Question 1

Is Hurghada good for beginners?

Accepted Answer

Yes · exceptional for beginners. Warm water year-round (21°C in winter, 28°C in summer), high visibility (often 25 m+), and sheltered reefs that suit first dives. The Red Sea is one of the world's top entry-level destinations.

Question 2

Can a complete beginner dive in Hurghada?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our Discover Scuba Diving program is for first-time divers · no certification required, instructor at arm's length the entire time, max depth 12 m. About 90 minutes of water time total.

Question 3

What's the youngest age you take diving?

Accepted Answer

10 years old for the PADI Bubblemaker (children's intro program, max 2 m) and PADI Junior Open Water Course. Discover Scuba is also from age 10.

Question 4

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

Accepted Answer

For an intro dive, basic swimming ability is enough · comfortable in water, can float for 1 minute. For the Open Water Course, you need to swim 200 m unaided and tread water for 10 minutes.

Question 5

Is the Red Sea cold?

Accepted Answer

Cooler than people expect in winter (21–22°C, 7 mm wetsuit) and very warm in summer (27–28°C, 3 mm wetsuit). Wetsuits are included in all our prices.

Question 6

What if I'm scared of fish or sharks?

Accepted Answer

The Red Sea has very few aggressive species. The most common 'big' encounters are reef sharks (shy and harmless), turtles, and Napoleon wrasse. We brief you on what you'll see and how to behave.

Question 7

I have asthma / diabetes / take medication · can I still dive?

Accepted Answer

It depends. PADI requires a self-declaration medical form on day 1; some conditions need a doctor's clearance before diving. WhatsApp us beforehand with details and we'll tell you exactly what's required.

Question 8

How does pressure affect ears?

Accepted Answer

You equalise (gentle exhalation against a closed nose) every metre or two on descent. We teach this on day 1. If you can't equalise, you don't go deeper · there's no shame in calling a dive.

Question 9

How much does a PADI Open Water Course cost in Hurghada?

Accepted Answer

€330 with us, including e-learning, instructor, all equipment, four boat dives, lunch and hotel pickup. Range across Hurghada operators is €290–€410. Compare what's included before judging by price alone · some quotes don't include the certification card or e-learning.

Question 10

How long is the PADI Open Water Course?

Accepted Answer

3–4 days in-water with us, plus 6–10 hours of e-learning you do before arrival. Days 1: confined water skills + theory recap. Days 2–3: four open water training dives. Card issued day 3.

Question 11

Can I do my Open Water Course in another language?

Accepted Answer

Yes · we teach in English, German, French, Italian, Polish, Czech, and Romanian. Other languages on request if our team can cover it.

Question 12

Do I need a doctor's note?

Accepted Answer

Only if you mark 'yes' on any of the medical questionnaire items. Most divers don't need one. The questionnaire takes 5 minutes on arrival.

Question 13

Can I do Advanced Open Water right after Open Water?

Accepted Answer

Yes · many do them back-to-back as a one-week package. We give a free day in between if you'd like to rest or dive for fun.

Question 14

PADI vs SSI vs SDI · which should I pick?

Accepted Answer

All three are recognised globally. PADI is the most widely used (easier to find your next instructor anywhere). We teach PADI by default; SSI on request. See /compare/padi-vs-ssi-vs-sdi for the full breakdown.

Question 15

Will I get my certification card before flying home?

Accepted Answer

Yes · we issue a temporary card on the spot and submit your details to PADI immediately. The plastic card arrives by post 2–3 weeks later, addressed to your home country.

Question 16

What equipment do I need to bring for diving in Hurghada?

Accepted Answer

Just your swimsuit and a towel. We provide BCD, regulator, wetsuit (3 mm or 7 mm seasonal), mask, fins, weight belt, tank. If you have a personal mask you prefer, bring it · better fit reduces flooding.

Question 17

Are wetsuits really included?

Accepted Answer

Yes · and we keep both 3 mm and 7 mm in stock so you have the right one for the season. We size you on arrival.

Question 18

Should I bring my own dive computer?

Accepted Answer

Recommended but not required. We rent dive computers for €5/day. If you have your own, bring it · you'll be more comfortable with familiar settings.

Question 19

Do you have full-face masks for nervous divers?

Accepted Answer

Yes · limited stock, available on request. Useful for first-timers who feel claustrophobic with a regulator. Add €15 to your day rate.

Question 20

What about underwater cameras?

Accepted Answer

We don't rent cameras (too easy to break, hard to insure). Bring your own. We can mount a GoPro on your tank if you like.

Question 21

Do I need a wetsuit boots / hood?

Accepted Answer

Boots: yes if you bring open-heel fins (we include closed-heel fins as default, no boots needed). Hood: optional, December–February if you feel the cold.

Question 22

Can I rent Nitrox tanks?

Accepted Answer

Yes · €5 per fill, EAN32 standard, EAN36 on request. You need Nitrox certification (we teach it as a one-day specialty for €120 if you want to certify here).

Question 23

Is diving safe in Hurghada?

Accepted Answer

Statistically · yes. Hurghada has decompression chambers (Hyperbaric Medical Centre at the Sheraton hospital), an active dive emergency network, and most operators including ourselves run conservative dive profiles. The Red Sea has warm, clear water that reduces most risk factors.

Question 24

How often is your equipment serviced?

Accepted Answer

Regulators: every 6 months or every 100 dives, whichever comes first. BCDs: annual full service plus pre-dive visual check on every trip. Tanks: pressure-tested annually, visual inspection every 12 months.

Question 25

What if there's an emergency underwater?

Accepted Answer

Every dive starts with a pre-dive safety check (BWRAF). The instructor or guide carries an alternate air source for buddy breathing. We have surface marker buoys, oxygen on board, and the boat captain has the dive emergency hotline on speed dial.

Question 26

What's your maximum group size?

Accepted Answer

4 students per course, max 8 divers per boat day. Smaller numbers mean better supervision and more enjoyable dives.

Question 27

What about dive insurance?

Accepted Answer

We strongly recommend DAN (Divers Alert Network) membership before diving anywhere. Costs €40–€90/year and covers chamber treatment, evacuation, and travel insurance. We don't sell it · just enrol direct on dan.org.

Question 28

How deep do you take certified Open Water divers?

Accepted Answer

PADI Open Water = 18 m max. We respect that limit absolutely. If a site has options below 18 m, we structure the dive to keep Open Water divers shallower while Advanced divers go deeper as a separate buddy team.

Question 29

What's the closest decompression chamber?

Accepted Answer

Hyperbaric Medical Centre at the Sheraton hospital in Hurghada · about 15 minutes from our marina. Fully equipped, English-speaking medical staff, 24/7.

Question 30

Do I pay upfront for diving in Hurghada?

Accepted Answer

No. We don't take a deposit and we don't take card details before you arrive. You confirm by WhatsApp, we hold your spot, and you pay cash or card on the boat.

Question 31

How do I book a dive?

Accepted Answer

Three options: (1) the booking form on /book, (2) WhatsApp us directly, (3) email. We answer in your language, usually within an hour during business hours.

Question 32

What's the cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the dive. Same-day cancellation is also free if it's for genuine reasons (illness, weather, family emergency). We trust adults.

Question 33

Can I pay by card on the boat?

Accepted Answer

Yes · Visa and Mastercard accepted. Cash in Euro, USD, or Egyptian pound also accepted. We charge in EUR by default; happy to invoice in your currency on request.

Question 34

What happens if the weather cancels the dive?

Accepted Answer

We cancel and reschedule for free if weather makes the dive unsafe. If you've already left Hurghada and we cancelled, we refund any pre-paid courses (rare; usually e-learning only).

Question 35

Do you offer discounts for groups or repeat divers?

Accepted Answer

Yes · 10% off for groups of 4+, multi-day discounts negotiated by WhatsApp when you book 5+ daily-dive days at once, 20% off your second course if you do two consecutive (e.g. Open Water → Advanced).

Question 36

What if I'm late for the pickup?

Accepted Answer

We wait 10 minutes. After that the boat has to leave to make the dive site on time. Send us a quick WhatsApp if you're running late and we'll do our best to catch up.

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Diving in Hurghada for beginners

PADI courses in Hurghada · FAQ

Equipment and what to bring · FAQ

Safety in Hurghada diving · FAQ

Booking and payment · FAQ

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