Diving in Hurghada
Diving in Hurghada is a must, and some tourists come for no other reason. With its sublime seabed, this Egyptian resort is renowned as one of the best diving spots not far from Europe.
Ubiquitous corals, multicolored fish and derelict wrecks await you here. Swim in the turquoise waters of the Red Sea here in Hurghada and enjoy the best conditions for a baptism. This trip is also suitable for those who’ve done it before and want to discover new places.
This guide describes everything you need to know before diving in Hurghada. How it works, practical tips and everything you’ll do on this excursion.
Practical information
Here’s the essential information you need to know before booking your diving trip to Hurghada.
Excursion & prices
Here’s the one we’re going to describe in this article and recommend to you:
This offer includes a day trip to Hurghada for scuba diving. Two stops are included. Also suitable for baptisms. Pick-up at the hotel.
Access & opening hours
You are picked up directly at your accommodation. The mini-bus picks you up at the scheduled time, usually around 8:30 am. Please note that there is a 15-minute delay before and after the scheduled time to allow time for everyone to be picked up.
Please respect this time slot, otherwise the driver won’t come a second time if you’re late. Please arrive at your hotel entrance 10 minutes early.
Those staying in Makadi Bay, Safaga, Soma Bay, El Gouna or Sahl Hasheesh will be charged a supplement as you are not staying in Hurghada city center.
How long does the diving trip to Hurghada last?
Allow an average of 8 to 9 hours for the excursion, including the trip to and from your hotel (less than 30 minutes). Starting around 8:30 a.m., the Hurghada diving trip ends around 3:30 or even 4 p.m.
How does the diving trip to Hurghada work?
In this section, you’ll find details of what you can do on a diving trip to Hurghada. Photos and descriptions give you a better idea of what to expect.
Pick-up and departure
Once picked up by the driver, you’ll be taken to the pier. The location can vary: you can leave from the marina, where many of the tour boats come from, or a little further north from the town center.
You’ll need to wait on the boat for around 40 minutes for everyone to board. You’ll be given a form to fill in while you wait.
This administrative form asks you YES / NO questions about your physical condition, to remind you that despite everything, this activity can represent risks for some people.
Throughout the excursion, you’ll be in a group on the same motor catamaran. Two diving stops are planned, as well as lunch.
Explanations and equipment
The catamaran sets off along the coast, and you’re off for a day of diving in Hurghada! You’ll be divided into two groups: beginners and advanced divers. The beginners meet up and the instructors then give you all the explanations and instructions you need to follow.
We’ll show you how to put on your mask and tank. But also how to communicate underwater using hand signals, to find out if everything’s going well for you, or not.
Equipment is available directly on site(wetsuit, fins, mask and bottle).
For safety reasons, always make sure you dry off properly on the way back up. Some areas of the boat must not get wet, particularly upstairs, on benches and stairs. This is to avoid slipping and injury.
First stop
You’ll arrive at the first spot, north of Hurghada. At this point, you’ll gear up – accompanied, of course, if you’ve never done so before. In groups, you can enjoy the turquoise waters of the seabed.
Beginners come last. An instructor is with you all the time for 15 to 20 minutes. It’s important to know that he or she will make you feel totally at ease, whether it’s about breathing or anything else.
In fact, you’re extremely well accompanied. He’ll take you down in stages, at your own pace. You’ll go down to a depth of between 5 and 10 meters, depending on what you can manage.
Things to know before you dive: your ears will probably hurt. This is normal and is due to the change in pressure. The lower you go, the greater the change in pressure, and the more likely you are to experience ear pain.
The technique explained to you beforehand is to tilt your head back a little and swallow your saliva. But if this doesn’t work, you can tell the instructor to go up one level, and the pain disappears. So take it easy.
Rest assured, even if you don’t make it all the way down, you’ll still get plenty of enjoyment out of it. Whatever the depth, you can clearly see the richness of the seabed, even 3m underwater.
Throughout the descent, the instructor behind you checks to make sure you’re all right. Once you’ve reached the last level, it’s time to explore the seabed! You can get up close to the fish (without touching them), marvel at cavities and corals.
Don’t hesitate to position yourself horizontally, as you would when snorkeling.
Lunch
Then it’s time for lunch. A buffet is available inside the cabin.
Choose from kefta, rice, crudités, pasta, vegetables and more. You can then sit back and enjoy the view of the Red Sea.
Second dive spot in Hurghada
The second dive in Hurghada takes place in the early afternoon. One of the instructors follows you again, staying behind for around 20 minutes. This second stop lasts about 1 hour in all.
For your information, here are the two offshore spots. You can find them on Google Maps :
- Dive site Gota Abu Galawa, Hurghada 2, Egypt for the first stop
- Fanadir Dacht Divespot, Hurghada 2, Egypt for the second one
For those who already dive, you can manage on your own. If you have a scuba diving logbook, take it with you, and you’ll be entitled to a small stamp on it at the end of the excursion.
Note also that it’s perfectly possible not to dive the second time (or even the first if you don’t feel like it at all…).
In this case, you can relax and sunbathe on the boat. Or better still, dive into the water and go snorkeling. You don’t have to go underwater for a few meters, but you can already see some beautiful things!
Common questions about diving in Hurghada
In this section you’ll find the questions you might have before diving in Hurghada. And our answers.
Is practice accessible to all?
Yes, it’s open to everyone, from beginners to the more experienced.
This diving trip in Hurghada is also ideal for beginners. It is very well supervised, with several instructors on board to accompany you throughout the day.
Among them, you’ll have a dedicated instructor who will be with you every step of the way. He’ll be right behind you during your diving sessions.
Children under 10 won’t be able to go snorkeling, but they will have the chance to try it out. The boat is also equipped with masks and snorkels.
Can I accompany a loved one?
It’s perfectly possible to climb aboard the catamaran to accompany someone. If you don’t want to dive, or if you’re too scared, you can stay on the boat or simply snorkel during breaks.
Can I dive even if I’ve flown?
Yes, as long as you allow 24 hours between the two. Don’t plan a flight just before or after your diving trip to Hurghada.
The decompression phenomenon is dangerous if you don’t respect this rest period. When you dive, you ingest gas bubbles into your body, which disappear naturally. But these bubbles can turn into nitrogen if you gain altitude, especially during a flight.
The same applies to the reverse journey. Beyond the risk of decompression sickness, the human body needs oxygen desaturation after having been subjected to such high atmospheric pressure.
The two extremes are not compatible, and it’s best to leave at least one day between the activity and your return flight.
Is there any danger from sharks?
The risk of being attacked by a shark is extremely low (one in 4 million). And in any case, sharks don’t usually attack people in groups, but rather those who are isolated, a few dozen meters from the shore.
Diving excursions in Hurghada take place in the sea, allowing you to enjoy this activity in complete safety.
Is it possible to take photos below the surface?
It depends on your equipment. A smartphone is not designed to go 10m underwater, even with a waterproof case. It’s better to be well equipped, especially with a GoPro.
If this is your first dive, the instructor will ask you to make a first dive without any equipment, so that you can get used to the first descent.
What’s more, you’ll find a photographer among our guides. At the start, he’ll offer to take pictures of you underwater. At the end of the day, you can retrieve these photos and videos (at an additional cost) directly from your phone.
For around twenty euros, you can buy souvenirs without worrying too much about it. You can pay in euros, dollars or Egyptian pounds, so bring some change.
What should I take with me on the excursion?
Although all equipment is provided at the start of the tour, you must wear a bathing suit and bring a beach towel. What’s more, you’ll be asked to pay €5 in taxes on the boat. Plan ahead for this too.
Last but not least, coffee and bottled water are available on site. All free of charge. So there’s no need to burden yourself with drinks.
This guide to diving in Hurghada has come to an end. You now know everything you need to know about this sea excursion. It’s the ideal way to discover the seabed and marvel at the beauty of the coral and fish.
Beginners are well catered for, and those who have already done so will be in for a real treat. The Red Sea is clearly famous for it!
