From £250 pp

PADI Drift Diving Course in Hurghada

The PADI Drift Speciality Course in Hurghada helps you enjoy moving with the current while keeping control of your dive. Learn with our PADI Master Instructors, build confidence and discover a different way to explore the Red Sea.

Instead of working against the water, learn how to plan a drift dive and travel with it. You practise buoyancy, buddy awareness and communication while your instructor guides you through the skills. Clear briefings help you understand the entry, the route and the plan for returning to the boat.

This is also a great course to start using a delayed surface marker buoy (DSMB). With patient instruction, you become familiar with the buoy and its reel or spool. You learn why surface signalling matters when your dive ends away from where you entered.

The minimum age is 12. You need PADI Open Water Diver, Junior Open Water Diver or a qualifying certification. Your existing age, depth and supervision limits still apply.

Location: Hurghada · boat
Duration: 1 day · 2 dives
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Two Dive UK Hurghada divers holding a banner at sunset
Dive UK Hurghada group holding a banner aboard the dive boat
Scuba divers aboard a RIB, illustrating the boat-based PADI Drift course in Hurghada
Red Sea reef and turquoise water viewed from a dive boat in Hurghada

Your PADI Drift Speciality Course, step by step

  • Plan your course with us. First, send your age, qualifications, recent diving experience, dates and accommodation. We check your starting point and explain the boat arrangements.
  • Complete your PADI e-learning. After booking and your deposit, we send your learning materials with instructions. Complete the knowledge development before the practical day, with help from us whenever you need it.
  • Prepare on the boat. Meet your instructor and review the conditions, equipment and dive plan. Discuss entries, buddy positioning, communication and surface signals, including the DSMB.
  • Put your skills into practice. During two training dives, work on buoyancy, staying together and moving with the current. Practise the required skills under your instructor’s guidance and review your progress between dives.
  • Complete your course. Finally, review your knowledge and practical work. Once you meet all requirements, you receive your PADI Drift Diver speciality certification.

Sites and the daily plan depend on the currents, sea conditions and your progress. We choose suitable training conditions and never rush your learning. If further training is needed, we explain the arrangements and any extra costs before continuing.

Personal support on your PADI Drift course

Moving water can feel unfamiliar at first. We take time to explain the plan and give you practical guidance throughout the day. You can ask questions, talk through any worries and work on the skills at a pace that suits your learning.

Our PADI Master Instructors normally teach two students at a time. Suitable family groups can learn together with up to four students. Divers under 14 learn one-to-one unless training with their parent or sibling; we do not add unrelated students to that group.

You may explore reef scenery and enjoy watching Red Sea marine life while learning. However, dive sites and wildlife sightings vary. The focus is on good habits, awareness and control, rather than chasing strong currents.

Afterwards, build experience on our daily diving trips or explore another PADI speciality course. Extra diving and other courses are separate bookings. We confirm the full price before you decide.

DSMB skills on your PADI Drift course

A delayed surface marker buoy helps the boat crew see where divers are surfacing. It is especially useful when a current carries you away from your entry point. Learning to use one is a valuable step towards becoming a more confident buddy.

During your course, your instructor introduces the equipment and guides your practice in suitable conditions. You work on staying aware of your buoyancy, your buddy and the line while using the buoy. We explain how surface signalling fits into the whole dive plan.

You do not need to arrive as an experienced DSMB user. Tell us what you have tried before so we can help you build on it. Drift training includes surface-signalling skills; a separate DSMB speciality is a different course and certification.

PADI Drift course prices

Prices per person

Hurghada · 1 day · 2 boat dives

Prices are in GBP, per person for the complete course. PADI e-learning is included.

People booking together Per person
1 person £280
2 people £270
3 people £260
4 people £250

Group rates apply when people book and take the same course together. For more than four people, contact us for a quote and suitable teaching arrangements.

View all scuba diving and PADI course prices

PADI Drift course inclusions

  • Two boat dives during your course day.
  • Teaching with a PADI Master Instructor.
  • Equipment and PADI e-learning.
  • Certification when you meet the requirements.
  • Marine fees and taxes.

Lunch and refreshments are included on your boat day.

Transfers

Transfers are included within 2 km of the relevant activity facility. Send your accommodation details so we can quote any additional taxi charge.

View transfers and taxi charges

PADI Drift course requirements

  • Minimum age: 12 years.
  • Qualification: PADI Open Water Diver, Junior Open Water Diver or a qualifying certification.
  • Course day: boat-based training and two dives.
  • Key skills: planning, buoyancy, buddy communication and surface signalling.
  • Certification: PADI Drift Diver speciality, once all requirements are met.

Your existing depth and junior supervision limits remain. For divers under 16, a parent must attend at least the first day, with further attendance if needed.

Please read our terms and conditions before booking.

Contact us for a private consultation

PADI Drift Speciality Course — your questions answered

Who can take the PADI Drift Speciality Course?

You must be at least 12 and hold PADI Open Water Diver, Junior Open Water Diver or a qualifying certification. Send us your age, qualifications and recent diving experience before booking. We can then confirm whether the course is suitable and discuss any preparation you may need.

Is the PADI Drift course taught from a boat?

This course is taught from the boat. Our package includes one day and two training dives with your instructor. You also have time for briefings, a review between dives, lunch and refreshments. The exact sites and daily plan depend on the conditions.

Will I use a DSMB on the PADI Drift course?

Yes. This is a great course to start using a delayed surface marker buoy with instructor guidance. You become familiar with the buoy, line and reel or spool, and practise in suitable conditions. It is part of learning to manage a drift dive; it does not include a separate DSMB speciality certification.

Do I need previous experience in strong currents?

No, you do not need experience of strong currents to ask about this course. You should be comfortable with the basic skills from your existing qualification. Tell us about your experience and confidence first. Your instructor chooses suitable conditions and explains how the training will work.

Does Drift Diver certification allow me to dive deeper?

No. This speciality develops your drift-diving skills and does not increase your depth qualification. Stay within your training, experience and the dive plan. Junior divers also keep their age-related depth and supervision limits.

When should I complete my PADI Drift e-learning?

Yes, please finish the required knowledge development before your practical day. PADI e-learning is included in the course price. After booking and your deposit, we send the materials with instructions. Contact us if you need help with your study before you travel.

What if I have not dived recently?

Tell us when you last dived before booking. We can discuss whether a refresher would help you feel comfortable before your boat-based Drift course. Any additional training, time or cost will be explained before you commit. We want you to feel ready for the practical day.

Are equipment, lunch and transfers included?

Equipment, PADI e-learning, certification, marine fees and taxes are included. Lunch and refreshments are also included on your boat day. Transfers are included within 2 km of the relevant activity facility. Send your accommodation details so we can quote any additional taxi charge.

How do I book my PADI Drift Speciality Course?

Send your dates, age, qualifications and accommodation details. Once we confirm your place, pay a £200 deposit per person by Wise or bank transfer. This forms part of the course price. Pay the balance in cash on the first morning. We do not accept cards or PayPal. Read our booking terms before paying.

Can I combine Drift with another course or holiday?

Yes. Ask us about suitable speciality courses, extra diving or a diving holiday in Hurghada. Each course has its own requirements and price. We can discuss discounts for two or more courses and confirm your quote. Accommodation and airport transfers are separate unless your agreed package includes them.

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