Intro Scuba Diving 2 Stops Trip with Transfers & Lunch – Hurghada

The best part of this Hurghada boat trip is simple: you get two chances to see the Red Sea below the surface, then spend the long break eating lunch with mountains and open water around you. It is a low-cost way to reach coral sites without arranging a separate boat, guide, and equipment rental.

I like the hotel pickup and drop-off, which removes the usual morning scramble, and I like that a nervous beginner can stay close to a certified guide. Non-divers can snorkel, too, so a mixed group does not have to split up.

The main caution is the very low price. Confirm the depth, equipment condition, and all extra charges before leaving the port. Some accounts describe short underwater sessions, repeated sites, or an extra charge for a certified diver who wanted to go deeper.

Key points at a glance

• Two Red Sea stops: The second underwater area is intended to be different from the first, though site choice can vary.
• A full boat day: Plan on about eight hours, with an early start and a return around 4 p.m.
• Good for mixed groups: Scuba participants can go underwater while non-divers snorkel.
• Lunch and drinks included: Coffee, tea, soda, and water are part of the package.
• Small extra charges matter: National park entry costs €5 per person, and distant resort transfers cost €10 per person.
• A very large possible group: The boat can carry up to 30 people, so expect a shared outing rather than a private charter.

Setting out from Hurghada at 8 a.m.

Your day begins with pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. The exact road time depends on where you are staying, but the listed start time is 8 a.m. The vehicle takes you to the port, where the boat is waiting.

At the boat, the instructor explains the plan and deals with equipment requests. You receive the basic equipment package and a weight belt, then the boat heads toward the first site. The trip is not a quick ride straight to the reef. Much of the morning is spent reaching the offshore area, preparing, and getting everyone organized.

That slower pace is part of the trade-off. You are buying a full day on the Red Sea, not two nonstop underwater sessions. Bring patience, sun protection, and something light to cover your shoulders between activities.

The listed maximum is 30 people. That is not a huge ferry, but it is large enough for a busy shared boat. If you want quiet, personal attention at every moment, ask about the expected group size before booking. If you are comfortable with a social boat day, the group format helps keep the cost remarkably low.

The first underwater stop and the basic briefing

Before the first stop, the guide gives a short explanation of what to expect. The instructor also demonstrates drills and skills that may be needed in the water. This matters most if you are trying scuba for the first time or have not been underwater for years.

The briefing is not a substitute for a full certification course. The activity is presented as an introductory outing, so you should expect a supervised first-time session rather than independent exploration. A certified guide takes you toward the coral and fish, with attention to basic comfort and safety.

That close supervision is one of the strongest reasons for a beginner to consider this trip. One account describes a guide regularly checking on a nervous participant, while another praises the instructors for working patiently with a child who had special needs. Those details suggest that the human side of the trip can be very good, but you should still explain your experience level and concerns before entering the water.

If you already hold a scuba certificate, ask a direct question: How deep will the session go, and is the advertised price for the same program? One dissatisfied participant expected a normal certified session, was limited to about 5 meters, and reported being asked for an additional $20 to go deeper. That may not happen to you, but it is exactly the kind of issue worth settling before the boat leaves.

What the two sessions may really mean

The package promises two scuba stops, with the second at a different area. In good conditions, that gives you two views of the Red Sea rather than one short visit to a single patch of reef.

The available accounts describe sessions ranging from about 20 to 25 minutes to much shorter periods of roughly 10 minutes. That is a wide gap. Bottom time can be affected by comfort, air use, weather, group management, and the rules set by the guide, but you should not assume that two stops automatically mean a long time underwater.

One person reported doing both sessions at the same place and following nearly the same route. Again, this may reflect a particular day or changing sea conditions, but it gives you a useful question to ask: Are the two locations confirmed, or can the captain repeat a site if conditions require it?

The scenery itself earns the attention. The Red Sea is known here for coral formations and fish, and several accounts describe the sites as beautiful. You might also see areas affected by coral bleaching. That is an important part of the present-day picture. The reef can still be impressive, but it is not untouched or uniformly healthy.

Keep your expectations realistic. This is a budget introduction to Hurghada’s underwater world, not a specialist marine expedition. You will likely see coral and fish, but the exact species, visibility, depth, and route are not specified.

The long surface break, lunch, and open-water views

After the first session, the schedule allows about an hour and a half to rest. This is the most relaxed stretch of the day. You can sit on the boat, lie in the sun, look toward the surrounding mountains, or snorkel if you are not using scuba equipment.

Lunch is served onboard, along with coffee, tea, soda, and water. Food quality appears uneven in the available feedback. Some people found the meal good, while others liked the staff but were unimpressed by the food. I would treat lunch as a practical included meal, not a reason to choose this trip over another.

The break is valuable because the day involves more than getting in and out of the water. You have time to dry off, settle your nerves, and enjoy the sea without being rushed. If you are traveling with someone who does not want scuba, this is also when the arrangement makes sense: one person can snorkel while the other joins the guided underwater activity.

Do not forget that sun exposure adds up quickly. The itinerary includes time under the sun, and the boat may offer limited shade depending on its design and crowding. Pack reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and a cover-up. Those are sensible items for any boat outing, even though they are not supplied.

The second stop and the return to port

The boat then moves to the second underwater area. The intention is to give you a new section of reef, but the actual route can depend on local conditions and the captain’s decision.

For a first-time participant, the second session may feel easier because you have already handled the equipment and practiced the basic skills. For a certified scuba participant, it is another chance to inspect the gear and confirm the plan with the guide before entering the water.

The boat returns to port by about 4 p.m., with transportation waiting to take you back to your hotel. Some accounts describe reaching the hotel area closer to 3:30 p.m., but you should reserve most of the day. This is not a good choice for a tight afternoon appointment, airport transfer, or another tour immediately afterward.

The full schedule is worthwhile if you want a sea day. It is less attractive if your priority is maximum underwater time. A long boat ride, equipment setup, surface break, and lunch make up much of the eight hours.

Equipment, hygiene, and safety questions to ask

The package includes scuba equipment, a weight belt, and a professional guide. That is a major part of the value, especially for a first attempt. You do not need to arrange separate rentals or carry bulky equipment from your hotel.

Still, equipment deserves your attention. One account raises serious concerns about old gear and needing to use a backup regulator. Another raises hygiene concerns about shared mouthpieces and poor sanitizing. These are individual reports, not proof that every departure has the same problem, but they are too specific to ignore.

Before you enter the water, check that the mask, regulator, air supply, buoyancy device, and other equipment appear suitable and fit correctly. Ask the instructor to replace anything damaged, uncomfortable, or questionable. Also ask how mouthpieces are cleaned between users. A professional response should be clear and practical.

The staff’s attitude receives much better marks than the equipment concerns. The instructors are repeatedly described as friendly, patient, and attentive, with safety treated seriously. A guide identified as Ahmed is praised for being eager to help, though the supplied information does not establish that he will be present on every departure.

If you have a medical condition, limited swimming confidence, recent illness, or significant anxiety, discuss it before booking. The activity says most people can participate, but that broad statement does not replace a personal safety check.

What the €5 and €10 charges add to the price

The advertised price is $18.05 per person, which is unusually low for hotel transportation, a full boat trip, equipment, two stops, a guide, lunch, and drinks. On paper, the value is excellent.

You must add the national park fee of €5 per person, paid in cash on the spot. If you stay in El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh, the transfer supplement is €10 per person, also paid in cash.

That changes the real cost, especially for a couple or family. A pair staying in one of those outlying resorts would pay an extra €30 together before considering any optional charge. Bring the required cash and ask the supplier to confirm the amount before departure.

The low headline price also makes it wise to save your booking confirmation and read the inclusions carefully. A serious complaint alleges that extra payments were demanded for services described as included. The supplier disputed some complaints and asked for trip details to investigate, but the practical lesson is simple: confirm what the price covers, especially depth, equipment, and transfers.

Who will get the most from this boat day

This trip suits a first-time participant who wants a simple introduction without signing up for a certification course. The briefing, practice drills, equipment, and close guide support give you a basic framework for trying scuba in a controlled setting.

It also works well for a mixed couple or family. A non-diver can snorkel instead of sitting idle on the boat, and the lunch break gives everyone a shared part of the day. The patient approach described by some participants may also help a nervous person, though special needs should be discussed in advance.

You may be less satisfied if you are an experienced certified scuba participant seeking deep water, long bottom time, varied sites, or high-end equipment. This is a low-cost group trip, and the reports of shallow sessions, brief underwater time, and repeated routes point to a possible mismatch between expectations and delivery.

It is also not ideal for anyone who dislikes a full-day boat schedule. The trip begins early, can run close to eight hours, and includes a long return transfer after the second stop.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity offers hotel pickup. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate according to the supplied conditions. The maximum group size is 30.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations or changes inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off uses Hurghada local time.

For the day itself, bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection, cash for the €5 park fee, and cash for the €10 distant-resort transfer if it applies. Keep your phone protected from spray and carry any personal medication you need, since the provided details do not describe onboard medical facilities.

Most important, ask these questions before the morning pickup:

• How long is each underwater session expected to last?
• Will certified participants be limited to introductory depth?
• Are the two sites confirmed as different?
• Is all equipment inspected and sanitized?
• Are there any charges beyond the listed park and transfer fees?

Clear answers will tell you more than the low price alone.

Should you book Lions Travel’s Hurghada scuba trip?

Book it if you want an inexpensive Red Sea introduction, value hotel transfers and lunch, and are happy with a shared boat day whose underwater time may vary. The strongest features are the friendly guide support, the option for non-divers to snorkel, the two planned reef stops, and the unusually low starting price.

Pause before booking if you are a certified participant expecting a proper deep-water session, or if equipment quality and hygiene are your top concerns. Confirm the depth, gear, session length, and extra payments in writing. With those points settled, this can be a very affordable way to spend a day on the Red Sea. Without that clarification, the bargain price may come with avoidable surprises.

FAQ

What time does the Hurghada scuba trip start?

The listed start time is 8 a.m. Hotel pickup is offered before transport to the port.

How long does the activity last?

The trip lasts approximately eight hours. The boat is expected to return to port by about 4 p.m., though some accounts describe an earlier return around 3:30 p.m.

Are two underwater stops included?

Yes. The package includes two scuba stops, and the second is intended to take place in a different diving area.

Can non-divers join the trip?

Yes. Non-divers can snorkel instead of taking part in the scuba sessions.

What is included in the price?

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off in an air-conditioned vehicle, up to eight hours on the boat, two scuba stops, a professional guide, scuba equipment, lunch, coffee, tea, soda, and water.

What extra fees must be paid in cash?

The national park fee is €5 per person. Transfers from El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh cost €10 per person. Both charges are paid locally in cash.

What is the cancellation policy?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.