PADI Open Water Diver Course in Hurghada – Learn Scuba Diving

Six underwater sessions can change your holiday. This three-day PADI Open Water course gives you a structured route to certification, with an instructor, equipment, private transport, and a small group of no more than four students. I like the personal attention and the clear progression from shallow-water skills to exploring approved sites.

I also like that instructors such as Steve, Emma, Wessam, and Magot are repeatedly praised for patience, safety, and calm communication. The main point to check before booking is the final price: the listed rate is $482.16 per person, but PADI learning materials and certification cost an additional £140 per person. Lunch is described as included in the overview, yet it is not listed in the formal inclusions, so confirm that detail too.

Key points to know before you book

• Six supervised sessions over three days: You complete two underwater sessions each day, with skills introduced gradually.
• Small groups of up to four students: This gives you more instructor attention than a large class.
• Certification to 18 metres: Once you pass the course, you can hold a PADI Open Water Diver qualification for worldwide use to that depth.
• Equipment and transport included: You do not need to bring scuba gear, and private transportation is provided.
• A calm, safety-first teaching style: Steve, Emma, Wessam, and Magot are praised for patience, reassurance, and clear instruction.
• Extra costs need checking: PADI materials and certification are not included, and the lunch information should be confirmed before arrival.

What the three-day PADI course actually teaches

This is not a one-off introductory swim with an air tank. It is a full beginner course designed to take you from no formal qualification to PADI Open Water Diver status.

The training has three parts: video instruction with your instructor, reading the PADI manual, and practical work in the water. You need all three. The classroom and reading sections explain the rules behind safe underwater activity, while the practical sessions help you handle equipment and respond to common situations.

You work toward a maximum depth of 59 feet, or 18 metres. That is the normal depth limit associated with the PADI Open Water qualification, and it gives you access to certified recreational sites around the world.

I like this format because it does not rush straight to sightseeing. You first learn how to keep yourself safe, manage your equipment, and complete required skills. Only after you show enough control do you spend more time looking around the underwater sites.

The course is designed for a maximum of four students. That matters. A beginner may need a skill explained twice, a little extra time to settle down, or help with nerves. In a group this small, the instructor has a better chance of noticing those needs.

Day one: video training and two shallow-water sessions

The first morning begins at about 8:00 am. Your instructor guides you through the training video before you start the practical work.

The two sessions on day one take place in shallow water and focus on a series of basic skills. You should expect the day to feel instructional rather than scenic. That is a good thing at this stage, since the aim is to become comfortable and safe before moving farther from shore or into more interesting areas.

You will be introduced to the equipment provided by the centre and shown how to use it under supervision. The course information does not list every individual skill, so I would not assume a particular exercise schedule. The important point is that you learn the required basics in shallow water, where an instructor can support you as you build confidence.

For a first-time student, day one can be the most demanding mentally. Breathing through a regulator feels unfamiliar, and even simple movements can require concentration. The small group helps here, especially if you are anxious or have only tried a short introductory session before.

The personal accounts connected with this course repeatedly praise instructors for adapting their approach. Emma is singled out for working patiently with a junior student, while Wessam is praised for a careful, no-risk teaching style. Those details matter more than flashy promises when you are learning a technical activity.

Day two: repeating skills before seeing more of the Red Sea

The second day begins by revisiting the skills from day one. Repetition may sound less exciting than sightseeing, but it is where the movements become more familiar and less stressful.

Once your instructor is satisfied that you are safe and competent, you begin to explore the underwater sites. You complete two sessions again, combining practical training with your first proper look at Hurghada’s underwater scenery.

The gradual change is one of the course’s strongest features. You are not simply taken to a site and expected to cope. You first practise, then use those skills in a more open setting.

The available information does not promise a specific reef, wreck, boat route, or marine species. One account does describe a wreck during an Open Water course, so that may be possible on some schedules, but I would treat it as a bonus rather than a guaranteed feature.

Your day includes bottled water, and private transport is provided. Lunch is described as included in the main tour description, although it does not appear in the formal list of inclusions. Ask for confirmation before you set out, especially if you have dietary needs or plan your day around the meal.

Day three: final skills, more site time, and the exam

The last day combines the remaining required skills with two more sessions at the sites. By now, the course should feel less like an equipment lesson and more like controlled recreational activity.

You still work under instructor supervision. The qualification is not based only on enjoying the scenery. You must show that you can use the skills safely and understand the course material.

At the end, you complete a small exam. Once you pass the practical requirements and exam, you become a PADI Open Water Diver, qualified to a maximum depth of 18 metres.

The six-session structure gives you useful practice, but three days is still a compact schedule. You should arrive ready to concentrate. It is not the best choice if you want a completely unplanned beach break with only a short underwater sampler.

The course may suit you especially well if you have already completed part of your theory training at home. One person completed the e-learning before arriving, leaving more holiday time for relaxing and exploring Hurghada after the morning training. The supplied information does not confirm that online learning is included, so arrange this directly with the provider if you want that option.

Why the four-person limit matters

A group of up to four students is a real advantage for beginners. You get more opportunity to ask questions, repeat a task, and receive direct corrections from the instructor.

It can also make the course feel more personal. Several instructors are named in the feedback, including Steve and Emma, and the strongest praise focuses on patience, reassurance, and clear explanations rather than speed.

Steve is also praised for communicating well before arrival. That is useful when you are nervous about your first certified course, since you can clarify requirements before reaching Egypt rather than trying to solve everything on the first morning.

The private format means only your own group participates in the activity. That does not necessarily mean every session is one-to-one, since the group can include up to four students, but it does give your party a more controlled setting than a large public class.

Families should ask about age requirements directly. The supplied accounts describe children aged 10 and 13 completing PADI courses, including a junior course, but the formal tour details do not state the minimum age for this particular booking.

Equipment, transport, and what you need to budget

Scuba equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring tanks, regulators, or the other standard gear used during training. That makes this easier to arrange if you are flying into Egypt with normal holiday luggage.

Bottled water is included. Private transportation is also included, which should make the early start simpler and reduce the need to arrange your own route to the training location.

The headline price is $482.16 per person. At first glance, that may look high beside a short introductory session, but this is a three-day certification course with six practical sessions, instruction, equipment, and transport. You are paying for a qualification rather than a single recreational outing.

The price is not fully all-inclusive. PADI materials and certification are listed separately at £140 per person, paid to the instructor. Because the two prices use different currencies, your final cost will depend on the exchange rate and any payment conditions explained by the provider.

I would ask for a written cost breakdown before you arrive. Confirm the £140 fee, lunch, pickup arrangements, and any other required payment. That small bit of planning prevents an awkward surprise after three busy days.

The Hurghada location needs one quick check

The supplied booking details identify the location as Cairo, while the course name, itinerary, transport details, and instructor information all describe Hurghada. Those are not interchangeable destinations.

You should confirm the exact meeting point and pickup area before paying or arranging accommodation. The stated start time is 8:00 am, and private transportation is offered, but the information does not specify the pickup radius or exact address.

This is especially important if you are staying away from central Hurghada or arriving through Cairo. Do not assume that a Cairo hotel pickup is available simply because Cairo appears in one part of the booking information.

What the strongest praise tells you about the centre

The most consistent positive theme is safety. People describe Steve, Emma, Wessam, and Magot as patient, reassuring, and willing to adapt instruction to individual needs.

That is important for a beginner course. You may arrive excited but still feel uneasy about breathing underwater, managing equipment, or completing a skill without your usual travel companion. One student specifically received help with anxiety after having to finish the course without a partner.

Communication before arrival is another strong point. Steve is praised for sending detailed information and staying in contact before and after booking. That kind of preparation helps you understand what the course involves and gives you a chance to raise concerns early.

The supplied feedback also includes praise for newer equipment and for a booking process handled from the United Kingdom. A few people returned for further training or additional sessions, which suggests the centre can suit students who want to continue after the first qualification.

Still, praise is not a substitute for checking current conditions. Ask who will teach your group, what equipment size is available, where the practical sessions will take place, and exactly what happens if weather interrupts the schedule.

Who should book this course?

I would choose this course if you want a recognised qualification and prefer a small, supportive group. It is also a sensible option if you are nervous, travelling with a partner or family member, or hoping to continue with more advanced training later.

It suits a three-day stay or a longer Hurghada holiday with room for morning instruction and rest afterward. The private transport and supplied equipment reduce the amount of planning you need to do yourself.

You may want a different activity if you only have one free day, dislike structured lessons, or want a guaranteed wreck or particular underwater site. This course is about learning the required skills first, with sightseeing added as you become ready.

People who have already begun PADI training at home may find the course easier to fit into a holiday, but you should confirm exactly which parts can be completed before arrival.

Should you book the Hurghada PADI Open Water course?

I would book it if certification is your main goal and you value patient instruction over a bargain-priced introductory session. The four-person limit, private transport, supplied equipment, and repeated praise for careful teaching create a strong package for a first qualification.

Before booking, confirm the Hurghada meeting point, the extra £140 PADI fee, and whether lunch is included. If those details work for your budget and schedule, this is a practical way to earn an internationally recognised qualification while seeing the Red Sea under close supervision.

FAQ

Where does the PADI Open Water course take place?

The course is described as taking place in Hurghada, Egypt. One booking detail identifies the location as Cairo, so confirm the exact meeting point and pickup area before booking.

How long does the course last?

The course lasts approximately three days.

What time does the course start?

The stated start time is 8:00 am.

How many underwater sessions are included?

You complete two sessions on day one, two on day two, and two on day three, for six sessions in total.

What depth can I reach after certification?

The PADI Open Water qualification allows you to scuba dive to 18 metres, or 59 feet.

Is scuba equipment provided?

Yes. Scuba equipment is provided for use during the course.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation is included, and pickup is offered.

Is lunch included?

The tour description says lunch is included, but the formal inclusions list does not mention it. Confirm this detail with Dive UK Hurghada before arrival.

Are PADI materials and certification included in the price?

No. PADI materials and certification cost an additional £140 per person, paid to the instructor.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded, and poor weather may result in a new date or a full refund.