Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch

Hurghada’s Red Sea is the real reason to book this day: clear water, coral gardens, and colorful fish make even a short underwater session feel worthwhile. You will take a boat to two sites, follow a guide, eat lunch onboard, and have time to swim or snorkel between activities.

I like the two separate sessions, since the second visit gives you a chance to feel more comfortable in the water. I also like the hotel pickup, small advertised group size, and simple price of $72, which covers transport, equipment basics, lunch, water, and soft drinks. The main caution is consistency. Some past complaints describe crowded boats, poorly fitting suits, limited air supply, and sessions shorter than expected, so confirm the day’s arrangements before you set out.

Key points to know before booking

• Two Red Sea sites: You visit one underwater site in the morning and a second after lunch.
• Eight hours from hotel to hotel: The day includes about 40 minutes of sailing, two water sessions, lunch, and snorkeling.
• Small group promise: The advertised limit is 10 participants, but confirm this when you book.
• Good for beginners and experienced swimmers: A guide leads the sessions, while confident participants may receive more freedom.
• Lunch and drinks included: Expect an onboard meal, mineral water, and soft drinks.
• Bring sun protection: Comfortable shoes and a sun hat are listed as essentials. Pets are not allowed.

A full day on Hurghada’s Red Sea

This is a straightforward boat day rather than a shore-based lesson. Your morning begins with pickup from your Hurghada hotel in a newer air-conditioned vehicle. Send your room number in advance so the guide knows exactly where to collect you.

The trip is listed at eight hours, which is long enough to make the boat ride feel like part of the outing rather than just transport. You should expect about 40 minutes on the water before the first site. That gives you time to watch Hurghada recede, enjoy the sea views, and get settled with the equipment.

The advertised group limit is 10 people. That is a useful size for instruction, since a guide can keep a closer eye on beginners and still respond to experienced participants. Still, group size is one detail I would confirm before payment. A past complaint described more than 20 people on the boat, which would change the whole feel of the day.

The boat schedule includes a 35-minute first underwater session, a 45-minute lunch break, a 30-minute second session, and about 45 minutes for snorkeling. These times are useful planning estimates, not a promise that every minute will run exactly on schedule. Sea conditions, equipment checks, and the pace of the group can affect the day.

What happens during the first 40 minutes at sea

The initial sailing period is not a formal sightseeing cruise, but it is one of the pleasant parts of the experience. You can take in views of the Red Sea and the coast while the crew prepares for the first stop.

For a first-time scuba participant, this is also the moment to ask direct questions. Confirm how the instructor will communicate underwater, what hand signals you will use, how long the session should last, and what to do if you feel nervous. The tour is described as suitable for beginners and experienced participants, but those two groups need different kinds of support.

Beginners should expect close guidance. One positive account described a guide holding a new participant’s arm during the first session, then allowing more independence after seeing that the pair was comfortable and already had experience. That is the right general approach: close help at first, then more room when you show that you can manage.

If you already have substantial experience, explain that clearly before entering the water. You may be given more freedom, but the guide remains responsible for the group and will set the pace.

The first 35-minute underwater session

The first session is the main event. You will be taken through the basics by an instructor, then enter the water at the first site for roughly 35 minutes.

The Red Sea is especially rewarding here because the appeal is visual rather than technical. The supplied information describes coral and fish in strong colors, and one account praised the beauty of the site. You are not booking a specialist expedition or a long technical program. You are booking an accessible introduction to the underwater world, with a guide handling the route and safety structure.

That makes the session suitable for a beginner who wants more than a quick swimming stop. It also works for a certified participant who wants an easy holiday outing without arranging a private boat.

Do not assume that the first session will be a long, independent exploration. The guide may keep close control, especially with beginners. A 35-minute session can also feel shorter once you allow time for equipment checks, entry, exit, and the group’s pace.

Pay attention to your equipment before you leave the boat. A serious complaint described an unsuitable women’s suit and poor sizing. If the suit is too tight, too loose, or clearly the wrong size, say so before entering the water. A short children’s suit is not an acceptable substitute simply because it is available.

Lunch onboard, with time to reset

After the first session, the boat pauses for about 45 minutes for lunch. Mineral water and soft drinks are included, and the meal is served onboard.

I see this as a practical part of the value rather than a reason to book the trip by itself. You do not need to return to shore between sites, find a restaurant, or lose time in transit. You can eat, rest, and prepare for the second session while staying on the Red Sea.

Bring a sun hat, as the boat schedule leaves you exposed between activities. Comfortable shoes are also recommended. You should keep your expectations sensible: this is a day boat lunch, not a restaurant meal. The supplied details do not specify the menu, so anyone with dietary needs should ask before booking.

Water quality and supplies deserve attention. One past account raised concerns about warm or unclean drinking water and poor organization. I would check that bottled mineral water is available and sealed before the boat leaves. This is a small step, but it matters on a full day under the sun.

The second 30-minute session at a new site

After lunch, the boat moves to a second site. This change is valuable because the Red Sea can look different from one reef area to another. You may see a new arrangement of coral and fish, and you have a second chance to settle into the equipment.

The second session is listed at about 30 minutes, slightly shorter than the first. For a beginner, that can be enough. You have already learned how the equipment feels, so the session may seem calmer and more enjoyable. For an experienced participant, 30 minutes may feel brief, particularly if the group enters the water in stages.

The guide leads both sessions. Language support is listed in English, French, German, and Russian. One French-speaking participant had trouble because a French guide was not available that day, despite the listed language options. If clear instruction is important to you, ask which language your instructor will actually use, rather than assuming every language is available on every departure.

Forty-five minutes for snorkeling and swimming

The final water activity is a 45-minute snorkeling period. This is a welcome option for anyone who wants time in the sea without another full scuba session.

It also helps mixed groups. One person can take part in the guided underwater program while another prefers to swim or snorkel. If you are traveling with family or friends who are not certified, this makes the day more flexible, though the activity itself is not described as a separate non-scuba tour.

Snorkeling gives you a chance to enjoy the reef at a slower pace. You can stay near the surface, look down into the clear water, and take in the coast without managing the same equipment. The tour information does not specify whether snorkeling equipment is included, so confirm that before departure if you need a mask and fins.

After this final session, the boat returns to Hurghada. The late afternoon arrival completes the hotel-to-hotel day.

What the $72 price really covers

At $72 per person, the price is fair if the day runs as advertised. Round-trip hotel transport, tanks, weights, lunch, mineral water, and soft drinks are included. You also get two guided sessions and a snorkeling period, which is more useful than paying separately for a short introductory activity.

You need to add the instructor fee of €4 in cash. That extra charge is small, but it should be part of your real budget. Ask when and to whom it is paid so there is no confusion at the end of the day.

The value depends heavily on group size and session length. Ten people or fewer makes the price attractive, especially for beginners who want personal help. A crowded boat with shortened sessions would make $72 less appealing, even if lunch and transport are provided.

The overall rating is 4.3 from 80 ratings, with strong praise for the staff, the colorful coral, and the quality of support on good days. There are also very poor accounts involving organization, air supply, equipment sizing, and staff conduct. I would not ignore that split. Ask for confirmation of the group size, equipment availability, and planned session lengths before you go.

Safety and comfort checks I would make

Scuba activity requires more than a swimsuit and enthusiasm. You should feel comfortable with the instructor before entering the water, and you should be able to stop or surface if something feels wrong.

A few practical checks can protect your day:

• Ask to try on the suit before the boat leaves.
• Confirm that your tank is full and your equipment fits.
• Ask how the guide will stay with beginners.
• Confirm the approximate length of each session.
• Tell the guide about your previous experience.
• Speak up immediately if an instructor touches you in a way that feels inappropriate or unnecessary.

One past account described unwanted underwater contact, along with an unsuitable suit. That is not a minor service issue. You are entitled to clear explanations, respectful treatment, and equipment that fits properly.

Another serious complaint described too many people, poor organization, and insufficient air supply. I cannot treat those issues as normal. If the boat is materially more crowded than promised, or if equipment and air supplies do not appear ready, raise the issue before entering the water.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users. Pets are not allowed. The supplied information does not provide a medical screening policy, so anyone with a health concern should ask the operator before booking.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to a first-time participant who wants a guided introduction without arranging a private instructor. The two sessions give you time to adjust, and the snorkeling period lets you enjoy the sea even if scuba feels tiring.

It also suits an experienced participant who wants a simple holiday outing. You can tell the guide about your experience and may receive more independence after the first session.

This is less suitable for a serious certified diver looking for long bottom times, technical sites, or a carefully planned small-group operation. The listed sessions total only about 65 minutes, and the day includes a broad mix of participants.

It is also not ideal if you need guaranteed language support, precise equipment sizing, or wheelchair access. Those needs should be confirmed in writing before you pay.

Booking is flexible: you can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and reserve now while paying later. Pickup is included from Hurghada hotels, but send your room number so the guide can find you.

Should you book this Hurghada boat trip?

Book it if you want a reasonably priced full day on the Red Sea, with two guided sessions, lunch, transport, and time to snorkel. The colorful reef sites and friendly support can make this a memorable first experience, and the two-session format is better than a single rushed attempt.

I would book only after confirming four things: the group size, the available suit size, the language of your instructor, and the expected session lengths. If those answers are clear and the operator can meet them, $72 is a sensible price. If you are an experienced participant demanding long, independent underwater time, choose a more specialist operation instead.

FAQ

How long does the activity last?

The full experience lasts eight hours, including hotel pickup, sailing, two scuba sessions, lunch, snorkeling, and the return to Hurghada.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is provided from your hotel in Hurghada. You should send your room number so the guide knows where to collect you.

How many underwater sessions are included?

Two guided scuba sessions are included. The first is planned for about 35 minutes, and the second for about 30 minutes.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes. The schedule includes about 45 minutes for snorkeling, and you may also swim if you prefer.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is served onboard, and mineral water and soft drinks are included.

What equipment is included?

Tanks and weights are included. The supplied information does not specify every item of personal equipment, so confirm suit, mask, and fin availability before departure.

What languages are offered?

Guiding is listed in English, French, German, and Russian. Ask which language will be available on your specific departure.

Is the trip suitable for beginners?

Yes. The activity is described as suitable for beginners and experienced participants, with instructors guiding the underwater sessions.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users or pregnant women?

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

What is not included in the price?

The instructor fee is not included and costs €4 in cash. Bring that amount separately.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve-now, pay-later booking is also available.