Do I need to know how to swim?

Yes, basic swimming ability is required by PADI safety standards. You don't need to be a strong swimmer, but you should be comfortable in deep water and able to swim about 50 meters at the surface. If you're not sure, message us and we'll talk it through.

I have asthma / heart issues / I'm on medication. Can I dive?

Possibly, but you need to be cleared by a doctor first. PADI requires a medical questionnaire before any dive. We email the form on booking, and if any item is checked yes, a doctor's sign-off is required before the day of the trip.

Maximum 6 meters on the Discover Scuba programme. This is set by PADI standards for first-time divers and your instructor will keep an eye on the depth gauge the whole time.

What fish will I see?

On the Giftun reefs you'll regularly see lionfish, parrotfish, sergeant majors, butterflyfish, the occasional Napoleon wrasse and clownfish in their anemone. Visibility is typically 15 to 20 meters.

Will I need to take an exam?

No. Discover Scuba Diving is an introductory experience, not a course. You don't take a written exam and you don't earn the full Open Water certification. You do get a PADI Discover Scuba Diving certificate at the end of the day, which counts toward the full Open Water course if you decide to continue later.

Can I dive if I'm pregnant?

No. PADI standards prohibit scuba diving during pregnancy. Snorkeling is fine. If you're pregnant, we recommend our Orange Bay or Hula Hula snorkel trips instead.

Can I fly after diving?

Not on the same day. PADI advises a minimum of 18 hours between your last dive and flying. So if you're flying home, book this trip at least one full day before your flight.

Boat Trip: Discover Scuba Diving in Hurghada

8 h08:00 - 16:0010+giftun island

4.9(47 reviews)

Preview reel

7 photos

Preview reel

Discover Scuba Diving is the one-day programme PADI built for people who have never been underwater with a regulator. You don't need certification, you don't need to be a strong swimmer, and you don't need any prior experience. Our PADI-certified instructor takes you through the safety briefing on the boat, then runs a short confined-water session in the shallows so you can practice clearing the mask, breathing through the regulator and basic buoyancy. From there you make two guided open-water dives at a sheltered reef the instructor picks on the day by conditions, maximum depth around six meters, with the instructor at arm's length the entire time. The boat leaves Hurghada Marina at 09:00 and returns around 16:30. Equipment, lunch on board and round-trip hotel transfer are included. Bring your snorkel-day curiosity and a willingness to spend a few hours under the surface, the rest is on us.

Highlights

PADI Certified Instructor

Two Shallow Dives

All Equipment Included

No Experience Required

Free Hotel Transfer

Lunch on Board

Includes

Round-trip hotel transfer from any Hurghada hotel
PADI-certified instructor (English-speaking)
Two guided open-water dives, max 6 meters
Full diving equipment (BCD, regulator, mask, fins, weights, wetsuit)
Confined-water briefing and skills practice
Lunch served on board
Mineral water, Pepsi, tea and coffee

Not Included

Personal dive insurance (recommended, can be added)
Tips for instructor and crew (optional)
Photo and video package

What to Bring

Swimsuit and towel
Reef-safe sunscreen
Sunglasses and a hat

Itinerary

08:00
Hotel pickup
Air-conditioned van from any Hurghada hotel. About 20 to 30 minutes to the marina.
09:00
Marina briefing
Meet your PADI instructor. Signed medical form (provided on board), then dive theory briefing.
09:30
Boat departs
About 60 minutes to a sheltered Giftun reef.
10:45
Confined-water session
Shallow water (waist depth) practice: mask clearing, regulator breathing, basic buoyancy. 25-30 minutes.
11:30
First dive
Guided open-water dive, max 6 meters. Instructor at arm's length the whole time. 25-30 minutes underwater.
13:00
Lunch on board
Grilled chicken or fish, rice, salad, fresh fruit, soft drinks. Surface interval mandatory before the second dive.
14:30
Second dive
Second guided dive on a different part of the reef. Most divers feel much more comfortable on this one.
16:30
Return to marina
Boat docks. PADI Discover Scuba certificate handed over.
17:00
Hotel drop-off
Back to your hotel.

Pickup Details

Pickup window 06:30 - 07:30 from any Hurghada hotel. Hurghada transfer is free. Pickup from El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh or Makadi Bay is available at +EUR 10 per guest one-way, paid on arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sea trips depend on safe sailing conditions. If the marina closes for safety, the captain cancels and we move you to another date for free or refund you in full.

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Traveler Reviews

Karim Fouad 🇪🇬

2025-10-17

Viator

The boat was clean, the lunch was hot and good, the team were professional. Couldn't fault anything.

Sanne Visser 🇳🇱

2025-10-16

Verified booking

Eerste keer duiken en ik vond het geweldig. PADI-instructeur was geduldig en zeer professioneel.

Aoife Murphy 🇮🇪

2025-10-12

Google review

Confined-water session built confidence fast. By the second open-water dive I was relaxed and just looking at fish.

Yasmine Adel 🇪🇬

2025-10-05

Tripadvisor

Had a slight ear issue on the descent. Instructor stopped, helped me equalise, problem solved. Real professionalism.

Boat Trip: Discover Scuba Diving in Hurghada