Two underwater sessions for $60 in Hurghada.

I like the all-gear included setup and the way the crew keeps things calm and safe, even for first-timers. I also love that you’re not stuck with one generic plan—sites get picked based on experience, weather, and availability. The main drawback: the onboard food and drink selection can be a bit limited for some people.

This is a full-day Red Sea outing run by Pharaohs Tours, starting with hotel pickup and ending with an equipment rinse and back-to-hotel drop-off. Expect about 7 hours total, and a max group size of 15. You’ll sail out, do two underwater sessions (about 20–30 minutes each), eat a buffet lunch between them, then head back.

For beginners, there’s instruction on the boat route and an instructor in the water during the first try. For certified divers, you’ll go with a dive guide and enjoy the same boat-and-lunch rhythm. In reviews, names like Akmad (instructor) and Roma (boat operator) show up for the people who made the day feel smooth.

Quick hits before you go

• Hotel pickup in multiple hubs: Hurghada, Makadi, Shahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna
• Two underwater sessions, guided either way: first-timers get hands-on coaching
• Small group size: up to 15 on the boat
• Equipment is included: you check it before boarding
• Lunch between sessions: buffet on board, plus mineral water/coffee noted for the certified group
• Extras cost extra: photos/videos are not included, and you may want to budget or negotiate

Price and value: what $60 really covers

At $60 per person, this trip is trying to solve the big “starter kit” problems for you: getting to the boat, getting fitted with gear, and paying for two guided underwater sessions without turning it into a complicated scavenger hunt.

Here’s what you’re getting for the price based on the included list:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Air-conditioned transfers
• Multilingual instructor/guide
• Buffet lunch
• All diving equipment (so you don’t need to rent or bring gear)

Two things make that feel like good value:

1. You get two underwater outings, not just one.
2. You’re not handling logistics. The day is built around transport + boat + instruction + lunch.

Two things to watch:

• There’s an entrance fee for the Red Sea national park not included.
• Photos/videos cost extra, and one review even mentions negotiating the price for that package (more on that later).

Where pickup works (and where it might not)

Pickup is part of the deal, and it matters because Hurghada-area boats can be “easy to miss” if you’re doing it on your own. This one handles transfers by air-conditioned vehicle and covers these areas:

• Hurghada
• Makadi
• Shahl Hasheesh
• El Gouna

A practical tip: if your hotel is just outside one of those areas, you’ll want to confirm pickup. The tour states those zones explicitly, so you don’t want surprises.

Also note the day is designed around a set schedule: multiple reviews call out the crew being on time, which helps if you’re planning the rest of your vacation around the trip.

Boarding day: equipment check and the boat rhythm

The day starts with a representative picking you up from your hotel, then you’ll do an equipment check at the diving area before boarding. That “check first” step is more important than it sounds.

If you’re new, you want to feel the gear once it’s adjusted to you, not after you’ve already dropped into the water. If you’re experienced, you still want everything working and set correctly so your attention stays on breathing and buoyancy.

On board, the structure is simple:

• You sail out toward the first underwater site
• You get briefed before each underwater session
• You do the first session, then return to the boat
• You eat lunch between sessions
• You go again at the second site, then head back

One review describes the setup as organized with a small group feel, where multiple people were positioned around the water for support and photos. You might not get that exact ratio every day, but the point is clear: they’re not treating this as a chaotic free-for-all.

Two underwater sessions: how the plan changes for beginners vs certified

This is a “two-track” trip. The basics are the same—boat, instruction, lunch, two sessions—but what happens in the water differs.

If you’re a beginner (first time)

You’ll learn how to use scuba equipment, and the instructor guides you through what you need to do to explore safely. Before each session, there’s a briefing, and during the first underwater attempt you’ll have an instructor right there beside you.

Key details for first-timers:

• Two sessions in one day
• Each session is 20–30 minutes
• Maximum depth for beginners is listed as 8–10 meters
• Minimum age is stated in two places: one section says 10 years, while another part of the tour info says 12 years

I’d treat that as a “confirm during booking” situation so you don’t end up at the dock with the wrong expectation.

If you’re certified

Certified divers still get the same two-session schedule, but you’re not learning equipment from scratch. Instead, you’re exploring with a dive guide and enjoying marine life at the sites chosen for your group.

The trip info also notes:

• Free mineral water and coffee on board (listed for the certified portion)
• Lunch between underwater sessions

A useful way to think about this: beginners get the safety scaffolding. Certified divers get more freedom to focus on the water.

Choosing the sites: weather, experience, and availability

The sites aren’t random. They’re selected based on:

• your experience level
• weather
• availability

That choice matters because conditions in the Red Sea can change fast—wind, visibility, and current all affect how comfortable your day is. The tour also requires good weather, which is a strong hint that they prioritize underwater conditions over “let’s go no matter what.”

One review mentions the first site area having choppier sea conditions because multiple boats were moored together, making the intro feel less smooth than expected. The same review says the second site was amazing. So if the morning isn’t perfect, it doesn’t automatically mean the whole day will be disappointing.

What you’ll see at 8–10 meters (and what’s realistic)

You’re not going deep on this trip. The beginner maximum depth is listed as 8–10 meters, and the schedule is built for comfort and learning rather than maximum depth.

So what should you expect to spot?

• bright coral
• lots of fish
• possibly rays and turtles (depending on what’s around when you’re there)

The “possibly” part is important. Marine life changes by season, site, and conditions. The value here isn’t a promise of seeing a specific animal—it’s the chance to explore the Red Sea’s underwater world with experienced people managing your time.

If you’re new, your first goal should be calm breathing and steady buoyancy. The marine life is the payoff, not the task.

Safety in practice: briefings, support, and calm crews

Safety is where this trip seems to win. Multiple reviews use the same idea: organized, courteous crew, and instructors that explain clearly and help when nerves show up.

A few points you can actually use:

• You’ll get a briefing before each underwater session, which helps you understand the plan and spot potential issues early.
• Beginners get an instructor beside you during the first underwater attempt.
• The group is capped at 15, which usually makes it easier to manage everyone’s gear and timing.

Names from the experience make it feel more real: one review calls out Akmad as patient and kind, and another references Roma as an operator who helped the day run smoothly. Even if names vary by date, the pattern stays the same: the crew treats this as a guided experience, not a drop-you-off-and-hope-for-the-best thing.

Lunch on board: useful fuel, with one caveat

Between the two underwater sessions you’ll have a buffet lunch served by the crew.

One review praised the trip overall as organized and fun, and says the lunch was good. Another review gives a more direct critique: the food and beverage selection and amount could be better.

So here’s the practical way to handle lunch:

• Eat something solid before the second session.
• If you’re picky or easily hungry, you might want a backup snack plan just in case. The tour doesn’t list extra snacks, so check what’s offered on your specific departure.

Photos and videos: plan for the extra cost

This is a common “gotcha” on scuba-style excursions: the best souvenir is often photo/video packages, and those aren’t included.

One review says:

• photos were great, but not included
• bring extra money for the package

Another review adds a very practical strategy: they negotiated the price, going from a higher listed amount to a lower final price for their package. That doesn’t guarantee every departure works the same way, but it does tell you something important: it’s worth asking, and it’s worth comparing the pricing options on the day.

Tip: if you care about photos, budget a bit extra before you go. If you don’t, you can skip it and keep spending on the land-side stuff that usually makes Hurghada memorable.

Who should book this trip

This trip fits best if you want a guided, structured day at a fair price.

You’ll likely enjoy it most if:

• you’re a first-timer who wants instruction and support during the first underwater session
• you’re certified and want a simple two-site day with gear provided
• you value hotel pickup and don’t want to manage timing to reach the boat

It might be less ideal if:

• you’re extremely sensitive to choppy water during the intro period (one review mentions sea conditions being rough at the first site)
• food matters a lot to your enjoyment, based on at least one critique of the buffet selection
• you strongly want to avoid any potential add-ons like photo/video packages

Should you book this Hurghada scuba day trip?

Yes, you should book it if your priority is value and guidance. For $60, you’re getting hotel pickup, transfers, equipment, two underwater sessions, briefings, and lunch—plus a crew that multiple people describe as organized and safety-focused.

I’d book with extra confidence if you can accept two realities:

• the national park entrance fee is extra
• you may want to plan for photos/videos as an optional add-on

If you’re a beginner, this trip is built for learning without throwing you in alone. If you’re certified, it’s a straightforward two-site format that saves you decision time. Just confirm the minimum age for children during booking, since the info lists 10 years in one spot and 12 years elsewhere.

FAQ

How long is the Hurghada day trip?

The trip runs for about 7 hours (approx.).

What’s the price per person?

The price is $60.00 per person.

Does the trip include hotel pickup and drop-off?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included, with transfers by air-conditioned vehicle.

Where do they pick up travelers from?

Pickup is available in Hurghada, Makadi, Shahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna.

How many underwater sessions are included?

You get two underwater sessions in one day.

How long are the underwater sessions and what depth limit applies?

Each session is about 20–30 minutes. For beginners, the maximum depth is listed as 8–10 meters.

Do I get diving equipment included?

Yes. All diving equipment is included, and you’ll check it before boarding.

Is this trip for beginners or certified divers?

Both. Beginners get instruction and an instructor beside them for the first underwater session. Certified divers go with a dive guide.

Is the Red Sea national park entrance fee included?

No. The entrance fee for the Red Sea national park is not included.

What if the weather is poor or I need to cancel?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance.