How to dive in Hurghada | Booking Hurghada

How much diving experience is needed to dive in the Red Sea?

There are two options: Daily Diving and Intro Diving

No previous dive experience is necessary for the intro diving. The instructor will give you instructions before diving and you will dive under the supervision of our instructor. It's a great way to discover scuba diving!

Certified divers can choose daily diving. Certified divers will be informed of dive sites before diving and will be guided underwater by one of our guides.

Can I rent dive equipment?

Yes, dive equipment rental is € 15 per day per person

Can I dive with nitrox?

Yes. It is for € 5 per tank.

Which dive areas are we going to visit?

The captain decides the location for each day. If you have special wishes, please inform us. Discover the dive sites in Hurghada.

When does the diving season start in Egypt?

The Red Sea is a great place to dive any time of year but the water temperature varies quite a lot depending on the time of the year. In August the water temperature in Egypt can reach a warmth 30°C but drops as low as 22°C in February. August's air temperature in Egypt reaches 40°C while in the winter (December to February) it can fall to 18°C.

Check which wetsuit to wear

How many times will I dive per day?

Daily diving gives you the freedom to dive twice a day. The cost for the third dive is € 20 per person.

Is transfer included in the price?

Transfer from your hotel in Hurghada to the dive center (and back) is included in the price.
There is a surcharge of € 10 to € 15 per day per car (max 4 persons) for hotels outside Hurghada. (Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, Sahl Hasheesh & El Gouna)

Which hotels are recommended in Hurghada city?

Dahar:

The Three Corners Royal Star Beach Resort
Hilton Hurghada Plaza
Sunny Days Palma De Mirette Resort & Spa
Arabia Azur Resort
Arabella Azur Resort

Sheraton Road:

MinaMark Beach Resort
Bella Vista
Sunrise Holidays Resort
Regina Swiss

Hadaba:

Hurghada Marriott Beach Resort
Elaria Hotel
Elysée Hotel

Mamsha (Touristic Passage of Hurghada):

Sindbad Beach Resort
Siva Grand Beach Hotel
Steigenberger Al Dau Beach Hotel
Continental Resort Hurghada
Hilton Hurghada Resort
The Grand Plaza Hotel & Resort
Alf leila Wa Leila
Mercure Hurghada Hotel
Beach Albatros Hotel

We can also offer self served apartments for rent.

Are food and beverages included in the price?

Lunch, coffee, tea, water and softdrinks onboard are free of charge

Which payment methods can be used on board?

Payment in Cash in Euro, US Dollar, Egyptian Pounds and Sterling Pounds. Additionally, Paying with Credit card is available on board. Also, you can pay using transferwise.com (please ask for Dive-Hurghada bank account) or you can use Paypal

Which languages are spoken on board?

Together we speak many languages like Serbe, Russian, Polish, Dutch, German, Italian, French, and Spanish, but English is our main language. It depends on which diveguides are on board on that day.

Does Dive Hurghada require pre-payment for daytrips?

Yes

Do I need to provide any documentation during and prior my day trip?

Certified divers: Dive certificate, medical statement and logbook

I don't have experience with scuba diving. Which diving course is recommended to start with?

PADI has many diving courses, but the PADI Open Water Diver course is the most popular course to start with. The course gives you the freedom to dive with your dive buddy at any place in the world up to 18 meters!
After completing the PADI Open Water course you can easily move on to the following courses: PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, followed by EFR + PADI Rescue Diver, followed by PADI Divemaster and PADI Instructor

Is dive equipment included in the price during my course?

Dive equipment is included in the following courses:

PADI Open Water Diver
PADI Scuba Diver
PADI Bubblemaker

It is recommended, and we do expect that Advanced, Rescue and Divemaster students are providing themselves with their own dive equipment. It is possible to rent dive equipment as well.

I've started my PADI dive course with another PADI diving centre. Can I complete my PADI course with Dive Hurghada?

Yes you can. Please inform us about this prior the course. Please provide our dive instructor with copies of your documentation (Theory, skills etc)

I've started my dive course with another dive agency (CMAS, SSI, BSAC, NAUI e.g.) Can I complete this (with PADI) with Dive Hurghada?

You probably can. Each course and agency has their own standards and we are glad to sort this out for you. Please inform us about this prior the course and we will provide you with information.

What is the duration of each course?

PADI Bubblemaker: 1 day (Children only)
PADI Scuba Diver: 2 days
PADI Open Water Diver: 3 (to 4) days
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver: 2 days
EFR: 1 day
PADI Rescue Diver: 4 days
PADI Divemaster: 10 to 14 days
PADI OWSI: 3 weeks

Average time: 08:00 to 16:00 o'clock.

Do you provide the learning materials for my course?

Yes, we do provide the learning materials for your course.

There are two ways: You can choose to learn via a manual or you can learn online via PADI E-learning.

Manual and PIC:

The cost for the manual and PIC is fixed for all courses except for the Divemaster course and the instructor course.

MANUAL : €50

PIC : €50

When you buy them combined, the total price is € 75

E-Learning:

The costs for PADI E-learning depends on the course you choose. Please check Information about PADI e-learning

Please note that PADI prices are subject to change.

Do I get a certification card after completing the course? (PIC)

After completing your course, you will receive from your instructor a temporary card and a PIC (Positive Identification Card). You should keep your temporary card and send this PIC (and Photo ID) to PADI and PADI will send you the certification card. The cost of certification fees (or file fees) depends on the course you choose.

PADI Open Water Diver Course: 50 euro
PADI Advanced Diver course: 50 euro

These prices are only in combination with your booklet

Please note that PADI prices may change.

Is transfer included in the price?

Transfer from your hotel in Hurghada to the dive center (and back) is included in the price.
There is a surcharge of € 10 to € 15 per car per day (max 4 persons) for hotels outside Hurghada. (Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, Sahl Hasheesh & El Gouna etc)
We do expect that Divemaster- and Instructor students will arrange their own transfer.

Are food and beverages included in the price during a course?

Lunch, coffee, tea, water and softdrinks are free of charge on board only.

Can I have an instructor who can speak my language?

Together we speak many languages, but English is our main language. It depends on which instructors are at work on that day.
We can make an exception if this is important to you.

Does Dive Hurghada requires pre-payment for diving courses?

Yes

Do I need to provide any documentation prior my course?

This is only necessary for certified divers. For example, Divemaster students must present proof of recorded dives by completing previous courses.

How much diving experience is needed to dive during the Red Sea liveaboard safaris?

Diving Safaris require a minimum level of experience of at least 30 logged dives.

Brothers, Zabargad, Daedalus & Rocky (Marine Park) requires 50 logged dives
Deep North: 30 logged dives
South, Deep South & St. Johns: 40 logged dives

Please bring your logbook with you

Can I rent dive equipment for the Red Sea liveaboard safaris?

Yes you can rent diving equipment for the whole week. Please pre-book if you need to rent dive equipment:

Wet Suit: € 30
B.C.D: € 30
Regulator: € 30
Mask & snorkel: € 15
Fins: € 15
15 liters tank: € 30
Computer: € 30
Torch: € 10

Tanks and weights are on board.

Is there any dive equipment on board?

Only tanks and weights. Please note that we do not have any spare equipment onboard. We suggest to take along spare parts like mask and fin straps, repair kit for the regulator as well as batteries, films and spare bulb for your torch.

Can I use Nitrox during the liveaboard safaris?

Yes you can use Nitrox if you are certified to use Nitrox. Please pre-book if you want to make use of Nitrox:

Weekly package 12 Ltr: € 50
Weekly package 15 Ltr: € 70
Per bottle refill 12 Ltr: € 5
Per bottle refill 15 Ltr: € 7

What are Marine park fees and Port fees and how much does it cost?

Marine park fees:

The government started to collect fees as marine parks (protected areas) from the divers and snorkelers through the dive centres. This money goes to Egyptian Protectorates and is equally divided between national parks in need. The prices for these permission fees and taxes are set by the government and can be subject to change.

Port fees:

When a ship enters a port, there are expenses based on a per-passenger count that must be paid. These fees usually go to support the facility, security, the longshoremen that tie up and release the vessel and related charges.

In general, the costs are € 150 per person (an amount that may change depending on the Government's indication) and must be paid in cash on board.

How many dive guides will be on board?

Generally one Dive guide by individual bookings. By Fullcharters two on request.

Which dive areas and wrecks are we going to visit?

Each liveaboard has a special route:

Egypt North

North
North + Ras Mohammed
North + Tiran

Egypt South

Brothers
Daedalus
Brother / Daedalus
Brother / Daedalus / Elphinstone
Brother / Elphinstone
Daedalus / Zabargad
Daedalus / Zabargad / St John
Zabargad / St John
St John
Abu Fendira

Sudan

Sudan Classic
Sudan North
Sudan North - One Way
Sudan Mesharifa
Sudan Deep North
Sudan Deep South
Sudan Class + South
Sudan South

When does the diving season start in Egypt and Sudan?

The Red Sea is a great place to dive any time of year but the water temperature varies quite a lot depending on the time of the year. In August the water temperature in Egypt can reach a bath warm 30°C but drops as low as 22°C in February. Sudan is generally a couple of degrees celsius warmer than Egypt. So you need to be sure your exposure suit is appropriate for the conditions. August sees air temperatures in Egypt reach 40°C while in the winter (December to February) it can fall to 20°C. Again, Sudan's air temperatures are a degree or two higher than Egypt throughout the year. The liveaboard season for Sudan is from February till May and from September till December

How many dives per day can I make during the Red Sea liveaboard safaris?

3 to 4 dives per day

Can I get certified to dive during the liveaboard safaris?

Non-diver:

We do not encourage students to dive in national park areas due to environmental considerations. Yes, theoretically it's possible, but it's better if you get certified before the trip; this takes two to three days. Most of the beginner's course is theory and pool anyway, so there is really no advantage to do the course from a liveaboard boat.

Advanced Diver:

We do offer PADI advanced or specialty training. Nitrox is a very good course to take on a liveaboard trip and is immensely practical.

How to get a dive insurance?

Please visit the website of DAN for more information about dive insurances.

Dan Europe
Divers Alert Network

Is land transfer included the price?

Yes, the land transfer is included in the price:

Airport to Harbor (Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Port Ghalib, Hamata)
Hotel to Harbor (Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Port Ghalib, Hamata)

Do I need a visa for Hurghada?

Actually, you need to get a VISA to Egypt. You can buy an entry visa at the airport. The price is around 25 USD (please check frequently with authorities) and the entry VISA is valid for 30 days.

You do not need a visa for Hurghada in particular. The visa stamp you get at the airport allows you to go around the entire country and you can visit as many cities as you can, starting from Marsa Alam and Hurghada in the south, moving to Luxor then Cairo and going up to Alexandria and North Coast. Just remember that in order to do this, you will need at least 3 weeks to be able to visit all touristic cities in Egypt

Do I need to buy an entry visa for Sudan?

Yes, in Sudan you will get assistance with your visa on the airport. The price of this visa is an additional cost that should be paid cash on the spot (€ 330). This surcharge includes Entry visa + expenses, land transfer, Sudanese taxes. The Sudanese authorities refuse entry and transit to holders of passports that contain visas for Israel (either valid or expired). In advance, we care about the authorization of entry for the customers into Sudan. For this, we need a copy of the passport of the customers. Once authorization by the Office in Sudan is back we will forward it to you. You must present this authorization already at the airport with the Passport. Upon arrival at the airport in Sudan, our Travel Agent will support to get locally the visa.

What are the departure and arrival dates and times for the Red Sea liveaboard safaris?

day 1: Check-in: Any time (if the boat is available and already in the harbor. If not, latest check-in 16:00)
day 2: Departure: 07:00

day 6: Arrival: 15:00
day 7: Checkout: After Breakfast between 7:00 - 9:00

Can I make use of a hotel accommodation?

Yes you can make use of an hotel accommodation before your liveaboard starts. The price is depending on the season.

Where to buy flight tickets online?

For liveaboards in the south of Egypt (Brothers - Daedalus - Zabargad - St.John - Elphinstone) we can recommend our guests to book their flight ticket to Marsa Alam.

For the North-tour you can better book your flight ticket to Hurghada.

We can advise you to search the best flight tickets via Skyscanner or Kayak or Opodo.

Do I need vaccinations?

No requirements of the country. When you are considering to be vaccinated, then we can recommend you to ask your doctor.

Is there internet connection/wifi on board?

Yes, Wi-Fi and USB Stick, but we can not guarantee that we always have a signal at sea.

Which payment methods can be used on board?

Euro, US Dollar, Egyptian Pounds, British Pounds. Paying with Credit card is not possible

Which languages are spoken on board?

English, Arabic, Italian

What kind of food will be served on board?

Open buffet:

Breakfast with daily fresh baked bread and rolls
Lunch and Dinner with beef, fish, chicken, rice, noodles, vegetables, salad, dessert of season, some food typical for the country
Snacks available free of charge

What are the house rules on board?

Smoking on board:

It is not allowed to smoke in the cabins or in the salon. All liveaboards have fire alarms installed for your safety which are activated with even a small amount of smoke. Please use ashtrays and don't throw cigarette butts into the sea. Cigarette filters are non biodegradable and with time may damage the reefs or harm marine life.

Shoes onboard:

Due to damage to the boats, it is forbidden to use road shoes onboard. Please take with you bathroom slippers, warm socks, or light sailing shoes.

Diving equipment:

Diving equipment is not allowed into the salon or the cabins. The salon and cabins are strictly dry areas due to the risk of slip and fall injuries.

Shower:

Please don't use too much shampoo and soap because shower water eventually ends up in the sea. It is better to buy world known ecologically friendly products that don't affect the environment.

Toilets:

Please don't throw anything in the toilet bowls, including toilet paper and sanitary pads, to avoid toilet blocks and damage to the ecosystem. Garbage bins are placed in the toilets, especially for that purpose.

Cabins:

Each cabin has portholes. We suggest that you open them as often as possible to let in fresh air to compensate for the air conditioner circulating the air. However, make sure you close the portholes while the boat is sailing

Sleeping on deck:

It is not allowed to take bed sheets, covers or mattresses out of the cabin on the deck. If you wish to sleep outside, please bring with you a sleeping bag and use the mattresses from the sundeck.

Do I have to share a cabin?

Single cabins are extremely rare. It may be, if the boat is not full and there are an odd number of passengers, that you can have your own cabin, but this situation can not be guaranteed. The only way to guarantee a cabin for yourself is to pay for 2 beds!

Do I need to provide any documentation during and prior to my Egypt liveaboard trip?

Yes, you need to submit a copy of your passport in advance on your tour because it is a requirement of the Egyptian coastguard. You must also provide us dive insurance details prior to the trip. Failure to provide this information could result in you in being prevented from joining the trip. We would like to help you with these details once you make a booking with us.

Please ensure that once on board you are able to provide the following details and documentation: last name, first name, nationality, passport number, flight number, time of arrival and departure, a copy of your passport (another one) and diving insurance details. Please make sure that the passport is valid for at least 6 months at the commencement of your holiday.

Passport
2 copies of Passport
Diving certificate
Medical Certificate (not older than one year)
Diving Insurance
Logbook

Does Dive Hurghada require pre-payment?

Yes

What is included the price? And what not?

Included:

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transfer (from/to airport)
6 nights, 6 days on board
Lend- bathrobes and towels
3 / 4 Dives per day
1 Diveguide
12 Liter aluminum tanks, weights, and belts

Not included:

Alcoholic beverages
Marine park- and Port fees
Rental equipment
Nitrox
Fuel Surcharge
Service Tax
Crew Tips
Satellite phone use € 5,00 per minute ( € 1,00 per sms )
Entry Visa

All costs that are not included should be paid in cash on board.

How to be safe on board a boat? And what do i need to consider when on board of Dive-Hurghada Boat?

• Take your shoes off once you are onboard and put them in the designated space as shown by the crew

• Watch your feet while on the platform and around the ropes’ areas

• During the preparation for parking, stay away from the ropes’ areas

• Move steadily and slowly on board. No running

• Stay away from the stern when the boat is moving

• If you get seasick, ask the crew for a tablet

• Drink a lot of water during the day to keep hydrated

• Take your towel and hang it outside the salon in the designated place to dry yourself well before entering the salon or

moving to the upper deck

• Your children are your responsibility. Always watch them

• While snorkeling, keep a distance away from the boat’s back ladder in the sea for divers to come up

• While snorkeling, wear your safety jacket, mask and snorkel all the time

• When going out of the water after diving, remove your weight belt first

• Put your small gadgets (mobile/sunglass/headphone…etc) in the designated spaces. Ask the crew

• Check you have all your personal belongings before leaving the boat

How can I dive safely and take care of my equipment on board of Dive-Hurghada Boat?

Know your guide and follow his/her instructions
Listen carefully to the dive briefing and always follow the plan
Once your guide gives the signal, get ready
Identify your buddy before diving and do a buddy check before entering the water
Wait for the back ladder of the boat to be in the sea and watch for the signal from your guide before entering the water
Always keep your equipment in the same box and remember its number
After use, clean your equipment in the designated basins on the platform
Hang your suit in the designated area ONLY, and close the zipper to prevent it from flying
Hang your towels in the specified areas on the platform
Put your cameras/housing to dry in the designated areas
Place tanks gently in the designated places
For any inquiries about the equipment, ask the responsible crew member

What are the hygienic practices and COVID-19 measures applied on board of Dive-Hurghada Boat?

For COVID-19 Prevention:

• Sterilize your hands regularly, using the sanitizer on board to

• Keep social distances while on deck or in the salon

• When not diving nor eating, please wear your medical face mask

• Do not share your water bottle or any personal belongings

• Ask the crew for a one-time-use mouthpiece if needed (extra charge applies)

• In the toilets, save water, use less soap, and throw toilet paper/tampons in the trash bin

• Flush the toilet when the boat is moving, not when it is parked. Think of the divers below

• Smoking is PROHIBITED inside the salon or toilets or on the platform

• Eating/drinking is NOT allowed inside the salon and the toilets

• Please return your plates to the salon after eating and put your cups in the designated area in the bar

• Dry yourself well before entering the salon or accessing the upper deck to prevent slipping

• Always hold the ladder firmly while going up/down

• Throw trash in the designated bins. Use ashtrays for cigarette remains

• A medical kit is available onboard as well as cylinders of oxygen to be used in case of emergency

• Do not sit on the boat gunwale

• Do not jump off of the high deck

What are the services and facilities available on board of Dive-Hurghada boat?

• Lunch and snacks are available for everyone on board. Consume what you take and reduce waste

• Smoking is allowed ONLY on the upper deck.

• Eating and drinking are allowed ONLY on the platform and the upper deck

• Nescafe, tea, milk, and water are available in the upper deck bar free of charge

• Nespresso and flavored tea are available for an extra charge

• Wi-Fi service for WhatsApp/messenger/email checking is available free of charge

• Printing service is available for an extra charge

• 3rd dive option is available for an extra charge

• Night dive is available for an extra charge (minimum 6 divers interested)

• Torches for night diving are available. Extra charge will be applied

• Trips to Thistlegorm/Abu Nuhas / Salem Express can be pre-booked onboard

• Souvenir merchandise/ videos/ photos are available for an extra charge

• Diving computer rental is available for an extra charge

• Nitrox is available for an extra charge (pre-booked)

• 15 L tanks are available for an extra charge

• The boat has 8 cabins for safari tours, accommodating 16 to 18 divers

What can you do to help the marine life in the red sea?

• Respect the privacy of the sea creatures: no touching/no picking/no souvenirs

• Fish are self-reliant. DO NOT feed them your food

• Throwing plastic in the sea damages marine life, so don't do it

• Throwing toilet paper in the toilet damages marine life, so don't do it

ABOUT DIVING IN HURGHADA - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS