Sharm el Sheikh: PADI Diving Courses Package

Sharm el Sheikh gives beginners a friendly introduction to scuba: warm water, good visibility, calm conditions, and coral reefs close to town. The three-day PADI Open Water course starts in a pool, then moves to shore and boat sessions, so you gain confidence in stages rather than being dropped straight into deep water.

I like the patient teaching style built into this course, especially the calm approach associated with instructors such as Yasser and Ahmet. I also like the setting: Ras Muhammad offers colorful marine life and clear water, while the boat days make the course feel like a proper Red Sea outing, not just a classroom exercise.

The main drawback is the extra cost. The $351 price does not include equipment rental, PADI certification and book fees, meals, drinks, or the marina charge. You also need to plan around the course, since you should wait at least 18 hours after your last underwater session before flying.

Key points to know before booking

• Three ways to take part: Choose a trial lesson, a three-day Open Water course, or a two-day Advanced Open Water course.
• Pool first, sea later: The standard course uses the first day for theory and pool training before open-water sessions.
• Ras Muhammad is the main attraction: Expect a yacht outing, coral reefs, clear water, and several hours around one of South Sinai’s best-known marine areas.
• Patient instruction matters: Yasser and Ahmet are singled out for calm, careful teaching that helps nervous beginners build trust.
• Budget for the extras: Equipment costs €15 per day, while certification and the course book cost about €100, with seasonal variation.
• It is not for everyone: You must be at least 10, complete a medical questionnaire, and be comfortable in the water. Non-swimmers and pregnant women should not book.

Why Sharm el Sheikh works so well for a first scuba course

I can think of few better places to learn basic scuba skills than the Red Sea around Sharm el Sheikh. The water is warm, visibility is generally strong, and the area offers shallow coral gardens as well as more serious sites for people who continue their training.

That variety matters. A beginner needs more than pretty scenery. You need enough room to practice breathing, buoyancy, mask clearing, and other basic skills without feeling rushed. Calm conditions can make it easier to focus on what your instructor is saying and how your equipment feels.

The course follows the PADI system, which is widely recognized. Once you complete the required training and certification, you can use that qualification for scuba trips in other parts of the world. This is a useful choice if you want a lasting skill rather than a single holiday activity.

You do not need previous experience for the trial session or the three-day Open Water course. You do need an existing certification for the two-day Advanced course. That distinction is important, since the Advanced option is not a shortcut for a first-time participant.

The three formats, and which one fits you

The trial lesson is the cautious choice. You spend several hours learning the basics and then take one underwater session. It lets you find out how you feel wearing the equipment and breathing underwater before paying for a full qualification.

This option suits you if you are curious but unsure, or if you have limited time in Sharm el Sheikh. It does not provide the same training depth as the full course, so think of it as an introduction rather than a certificate path.

The three-day Open Water course is the main option for beginners. Day one includes theory and pool work. Days two and three move into open water, with the final day including the certification exam.

This schedule has a sensible rhythm. The pool gives you a controlled place to learn essential skills. The following sessions let you use those skills in the sea while an instructor is nearby. One participant described a progression from pool practice to shore work and then a boat session, which is a useful sign for anyone who wants a gradual introduction.

The two-day Advanced Open Water course is for people who already completed the three-day course and hold a certification. It allows you to increase your maximum depth to 30 meters and takes place over two days on the open water from a yacht.

Do not choose the Advanced course simply because it is shorter. It assumes you already know how to set up your equipment, manage basic underwater skills, and respond to instruction in open water.

Pickup from Sharm el Sheikh and the ride to the marina

Hotel pickup and return transport are included from Sharm el Sheikh hotels. The exact pickup time arrives by WhatsApp about 24 hours before the course, and pickup usually takes place roughly 90 minutes before the activity begins. Another estimate places the pickup around one hour before, so keep the morning flexible rather than arranging a tight breakfast or transfer.

The drive to the marina takes about 35 minutes by bus or coach. That is not a long ride, but an early start and several hours at sea can make the day feel full. Wear practical clothes, bring water, and do not assume that meals or drinks are included.

The marina charge is €10 per person for each yacht day. For the three-day Open Water course, that generally means two yacht days. For the Advanced course, it means one yacht day. You can pay on arrival or prepay through the available add-on, but if you select the add-on, it needs to be selected twice per person for the standard Open Water option.

What the Ras Muhammad day is like

The sea journey to Ras Muhammad takes about two hours. That boat ride is part of the appeal, giving you time to settle in and take in the coast before the practical work begins. It also means you should prepare for a full day rather than a short lesson.

The first scheduled underwater session is about 40 minutes. For a beginner, that is long enough to practice useful skills and observe the reef without turning the first session into an endurance test. Your instructor remains the key part of the day, especially if you are anxious about depth or unfamiliar equipment.

Ras Muhammad is known for clear water, coral formations, and varied marine life. The exact animals and reef conditions can change, but the setting gives you something to look at while you practice. That helps the course feel less like a repetitive exercise and more like an introduction to the Red Sea itself.

Lunch takes about an hour. Meals and drinks are not included, so check what you need to bring or budget for separately. A simple lunch break is also useful because the day combines sun, sea air, physical effort, and concentration.

The later boat period lasts about three hours and includes more time in the water. This is where the course starts to feel like a real open-water qualification rather than a pool lesson. You will have more opportunity to repeat skills, get used to moving underwater, and look around the reef once the basic exercises become more familiar.

The return sailing period is about 45 minutes before arrival back in Sharm el Sheikh. Times on the water can feel longer than they look on paper, so bring sunscreen, a towel, swimwear, water, and comfortable clothing for the ride home.

The instructors make the biggest difference

Scuba training is technical, but trust is just as important. The strongest descriptions of this course focus on instructors who explain carefully, stay calm, and help nervous people take things one step at a time.

Yasser is praised for being kind, helpful, and clear while teaching the basic skills. Ahmet receives especially strong recognition for working with a young participant, building confidence, and allowing the learner to progress calmly. Those details matter more than flashy promises. A good instructor should make you feel safe enough to ask questions and slow things down when needed.

English, German, and Italian are available. The experience can also be arranged as a private group, which may suit families, couples, or friends who prefer a more personal setting. The supplied information does not promise a private instructor for every booking, so confirm the group arrangement if that point matters to you.

One participant had a booking mix-up, even though the actual scuba session was considered excellent. That is a reminder to check your confirmation, pickup details, selected course, and add-ons before the activity date. The WhatsApp message sent 24 hours beforehand is useful, but I would still keep your booking information handy.

The real cost of the $351 price

At $351 per person, the package is not a cheap add-on to a beach holiday. It becomes better value if you want a recognized qualification and expect to use it again.

The price includes hotel transport, a PADI-certified instructor, theory lessons, the relevant pool or open-water training, and the yacht component for the three-day or Advanced option. Those are the core pieces you would need to arrange separately if you built the course yourself.

You need to add €15 per day for equipment rental. The PADI certification fee and classroom book cost around €100, although the exact amount varies by season. Meals, drinks, and marina entrance charges are also extra.

That makes the final cost noticeably higher than the advertised starting figure. Still, the value is reasonable if you compare it with the benefit of leaving Egypt with a certification you can use elsewhere. It is less attractive if you only want one quick underwater look. In that case, the trial session may be the more sensible choice.

Who should book this course

I would recommend the three-day course to a first-time participant who can spare three days and wants a proper foundation. It suits people who enjoy structured learning, want guidance from a certified instructor, and may continue scuba on future trips.

It can also work well for someone who is nervous about the sea. The pool session and gradual progression give you time to become comfortable. The calm teaching style linked with Yasser and Ahmet is particularly valuable for anyone who worries about deep water.

The trial session suits you if you are testing the idea or have a short stay. The Advanced course suits you only if you already hold the required certification and want to progress toward a 30-meter maximum depth.

This is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, people with heart problems, or children under 10. Everyone must complete a medical questionnaire before taking part. If you have a medical concern that is not covered clearly, get advice before booking rather than hoping it will be fine at the marina.

Small details that make the day easier

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, water, and comfortable clothes. Do not touch plants or leave litter in the sea. These are simple rules, but coral environments are easily damaged, and responsible behavior is part of becoming a better scuba participant.

Keep your schedule open after the final session. You should wait at least 18 hours after scuba before flying, so do not book a same-day flight or plan the course immediately before your departure.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Pickup is included, but the exact time is not fixed until the WhatsApp message arrives. English, German, and Italian instruction are available, and private groups can be requested.

The overall rating is 4.9 from six ratings, with the most consistent praise aimed at the instructors, the reef setting, and the patient way beginners are brought into the sport. The one clear caution is that booking details need attention, particularly when adding marina fees and confirming the correct course.

Should you book the Sharm el Sheikh PADI course?

Book it if you want more than a one-time look at the Red Sea. The three-day format gives you pool preparation, open-water practice, a yacht outing, and a path to a certificate recognized around the world. Ras Muhammad adds the scenery and marine life that make the training feel worthwhile.

Choose the trial session if you are uncertain, and choose Advanced only if you already hold the required qualification. Before paying, calculate the added cost of equipment, certification, course materials, meals, drinks, and marina fees.

For a first scuba qualification in a warm, clear setting with patient instruction, this is a strong option. Just allow enough time, check the pickup arrangements, and leave an 18-hour gap before flying.

FAQ

How long does the PADI course take?

The beginner Open Water course takes three days. The Advanced Open Water course takes two days. A trial lesson lasts several hours and includes one underwater session.

Is previous scuba experience required?

No previous experience is required for the trial lesson or the three-day Open Water course. The two-day Advanced course requires an existing certification.

What is the maximum depth for the Advanced course?

The Advanced course allows you to increase your dive depth to 30 meters.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from hotels in Sharm el Sheikh. You receive the exact pickup time and location by WhatsApp about 24 hours before the activity.

How far is Ras Muhammad from Sharm el Sheikh?

The itinerary includes about 35 minutes by coach to the marina, followed by roughly two hours of sailing to Ras Muhammad.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Meals and drinks are not included in the package.

How much does equipment rental cost?

Equipment rental costs €15 per day.

Are PADI certification fees included?

No. The certification fee and classroom book cost around €100, with the exact amount varying by season.

Do I have to pay a marina entrance fee?

Yes. The mandatory marina entrance fee is €10 per person for each yacht day. The Open Water course generally uses two yacht days, while the Advanced course uses one.

Can I fly after the course?

You should wait at least 18 hours after scuba before flying. Plan your final underwater session with that rule in mind.