Safe Try dive-Personal instructor, 1:1 experience, Top boat

REVIEW · HURGHADA

Safe Try dive-Personal instructor, 1:1 experience, Top boat

  • 5.077 reviews
  • From $76.77
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Operated by Blue Paradise Diving center · Bookable on Viator

Ready for your first time underwater?

This full-day try scuba trip from Hurghada turns your nervous energy into a calm, 1:1 learning session, then gets you onto a roomy 27-meter boat for reef time in the Red Sea. You get hands-on coaching, a controlled plan, and options for the afternoon whether you want more underwater minutes or just a relaxed swim.

What I like most is how safety and confidence are built into the day, not treated like paperwork. You try your gear with your instructor, then follow clear safety steps during the boat briefing before you head down to a max depth of 5 meters. I also love the boat vibe: clean, well maintained, and comfortable, with staff who keep things friendly and organized.

One consideration: lunch and drinks cost extra, and if you want a second underwater try in the afternoon at another reef spot, there’s a surcharge. So if you’re counting every dollar, plan for those add-ons.

Key Things That Make This Try-Scuba Day Work

Safe Try dive-Personal instructor, 1:1 experience, Top boat - Key Things That Make This Try-Scuba Day Work

  • True 1:1 coaching feel with a personal instructor during the training and water time
  • Shallow max depth (5 meters) that keeps things manageable for first-timers
  • 27-meter boat comfort plus a covered, shaded place to relax later
  • Small group size (up to 15 people) so you’re not lost in a crowd
  • Morning reef time plus afternoon choice: second session or snorkeling/relaxing

Safe Try Scuba, 1:1 Attention, and a Boat That Actually Feels Ready

Safe Try dive-Personal instructor, 1:1 experience, Top boat - Safe Try Scuba, 1:1 Attention, and a Boat That Actually Feels Ready
Your day starts with an organized approach that matters a lot when you’re new to scuba. The pickup window runs between about 07:30 and 08:15 from hotels across Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna. The plan is built around a morning start (official start time listed as 8:30 am), so you’ll want to be ready earlier than you think.

The trip is set up for personal coaching, not a mass event. The experience caps at a maximum of 15 travelers, which typically means less waiting around and more time with your instructor. In the real world, that’s the difference between feeling like a participant and feeling like a project.

Once you’re on the water, you’re on a 27-meter boat—spacious, comfortable, and reported as clean and well maintained. That sounds basic, but it’s huge when you’re juggling gear setup, sun protection, and the simple need to not feel cramped.

You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Hurghada

Getting Your Gear Sorted Before You Go Under

Safe Try dive-Personal instructor, 1:1 experience, Top boat - Getting Your Gear Sorted Before You Go Under
This isn’t one of those experiences where you watch others get ready while you hope for the best. Before you head to the first reef spot, you’ll try the scuba equipment with your instructor. This is where first-timers usually either feel calm fast or stress out. The training plan is designed to help you get your bearings before you’re ever in the water.

You’ll be asked for specific measurements during booking—your shoe size, your body weight, and your height/length. That might feel like extra admin, but it’s exactly what helps the team size and fit gear properly, especially fins, which can make or break comfort. If you rush past this step, it can affect how quickly you get comfortable.

You also get a full boat briefing first. That briefing covers basic safety guidelines and the skills you need to manage under direct instructor supervision. If you’re the kind of person who wants to understand the why behind each step, you’ll likely appreciate the pace: learn first, then practice.

The Boat Ride to the Reef Spot: Time to Settle In

After the briefing, the boat leaves for the first underwater area. Sailing time is listed as roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour. That’s enough time to settle, ask questions, and stop thinking about whether you’re making the right choice.

One reason this timing works well for new scuba participants is that your brain gets a gentle runway. Instead of jumping straight into cold-water shock (even if the sea conditions vary), you ease into the day, you listen to safety steps, and you feel the boat under you. It’s also when you can spot the calm vibe the crew aims for—attentive, helpful, and focused on making the process feel controlled.

The Underwater Plan: Shallow, Supervised, and Reef-Adjacent

Here’s the key fact: your first underwater session is max 5 meters. That shallow limit is part of what makes this feel approachable. You’re not trying to conquer a deep drop; you’re learning how buoyancy and breathing feel with an instructor close by.

The morning session happens with you directly next to the reef, among colorful fish and typical Red Sea marine life. The plan is for you to descend from the boat into clear water and follow your instructor’s guidance. You’re under supervision during the experience, so you’re not left to freestyle your first breaths underwater.

The goal isn’t speed. It’s comfort and competence:

  • You learn the basics of using the gear.
  • You practice the core skills you need to move confidently.
  • You experience reef life up close without turning the day into a long endurance test.

In the feedback I saw, safety awareness and patience were repeatedly called out. In particular, instructors named Bartt and Bart were described as very patient and focused on making participants feel safe. That matters because first-timers often don’t need more info. They need the right pacing and reassurance.

What You Can Expect to See: Corals, Fish, and That First Wow Moment

Safe Try dive-Personal instructor, 1:1 experience, Top boat - What You Can Expect to See: Corals, Fish, and That First Wow Moment
The Red Sea is famous for reef scenery, and this trip is structured to get you there while conditions are still fresh in the day. You’ll be looking at corals and marine life right around the reef area—think colorful fish, and likely other creatures typical of the region such as rays (listed as something you can watch for).

A useful way to set expectations: this is a try-scuba experience with a supervised, shallow plan. You’re not being promised a specific animal encounter. What you are getting is a good shot at that early-morning reef atmosphere when you’re most likely to enjoy it fully—because you’re not exhausted, you’re not rushed, and you’re not focused only on survival.

Lunch, Drinks, and the Real Value of Not Rushing Everything

Safe Try dive-Personal instructor, 1:1 experience, Top boat - Lunch, Drinks, and the Real Value of Not Rushing Everything
Between underwater time and the afternoon option, there’s a lunch break onboard. Lunch and cold drinks are available for a small fee, meaning they are not included in the base price.

I like this structure because it keeps the day from turning into a scramble. You don’t have to abandon the group to find food, and you can use the downtime to hydrate and cool off.

Food on board is described positively, including mention of a buffet and even fries being singled out as a satisfying comfort after time in Hurghada sun. If you’re planning your day, treat lunch as a budget line rather than a surprise.

Afternoon Choice: Second Reef Spot or Relax and Snorkel

Around 4 pm, the boat docks and you’re taken back to your hotel. The afternoon portion gives you real flexibility, and that’s one reason people like this format.

You have two options:

1) Another underwater try at a different reef spot in the afternoon

2) Or relax on the shaded sun deck and/or snorkel instead

A second afternoon underwater session is listed as an option, but it’s not free. There’s a surcharge for the additional underwater try.

In the afternoon, snorkeling and snorkel equipment are provided at the other reef spot. If you’re not ready to go again underwater, snorkeling still gives you time on the water and the chance to enjoy the reef from the surface.

This choice is also smart if your group has mixed preferences. One person might want the extra coached underwater time while another might prefer to stay comfortable and swim/snorkel. The afternoon setup supports both.

Price and Value: $76.77 for Coaching Plus a Real Boat Day

At $76.77 per person, this is priced like a serious intro experience rather than a short attraction. The value comes from the combination of:

  • a full-day boat trip (about 7 hours)
  • a large, comfortable 27-meter boat
  • equipment provided (scuba equipment and snorkeling gear)
  • a professional personal guide speaking your language
  • morning underwater instruction with direct supervision

Yes, lunch and drinks cost extra. Also, a second afternoon underwater try comes with a surcharge. Still, for first-timers, what you’re paying for isn’t just equipment access—it’s the time and attention of a qualified instructor while you learn how the gear works safely.

The small group limit (up to 15) also nudges value in your favor. You’re more likely to get actual help during setup and during the water part, which is what you’re really buying.

Who Should Book This Try-Scuba Trip

This trip is a great fit if:

  • You’re 10 years or older and want an intro experience that keeps the plan manageable.
  • You have moderate physical fitness and you can follow instructions comfortably.
  • You want 1:1 style guidance and a safety-first pace.
  • You’d like to try scuba once in the morning, then decide later whether you want more.

It may not be the best fit if:

  • You want a long underwater session with big depth goals. This plan is deliberately shallow and skills-focused.
  • You don’t want to deal with optional add-ons like lunch fees and a second afternoon underwater try surcharge.

Practical Tips So You Enjoy the Day More

A few things you can do to make the experience smoother:

  • Double-check that you provided your shoe size, weight, and height/length when booking.
  • Plan to be ready early for pickup. The morning window starts before many people are fully awake.
  • Bring sun protection basics (hat, sunscreen) because you’ll be on the water for hours.
  • If you’re doing the afternoon option, pace yourself during lunch so you’re not dragging in the heat.

One more tip based on how this experience is run: listen closely during the boat briefing and ask questions before you gear up. If you get calm before you enter the water, the whole day feels easier.

Should You Book Blue Paradise for Your First Scuba Session?

If you want a first scuba try that feels structured, safety-focused, and personal, I think this is a strong pick. The shallow max depth, the 1:1 instructor feel, the small group size, and the comfort of a 27-meter boat combine into a day that’s less chaotic and more confidence-building.

Book it if you’re excited about reef life but you want the learning part handled carefully. Skip or compare options if you’re chasing deep-water adventure or you’re trying to keep everything strictly within the base price, since lunch and a second afternoon underwater try are extra.

FAQ

How deep will I go during the morning session?

Your maximum depth is 5 meters.

Is pickup offered from hotels in Hurghada?

Yes. Pickup is offered from hotels in Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, and El Gouna between about 07:30 am and 08:15 am. There’s a surcharge for pickup/drop-off outside a 10 km radius from the marina.

What’s included in the price?

Included are the full-day 27-meter boat trip, scuba and snorkel equipment, a professional personal guide speaking your language, the morning underwater session, and snorkeling plus snorkel equipment in the afternoon at the other reef spot.

What is not included?

Lunch and drinks are not included. There is also a surcharge if you choose a second afternoon underwater try at the other reef spot. Pickup/drop-off outside the 10 km radius also has a surcharge.

What time does the tour start and how long is it?

The listed start time is 8:30 am, and the duration is approximately 7 hours. The boat typically returns around 4 pm.

What are the age and fitness requirements?

The minimum age is 10 years. You should have a moderate physical fitness level.

What should I provide when booking?

You must advise your shoe size, body weight, and height/length at the time of booking.

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