Intro Scuba Diving: 2 Dive Stops With Lunch & transfer – Hurghada

The best part of this Hurghada outing is that you get two chances to try scuba rather than one rushed session. Professional instructors guide beginners at two Red Sea sites, while the boat gives you time to enjoy the water, eat lunch, and take in the coast between sessions.

I like the included hotel transfer and equipment, since you do not need to arrange a taxi or rent gear separately. I also like the pace: one guest described two beautiful sites, plenty of time to snorkel while others were underwater, and instructors who adjusted to different abilities.

The main point to check is the price. The advertised fare is $5 per person, but you must also budget for a €5 national park fee, and some resort areas require an additional €10 transfer charge. Confirm the final cost before booking.

Key points to know before you book

• Two scuba stops: You get two separate sessions rather than a single introduction.
• Beginner-friendly instruction: A professional instructor helps you manage the equipment and the underwater experience.
• Time to snorkel: You can snorkel while other members of your group are taking their scuba turn.
• Lunch on the boat: Food, soda, and water are included after the morning’s water activities.
• Hotel pickup: Air-conditioned transport is included from Hurghada-area hotels, with extra charges for several nearby resort zones.
• Small print on fees: National park access costs €5 per person in cash, and some transfers cost €10 per person in cash.

Why two Red Sea stops work well for beginners

A first scuba session can feel like a lot to take in. You are learning how to use unfamiliar equipment, control your breathing, follow instructions, and stay comfortable in the water. Having a second stop gives you another chance to settle down and enjoy what you are seeing.

The two-stop format also spreads the day out. You are not expected to spend the full outing underwater. Time on the boat, lunch, and snorkeling provide a useful change of pace, especially if you are new to scuba or traveling with people who prefer to snorkel.

The exact names of the reefs and the order of the stops are not provided, so you should not book this expecting a named landmark or a particular species. The promise is broader but still appealing: coral reefs, Red Sea scenery, and the chance to see marine life with an instructor nearby.

That flexibility may suit a first-timer better than a highly technical trip. You can focus on staying calm and enjoying the water instead of trying to complete an ambitious underwater route.

Starting at 8:00 am with hotel pickup

The stated start time is 8:00 am. Pickup is offered from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle, which makes the morning easier than arranging a separate ride to the marina.

You should confirm your exact pickup details after booking. The general information gives an 8:00 am start but does not provide a hotel-by-hotel pickup schedule. Since this is a full-day outing lasting about eight hours, an early start is part of the bargain.

Transfers are included for the standard service area, but not every nearby resort is treated the same way. If you stay in El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh, an extra €10 per person is due in cash on the day.

That charge matters when you compare the total cost. It is also worth carrying the required cash for the €5 national park fee per person. The listed price alone does not tell you the complete amount you will pay.

Getting settled on the scuba boat

Once you reach the boat, the professional instructor should be your first point of contact. The package includes the scuba equipment and instruction, so you are not expected to arrive with your own kit.

The available information does not specify the instructor’s name, the boat’s layout, or the exact length of each session. You can reasonably expect an introduction to the equipment and guidance suited to beginners, but ask the crew about the day’s sequence when you board.

For a first attempt, simple communication is valuable. Tell the instructor if you feel nervous, need a slower explanation, or want help checking the equipment. The supplied feedback specifically praises instructors who adapt to different abilities, which is one of the most useful features for a mixed group.

The group limit is 40 people. That is not a tiny private outing, and the number can affect how quickly everyone receives instructions and takes a turn. On the other hand, the instructor-led format and two stops give the day more room than a single short session.

What to expect at the first stop

The first stop is your introduction to the Red Sea underwater setting. You will use the supplied scuba equipment under the direction of the professional instructor, with the focus on getting comfortable and observing the reef and marine life.

The details do not state a fixed underwater route, depth, or time limit. Do not assume the first stop will suit every ability in the same way. Conditions, group needs, and instructor decisions can shape how the session runs.

This is where you should measure the trip by comfort, not by how far you go. If you are relaxed, you can pay attention to coral formations and fish rather than rushing through the experience. If you need to return to the surface or take a break, tell the instructor clearly.

The first session also gives you a chance to decide how much snorkeling you want to do later. The trip is not only for the person using the scuba equipment. You can spend time on the water even when another member of your group is underwater.

The second stop gives you time to improve

The second stop is the strongest practical reason to choose this package over a single-session introduction. By then, you have already handled the basic equipment and know more about what to expect.

You may feel more at ease during the second session, though the exact conditions and marine life are not guaranteed. The outing promises two stops, not a particular reef, animal, or visibility level.

The second stop also helps if your first attempt is brief or cautious. Beginners often need time to adjust, and a second opportunity can make the day feel less like a one-shot test.

If you are traveling with a group of different abilities, the second stop is useful for another reason. People can take turns with scuba and snorkeling, so not everyone needs to follow the same activity at the same moment.

Snorkeling while others take their turn

One of the more practical details is the chance to snorkel while other people are using the scuba equipment. This keeps the day active for companions who are not participating in the introductory session.

The supplied information does not say whether snorkeling equipment is separately provided, so ask before you rely on it. It does confirm that there is time to snorkel, making the trip more flexible than a scuba-only schedule.

You will also have time between water activities to rest on the boat and enjoy the sea views. That matters because eight hours is a long outing if every minute is treated as an active session.

For families or friend groups with mixed interests, this arrangement may be a good fit. Someone who is unsure about scuba can begin with snorkeling, while another person takes part in the instructor-led session.

Lunch, drinks, and a slower middle of the day

Lunch is served onboard and included with soda and water. This removes the need to return to shore for a midday meal and lets the boat remain the base for the day.

The information does not describe the menu, so you should not plan around a particular dish or dietary option. If you have food restrictions, ask the provider before departure rather than assuming the standard lunch will meet your needs.

I like the onboard meal because it gives the schedule a natural pause. After the first water session, you can eat, rest, and look back at the coast before the next stop. It is a simple feature, but it makes the full-day format more manageable.

The lunch is also part of the value calculation. The fare includes transport, equipment, instruction, two water stops, food, soda, and water, though the extra cash fees remain separate.

Is the $5 price really the full cost?

The advertised price is $5 per person, which is unusually low for a full-day boat outing with transfers, equipment, instruction, and lunch. Treat that as the displayed starting price, not as the final amount you should assume without checking.

You must pay a €5 national park fee per person in cash at the site. If you are staying in El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh, the transfer costs another €10 per person in cash.

That means the real value depends on your pickup location and the final confirmation. For a Hurghada hotel, the included transfer and equipment can make the package attractive if the advertised rate is available for your date. For an outlying resort, add the transfer fee before comparing it with other boat trips.

The price can be especially useful for a first scuba attempt because you are not buying a full course or investing in personal equipment. You get an introduction, two stops, and a day on the Red Sea, but not a certification program.

Group size, comfort, and expectations

The maximum group size is 40 people. That is large enough for a lively boat day and small enough to have a defined activity schedule, but you should not expect the quiet feel of a private charter.

A larger group can mean waiting while people take turns, particularly when some are scuba participants and others are snorkeling. The positive side is that those pauses are built into the outing, with lunch and time on the boat rather than a constant rush from one activity to the next.

The published rating is 5 from 31 ratings, with 100 percent recommending the experience. The strongest praise centers on the two attractive water stops, the chance to snorkel between sessions, and instructors who adjust their help to different abilities.

That praise points to the trip’s real strength: it is designed as an easy first taste of Red Sea scuba rather than a demanding specialist expedition. Keep that in mind if you want a particular wreck, reef, depth, or advanced underwater plan. None of those are promised.

Who should choose this Hurghada outing?

I would put this trip high on the list for a beginner who wants to try scuba without committing to a course. The instructor, equipment, hotel transport, lunch, and two stops cover the main practical needs for a first day.

It also suits a group where some people want scuba and others prefer snorkeling. The schedule allows non-scuba participants to remain involved rather than spending the whole day waiting.

You should think twice if you need a private boat, a named dive site, a particular menu, or a detailed technical itinerary. The available information does not promise those features, and the group limit of 40 means the day is shared.

It may also be a poor fit if you dislike early starts or long boat outings. The day begins at 8:00 am and lasts about eight hours, so this is a full excursion, not a quick activity squeezed between hotel and beach time.

Booking, cancellation, and practical checks

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. Before the day arrives, check your pickup point, the final price, the cash fees, and any questions about lunch or snorkeling equipment.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before the local start time are not accepted for a refund.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The information does not give medical or certification requirements, so if you have a health concern or are uncertain about scuba participation, ask the provider before booking.

The provider is The Rent Boat. Since no instructor names or reef names are supplied, do not count on a particular guide or location when making your decision.

Should you book it?

Book this outing if you want a low-commitment introduction to Red Sea scuba, two water sessions, a professional instructor, and a boat day with lunch included. The second stop, snorkeling time, and adaptive instruction make it more useful than a one-and-done trial.

Before paying, verify the $5 fare and add the €5 national park fee. Add another €10 per person if your hotel is in El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh. If those costs still fit your budget, this is a practical choice for a first scuba experience in Hurghada.

FAQ

Where does this scuba experience take place?

The experience takes place in Hurghada, Egypt, with the water activities conducted in the Red Sea area.

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts approximately eight hours.

Are hotel transfers included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle are included. Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh cost an additional €10 per person in cash.

How many scuba stops are included?

The package includes two scuba stops.

Is scuba equipment provided?

Yes. Use of the scuba equipment is included.

Is an instructor included?

Yes. A professional instructor is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, soda, and water are included and served onboard.

Are there extra fees?

Yes. A €5 national park fee per person is paid in cash on the spot. Some resort areas also require the €10 per-person transfer fee.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the local start time are not accepted for a refund.