Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch

Hurghada’s Red Sea waters are the main event here: two guided scuba sessions at separate sites, followed by lunch, refreshments, and time to snorkel. You get a full day on the water without needing to arrange your own boat, equipment, or hotel transport.

I like the two-site plan, since it gives you a chance to see different underwater scenery rather than spending the whole day in one place. I also like the hotel pickup and onboard lunch, which make this an easy choice if you want a simple day away from the resort.

The main caution is consistency. The trip is advertised as a small group of up to 10, but one serious account describes more than 20 people onboard and shortened underwater sessions. Confirm the group size and equipment arrangements before you pay.

Key points to know before booking

• Two separate scuba sessions: The first lasts about 35 minutes and the second about 30 minutes, with a new site planned for the second outing.
• Lunch between the sessions: You have roughly 45 minutes for an onboard meal, mineral water, and soft drinks.
• Snorkeling is included in the day: After the second session, you get around 45 minutes to snorkel or swim.
• Pickup is included from Hurghada hotels: Send your room number so the guide can identify the correct pickup point.
• Language support is broad: Guides are listed as speaking English, French, German, and Russian.
• Budget for an extra fee: An instructor charge of €4 in cash is listed separately from the $72 tour price.

What the $72 Hurghada day actually gives you

At $72 per person, this is priced as an all-day Red Sea outing rather than a short introductory session. You are paying for hotel transport, the boat trip, two underwater sessions, tanks and weights, lunch, drinks, and a snorkeling period.

That can be good value if you want everything bundled together. A private arrangement would require you to sort out transport to the marina, boat space, instructors, equipment, food, and return travel. Here, those pieces are handled for you.

Still, read the inclusions closely. Tanks and weights are provided, but the listing separately notes an instructor fee of €4 cash. That extra charge is small, yet it should be part of your budget. Ask before departure if any other equipment rental or certification-related costs apply, since those details are not given.

The price also depends on the quality of the day. Two proper sessions at attractive sites make $72 reasonable for many visitors. A crowded boat, missing equipment, or shortened underwater time would change that calculation quickly.

Leaving Hurghada for 40 minutes on the Red Sea

Your day begins with pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle from your Hurghada hotel. The vehicle is described as new and comfortable, which matters on a long day when you will already spend several hours on the boat.

The transfer is included, but you need to send your room number so the guide knows exactly where to collect you. This is a small step that can prevent the usual hotel pickup confusion.

Once you reach the boat, the journey to the first site takes about 40 minutes. That ride is part of the experience, not just dead time. You get broad views of the Red Sea and the Hurghada coast while the crew prepares for the first session.

Bring a sun hat and comfortable shoes. The boat offers sun, open water, and several hours outside, so you will want simple clothing and protection from the heat. Pets are not allowed, and the activity is not suitable for wheelchair users or pregnant women.

The first 35-minute underwater session

The first stop is designed for both beginners and experienced scuba participants. A guide explains the site and leads you into the water, making this the point where new participants can learn the basic routine and more experienced people can get oriented.

For a first-time participant, the guide’s close supervision can be reassuring. One account describes the instructor holding a beginner’s arm closely at first, then allowing more independence after seeing that the pair already knew how to manage underwater. That suggests the amount of freedom may depend on your confidence and ability.

You should state your experience clearly before entering the water. If you have already used scuba equipment, say so during the briefing. If you are new, tell the instructor exactly that and ask for the signals and procedure to be explained slowly.

The underwater setting has been praised for colorful fish and coral. Those are the details that make this area appealing, but conditions and visibility can change. No specific reef, depth, or marine species is promised, so book this for the chance to explore Red Sea sites rather than for a guaranteed named attraction.

The scheduled session is about 35 minutes. That is a useful amount of time for a beginner, although experienced participants may find it brief if the group is large or the guide must closely manage several first-timers.

Lunch and refreshments aboard the boat

After the first session, you get about 45 minutes for lunch. The meal is served onboard, along with mineral water and soft drinks.

This break has practical value. You can warm up, rest your legs, and let your equipment be checked before the next outing. You also avoid losing time returning to shore for food.

Do not expect a restaurant meal or a long stop on land. The appeal is convenience and the setting: you eat while remaining on the Red Sea, with the boat day continuing around you.

The information does not specify the menu or dietary choices. If you have food restrictions, ask the operator before booking rather than assuming the meal can be adjusted. It is also sensible to bring any personal snacks you rely on, though the included provisions cover the stated lunch and drinks.

The second 30-minute session at a new site

The second underwater session takes place at a different location, with about 30 minutes planned in the water. Changing sites is one of the strongest parts of the schedule. It gives you another chance to see coral and fish in a different setting, and it breaks up the day.

Experienced participants may appreciate the variety. Beginners may appreciate the chance to try again after learning how the equipment feels during the first session.

The schedule is tight, so time management matters. A delay with the boat, equipment, or first group can reduce the time available later. One serious complaint describes a first session of about 30 minutes and a second of only 20 minutes, with limited air supplies cited as the reason. I would treat that as a warning to ask how the operator manages tank supplies and group rotation.

You should also clarify the expected level of independence. Some participants may receive close guidance throughout, while others may be allowed to move more freely once the instructor sees that they are comfortable. That is sensible from a safety point of view, but it can feel restrictive if you expect an advanced, independent outing.

Forty-five minutes for snorkeling or swimming

After the second scuba session, the plan allows about 45 minutes for snorkeling or swimming. This is useful if one person in your group does not want to use scuba equipment, or if you simply want a quieter period in the water.

Snorkeling also gives you a chance to keep enjoying the reef without the preparation and breathing equipment required for scuba. You can use the time to cool off, float, or watch the water from above.

The schedule describes this as an option, not a separate guided snorkeling tour. If you want close instruction or specialist snorkeling equipment, confirm what is supplied before departure. The included equipment specifically mentions tanks and weights, not masks, fins, or wetsuits.

Group size, guidance, and equipment concerns

The advertised group limit is 10 participants. That is a useful size for a boat-based beginner outing, since the instructor can give more attention and the schedule should be easier to control.

But the group-size information deserves confirmation. One account describes more than 20 people onboard, with sessions operating in a crowded rotation. That directly conflicts with the advertised small-group format.

Ask these questions before the day begins:

• How many people are confirmed on the boat?
• How many instructors will be in the water?
• Will beginners and certified participants be grouped separately?
• Are wetsuits, masks, and fins included, or only tanks and weights?
• Is the €4 instructor fee the only extra charge?
• What happens if equipment or air supplies are not available?

There is also a specific complaint about a missing women’s small wetsuit, with a short child-sized suit supplied instead. Equipment fit matters for warmth, comfort, and safety. If you need a particular size, ask for confirmation close to departure and consider bringing your own suit if you have one.

Most important, you should feel comfortable with the instructor’s conduct. One serious account alleges inappropriate physical contact underwater. That is not a minor service issue. If any contact feels unwanted, signal clearly, end the session, and tell the boat leader immediately. A proper instructor should explain necessary safety contact before entering the water and keep it limited to what the situation requires.

Languages and first-time scuba participants

Guidance is offered in English, French, German, and Russian. That is helpful for an international group, especially during safety instructions.

Language quality may vary by guide and by day. One French-speaking beginner found the experience good but had difficulty because a French-speaking instructor was not available. If your safety vocabulary in English is limited, request your preferred language when booking and confirm it again at pickup.

This trip can suit a first scuba experience because you receive an explanation at the site, close supervision, and two chances to get used to the equipment. It is not the same as a certification course, though. The supplied information does not promise certification, a formal classroom lesson, or an advanced training program.

Experienced participants can enjoy the Red Sea scenery and the ease of having transport, boat space, lunch, and guides arranged. At the same time, advanced scuba users should ask about depth, bottom time, group separation, and air management. The schedule and guidance style may feel aimed more at mixed groups and beginners than at independent certified participants.

How the schedule works as a full day

The listed timing gives you a clear picture:

• About 40 minutes sailing to the first site
• About 35 minutes for the first scuba session
• About 45 minutes for lunch
• About 30 minutes for the second scuba session
• About 45 minutes for snorkeling
• Return to Hurghada in the late afternoon

These timed activities total just over three hours. The rest of the eight-hour day covers hotel pickup, boat preparation, movement between sites, equipment changes, briefings, and the return journey.

That is normal for a boat outing, but it helps set expectations. You are not underwater for eight hours. You are booking a relaxed full-day sea trip with two planned underwater sessions and extra time for food, sailing, and swimming.

Cancellation, comfort, and who should book

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option also helps if your Hurghada plans are still shifting.

The trip is best for:

• First-time scuba participants who want supervision
• Couples or friends with mixed scuba experience
• Visitors who want lunch and transport included
• People who want both scuba and snorkeling in one day
• Experienced participants who prefer an organized boat outing

I would be more cautious if you need a specific wetsuit size, require wheelchair access, expect advanced independent scuba, or dislike crowded boats. Pregnant women cannot take part, and pets are not allowed.

Should you book this Hurghada scuba trip?

Book it if you want a straightforward Red Sea day with hotel pickup, two guided underwater sessions, lunch, drinks, and a final snorkeling period. The colorful coral and fish, supportive instruction for beginners, and two-site format are the strongest reasons to choose it.

Before paying, confirm the actual group size, the full equipment list, the €4 cash instructor fee, your wetsuit size, and the language of your guide. If the operator confirms a genuine 10-person limit and clear safety procedures, $72 is a fair price for the package.

If you are an experienced scuba participant seeking long underwater time or a quiet technical outing, ask detailed questions first. This works best as an accessible mixed-level day on the Red Sea, not as a highly specialized scuba charter.

FAQ

How long is the Hurghada scuba tour?

The activity lasts eight hours, including hotel pickup, sailing, two underwater sessions, lunch, snorkeling, and the return to Hurghada.

How many underwater sessions are included?

You get two guided scuba sessions at separate sites. 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.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip transfer from your Hurghada hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle is included. You should send your room number so the guide can identify your pickup location.

What languages are available?

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

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The schedule includes about 45 minutes for snorkeling or swimming after the second scuba session.

What scuba equipment is included?

Tanks and weights are included. The available information does not confirm that masks, fins, or wetsuits are included, so ask before booking.

Is there an extra instructor fee?

Yes. An instructor fee of €4 in cash is listed as not included in the $72 price.

Can beginners join?

Yes. The activity is intended for beginners and experienced scuba participants, with instructors providing site explanations and guidance.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users. Pets are also not allowed.