REVIEW · HURGHADA
Hurghada: Beginners Scuba Diving Full-Day Boat Trip & Lunch
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by FTS Travels · Bookable on GetYourGuide
A first scuba day can feel like stepping into a movie. This Hurghada trip is built for that exact moment: one-on-one coaching and a calm, structured pace on the water. You also get two underwater spots plus snorkeling breaks, so you’re never just waiting around.
The best part is how the instructors slow everything down and help you feel in control before you go deeper. Still, if you’ve snorkeled a lot already, you might find the reef less impressive than you hoped, even though the crew does a lot right.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About
- Hurghada Pickup to the Red Sea: The Day Starts Easy
- What the Timing Feels Like: Snorkeling Breaks Plus Two Underwater Sessions
- Intro session vs. certified option
- Expect a learning curve
- Beginner Coaching That Keeps You Calm Under Pressure
- What you might notice in your first minutes
- The Underwater Sites: Coral, Fish, and Why Everyone Sees Something Different
- Best way to enjoy the sites
- Boat Life in Hurghada: Lunch, Drinks, and a Comfortable Reset
- Equipment and What You Should Prepare Yourself
- Price and Value: Is $30 a Good Deal for First-Time Scuba?
- Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Should Skip It)
- Languages, Crew Support, and the Little Things That Matter
- Should You Book This Hurghada Beginner Scuba Trip?
- FAQ
- Do I need a scuba license to go on this trip?
- How long are the scuba sessions?
- What is the difference between an intro session and a certified dive option?
- Can children join?
- Is pickup included only in Hurghada?
- What food and drinks are included on the boat?
- What should I bring with me?
- Who shouldn’t take this trip?
Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About

- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, so you start and end with less hassle.
- Two underwater sessions plus two snorkeling stops, meaning more time in the water and less boredom on a boat.
- Beginner-friendly pacing with intro-style timing that adjusts to how you’re feeling.
- Unlimited soft and hot drinks on board, which helps you stay warm and hydrated between swims.
- Shower and bathroom facilities on the boat for a smoother finish to a sandy day.
Hurghada Pickup to the Red Sea: The Day Starts Easy

This is one of those trips where the logistics don’t try to steal your day. You’re picked up from your Hurghada hotel and transferred to the boat area, which matters because scuba days already have enough small moving parts.
On board, the vibe is practical. The crew handles the routine stuff so you can focus on the water. Expect the day to run in a clear rhythm: get ready, get briefed, get in, enjoy the sea, eat, then go again. If you’re the type who panics when things feel chaotic, this structure is a real comfort.
If you’re staying outside Hurghada—like Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El-Gouna, Soma Bay, Safaga, or Sharm El Naga—there may be an additional pickup option you need to select. That’s worth checking early, so you’re not surprised later.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Hurghada.
What the Timing Feels Like: Snorkeling Breaks Plus Two Underwater Sessions

Your day is built around getting you wet more than once, not just doing one quick swim and calling it a win.
You’ll cruise to the main sites, then the plan shifts into “water time mode.” The trip includes two snorkeling stops plus two scuba sessions at top Red Sea spots (depending on the option selected). Translation: you’ll have multiple chances to see fish and coral, even if the deeper part takes you a bit longer to get comfortable with.
Intro session vs. certified option
There are different session lengths depending on what you choose:
- Intro sessions: 15–20 minutes per session
- Professional/certified sessions: 30–40 minutes per session
That difference is big for your enjoyment. The shorter intro window is designed for first-timers to learn buoyancy and get used to breathing while staying comfortable. The longer certified timing gives more time to swim and explore at a slower pace once you’re settled.
Expect a learning curve
For many first-timers, the first underwater session feels the most intense. Even when you’re calm, the breathing rhythm and mask comfort can take a minute to click. One of the nicest things here is the attention you get during that adjustment period, so you’re not left to guess your way through it.
Beginner Coaching That Keeps You Calm Under Pressure

This trip’s biggest strength is how it handles beginners. Not just with theory, but with real-time support once you’re in the water.
You get instruction from a certified diving instructor depending on the option selected. In practice, that means you’re not thrown into a free-for-all. The guidance is slow, clear, and focused on safety fundamentals first. It also helps that instructors stay close and don’t disappear once you’re underwater—important when you’re still learning how to control your buoyancy.
There’s also something genuinely reassuring about how the team responds if you feel panic starting to build. Small issues—like water getting in your mask or a hose not sitting right—can trigger worry fast. The better instructors treat those moments like normal troubleshooting, not a big drama. Here, that calm reset approach is part of the experience.
What you might notice in your first minutes
As you settle in, you start to realize how quickly the “I’m nervous” feeling passes once someone helps you find a steady rhythm. Many first-timers go from bracing to relaxing faster than they expect. And once that happens, you’re free to focus on the fish, the coral shapes, and the strange peaceful feeling of moving through water.
The Underwater Sites: Coral, Fish, and Why Everyone Sees Something Different

The Red Sea is famous for its marine life, and this tour targets top sites. You’ll spend time at two underwater locations, with the goal of showing you good coral and a solid mix of fish species.
Here’s the honest catch: reef quality depends on conditions and on what kind of snorkeling you’re used to. If you snorkel regularly, your personal bar is higher. If you don’t, you’ll probably come away thrilled by the texture of the coral and the variety of fish.
What’s consistent is that you’ll have moments that feel special, even if you don’t memorize every species name. Some people love the comedy of fish behavior right up close—like clownfish interactions that can look almost like they’re posing for you. The best part of the first scuba day is often the surprise of how close you can feel to marine life without touching anything.
Best way to enjoy the sites
Treat this like a learning adventure, not a competition. Keep your focus on breathing, buoyancy, and slow movement. When you do that, you tend to see more, because you’re not hovering in one place wondering if you’re doing it right.
Boat Life in Hurghada: Lunch, Drinks, and a Comfortable Reset

Between water sessions, you’ll be on the boat relaxing. That matters more than people think. A good scuba day isn’t only about what happens underwater. It’s also about what happens when you’re tired, warm-up again, and decide you actually want to go back in.
Lunch is served on board as a buffet. Add in unlimited soft drinks and hot drinks, and you’ve got an easy way to stay comfortable between swims. If you’ve ever done a long day in the sun, you know hydration and warmth can decide whether you end the trip smiling or spent.
You also get shower and bathroom facilities, which is a huge quality-of-life upgrade. Getting out of salty water and rinsing off makes the end of the day feel civilized instead of sandy and sticky.
If you’re traveling with a camera, this is also a boat day with real photo potential. The experience often includes a videographer who captures images and video during the underwater sessions, which can be a nice way to remember your first time seeing the sea from below.
Equipment and What You Should Prepare Yourself

The trip includes scuba equipment and snorkeling equipment depending on the option you select. That takes pressure off you, especially if you’re doing this for the first time and don’t own gear yet.
Still, you control your comfort with what you bring. Here’s what you’ll want on hand:
- Passport (important for identity checks)
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Camera
- Cash
Also, think like this: you’ll likely get wet, you’ll be in the sun between swims, and you’ll want to change into something dry after the salt water. Pack accordingly.
Price and Value: Is $30 a Good Deal for First-Time Scuba?

At about $30 per person, this can be strong value—especially because you’re not paying just for underwater time. You’re paying for the full package: hotel pickup and drop-off in Hurghada, boat transport, buffet lunch, unlimited soft and hot drinks, and staff support for beginners.
The one thing to understand is that there may be an extra charge for a certified dive option (listed as €25 per person). If you want the longer session duration, that’s where the added cost comes in. For many first-timers, the intro timing is plenty because your goal is comfort and skill basics, not trying to beat the clock.
Also note: children under 12 can’t scuba, but they can go snorkeling. If you’re traveling as a family, that can help you structure who’s doing what without splitting into separate trips.
Who This Tour Suits Best (And Who Should Skip It)

This is clearly aimed at beginners—people who do not have a scuba license. If you’ve always wanted to try but didn’t know how to start, this kind of guided day is exactly the entry point.
You’ll likely enjoy it most if:
- You want hotel pickup and a day with a built-in rhythm
- You appreciate patient coaching and close instructor attention
- You want both snorkeling and scuba during one trip
- You like the idea of lunch and drinks on the boat between swims
On the other hand, the tour is not suitable for:
- Children under 12 (they can snorkel instead)
- Pregnant women
- People with heart problems
- Wheelchair users
- People with respiratory issues
If any of those apply, it’s worth skipping this day and finding a safer alternative.
Languages, Crew Support, and the Little Things That Matter
The tour runs in multiple languages: English, German, Arabic, Polish, and French. That matters because scuba instruction relies on understanding cues fast. When you can get directions clearly, you spend less energy worrying and more energy enjoying.
One detail I really like about this kind of operation is how they manage small mechanical problems without making them feel like emergencies. If a hose position or mask fit is off, that’s not a failure. It’s part of learning your setup. A good instructor treats it like a normal fix, then gets you back to steady breathing and calm movement.
And yes, photo and video capture can be part of the experience, which is handy if you want to remember how fast your confidence grows once you’re underwater.
Should You Book This Hurghada Beginner Scuba Trip?
Book it if you’re a true beginner or you want a stress-minimized first scuba day with structured coaching, two underwater sessions, snorkeling stops, and lunch plus unlimited drinks. The strongest payoff is the instructor support and the way the plan keeps you from feeling lost.
Think twice if you’re already a frequent snorkeler and your reef expectations are very high. Even with excellent guidance, you can still end up feeling like you’ve seen similar coral before. In that case, it may be better to look for a more advanced or differently targeted underwater itinerary.
If you want the simplest way to try scuba in the Red Sea—without renting your own gear, without complex planning, and with staff that focus on keeping first-timers comfortable—this one makes sense.
FAQ
Do I need a scuba license to go on this trip?
No. The trip is suitable for beginners who do not have a scuba license.
How long are the scuba sessions?
Intro scuba sessions run about 15–20 minutes per session, depending on individual condition. The certified/professional option runs about 30–40 minutes per session, depending on individual condition.
What is the difference between an intro session and a certified dive option?
The trip offers different options depending on what you select. Intro sessions are shorter (15–20 minutes) for beginners, while the certified dive option is longer (30–40 minutes). The certified dive option is available for an extra charge.
Can children join?
Children under 12 cannot scuba, but they can go snorkeling as part of the experience.
Is pickup included only in Hurghada?
Pickup is included for Hurghada. For pickup from areas like Makadi Bay, Safaga, Soma Bay, El Gouna, or Sahl Hasheesh, you may need to select an add-on at checkout for each participant.
What food and drinks are included on the boat?
You’ll get a buffet lunch on board, plus unlimited soft drinks and hot drinks during the whole day.
What should I bring with me?
Bring your passport, sunglasses, sun hat, swimwear, towel, camera, and cash.
Who shouldn’t take this trip?
The trip is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, wheelchair users, or people with respiratory issues.












