Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch

REVIEW · HURGHADA

Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch

  • 4.380 reviews
  • 8 hours
  • From $72
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Operated by Al Hajeej Travel Lux Egypt · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Traveller rating 4.3 (80)Duration8 hoursPrice from$72Operated byAl Hajeej Travel Lux EgyptBook viaGetYourGuide

Two reef sessions make the day fly, especially when a small group stays under pro-led guidance. You’ll get tank-and-weights for a pair of separate underwater sessions and a real lunch onboard, not a sad snack.

One possible drawback: equipment can be hit or miss. In one rough account, a promised wetsuit size wasn’t available, so confirm your fit before you go in the water.

Key Things You’ll Notice on This Hurghada Open-Water Scuba Day

Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch - Key Things You’ll Notice on This Hurghada Open-Water Scuba Day

  • Small group (up to 10 people), which usually means more attention than big-boat chaos
  • Two separate underwater sessions led by professionals, with guidance adjusted to your level
  • Tank and weights included, so you’re not hunting rental gear on arrival
  • Lunch plus drinks onboard, including mineral water and soft drinks while you’re on the boat
  • Hotel pickup and return in comfortable air-conditioned vehicles
  • English, French, German, and Russian live guide support, depending on the group

Hurghada to the Red Sea: A Full 8-Hour Day That Stays Simple

Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch - Hurghada to the Red Sea: A Full 8-Hour Day That Stays Simple
This is an all-day format built for one thing: getting you out to the Red Sea for a couple of focused underwater experiences. With an 8-hour schedule, it doesn’t drag, and the timing feels designed for a smooth rhythm—boat ride, water time, break, then another round.

You’ll start in Hurghada with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle, then head to the marina area for sailing. Expect the day to be mostly on the water, so plan for sun, wind, and a bit of salt air on your stuff.

The overall “feel” is practical. It’s not trying to turn scuba into a big ceremony. It’s more like: show up, gear up, follow the lead, and enjoy the reef.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Hurghada

Getting Moving: Pickup, Separate Entrance, and the Boat Cruise

Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch - Getting Moving: Pickup, Separate Entrance, and the Boat Cruise
Pickup is part of the package, and you’ll return to the same general area in the late afternoon. The vehicle is described as new and comfortable, which matters in Hurghada when the heat can make everything feel longer than it is.

You’ll also get a separate entrance and a live guide. That’s a small detail, but it often reduces standing around and helps you get to the boat faster.

The first leg is a sailing time of about 40 minutes. In real terms, that’s enough time to settle in, put your sunscreen on (if you haven’t already), and get your bearings before your first underwater session.

Two Separate Underwater Sessions: What the Pros Actually Guide You Through

Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch - Two Separate Underwater Sessions: What the Pros Actually Guide You Through
This trip runs on two separate underwater sessions, with professional instruction guiding the plan. The first one is listed at about 35 minutes, then you’ll return to the boat for lunch before the second one (about 30 minutes).

That two-stop structure is smart for most people. If you’re newer, you get time to learn, then apply it right away at the next reef site. If you’re more experienced, you can practice under guidance without the day becoming one long repetitive checklist.

How instruction seems to work in practice

From past feedback, the instruction style leans adaptable. One diver described a first underwater session where the instructor stayed close and supported a partner, then later allowed more autonomy once they saw skills were already there. That’s exactly the kind of balance you want: safety first, then confidence.

If you’re a first-timer, you’re not just “following a buddy and hoping for the best.” The trip is set up so the instructor can explain the specifics of the site before you go down, then walk you through what to pay attention to during the water time.

A comfort check you should do

Even with pro guidance, your body has the final vote. Make sure your gear feels right at the start, especially your wetsuit fit and the way your buoyancy setup feels once you’re in the water.

Stop One (About 35 Minutes): Reef Time, Guided Control, and Room to Learn

Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch - Stop One (About 35 Minutes): Reef Time, Guided Control, and Room to Learn
Your first underwater session starts after the sailing segment and a short window where you get ready at the meeting point. Once you reach the first reef spot, experienced instructors explain how that location works before you enter the water.

The session is timed at about 35 minutes, which is a common sweet spot. It gives enough time to see fish and reef structure without dragging you into a tiring, hour-long endurance test.

If you’re brand new, focus on the basics you can control: slow breathing, steady buoyancy, and listening to the hand signals you’re given. If you’re already comfortable, ask the instructor what they want you to practice during this stop.

A small hint from the way feedback reads: instructors can be close and hands-on at the start, then loosen up as they confirm you can manage. That’s a good sign, not a bad one.

Lunch Onboard (About 45 Minutes): Not Just Food, a Real Reset

Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch - Lunch Onboard (About 45 Minutes): Not Just Food, a Real Reset
Between your two underwater sessions, you get lunch onboard, with a 45-minute slot. This isn’t just calories. It’s the reset that makes the second underwater session feel smoother instead of rushed.

Lunch is included, and so are mineral water and soft drinks. In a day like this, that matters because hydration and energy directly affect how you feel when you’re back in the water.

Plan on taking your time here. You’ll want to dry off a bit, re-check your gear for the second session, and let your head cool down after the first reef stop.

Stop Two (About 30 Minutes) + Snorkeling Time (About 45 Minutes)

Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch - Stop Two (About 30 Minutes) + Snorkeling Time (About 45 Minutes)
After lunch, you move to a new site for the second underwater session, listed at around 30 minutes. A second reef site keeps the day interesting, and it also helps if you want different kinds of coral and fish life instead of seeing the same patch twice.

If you feel like snorkeling or simply swimming, you’ll have time later in the schedule for about 45 minutes of snorkeling. That’s a nice add-on if you want to stay connected with the water without committing to a full second underwater session.

This combo is a good fit if you’re traveling with mixed experience levels too. Even if everyone isn’t comfortable doing both underwater sessions, the water time on the surface can still make the day feel like a win.

Price and Value: What You Get for $72 (and the One Extra Cost)

Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch - Price and Value: What You Get for $72 (and the One Extra Cost)
At $72 per person for an 8-hour outing, the value mainly comes from what’s included:

  • Round-trip transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle
  • Tank and weights
  • Lunch, mineral water, and soft drinks
  • A live guide in multiple languages
  • Small group size (up to 10 participants)

That’s not a small bundle of costs. Many add-on charges you’d expect for equipment and boat logistics are handled here.

The only item listed as not included is an instructor fee: €4 cash. If you forget cash, you might end up dealing with it at the start of your day. Bring it.

Also keep in mind: the tour description includes “ski p the line through a separate entrance.” That’s small, but it can save energy when you’re already trying to get organized quickly.

Comfort, Safety, and Consistency: The Quality Notes You Should Pay Attention To

Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch - Comfort, Safety, and Consistency: The Quality Notes You Should Pay Attention To
This is where I’d be a little picky, in a good way.

Most of the strong feedback points to attentive staff and good underwater time, including positive comments about how the experience worked for first-timers. People have also praised the beauty of the reef and the overall care onboard.

But a balanced review means you should also know the warning signs. In one negative account, a diver described a serious breakdown in organization, mentioning problems like missing oxygen and issues linked to overcrowding, and they named a staff member called Oussama. In another rough account, a person said a wetsuit size that was confirmed wasn’t available and also raised concerns about staff behavior.

So here’s the practical takeaway: before you step into the setup process, check three things—

  • Your wetsuit size is the one you need
  • The group on your boat matches the small-group promise
  • You feel comfortable with the instructor’s attention and communication

If anything feels off, say something immediately. On a water day, “later” can be too late.

Who This Hurghada Tour Is Best For (And Who Should Skip It)

Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch - Who This Hurghada Tour Is Best For (And Who Should Skip It)
This experience is suited for both beginners and more experienced scuba participants. The day is built around guided instruction, a structured first underwater session, then a second session after lunch—so learning and repeat application both fit.

It’s also a nice option if you like the idea of seeing the Red Sea from the boat, eating lunch onboard, and then adding surface snorkeling time.

It isn’t suitable for:

  • Pregnant women
  • Wheelchair users

Pets are not allowed, so plan accordingly if you’re traveling with family animals.

What to Bring (So You’re Not Rushing at the Start)

You’ll want:

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sun hat

Also, I’d treat this as a strong sun day. You’ll spend time on a boat, and Red Sea weather doesn’t ask permission.

Should You Book This Hurghada Open-Water Scuba Tour?

If you want a straightforward Red Sea day with two underwater sessions, lunch onboard, and included gear, this is easy to recommend—especially if you appreciate small group days. It’s also a good call if you’re a first-timer and want pro-led structure rather than a free-for-all.

I’d book with extra care if gear fit and staff communication matter a lot to you. Do a quick wetsuit size check up front, and confirm the boat doesn’t end up with a much larger group than expected.

Bottom line: for most people, this should feel like a well-paced Red Sea outing. For the few who have trouble, it usually comes down to equipment availability and day-to-day organization—so verify early, then enjoy the water.

FAQ

How long is the Hurghada professionals open-water scuba tour?

It lasts about 8 hours, with pickup in Hurghada and return later in the afternoon.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes round-trip transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle, tank and weights, lunch, mineral water, and soft drinks.

Is there an extra instructor fee?

Yes. An instructor fee of €4 cash is listed as not included.

How many underwater sessions are there?

You’ll have two separate underwater sessions, led by professional instructors.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes, snorkeling time is included after lunch (about 45 minutes). You can also swim if you feel like it, depending on the moment and the plan.

What languages are available for the guide?

The live guide can provide English, French, German, and Russian.

Who is this tour not suitable for?

It’s not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users. Pets are also not allowed.

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