Scuba Diving Open Water PADI Course – Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh is a fine place to learn scuba skills, with the course moving from pool or shallow-water practice to boat sessions at Ras Mohammed National Park. You start with basic theory and equipment exercises, then work toward a maximum depth of 18 meters under a PADI instructor.

I like the clear progression and the two full boat days, which give you more than a quick introductory swim. I also like the patient teaching style associated with instructors Tamer, Khaled, and Ahmed. The main drawback is timing: the program is described as three days in one place and four days, with seven to eight sessions, in another. Confirm the exact schedule before booking.

Key points at a glance

• A real entry-level PADI course: No previous scuba experience is required, and the course is designed as your first step toward Open Water certification.
• Training before open water: You begin with theory, a DVD, and practice in a pool or shallow water before heading out by boat.
• Two boat days included: The program includes trips to Ras Mohammed National Park, with lunch, water, and soft drinks.
• Seven to eight sessions overall: The detailed course description gives a total of seven to eight underwater sessions, with a maximum depth of 18 meters.
• Calm instruction matters: Tamer, Khaled, and Ahmed are named as instructors, with patience and reassurance highlighted as key parts of the teaching.
• Budget for extra charges: The park fee is €5 per person per day in cash, while the course book and license fees are separate.

Starting with the basics in Sharm El Sheikh

This is not a one-hour tryout in a hotel pool. It is a structured PADI Open Water course for someone who wants to learn proper scuba procedures and work toward certification.

No earlier scuba experience is required. That makes the course suitable if you have always wanted to try it but do not want to commit to an advanced holiday program. The training begins with theory and basic exercises, giving you a chance to understand the equipment before you are asked to handle it in open water.

The first day may take place in a swimming pool or shallow water. Another option begins from the shore with an introduction session. The exact choice depends on the course arrangement, so ask which version you will receive when you book.

The course information also refers to an OWD Scuba Diver program as an intermediate step toward the full Open Water Diver qualification. Since the wording is not completely consistent, you should confirm exactly what certificate or course stage is included in the $420 price.

Day one: theory, equipment, and shallow-water practice

Your first day combines study with practical work. You receive the necessary theory book from the center, then work through the basic information needed for safe scuba use.

A DVD is part of the study process. You may watch it in your hotel in the evening if you bring a computer, or watch it during the shore-based portion of the course. This flexibility is useful, but it also means the course is not a carefree holiday activity. You need to set aside study time outside the water sessions.

The first practical work takes place in a pool or shallow water. Here you learn how the equipment feels, how to manage basic underwater tasks, and how to become comfortable before moving farther from shore.

That sequence is one of the strongest parts of the course. New swimmers often need time to adjust to breathing through a regulator and moving with a tank. A shallow start gives you room to slow down and repeat exercises instead of trying to learn everything at sea.

The teaching style matters here. Tamer is described as calm and willing to give students time to gain confidence. Khaled and Ahmed are also named as patient, kind, and good-humored instructors. You may not be assigned to one of these three people, but the course places clear value on a relaxed teaching approach.

Evening study and the real time commitment

The schedule deserves careful thought. One account of the course describes evening theory followed by five to six hours of practical work. That is a full day, especially if you are also dealing with hotel transfers and early starts.

I would not book this expecting to spend every afternoon sightseeing. You need concentration for the theory and energy for the practical sessions. If you are short on time in Sharm El Sheikh, the compact format is useful, but the pace can feel intensive.

The listed duration is approximately three days, while the fuller description says the course lasts four days and includes seven to eight sessions. That difference may reflect the alternate shore-based schedule, but it is still worth clarifying. Ask for the exact number of course days, the starting time, and the planned order of boat and shore work.

The two boat days at Ras Mohammed

The included boat trips are the main attraction for anyone choosing this course in Sharm El Sheikh. You spend two days on a boat and visit Ras Mohammed National Park, one of the area’s named marine sites.

The program lists three to five underwater stops. That is a useful range, but not a fixed promise of five sessions each day. Weather, teaching progress, and the day’s schedule may affect the final number.

Lunch, water, and soft drinks are included on the boat days. Those details matter more than they might seem. A boat outing can occupy much of the day, and having food and drinks supplied means you do not need to arrange them separately.

The park fee is extra: €5 per person per day, paid in cash on the spot. Since the program includes two boat days, you should budget for the possibility of paying the fee on both days. The stated fee is per person per day, not a single charge for the entire course.

Ras Mohammed gives the course a stronger setting than a series of pool exercises. You are not only practicing skills in a controlled environment. You are also learning how the equipment and procedures work during boat-based sessions in a major national park. Still, the instructor’s training plan comes first. You should not expect every stop to be a sightseeing session, since the purpose is to complete course exercises safely.

A shore-based alternative

The other course format begins with an introduction from the shore. You may watch the DVD at your hotel or during the shore portion, then continue with shore-based sessions on the following days.

This option may suit you if boat travel is not appealing or if you prefer to build confidence gradually. You stay closer to land while continuing your training, and the maximum depth remains 18 meters.

The tradeoff is simple. The boat option gives you the Ras Mohammed setting and the feel of a full marine outing. The shore option may offer a calmer introduction, but it does not provide the same two-day boat experience described in the main program.

Because both formats are presented, ask which one is available before paying. Do not assume the shore option is merely a shorter version of the boat course. The schedule, session locations, and overall feel may differ.

Depth, sessions, and certification expectations

The maximum stated depth is 18 meters. That is an important limit for a first-level course and gives you a clear idea of the training range.

The detailed description says you complete seven to eight sessions in total. The included information also refers to three to five stops, so the final number may vary depending on the day and the format chosen.

The course book is supplied by the scuba center, but the diving book and license fees are listed as not included. This is a point to settle before you arrive. The $420 price covers a large part of the teaching and activity package, but it is not the final cost if you need to pay for the book, license, and park fees separately.

The course is intended to help you become an Open Water Diver, but the description also calls the OWD Scuba Diver program an intermediate step. Ask the center whether the listed price includes the full PADI certification, only the instruction, or a stage that leads to certification after additional payment.

That question is not a minor detail. The value of the course depends heavily on what qualification you receive at the end.

What the $420 price covers

At $420 per person, the course costs more than a casual introductory underwater session. That is expected because you are paying for instruction across several days, multiple practical sessions, two boat outings, and hotel transportation.

The included package covers:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• A PADI instructor
• Two days of boat trips
• Three to five listed session stops
• Boat-based training at Ras Mohammed National Park
• Lunch, water, and soft drinks

I see good value here if you want structured training rather than a single trial. The boat days, instructor time, and transport add practical value. The course also saves you from arranging meals and getting to the marina or shore site on your own.

The price looks less attractive if you only want to see what scuba feels like once. In that case, a shorter introduction may suit you better. This program asks for study, repeated practice, and several days of commitment.

Remember to add the €5 daily national park fee, paid in cash. Also ask about the separate book and license costs. Group discounts are offered, so the price may work better if you are booking with friends or family.

Pickup, group size, and general comfort

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, which simplifies the practical side of the course. You do not need to arrange separate transport for each session, although you should confirm the pickup time with the operator.

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is a fairly large overall limit for a course built around instruction. The number of students in your specific teaching group may be smaller, but the supplied details do not give a guaranteed instructor-to-student ratio.

If personal attention is important to you, ask how the group will be divided during pool work and boat sessions. A calm instructor can make a major difference, especially when you are learning to control breathing and equipment. The best part of the teaching feedback is its focus on patience, but you should still confirm how many students will be with each instructor.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The information does not give a full medical, age, or swimming requirement, so ask the operator directly if you have a health concern or need a specific accommodation.

Who will get the most from this course

I would choose this course if you want a first serious step into scuba and have at least three or four days available. It is also a good fit if you want your training tied to boat outings at Ras Mohammed rather than staying entirely in a pool.

You will probably appreciate the course if you need a patient instructor. The teaching comments point to calm explanations, humor, and time to build confidence. That is especially useful if your first attempt at breathing underwater feels strange.

The course may not suit you if you want a loose schedule. Evening theory and five to six hours of practical work can make the days demanding. It is also not ideal if you want a guaranteed five stops on every boat day or if you dislike unclear pricing around books and licensing.

Families and groups should ask about the group discount. Friends booking together may find the total better value, especially with hotel transport and meals included.

Cancellation and practical booking advice

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted. The cut-off follows local Sharm El Sheikh time.

Before booking, I would ask four direct questions:

• Is the actual schedule three days or four?
• Does the $420 include the full PADI license?
• How much are the separate book and license fees?
• Will I follow the boat plan at Ras Mohammed or the shore-based option?

Those answers will tell you far more about the value than the headline price alone.

Should you book this Sharm El Sheikh course?

Book it if you want structured beginner training, two boat days, and a chance to work toward Open Water certification in a well-known local marine setting. The included transport, meals, instructor, and repeated sessions make the price reasonable for a full course, not a quick introduction.

I would pause if your holiday schedule is tight or if you need a firm all-inclusive price. The three-day versus four-day wording and separate book and license fees need clarification. If the center confirms the exact certification and schedule, this looks like a worthwhile choice for a first serious step into scuba, especially if you value calm instruction more than a rushed adventure.

FAQ

How long does the course last?

The program is described as approximately three days, while the fuller course details say four days with seven to eight sessions. Confirm the exact schedule before booking.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. The course states that no previous scuba experience is required.

What is the maximum depth?

The stated maximum depth is 18 meters.

How many underwater sessions are included?

The detailed course description says seven to eight sessions in total. The boat schedule lists three to five stops.

Are boat trips included?

Yes. Two days of boat trips are included in the course.

Where do the boat trips go?

The boat trips visit Ras Mohammed National Park.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, water, and soft drinks are included on the boat days.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Are the national park fees included?

No. The national park fee is €5 per person per day, paid in cash on the spot.

Are the course book and license fees included?

No. The diving book and license fees are listed as separate costs.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.