REVIEW · HURGHADA

Scuba Diving Full Day Boat Trip for beginners With Lunch & Transfer – Hurghada

4.5 · 580 reviews From $24 Operated by Delight Trips · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

The best feature here is the chance for a first underwater experience without leaving less-experienced friends or family behind. Beginners use a shallow site with an instructor, while more confident participants can explore a different area with more depth, walls, fish, and coral.

I like the low $24 price, which covers transport, equipment, two scuba stops, lunch, and drinks. I also like the patient staff, especially guides such as Sultan, Mustafa, Hossum, Osama, and Mimo, who are repeatedly singled out for calm instruction and kind support.

The main thing to weigh is consistency. Some people report short underwater sessions, old or poorly fitting equipment, late pickup, or only one meaningful site. Bring patience, confirm extra costs, and treat the advertised two-stop plan as a flexible boat day rather than a tightly timed course.

Key points to know before you book

Scuba Diving Full Day Boat Trip for beginners With Lunch & Transfer – Hurghada - Key points to know before you book

  • Two different Red Sea stops: One is intended for beginners, while the other can suit more experienced scuba participants.
  • Patient instruction matters: Sultan, Mustafa, Hossum, Osama, and Mimo are among the guides praised for helping nervous first-timers.
  • Lunch is included onboard: You also receive water, soft drinks, coffee, and tea during the day.
  • Hotel transport is part of the deal: Pickup and return are included from Hurghada hotels in an air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Budget for extras: National park admission costs €5 in cash, and transfers from several nearby resort areas cost €10 per person.
  • Expect a group outing: The boat can carry up to 30 people, so you may wait while small groups enter the water.

What this Hurghada boat day is really like

Scuba Diving Full Day Boat Trip for beginners With Lunch & Transfer – Hurghada - What this Hurghada boat day is really like

This is a full-day Red Sea outing built around two chances to use scuba equipment, with swimming and snorkeling available while other people are in the water. You leave your Hurghada hotel in the morning, board a boat, receive instruction, spend time at the first site, eat lunch, then move to a second location before returning in the late afternoon.

The format works well for mixed groups. You can be a complete beginner while your companion already has underwater experience. The two groups do not need to follow exactly the same underwater plan, which makes this more useful than a basic introductory session designed only for first-timers.

At the same time, this is not a private lesson or a small luxury cruise. The maximum group size is 30, and equipment, timing, and staff attention may feel more basic than the low price suggests. I would book it for a friendly introduction to the Red Sea, not for a carefully planned technical outing.

Morning pickup from your Hurghada hotel

Scuba Diving Full Day Boat Trip for beginners With Lunch & Transfer – Hurghada - Morning pickup from your Hurghada hotel

The listed start time is 8:00 am, with hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle. That transfer removes one of the annoying parts of arranging a boat outing in Hurghada, especially if you do not know the marina or want to avoid negotiating a taxi before breakfast.

Pickup reliability appears to be one area where the day can vary. Some people report smooth, punctual transport, while another account describes a delay of about 40 minutes. I would keep your morning free, have your phone available, and avoid scheduling another activity immediately afterward.

The advertised hotel transfer applies to Hurghada. If you stay in El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh, an additional €10 per person is payable in cash on the day. A €5 national park admission fee is also listed, paid in cash locally. At this price, these costs are not surprising, but you should know about them before you leave the hotel.

Getting ready for your first underwater session

Scuba Diving Full Day Boat Trip for beginners With Lunch & Transfer – Hurghada - Getting ready for your first underwater session

Once aboard, the crew provides scuba equipment and safety equipment, then organizes people according to ability. The first stop is intended for beginners, so it is the key part of the day if you have never used a tank before.

Expect guidance on the equipment, basic safety, and how to manage yourself in the water. Several people describe the instructors as patient with nervous participants, non-swimmers, children, and first-time users. One family particularly valued the effort made to help a non-swimmer take part, while younger family members were encouraged to try at their own pace.

That kind of personal support is important. Scuba can feel awkward at first, and a calm instructor can make the difference between relaxing and panicking. You should still be honest about your comfort level. Tell the instructor if you need a slower start, a better-fitting mask, or more time to understand the breathing equipment.

The equipment is the main caution. Some accounts praise the setup, while others describe older gear and poor size options for a partner or child. Since fit affects both comfort and safety, check the mask, fins, buoyancy equipment, and other items before entering the water. If something feels wrong, ask for a replacement rather than trying to make do.

The first Red Sea site: gentle conditions, limited time

Scuba Diving Full Day Boat Trip for beginners With Lunch & Transfer – Hurghada - The first Red Sea site: gentle conditions, limited time

The first stop is designed to introduce you to the underwater world without requiring advanced experience. This is where you get your bearings, practice basic movement, and begin looking at coral and fish with an instructor nearby.

Do not assume that a beginner site will offer a long, dramatic underwater journey. Some accounts describe each session as roughly 10 minutes, while other descriptions suggest a more satisfying experience. Your actual time can depend on confidence, conditions, group rotation, and how many people need instruction.

That variation is worth understanding before booking. If this is your first time, a short session may be enough to decide if you enjoy breathing underwater. If you already have scuba experience, the beginner stop may feel too restricted, especially if the group is large or the water time is brief.

The Red Sea itself is the reason to try. Fish and coral are the main attraction, and sightings can include lionfish and barracuda. There is no guarantee of particular marine life, but the natural setting gives this affordable boat trip its real value.

Lunch and a pause between water sessions

After the first water session, the boat serves an open-buffet lunch. Water, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are also included, so you do not need to arrange a separate meal during the day.

Lunch receives some of the strongest praise attached to the experience. I would still keep expectations practical: this is a boat buffet, not a restaurant meal. Its value is that it is ready when you need it, included in the price, and served without sending you back to shore.

The pause also gives you time to dry off and recover. You can swim or snorkel while another small group uses the equipment, or simply relax on the boat. If you are new to scuba, this break is useful because the first session can be more tiring than expected.

Group rotation is part of the rhythm. People may enter the water in pairs or groups of three, which means you may wait your turn. Bring sun protection and something to occupy yourself between sessions, though the included refreshments and open water provide much of the day’s entertainment.

The second site for stronger swimmers and experienced users

The boat then moves to a second location. This stop is intended to offer more for people with previous experience, including deeper areas and walls. It can also give a confident beginner a chance to enjoy the water after getting comfortable at the first site.

This is where the mixed-ability format makes sense. An experienced companion is not limited to a purely introductory outing, while you can stay with the instructor and choose snorkeling or swimming instead of taking part in the second scuba session.

The phrase two stops should not be read as a promise of two equally long or equally dramatic sessions. Several accounts describe the schedule as flexible, with one location feeling more worthwhile than the other. Weather, boat operations, group size, and instructor availability can all affect how much time you actually spend underwater.

If you want the second stop to be the highlight, ask the crew early how the groups will be arranged. Also explain whether you want to focus on coral, fish, photography, or simply becoming comfortable. Clear communication is particularly useful when the boat has many participants.

Snorkeling, swimming, and time on deck

Scuba Diving Full Day Boat Trip for beginners With Lunch & Transfer – Hurghada - Snorkeling, swimming, and time on deck

You do not have to spend the whole day using scuba equipment. Snorkeling and swimming are listed as alternatives, and they make the outing workable for companions who decide they do not want a second underwater session.

This flexibility is a genuine advantage for families and mixed groups. A nervous person can try the first session and then stop. An experienced participant can remain active. Someone waiting for a turn can use the surface time rather than sitting inside the boat.

The boat setting is part of the appeal, but it also means you are exposed to sun, wind, and motion for much of the day. Bring a swimsuit, towel, sun protection, and cash for the listed fees and optional purchases. These practical items matter more here than dressing up or packing a long list of sightseeing gear.

Photos, video, tips, and the real cost

The $24 price is unusually low for an eight-hour boat outing that includes hotel transport, equipment, instructors, two planned stops, lunch, and drinks. Even after the €5 admission fee, it can be strong value if your main goal is to try scuba and see the Red Sea without committing to a full certification course.

You should budget beyond the advertised price. Tips are commonly expected, and several people recommend carrying extra cash for the crew. The amount is not fixed in the information provided, so decide in advance what you are comfortable giving and treat it as a personal choice, not a surprise charge.

Photography and video are optional extras. A photographer may record one of the underwater sessions, and one account gives a price of about 1,000 Egyptian pounds or €35. Another account describes a $10 video delivered through WhatsApp, with concern about the final 480p quality. Prices and quality may change, so ask for the current cost, format, and delivery method before agreeing.

If you would rather concentrate on learning and looking at fish, tell the instructor you do not want filming. That simple request can help you enjoy the session without a camera following you.

Safety, comfort, and who should choose this

This experience is aimed at beginners and experienced participants, with a professional instructor and safety equipment included. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed according to the supplied details.

Still, beginner-friendly does not mean risk-free or perfectly personalized. You need to speak up about medical concerns, fear, poor equipment fit, or difficulty breathing through the regulator. The crew can only help with problems they know about.

I think the trip suits:

  • First-time scuba users who want a low-cost introduction
  • Families with older children who meet the operator’s participation requirements
  • Couples or friends with different levels of experience
  • Experienced participants who want a simple day on the Red Sea
  • People who value transport and lunch being handled for them

I would be more cautious if you want long underwater sessions, a private instructor, high-end equipment, exact timing, or a guaranteed list of marine animals. The experience is built for access and volume, not tailored luxury.

Booking details and cancellation

Confirmation is provided when you book, and the activity starts at 8:00 am. The maximum group size is 30, so asking about the expected number of people may help you set realistic expectations, although the listed capacity is the only group-size detail available.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the local start time are not refunded or accepted.

The operator is Delight Trips. Communication receives strong praise, including late replies from Muhammad, so keep your booking messages available and use them to confirm pickup, resort location, extra transfer charges, and cash requirements.

Should you book this Hurghada scuba trip?

I would book this if you want an inexpensive first look at the Red Sea and like the convenience of hotel pickup, lunch, equipment, and instruction in one package. The patient guides and mixed-ability format are its strongest qualities, and the price leaves room in your budget for tips and optional photos.

I would skip it if your priority is premium equipment, guaranteed long sessions, or a private underwater experience. The day can be well organized and memorable, but it can also involve waiting, short sessions, flexible site plans, and basic gear.

For the best chance of enjoying it, bring cash, arrive ready for a full day on the water, check every piece of equipment, and tell the instructor exactly how confident you feel. If you approach it as a friendly introduction rather than a formal certification course, this Hurghada boat trip offers a lot for the money.

FAQ

Where does the scuba boat trip take place?

The experience begins in Hurghada and takes you by boat to Red Sea sites. Hotel pickup and return are included for hotels in Hurghada.

What time does the experience start?

The listed start time is 8:00 am.

How long does the trip last?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including hotel transfers, time on the boat, two planned scuba stops, lunch, and the return journey.

Are beginners allowed to participate?

Yes. One of the two stops is intended for beginners, and professional instructors provide guidance and safety equipment.

Can experienced scuba participants join?

Yes. The trip is designed for beginners and experienced participants traveling together. The second stop is intended to suit people with more experience.

Is lunch included?

Yes. An open-buffet lunch is served onboard. Water, soft drinks, coffee, and tea are also included.

Are extra fees required?

A €5 national park admission fee is payable in cash on the spot. Pickup from El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh costs an additional €10 per person in cash.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations and changes made less than 24 hours before the local start time are not accepted or refunded.

More dives like this

Scuba Diving for Beginners, compared.

The full Scuba Diving for Beginners list →
First-Time Scuba Diving in Honolulu + Free Videos
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 3,123 reviews· from $89

First-Time Scuba Diving in Honolulu + Free Videos

Read our review →
Beginner Scuba Diving with Turtles and Videos, San Juan
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 1,743 reviews· from $109

Beginner Scuba Diving with Turtles and Videos, San Juan

Read our review →
Intro Diving 2 Stops For Beginners with Pick-up and Lunch – Hurghada
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 1,146 reviews· from $40

Intro Diving 2 Stops For Beginners with Pick-up and Lunch – Hurghada

Read our review →
Beginner Scuba Diving Experience with Video Package in Honolulu
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 877 reviews· from $77

Beginner Scuba Diving Experience with Video Package in Honolulu

Read our review →
Mallorca: Discover Scuba Diving for Beginners
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 805 reviews· from $176

Mallorca: Discover Scuba Diving for Beginners

Read our review →
Funchal: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners
★★★★★★★★★★4.9· 715 reviews· from $53

Funchal: Scuba Diving Experience for Beginners

Read our review →
Tenerife: Beginner’s Dive at a Spot with Turtle Sightings
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 627 reviews· from $82

Tenerife: Beginner’s Dive at a Spot with Turtle Sightings

Read our review →
Santorini: Scuba Diving Experience in Caldera for Beginners
★★★★★★★★★★4.9· 597 reviews· from $106

Santorini: Scuba Diving Experience in Caldera for Beginners

Read our review →
Scroll to Top

Where do you want to get in the water?

Choose a coast, a certification level, or an animal.