REVIEW · HURGHADA
2 Dive Stops Intro Scuba Diving With Lunch & Transfer – Hurghada
Book on Viator →Operated by Dolphins Travel · Bookable on Viator
Two underwater sessions in Hurghada can change your vacation fast. What I like most is the patient instructors and the chance to do two underwater stops in one day, which helps you settle in. One possible snag: the included lunch seems a bit inconsistent, with at least one note that it could be better.
This is set up as a full-day 8-hour boat trip out of Hurghada Marina, with hotel pickup and drop-off plus scuba equipment ready for you. You’ll get a briefing and training before you head in, and the crew stays focused on comfort and safety—especially for first-timers.
With a maximum of 40 people, it won’t feel like a party bus. Still, you should plan on cash for national park fees if you’re staying mindful of budget.
In This Review
- Key things I’d watch for before you go
- Two Underwater Stops From Hurghada Marina: The Big Picture
- Morning Pickup and the 8-Hour Boat Schedule
- Training Before You Go In: What the Briefing Really Does
- First Reef Session: Your First Taste of Red Sea Life
- Boat Time Between Stops: Lunch, Drinks, and a Photographer If You Want One
- Second Underwater Stop: Why It Often Feels Easier
- Price and Value Check: Why $21 Can Be a Smart Deal
- What You Should Budget For: Park Fees and Cash Transfers
- The Kind of Travelers This Trip Fits Best
- Should You Book This Hurghada Intro Scuba Trip?
- FAQ
- What time does the experience start?
- How long is the boat trip?
- Does the price include hotel pickup and drop-off?
- Are scuba equipment and a professional instructor included?
- How many underwater stops are included?
- Is lunch included, and what’s included with it?
- Are national park admission fees included in the price?
- Do I need to pay extra for transfers from other areas?
- Is free cancellation available?
- What’s the maximum group size?
Key things I’d watch for before you go

- Two underwater stops in one outing: you get a first try and a second chance to feel more comfortable
- Calm, patient guidance: people specifically call out how instructors slow things down for nervous first-timers
- A full boat day with lunch and drinks: lunch plus soda/pop and water is part of the package
- Group size capped at 40: enough people for a lively day, not so many you disappear in the crowd
- Equipment is included: you’re not spending your time hunting for gear
- National park fees are paid on the spot: bring cash so you’re not stuck at the dock
Two Underwater Stops From Hurghada Marina: The Big Picture

This intro scuba experience is built for people who want to try the Red Sea without turning their holiday into a training marathon. You start in Hurghada, get picked up, and head to the marina for a day on the water. The big promise is simple: you’ll do two underwater stops with a professional instructor guiding you.
That two-stop format matters more than it sounds. The first time you’re suited up and in the water, you’re busy just getting your bearings. By the second stop, you usually have better control of your breathing and buoyancy, so the experience feels more like exploring and less like figuring it out.
You also get a break in the middle: after the first underwater stop, you’ll head back onboard and eat. That lunch-and-boat time is part of why this feels like a true day trip, not a quick half-hour thrill.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Hurghada.
Morning Pickup and the 8-Hour Boat Schedule
The day kicks off at 8:00am. Pickup and drop-off are included, and you’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle to Hurghada Marina. From there, the tour is listed as an 8-hour boat excursion, so you’re committing to a long, full schedule.
One practical note: some areas outside Hurghada may require an extra paid transfer on the spot. The tour lists transfers as paid cash on spot for Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay. If you’re coming from one of those places, I’d set aside some extra cash before you leave your hotel.
Also, the tour has a maximum group size of 40 travelers. In plain terms, you’re more likely to get personal attention when you don’t have hundreds of people trying to fit gear bags and water shoes into the same corner of a boat.
Training Before You Go In: What the Briefing Really Does

Before your first underwater session, you should expect a briefing and training run by certified instructors. This is the moment that turns first-timers into first-timers with confidence.
The tone from the experience feedback is clear: the instructors focus on patience and reassurance. People specifically mention guides like Ahmed as someone who takes the time to settle your nerves. Others call out Abdu as part of the professional support team. Even if you’re anxious, the goal is the same—get you comfortable with what to do, where to be, and how to stay calm in the water.
You also get scuba equipment included. That’s a quiet win for value and stress. Instead of wasting your morning figuring out rental logistics, your energy goes toward learning the basics and enjoying the water.
If you’re worried about readiness, it’s worth knowing the team has handled nervous situations thoughtfully. One account describes the guide staying close and switching the experience toward snorkeling when needed.
First Reef Session: Your First Taste of Red Sea Life

Your first underwater stop is designed as the confidence builder. The plan is straightforward: you’ll follow instructor guidance into the water, explore the coral areas, and look for marine life while you’re still learning the rhythm.
This isn’t described as a high-pressure, swim-all-day adventure. It’s structured as an intro experience, so the pace is usually about learning and doing it safely—not about racing through the best spots.
Two details I’d keep in mind:
- You’ll likely see plenty of fish and coral structure, because the stops are chosen for visibility and underwater scenery.
- Your instructor will stay with you and help you adjust if anything feels off.
One reef location name that shows up in the experience feedback is Abu Ramada—often mentioned as picturesque. Even if you’re not at that exact site on your day, it’s a good indicator of the kind of scenery the itinerary aims for.
Boat Time Between Stops: Lunch, Drinks, and a Photographer If You Want One

Between your first and second underwater sessions, you’ll relax onboard the boat and eat lunch. Lunch is included, along with soda/pop and water. That matters because after a morning in gear, a “real food break” is a lot more useful than chips and a cookie.
Food can be a mixed bag across Egypt tour operators, and this one shows that pattern too. Some people praise the included lunch, even calling it better than hotel food. Others note it could have been better. So I’d treat lunch as included nourishment—not as a restaurant highlight.
Here’s another practical perk: a professional photographer shows up on some trips. If that’s part of your day, it’s an easy way to get decent photos without trying to balance a phone while your hands are full.
And if you’re not yet ready to stay fully focused underwater, there’s at least one example of people being able to snorkel while others are underwater. That doesn’t guarantee you’ll always switch modes, but it signals the team can think flexibly about what feels manageable for you.
Second Underwater Stop: Why It Often Feels Easier

The second underwater stop is where you typically feel the difference. By then, you understand the routine: gear on, check-in, basic positioning, and the instructor’s signals. With that clarity, your brain has less work to do, and you can actually pay attention to what’s around you.
In feedback, people describe the second session as a more relaxed experience. That also lines up with how most first-timer underwater days go: learning happens during the first attempt, and comfort grows during the second.
You’ll also still be exploring coral and marine life, but the mood tends to shift from learning to enjoying. It’s the best moment of the day for people who were nervous at the start and want to prove to themselves they can do it.
Price and Value Check: Why $21 Can Be a Smart Deal

At $21.00 per person, the value is the headline. For that price, you’re getting:
- hotel pickup and drop-off
- a full 8-hour boat day
- two underwater stops
- scuba equipment
- a professional instructor
- lunch plus soda/pop and water
When a tour includes both transportation and equipment, it often ends up costing you less than booking pieces separately. And two underwater sessions for a first-timer is usually better value than paying for a single short attempt.
Just remember what’s not included, because it affects the real total:
- national park admission fees
- certain extra transfers from other locations (paid cash on spot)
Once you factor those in, this still looks like a strong value—especially if you’re a first-timer and you want to do two chances instead of one.
What You Should Budget For: Park Fees and Cash Transfers

Two costs are clearly marked as not included:
1) Governmental National Park Admission Fees, paid cash on the spot
2) Transfer from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, Soma Bay, also paid cash on the spot
So the main “don’t get surprised” item here is cash. If you only carry card and you’re at the point of entry, you’ll be stuck figuring out where to pull cash quickly.
Also, because the park fees are paid on arrival, you can’t use the published price as your all-in number. I’d plan for that extra expense so you can keep your focus on the water, not the wallet.
The Kind of Travelers This Trip Fits Best
This is a beginner-focused experience, and it’s built around people who want to try the first underwater steps with strong support. If you want calm coaching, you’re in the right place.
Feedback highlights a few traveler types that seem to do well here:
- First-timers who are nervous: instructors are described as patient and willing to reassure
- People who want a structured day: training, two sessions, and lunch keep it organized
- Families: at least one note mentions attention given to a very young child on board
If you’re looking for something more extreme or advanced, this might feel a bit gentle. That’s not a flaw—it’s simply the point. This is about getting you safely into the water and giving you two chances to enjoy it.
Also, service animals are allowed, and the tour says most travelers can participate. If you have specific health questions, it’s smart to check before you go, since “most” still depends on personal circumstances.
Should You Book This Hurghada Intro Scuba Trip?
I think this is a good booking if you match the goal: a beginner-friendly, full-day Red Sea experience with two underwater stops, equipment included, and hotel pickup/drop-off. At $21, it’s hard to beat—especially because you’re not paying separately for transport and gear.
I’d think twice only if you strongly care about the lunch quality being perfect, or if you hate the idea of cashing out on arrival for national park admission. Otherwise, the overall setup—patient instruction, two water sessions, and a real boat day—makes it a practical choice for first-timers.
If you do book, go in expecting a day of learning and enjoying, not a luxury meal. Then focus on the water, and let the second underwater stop do its job.
FAQ
What time does the experience start?
The start time is 8:00am.
How long is the boat trip?
The duration is about 8 hours.
Does the price include hotel pickup and drop-off?
Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included, with an air-conditioned vehicle.
Are scuba equipment and a professional instructor included?
Yes. You get use of scuba equipment, and there are professional instructors with the two underwater stops.
How many underwater stops are included?
You get 2 scuba stops during the experience.
Is lunch included, and what’s included with it?
Lunch is included, along with soda/pop and water.
Are national park admission fees included in the price?
No. Governmental national park admission fees are paid cash on the spot.
Do I need to pay extra for transfers from other areas?
Transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Safaga, and Soma Bay are paid cash on spot.
Is free cancellation available?
Yes. You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time.
What’s the maximum group size?
The tour has a maximum of 40 travelers.
























