Hurghada is a major diving centre, and the reason is simple: warm, clear, sheltered water, healthy reefs and dive sites a short boat ride from the marina. The day trip featured here is aimed at beginners as well as people returning to diving, with two dive stops, lunch and a hotel transfer in the package. After a briefing and a practice session, an instructor takes small groups down on shallow, easy sites where the coral gardens are full of anthias, parrotfish, butterflyfish and the occasional moray or turtle. No certification is needed for an introductory dive, but you do need to be reasonably healthy and complete a medical declaration, and anyone who is pregnant or has certain heart, lung or ear conditions should not dive. Between dives, the boat serves lunch and you can snorkel if you are not diving. Certified divers can also find day trips and courses in town, so use this as an easy starting point, then add a PADI course later in your stay if you catch the bug.
Before you go: tell the operator your experience level when you book, and be honest on the medical form. Introductory divers stay shallow and are guided throughout, with equipment included. Dress in a swimsuit under a T-shirt, bring a towel, sunscreen and a change of clothes, and expect to be on the boat for most of the day. A short pre-dive briefing covers equalising your ears, breathing and hand signals.
What you will see: the northern Red Sea reefs are known for hard and soft corals, shoaling fish and clear visibility, so even a shallow beginner site feels rich. Depth for introductory dives is limited, and your instructor controls the pace. If you are nervous, choose a small group, and ask how many divers each instructor looks after.
Safety and timing: divers should leave a gap before flying, and operators commonly advise eighteen to twenty-four hours, so do not book a dive for the day of your flight home. Ask the operator about insurance and the standards it follows, and avoid heavy drinking the night before. For anyone who would rather stay on the surface, the Giftun Island cruise or a semi-submarine ride gives you the reef without the equipment, and the two work well together across a week.
What to expect
The experience
A guided boat day with two shallow dives for beginners, an instructor, equipment, lunch and hotel transfer.
Best time
Year-round, with calmest seas in spring and autumn; winter water needs a wetsuit.
How long
About eight hours with transfers, and around thirty to forty minutes underwater per dive.
Tips
Complete the medical form honestly, do not fly for 18 to 24 hours after diving and bring a towel and a change of clothes.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Beginners who want to try scuba on an easy, well-run boat day.
- Families
- Best for teenagers; younger children usually have age limits, so check before booking.
- Couples
- A good shared challenge, with a chance to learn together and a lunch stop between dives.
- Pair with
- A relaxed Orange Bay snorkel day or a spa afternoon.
- Time needed
- One day, finishing in the afternoon.
Good questions
Do I need a certification to dive?+
Not for an introductory dive, where an instructor stays with you. For independent diving you need a recognised certification and the trip details will say so.
Can I dive if I cannot swim well?+
You should be comfortable in water, and introductory divers are usually asked to complete a basic water skills check. Tell the instructor about any worries before the first dive.
How deep will beginners go?+
Introductory dives are kept shallow and controlled by the instructor. The exact depth depends on the site and your comfort.
When can I fly after diving?+
Operators commonly advise waiting eighteen to twenty-four hours. Plan diving days well before your departure flight.
Is equipment included?+
For beginner day trips, equipment is normally provided, but check the listing for details. Bring your own swimwear, towel and sun protection.