Scuba diving Egypt: discover the Red Sea from Hurghada
Thinking about scuba diving in Egypt? Picture a day out on the Red Sea: colourful reefs beneath you, lunch on the boat and an instructor who takes time to get to know you. From your first underwater breath to a week of guided diving, Hurghada gives you plenty of ways to make the sea part of your holiday.
We are Dive UK Hurghada, a British-owned and managed team. We help you choose an experience that suits your confidence, qualifications and the people travelling with you. This guide explains where to start; our individual activity pages give you the full details and prices.
Why choose Egypt for a diving holiday?
For us, the answer starts in Hurghada: relaxed, unhurried diving in warm Red Sea waters, with plenty of time to enjoy the reef. Many of our local sites have gentle currents and little tidal change, making them a lovely setting for a comfortable day underwater. We believe Hurghada is one of the best places in the world for new divers to gain experience, and we would love to help you build your confidence and enjoy every step.
In our experience, visibility is usually 30–40 metres. Add water that stays inviting throughout the year and you can see why divers return again and again. Conditions still vary by site and day, so we choose suitable dives for your experience and confidence.
Where Hurghada fits into the Red Sea
Hurghada is one of Egypt’s best-loved diving destinations, known for its crystal-clear waters and wonderful variety of dive sites. From our local experience, there are more than 40 sites within around an hour’s boat ride from shore, giving you plenty to explore over several days.
With its own airport and a wide choice of accommodation, Hurghada makes it easy to combine reef adventures with a relaxing holiday ashore. Boat times depend on the departure point and conditions. Discover more in our scuba diving in Hurghada overview.
What can you see while scuba diving in Egypt?
Hurghada’s reefs are full of colour and character. Look closely and a familiar face may peek out from an anemone, while clouds of fish rise above the coral. These are some of the encounters we love sharing with our divers:
- Clownfish — everyone’s “Nemo”: a familiar favourite among the anemones, always a delight to watch.
- Blue-spotted rays: often seen resting on sandy patches beside the reef.
- Moray eels: including impressive, large morays peering out from their reef shelters.
- Barracuda and eagle rays: keep an eye out into the blue as well as along the coral.
- Clouds of reef fish: colourful shoals swirling above the reef make even a gentle dive feel spectacular.
- Octopus and turtles: wonderful encounters that reward a slow pace and an observant eye.
- Dolphins: with luck, a pod may pass nearby or choose to swim around you — a moment you will remember long after your holiday.
Every dive brings something different, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. We enjoy these encounters on the animals’ terms: no touching, chasing or feeding, and plenty of space around the coral.
Already qualified? Four divers, one instructor
Our Daily Diving in Hurghada is for qualified divers who want guided dives and personal attention. We take a maximum of four qualified divers per PADI Master Instructor, with two dives on a normal boat day.
Book a single day or allow more time to settle in and explore. Tell us your qualification, recent diving and anything that makes you nervous. If you have had a break, we can discuss a refresher before planning the rest of your diving.
New to diving? Choose your next step
Just passed your Open Water?
Congratulations! We believe Hurghada is one of the best places to gain experience after your course, and we would love to help you. Put your new skills into practice, build confidence and enjoy discovering the reefs with a team who takes time to look after you.
Join our guided Daily Diving, with a maximum of four qualified divers per PADI Master Instructor. Tell us when you qualified and we will help you plan your next dives.
Not tried scuba before?
Our Try Scuba Experience is a lovely way to discover how it feels to breathe underwater. Enjoy two introductory dives with one-to-one instruction, starting very shallow and progressing at your own pace.
You do not need a diving qualification. We explain each step, give you time to settle in and share the excitement of your first Red Sea experience.
Ready to learn to dive?
You can also begin with the PADI Open Water course and work towards your first diving qualification. You do not have to take a Try Scuba Experience first.
We guide you through the learning and practical sessions with patience and personal care. Tell us your holiday dates so we can explain the requirements and plan enough time for you to learn comfortably.
Scuba diving Egypt: a clear idea of the cost
Book together, dive for longer and save. These are our qualified-diver prices for two guided dives each day, with a maximum of four divers per PADI Master Instructor.
Daily diving: 1–3 days
Two guided dives each day for divers booking together. All prices are in GBP, per person. Choose 1–3 days at the daily rate.
| Divers | Daily rate per person |
|---|---|
| 1 diver | £70 |
| 2 divers | £65 |
| 3 divers | £60 |
| 4 divers | £55 |
Book one day, two days or three days at the daily rate. Equipment hire is additional if needed.
For example, one diver booking two days pays £140 before any equipment hire or additional transfers.
Diving packages: 4–5 days
Two guided dives each day for divers booking together. All prices are in GBP, per person. Choose 4–5 days at the lower package rate.
| Divers | Daily rate per person | 4 days total | 5 days total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £65 | £260 | £325 |
| 2 | £60 | £240 | £300 |
| 3 | £55 | £220 | £275 |
| 4 | £50 | £200 | £250 |
Rates apply to divers booking and diving together. Packages run on consecutive days unless agreed otherwise before booking. Equipment hire is extra.
What’s included — and what costs extra
Included in your diving price: two guided dives each day, cylinders and weights, lunch on board, marine fees and taxes, plus transfers for accommodation within 2 km of the facility used for your activity.
Extra if needed: equipment hire and transfers from accommodation farther away. We confirm any additional transfer cost before you book.
We agree the full price upfront, with no hidden extras or surprise charges. If you choose to add or change a service, we explain and agree the cost with you first.
See the full Daily Diving details, or our complete activity and equipment price list. Course and beginner-experience prices are shown on their own pages.
A holiday for divers and non-divers
Your partner does not have to be a qualified diver for you to share a boat day. They may enjoy Try Scuba with their own instructor or prefer snorkelling. Between activities, you can relax and have lunch together.
Tell us who is travelling, including children’s ages, before booking. We will explain suitable options and confirm space, arrangements and each person’s price. We also offer a full concierge and bespoke holiday service, helping you with all the planning. WhatsApp: Give us a call to talk through your ideal holiday. For accommodation alongside your diving, explore our Hurghada diving holidays.
When should you plan your Red Sea diving?
We are delighted to offer diving 365 days a year. Hurghada’s warm Red Sea waters are a welcome change if you are used to UK or cooler European dive sites, whether you join us for a winter escape or a longer summer holiday.
April and May, then September, October and November, are our busier months. Prefer a quieter time? Plan your visit outside these periods and enjoy a more leisurely holiday. Send us your dates and we will help you make the most of them.
For advice on what to bring, see the seasonal and wetsuit answers in our FAQs. Daily boat arrangements follow the weather and sea conditions.
Personal care, from the UK to your boat day
Your safety and enjoyment matter to us personally. We take time to understand your experience, prepare carefully and choose dives that suit you. From checking equipment to explaining the plan before you enter the water, care is part of everything we do.
Our approach is personal: a maximum of four qualified divers to one PADI Master Instructor, clear briefings and time to listen. We want you to understand the plan and feel comfortable asking questions. Learn more about Dive UK Hurghada and how we approach boat-day safety.
Before you book, you are welcome to have a chat directly with our owner. Tell us what you would love to do, ask your questions and talk through any worries. We want you to feel comfortable with the people looking after you, from that first conversation to your time on the boat.
Planning your scuba diving in Egypt
Why book a few more days of diving?
The more time you spend exploring the reefs, the more opportunities you have for an unforgettable encounter. Extra diving days give you more chances to spot larger marine life and enjoy the variety of the Red Sea. Every dive is different, and sightings are never guaranteed.
Make more of your holiday with a four- or five-day package and enjoy a lower daily rate too. Our Daily Diving page explains the options.
Can I learn and then keep exploring?
Absolutely. After any course, we recommend a couple of extra days on the boat to put your newly learned skills into practice, build confidence and enjoy exploring the Red Sea. Let us know your plans so we can arrange suitable guided diving after your course. For your next learning adventure, browse our PADI course catalogue.
Let’s plan your Egypt diving holiday
We welcome divers from the UK, Europe, the USA and around the world. Wherever you call home, our British-owned and managed team offers clear English-speaking instruction, personal care and a warm welcome.
We suggest that you book early to avoid disappointment. Spaces are limited because we take a maximum of four divers to one instructor for guided diving, giving you the personal care and attention you deserve.
Send us your dates, accommodation plans, number of people and diving experience. Tell us what you are looking forward to—and anything you are unsure about. We will help you choose the right activities and explain the costs before you book.
Contact us for a private consultation or read how to book with Dive UK Hurghada.