Hurghada: Intro Diving Red Sea for Beginners with Lunch

Summary

Red Sea intro diving day trip from Hurghada with two guided dives and lunch

You’ll start your day in Hurghada with hotel pickup and meet your instructor before heading out for two beginner-friendly intro dives in the Red Sea—think shimmering fish and gentle coral gardens. Between dives, relax on deck with lunch and sweet tea while swapping stories or just soaking up the sun. It’s less about ticking boxes and more about feeling quietly amazed by what’s down there.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest—I was nervous when the van picked us up outside our hotel in Hurghada, wetsuit bag slung over my shoulder like I knew what I was doing (I didn’t). The marina was already humming at 8am, sun bouncing off white boats and the smell of salt and engine oil mixing in the air. Our dive instructor, Mahmoud, greeted us with this easy grin and a “First time? Don’t worry, we go slow.” That helped. A little.

The boat ride out felt longer than it probably was—maybe because I kept fidgeting with my mask straps. We stopped near Abu Ramada first. Mahmoud explained everything again, even let me practice breathing through the regulator before we went under. When I finally slipped beneath the surface… it was so quiet. Just bubbles and that weirdly comforting pressure in my ears. A parrotfish darted past my face—so close I could see its scales shimmer green-blue. My heart thudded but in a good way.

Between dives, we lounged on deck eating something like falafel sandwiches (still warm) and sweet tea in paper cups. The sun on my wet hair felt almost as good as being underwater. Second dive was at Carless Reef—more coral, more fish, more confidence this time around. Mahmoud kept checking on me with these little thumbs-up signals; I think he could tell when I got distracted by a clownfish or just forgot to move for a minute because it all looked unreal down there.

I still think about that feeling of floating weightless, watching sunlight ripple over sand thirty feet below. If you’d told me yesterday I’d be diving in the Red Sea with strangers who’d feel like friends by lunchtime—I wouldn’t have believed you. But here we are.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Intro diving and Red Sea exploration

• Pick up from hotel at 8:00 AM
• Complete paperwork and equipment fitting
• Depart marina to first dive spot
• First intro dive at Abu Ramada or Small Giftun
• Surface interval with snacks and beverages
• Depart to second dive spot at 11:00 AM
• Second intro dive at Carless Reef or Fanadir
• Return to marina around 1:30 PM
• Transfer back to hotel by 2:00 PM

Top questions

Is this Hurghada intro diving tour suitable for beginners?

Yes, it’s designed specifically for beginners with no prior experience required.

How many dives are included on this Red Sea day trip?

You’ll do two separate introductory dives at different locations.

Are hotel transfers included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your Hurghada hotel are included.

Will there be a certified instructor during the dives?

Yes, a professional intro dive master guides you throughout both dives.

Is lunch provided on board?

Yes, lunch as well as coffee or tea are served between dives on the boat.

What time does the diving trip start and end?

The tour starts around 8:00 AM and returns to your hotel by about 2:00 PM.

Which dive sites might we visit?

You may visit sites like Abu Ramada, Small Giftun Island, Carless Reef or Fanadir depending on conditions.

Can non-swimmers join this beginner diving tour?

No swimming ability is required but basic comfort in water helps; not suitable for those with certain health conditions.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Hurghada, all scuba equipment provided at the dive center after some quick paperwork, two guided intro dives at different Red Sea sites chosen based on weather and skill level, plus lunch and hot drinks served onboard between dives before returning to your hotel early afternoon.