Most packing lists for a Hurghada diving trip are written by gear retailers. They want you to bring everything. The reality is that most rental gear at any reputable Hurghada dive base is fine · serviced annually, modern enough to be safe, sized to fit. You don't need to bring it all.
Here's what actually matters.
Bring · the things rental can't replace
Your certification card. Physical or digital, both work. We need to see it before the boat leaves the marina. Forgot it? PADI's eVerify works · message your home dive shop or check your PADI app.
Your logbook. We don't strictly require it, but if your last dive was 18+ months ago we'll suggest a refresher first. A logbook with recent entries skips that conversation.
Travel insurance with diving cover. Standard travel insurance often excludes scuba. DAN World, Padi DiveRewards Insurance, or your existing insurer's diving rider · check the policy specifically. We don't sell insurance ourselves; we just check yours before deeper dives.
A primary mask if you have one you trust. Rental masks fit most faces but not yours specifically. The cost of bringing your own (size, weight, hassle) is low; the comfort gain is high.
Reef-safe sunscreen. Egyptian customs occasionally checks for non-reef-safe oxybenzone-based sunscreens. Bring zinc oxide or ecocert-certified mineral sunscreens. We sell some at the dive base if you forget but the markup is real.
A spare prescription dive mask if you wear one. Specifically: not contact lenses (those are fine but losing one mid-dive is a problem). If you have a prescription mask, bring it · we have some prescription rentals but not for unusual prescriptions.
Don't bring · the things rental does fine
BCD, regulator, wetsuit. All included for the duration of your booking. Modern, serviced, sized to you on arrival. Saves 8 kg of luggage.
Tank, weights, surface marker buoy. Provided.
Fins. Bring if you have a strong preference; rental is fine if you don't. Open-heel fins from rental, your own boots if you want a comfort upgrade.
Underwater computer. Rentals available (€10/day). Bring your own if you have one and it's set up the way you like; rent ours if you don't want to fly with electronics.
Bring · the things hotels won't have
Power adapter. Egypt uses Type C/F (European two-pin). UK and US visitors need an adapter.
Strong sunglasses with strap. The reflection off the water is intense. Polarised lenses are noticeably better. The strap is so they don't go overboard.
Coral-safe seasickness tablets if you're prone. Sturgeron is the standard recommendation in the European diving community. Bonine in the US. Take one before the boat leaves the marina, not when you start to feel queasy. We carry some on the boat but bring your preferred brand.
A 1-litre water bottle. We provide bottled water on the boat, but a refillable bottle reduces plastic waste and you can fill it from the cooler all day.
Reading/podcast for the surface interval. A 90-minute surface interval between dives is more time than you think. Most divers chat; some read; some sleep. Whatever your preference, plan for it.
Don't overpack
The biggest mistake first-time diving travellers make is bringing too much. You're going to spend most of your day in swimwear, on a boat, with the same five other people. You don't need a different outfit for each day. Two pairs of swim shorts, two t-shirts, one warm layer for the boat ride home in winter, sandals · that covers diving. The rest of your luggage is whatever you need for the non-diving hours.
If in doubt, leave it home. We rent or stock most of it at the dive base, and Hurghada has supermarkets if you forgot something genuinely important.