Scuba Diving Experience with Lunch & Transfer from Hurghada

Hurghada’s best calling card is below the waterline. This seven-hour Red Sea trip gives you two underwater sessions with a certified instructor, plus snorkeling, lunch, drinks, equipment, and hotel transport for $25. It is a straightforward way to sample the area without arranging each piece yourself.

I like the clean, simple package: two stops let you see more than one part of the coast, and the boat lunch keeps the day moving without sending you back to shore. I also like that beginners do not need to bring a box of gear, since scuba and snorkeling equipment are supplied.

The main caution is time underwater. Each session lasts only about 10 minutes, so this is an introduction rather than a full-length scuba day. The boat may carry up to 25 people, and the schedule also includes transport, lunch, changing locations, and time on deck.

Key points to know before booking

• Two Red Sea stops: You visit two separate locations, with a second chance to enter the water after lunch.
• Short underwater sessions: Each scuba session lasts about 10 minutes, so set your expectations accordingly.
• Certified instruction: A certified instructor explains the site and oversees the water activities.
• Lunch on board: A buffet lunch is served after the first session, with unlimited soft drinks included.
• Hotel pickup included: Air-conditioned transport takes you from your Hurghada hotel to the boat and back.
• Extra transfer charges: Pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, or Soma Bay costs extra.

What the $25 Hurghada boat day really includes

At $25 per person, this is priced as an accessible introduction to the Red Sea rather than a specialist scuba outing. The value comes from combining several costs in one booking: hotel pickup and return, boat transport, equipment, certified instruction, two water stops, lunch, and soft drinks.

If you arranged those parts separately, transport and equipment alone could make a short sea outing less convenient. Here, you pay one modest price and spend most of the day moving through a set program. That makes this a practical choice if you have only a short stay in Hurghada or want to try scuba without committing to a longer course.

The low price also tells you what kind of day to expect. You are buying a shared boat excursion, not a private charter. The maximum group size is 25 people, so the atmosphere may feel social and organized rather than quiet and personal. For many people, that is a fair trade for the cost.

The listed price applies to the main Hurghada pickup area. Transfers from Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh cost an additional 5 €/£ per person, while El Gouna and Soma Bay transfers are listed at 105 €/£ per person. The currency notation is not fully clear, so I would confirm the exact surcharge before paying if your hotel is outside central Hurghada.

An early start and an air-conditioned transfer

The stated meeting time is 8:00 am, while the excursion itself runs from about 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. That difference matters. Your hotel pickup may need to happen before the boat departure, so keep the morning free and be ready at the time given by the operator.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, an important comfort in Hurghada’s warm climate. The trip begins and ends with hotel transport, so you do not need to arrange a taxi to the harbor or worry about finding your way back after a full day at sea.

One useful point is that pickup and return are described as part of the main package for hotels in the covered area. If you are staying farther south or north, check the added transport fee before booking. A cheap boat ticket can look less cheap once a long hotel transfer is added.

The boat carries up to 25 people. That is not a huge group for a shared excursion, but it is large enough that water time and equipment preparation may follow a set order. If you prefer a private instructor, long personal coaching, or a flexible timetable, this may feel too structured.

Getting ready with supplied scuba and snorkeling equipment

Once aboard, a certified instructor introduces the site and explains the essentials of the activity. The supplied equipment means you do not need to travel with your own mask, fins, tank, or other scuba gear. Snorkeling equipment is also provided, which gives you a second way to enjoy the Red Sea if you do not want to spend both sessions below the surface.

The instruction is especially useful if you are new to scuba. You can ask about the equipment and the site before entering the water, rather than trying to work everything out alone. The information provided does not name individual instructors, but it does specify certified staff for both scuba and snorkeling.

I would treat this as a supervised introduction, not as a substitute for formal scuba training. The available information says most people can participate, but it does not provide a detailed medical policy, age rule, certification requirement, or depth information. If any of those points matter to you, ask the operator before booking.

The practical advantage of the shared equipment is convenience. The practical drawback is that fit and preparation can take time when several people are getting ready. Arrive with patience, listen closely to the instructor, and speak up if equipment does not feel right.

First Red Sea stop and the first underwater session

The boat cruises along the Red Sea coast before reaching the first water stop. Even before entering the sea, the cruise gives you open views of the water and the Egyptian coast. You can enjoy the boat ride, take in the sun, and settle into the rhythm of the day.

At the first site, the instructor explains the area and the basics of the session. Then you enter the water for the first look at the Red Sea’s underwater world. The water is described as crystal-clear, which helps make a short introduction worthwhile because you can focus on seeing rather than simply finding your way around.

The key detail is duration. One direct account says each session lasts about 10 minutes. That is enough to get a taste of the experience, see some underwater scenery, and decide if scuba appeals to you. It is not enough for an extended exploration or a relaxed, unhurried swim through a large site.

This is where expectation matters most. If you have already completed long recreational scuba outings elsewhere, the sessions may feel brief. If you are curious but cautious, the short format can be reassuring. You are not committing to a full day beneath the surface, and you still have snorkeling and deck time as alternatives.

The instructor is responsible for safety and site guidance. Follow the briefing closely, stay with the group, and do not treat the short duration as a reason to rush. A calm 10-minute session is more useful than a hurried one.

Lunch on board after the first session

After the first water stop, lunch is served as a buffet on board. This arrangement is one of the trip’s practical strengths. You do not lose time returning to the harbor, and you can eat while the boat prepares for the next location.

Lunch also gives you a natural break after the first session. You can dry off, rest, and enjoy the view before deciding how you want to use the second stop. Unlimited soft drinks are included, so you can keep refreshments nearby throughout the boat ride without paying for each one.

The information provided does not give a menu or identify special dietary options. If you have food restrictions, check before booking rather than assuming the buffet will meet your needs. The same applies if you want bottled water, coffee, or drinks beyond the included soft drinks, since only unlimited soft drinks are specifically listed.

I like the timing of the meal because it divides the day into two clear parts. The morning has the first sea activity, lunch resets the pace, and the afternoon offers another location. It feels more useful than spending the entire day in one place, even though the underwater time is limited.

The second stop, snorkeling, or more time in the sun

After lunch, the boat changes locations for the second water stop. This gives you a fresh setting and a second opportunity to enter the sea. You can choose scuba or snorkeling, depending on your comfort and interest.

That flexibility is valuable for mixed groups. One person can try scuba while another prefers snorkeling, and anyone who would rather remain on board can use the time to relax and enjoy the views. The exact arrangements for choosing between activities are not specified, so ask the crew how the second stop is organized once you are aboard.

Snorkeling may be the better choice if your first scuba session feels too short, too demanding, or simply not your style. From the surface, you can still see into clear water and take part in the Red Sea setting without using the full scuba kit.

The second stop is also the point where the short format becomes most noticeable. Two 10-minute sessions do not add up to a long period underwater. Still, the second location gives you variety, and the day is not solely judged by minutes below the surface. The boat ride, lunch, swimming, snorkeling, and open-air rest all form part of the experience.

Bring a sensible attitude toward sun exposure. The tour includes time on the water and complimentary drinks, but no sunscreen, towel, or personal items are listed among the inclusions. Those needs are best handled before departure.

What the boat day feels like for different kinds of visitors

This outing suits a first-time scuba participant who wants a guided trial in the Red Sea. You receive equipment, a briefing, an instructor, and two chances to enter the water without booking a longer course.

It also works well for a group with mixed interests. A confident swimmer can choose scuba, a less confident participant can snorkel, and someone who wants a slower day can stay on deck. The included lunch and hotel transport make it easy for a group to share the same day even if everyone does not take part in the same water activity.

Families and groups should note the activity wording carefully. Most people can participate, but no specific child age, swimming ability, or medical requirement is provided. For children or anyone with a health concern, confirm eligibility with New City Travel before payment.

Experienced scuba participants may find the format too short. You will not receive the same amount of underwater time as on a dedicated scuba charter, and a shared group schedule limits flexibility. I would choose this mainly for convenience, variety, and price, not for advanced underwater exploration.

The group size of up to 25 also affects the mood. You should expect other people sharing the boat, equipment process, lunch, and water stops. That can be lively and friendly, but it is not the setting for a private, silent day at sea.

Safety, comfort, and the points to confirm

The strongest operational detail is the presence of certified instructors. They introduce the area, explain the site, and supervise the scuba and snorkeling activities. A direct account also describes the pickup and return as on time, the ship as clean, and the dive master as experienced and attentive to safety. Those are useful signs for anyone choosing a low-cost water activity.

Still, I would ask a few practical questions before departure. Confirm the exact pickup time, the transfer price for your hotel, the food arrangements if you have dietary needs, and the requirements for anyone with a medical condition. The published details do not answer those points.

Weather also matters. The excursion requires good weather, and if poor conditions cause cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. That is sensible for a sea trip, but it means you should avoid scheduling it as the only possible activity on the final day of your holiday.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund, so watch the local cutoff time.

Should you book this Hurghada scuba experience?

I would book this if you want an inexpensive, organized introduction to the Red Sea with transport and meals handled for you. The combination of two locations, supplied equipment, certified instruction, lunch, soft drinks, and hotel return gives the $25 price real practical value.

I would not book it if your main goal is lengthy scuba time. The roughly 10-minute sessions are the central limitation, and a maximum group of 25 means the day follows a shared schedule. For a serious scuba enthusiast, a specialist trip with longer underwater periods may be a better match.

For everyone else, this is a sensible sampler. You can try scuba, switch to snorkeling, enjoy the boat, and see two parts of the coast without spending much. Confirm the transfer fee and the short session length first. If those terms suit you, New City Travel’s outing is a convenient way to meet the Red Sea without overcomplicating your Hurghada schedule.

FAQ

How long does the Hurghada scuba experience last?

The excursion lasts about seven hours. The stated daily schedule runs from approximately 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with an 8:00 am meeting time.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off from the covered Hurghada area are included in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Are scuba and snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The package includes both scuba equipment and snorkeling equipment, so you do not need to bring your own box of gear.

How many underwater stops are included?

The tour includes two diving stops at different locations along the Red Sea coast.

How long does each scuba session last?

Each session lasts about 10 minutes, according to the available experience details.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A buffet lunch is served on board after the first scuba session. Unlimited soft drinks are also included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.