Diving in Hurghada: a first dive, or two for certified divers
No certificate is needed for a first dive with an instructor beside you. Certified divers get two guided dives. And for anyone who would rather stay dry, there is a boat with a window below the waterline.
The Red Sea off Hurghada is one of the reasons people come. Here is how to get under it, whatever you have done before.
Never dived before
Intro Diving is a first dive with no certificate and no experience asked for — that is the whole point of it. After the sail out there is a briefing in shallow water on breathing, equalising and the hand signals, and then the dive itself, with a licensed instructor beside you the whole way down. Full diving equipment is included, and there are twelve places so the instructor is not spread across a crowd. About five hours, back in the early afternoon. It is a first dive, not a course: no certification comes with it.
To pair a first dive with an island afternoon, Orange Bay + Intro Diving and Hula Hula + Intro Diving make a full day of it.
Already certified
Professional Diving is two guided dives from the boat, with tanks and weights on board and a surface interval between them. Bring your certificate and logbook — both are checked before the first dive. The sites are chosen on the day for the conditions rather than promised in advance. About six hours, twelve places.
Would rather stay dry
Sea Scope is two hours in a boat with a viewing deck below the waterline: you go down the steps, sit at the glass, and the reef goes past. Nobody gets wet, which is the whole point. And every one of our island days includes a snorkelling stop with the gear on board and a guide in the water.