessions, not as seven hours of continuous activity.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and something warm for the boat if you tend to feel cold after swimming. One person found the day cold from start to finish. That detail matters because the Red Sea may be warm in the sun while wind and wet clothing make the boat ride feel chilly.

The break is also a chance to speak with the crew. If the first session felt rushed or difficult, tell the instructor before the second one. Clear communication is especially important when you are new to scuba.

Second underwater session: more confidence, same short limit

The second session is meant to feel easier because you already know the basic equipment. You may be able to spend less time getting comfortable and more time looking around.

The two sessions may not be two completely separate reef sites. One account says both were held in the same general area, with the second route heading in a different direction. That is worth knowing if you expect two dramatic locations. You still get a second look at the reef, but the variety may come from the route rather than a new site.

The stated duration is 15 minutes per session. Several accounts praise the experience, but some report actual underwater time closer to six minutes or less. This may reflect conditions, group movement, safety decisions, or the time needed to enter and exit the water. Still, you should book with realistic expectations.

For a first attempt, two short sessions can be enough. You learn how your body reacts, see coral and fish, and finish before the experience becomes overwhelming. If you already have scuba experience, the brief underwater time may feel disappointing.

Lunch, drinks, and life on the boat

Lunch is served on board and includes a buffet of traditional Egyptian dishes. Soft drinks, hot drinks, and unlimited water are also included, which is important in the sun and wind.

The meal is practical rather than luxurious. Some people find it good, while others describe it as ordinary. I would treat lunch as welcome fuel during a boat day, not as a reason to book the trip.

Drinking water throughout the day is essential. Even a short swim can leave you tired, and the boat environment adds sun exposure. Keep water within reach and use the break to eat before the second session.

The boat itself receives generally strong marks for its condition and crew. The staff are described as friendly and helpful, and the safety briefing is a particular strength. The toilet is one weak point, with reports that it can be dirty. If you are sensitive to boat facilities, plan accordingly.

Safety, supervision, and comfort for first-timers

This experience is built around supervision. You receive equipment and safety gear, a briefing, and close guidance from a professional instructor. That makes it a better fit for a nervous beginner than an informal swim with rented gear.

The instructors adjust to individual ability and do not pressure you to complete the second session. That gives you room to stop if your ears, breathing, or confidence are not cooperating.

The tour is described as suitable for most people, but no one should assume that scuba is effortless. You need to be comfortable following instructions and managing basic equipment in the water. If you have concerns about your fitness or health, ask the operator before booking.

Weather can change the day. Strong winds have caused an outing to be canceled, and another account describes a shore-based alternative after the boat could not leave. A shore session may not match the advertised boat experience, so confirm what will happen if conditions turn poor.

If the operator cancels because of bad weather, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For your own plans, avoid scheduling an important flight or fixed excursion immediately afterward.

Who will enjoy this Hurghada outing

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time scuba participants who want a low-cost introduction
• Couples or friends looking for an easy day at sea
• People who want to see Red Sea coral without taking a certification course
• Nervous beginners who value an instructor close by
• Visitors who appreciate included transport, food, and drinks

I would be more cautious if you want long underwater sessions, several distinct reef sites, or a highly polished schedule. Experienced scuba users may find 15-minute sessions too brief, while impatient people may dislike the waiting between water time.

The group limit of 30 also matters. You are not booking a private boat, even though an instructor stays close during your session. If you prefer a small, quiet outing, ask about group size and instructor arrangements before paying.

Practical booking advice for a smoother day

Book at least a day ahead if possible. The experience is commonly reserved well in advance, so leaving it until the last minute may limit your choices.

Confirm your hotel location and the transfer supplement. Hurghada pickup is included, but Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and Ahia require an additional $5 per person. Safaga and El Gouna require an additional $10 per person.

Carry cash for the $5 national park admission or marine charge. Also budget for optional photographs if you do not bring your own camera.

Check the weather forecast, but remember that the operator makes the final call on safe boat conditions. The cancellation rule allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations later than that are not refunded, and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted.

The booking confirmation is issued at the time of reservation. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation, though the included hotel transfer is simpler for most people.

Should you book the Sea Memories experience?

Book it if you want an affordable, carefully supervised first taste of scuba in the Red Sea. The strongest reasons are the close instructor support, the colorful coral and fish, the included hotel transfer, and the food and drinks that make the boat day easy.

Go in expecting two short underwater sessions, not a full day below the surface. Bring warm cover, cash for the fee, and realistic patience for harbor delays and time between sessions. If you accept those limits, this is a sensible way to test scuba before committing to formal training.

FAQ

What is included in the Hurghada scuba experience?

The package includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a full-day boat trip, two underwater sessions of about 15 minutes each, scuba equipment, safety equipment, a professional instructor, buffet lunch, bottled water, soft drinks, and hot drinks.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately seven hours, with an advertised start time of 8:00 a.m.

Is this suitable for complete beginners?

Yes. The experience includes a basic equipment lesson, a safety briefing, and close instructor supervision during each underwater session. Most people can participate, according to the supplied activity information.

Are there extra charges?

Yes. National park admission or the marine charge costs $5 per person and is payable in cash. Transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, and Ahia cost an extra $5 per person. Transfers from Safaga and El Gouna cost an extra $10 per person.

How many people can join the group?

The maximum group size is 30 people. Each participant is guided closely underwater by an instructor.

What happens if the weather cancels the boat trip?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel your booking for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts.