Diving in Hurghada for Beginners: Dive Sites, Courses & What to Expect
Warm, clear, calm water and affordable courses make Hurghada one of the best places on earth to learn to dive.
If you have ever thought about breathing underwater, Hurghada is one of the best places on the planet to try. Warm, clear, calm water, gentle reefs teeming with life, and some of the world’s most affordable courses make the Egyptian Red Sea a natural classroom.
Why learn to dive in Hurghada?
Three reasons: conditions, cost and life. The Red Sea stays warm year-round (22–28°C), visibility is superb, and the reefs are extraordinarily rich — you are rewarded from your very first dive. On top of that, Egypt is one of the cheapest places in the world to certify, without cutting corners on safety.
Your options as a beginner
A Discover Scuba Diving session is a half-day taster with an instructor guiding you on a gentle reef dive. The PADI Open Water Course, over three to four days, finishes with you certified to dive anywhere in the world to 18 metres. A shorter Scuba Diver course is a stepping stone you can upgrade later.
Great beginner dive sites
Many shore dives start right off the beach — ideal for first skills in calm, shallow water. Gentle reef dives at El Fanadir and the Giftun drift suit training, while Abu Ramada — nicknamed “the aquarium” — dazzles with marine life in shallow sections.
Tips for a safe, happy first dive
Choose a certified centre with good reviews and well-maintained gear. Never dive and fly within 24 hours, so plan your course early in your trip. Equalise your ears early and often as you descend, and never force it. Above all, relax and breathe slowly — calm breathing makes everything easier.