Hurghada, Professionals Diving in Open Water Tour with Lunch

A Red Sea day with clear, guided calm. I love the small-group setup and the open-water instruction that gives you two separate underwater sessions, not just a quick try. One thing to consider: service quality is not identical on every day, so it is smart to confirm equipment fit and language support before you get on the boat.

This is a straightforward day: hotel pickup, a cruise out, then back to shore in the late afternoon. You also get onboard lunch plus drinks, so you are not spending the whole day hungry and sunburned.

Key things I’d plan around

• Small group size (10 max), which usually means more hands-on attention
• Two separate open-water scuba sessions with a break in between for food
• Onboard lunch, mineral water, and soft drinks included
• Snorkeling time built in if you want to stay shallower
• Tank and weights included, so you can travel lighter
• Languages offered (English, French, German, Russian) for the briefing

Hurghada Red Sea Day, built for calm confidence

This is an 8-hour Hurghada outing that focuses on real open-water scuba, led by instructors who manage the whole flow. The point is simple: you get guided instruction, you go underwater twice, and you have time on the surface to recover and enjoy the scenery.

The Red Sea part matters. Even if you are new, you are still seeing big colors, good visibility days when conditions cooperate, and plenty of marine life when you are in the right spots. The boat ride also gives you a chance to look back at the coastline as you head out, instead of feeling like you are locked in one place all day.

The best version of this day feels like structure without pressure. You start with clear guidance, you do your first underwater session, then you eat and reset, then you do a second session with more confidence.

Pickup and the small-group vibe in air-conditioned comfort

Your day starts with pickup from your Hurghada hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. This is not the usual grab-and-go chaos. You are also told to send your room number so the guide can recognize you, which helps the first step feel smoother.

Once you reach the meeting point, you go in through a separate entrance to skip the line. That saves time, and it matters because the total schedule is tight enough that every extra delay adds up.

The group is limited to 10 participants, and that is a big deal for scuba. Smaller groups tend to make it easier for an instructor to check your gear, review your plan, and keep track of who is ready. It is also the difference between feeling like a number and feeling like the instructor can actually see what you are doing.

If you are the type who dislikes waiting around, this format is a plus. Less crowding, more control of the day’s rhythm.

The boat schedule, from sailing to your first water check

The itinerary is built around clear blocks. You will be on the water with a sailing segment of about 40 minutes before the first underwater session.

A common rhythm looks like this: you travel out, get a site orientation, then you go in for your first open-water scuba session. That first session is timed at about 35 minutes. It is long enough to get a feel for buoyancy and breathing, but short enough that beginners are not overwhelmed.

After you surface, you have a real break. There is onboard lunch around 45 minutes, plus mineral water and soft drinks during the meal. You also get time to relax, which is underrated. Scuba days tire people out even when they are not doing anything “hard.” Sitting, hydrating, and letting your ears normalize helps you enjoy the second session more.

Then you move to a second site for the next scuba session, about 30 minutes, followed by optional shallower water time.

Scuba gear and briefing: what you actually get

What is included is practical and useful. You get tank and weights, so you do not need to budget for rentals or carry heavy gear through the city.

You also get an onboard live guide with languages listed as English, French, German, and Russian. That is helpful because scuba instruction is not the place to guess. You need to understand hand signals, breathing cues, entry and exit points, and what your instructor expects you to do.

There is one extra cost not included: instructor fees of €4 cash. You will want to have that ready so the day does not stall at the wrong moment.

Before you go in, plan to bring comfortable shoes and a sun hat, and wear something you can get wet in. The day is long, you are outside, and you will appreciate anything that keeps you from overheating before your first entry.

If you care about language, aim to match your strongest language to the guide’s available briefing language. One account mentioned difficulty when the French guide was not available, which is exactly the kind of mismatch that can make a briefing feel harder than it should.

First open-water scuba session, when instructors set the tone

Your first underwater session is about 35 minutes. For beginners, that timing often works well because it lets you experience key moments without pushing too far. For more experienced swimmers, it is still a good way to confirm the plan for the site and your comfort level.

The way the instruction is handled can make or break the experience. In a positive account, the instructor stayed very close during the first underwater session, even holding a companion’s arm to keep things calm and controlled. Then, once the instructor saw they could manage themselves, the group was given more autonomy, with the instructor still in front but not constantly hovering.

That approach is the sweet spot. It means you get reassurance when you need it, then you get room to breathe and move when you are ready.

Still, you should keep one eye on your comfort. If you feel cold, nervous, or unsure, tell your instructor early. Scuba is not the moment for silent bravery. The more clearly you communicate at the surface, the smoother your underwater experience usually feels.

Lunch on the boat: included, and worth using

After the first underwater session, you get onboard lunch for about 45 minutes. This matters because your body is coming back from a stressful activity. Even if you felt fine, you are likely hungry, slightly dehydrated, and ready to sit down.

You are also provided mineral water and soft drinks. That means you can focus on eating and rehydrating instead of searching for a drink somewhere later.

What I like about this lunch setup is the timing. You do not eat five hours after your first entry. You eat when your energy is actually needed, then you can jump back in for the second session with less risk of feeling flat.

If you get seasick easily, this is still one of the quieter parts of the day because you are seated and moving slowly. But your mileage depends on sea conditions.

Second scuba session plus snorkeling time for the curious

The second underwater session is about 30 minutes, and you go to a new site. Changing sites is not just variety. It often reduces boredom and can give you a different mix of underwater features and marine life.

After that second session, you have about 45 minutes listed for snorkeling. That is a nice option if you want to stay shallower, enjoy a no-pressure way to see more, or just keep your momentum going without doing another full scuba check.

You might also find yourself with the choice to snorkel or swim if you feel like it. The goal is simple: keep the day enjoyable, not repetitive.

If you are a beginner, snorkeling time is a great buffer. Even if your first underwater session made you work harder than you expected, snorkeling can help you end the day with a smile.

Price and what you actually get for $72

At about $72 per person for an 8-hour day, the value is strongest when you use the full package. Here is what you get without extra renting costs: round-trip transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle, tank and weights, lunch, mineral water, and soft drinks, plus the onboard guide and small-group service.

Then there is the one stated add-on: instructor fees of €4 cash. It is not huge, but it is still a cost, and it is easy to forget if you only look at the headline price.

When the day runs well, you are paying for real open-water structure, not just transportation and a boat ride. Two underwater sessions, a second site, and snorkeling time are a lot for a day that also includes food.

If you are comparing prices, be careful. Some cheaper options on similar routes offer less guidance time, fewer sessions, or no meals. Here, the inclusion list helps you avoid those hidden costs.

Language, staff attention, and the small red flags to take seriously

Most accounts point to good staff attention and solid underwater help, especially for first-time scuba participants. The best experiences seem to come from instructors who adjust their approach based on your comfort, staying close at first and then giving you room once you demonstrate control.

But I would rather steer you straight than paint everything rosy. A small number of critical reports raised serious concerns that you should treat as real warning signs, not just complaints. Examples included missing wetsuit sizes on the day, very short underwater time due to oxygen supply issues, and claims of poor organization. One report even named the operator Oussama and mentioned issues attributed to the center (COLONA).

I cannot tell you how your specific day will go. What I can say is this: if wetsuit fit matters to you, ask ahead for your size range and confirm it is available. If you are relying on French, German, or Russian for understanding the briefing, confirm that the correct language guide will be present on your departure.

And if something feels off at the start, speak up early. You are paying for an experience with safety as the baseline. You do not want to discover problems only once you are already in the water.

Who this trip suits, and who should skip it

This trip is described as suitable for beginners and experts who want to enjoy the Red Sea waters. That makes sense if the instruction is done well, because the first underwater session can be a check-in for beginners, while the second session and snorkeling time can be more relaxed for confident swimmers.

It also suits people who want a full-day program but still like breaks. Lunch is onboard, the schedule has clear pacing, and you are not stuck doing only one thing for hours.

On the other hand, it is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users. Pets are also not allowed.

If you have motion sickness issues or you hate boats, you might want to consider how you feel about open-water time and the sailing segment before the first session. The schedule assumes you can handle time on the water.

Should you book this Hurghada scuba day?

I would book it if you want a structured small-group day that includes two underwater sessions, onboard lunch and drinks, and snorkeling time, all with tank and weights included. The overall setup is good value, especially when you use the included meals to keep your energy up.

I would think twice, or pick another option, if you have very specific needs around wetsuit sizing, language support, or you strongly prefer a track record with zero red flags. Based on past accounts, it is not enough to assume equipment and guidance will always be perfect.

Best move: before you go, ask the operator to confirm the briefing language for your group and your wetsuit size availability if you need a specific fit. Then show up early, listen carefully, and treat the first underwater session as your foundation. Do that, and this day can be an excellent Red Sea introduction, or a relaxing second outing with real guidance.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts 8 hours.

Where is the pickup location?

Pickup is from your hotel in Hurghada.

Is the group small?

Yes, it is limited to 10 participants.

What underwater activities are included?

You get 2 scuba sessions in open water, plus snorkeling time is also included.

What is included with the tour price?

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

Is an instructor fee included?

No. Instructor fees are not included and are €4 cash.

What languages are available for the guide?

The live tour guide offers English, French, German, and Russian.

What should I bring?

You should bring comfortable shoes and a sun hat.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

It is not suitable for pregnant women or wheelchair users.

Are pets allowed on this tour?

No, pets are not allowed.