Intro Scuba Diving from Marsa Alam – One or Two Guided Dives for Beginners
6 hours, shared vehicle, all equipment and instructor included, one or two guided dives, pick-up at 08:00. No certification needed.
The short answer
A 6-hour beginner scuba trip from Marsa Alam: briefing, practice in shallow water, then one or two guided dives of about 30 to 40 minutes with an instructor. No certificate is needed.
- New
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Marsa Alam
- Includes
- Pick-up and drop-off in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between your hotel and the dive centre; El Quseir on request · Shared air-conditioned vehicle · Instructor and dive guide · Complete scuba equipment · One or two guided dives, as you choose
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
The dive runs all year. Calm mornings in spring and autumn give the best clarity.
- Organized by our Marsa Alam office, part of an Egyptian operator trading since 1988
- Holds ETAA Licence 718 in Category A and IATA accreditation
02Overview
A first look
This is a first dive for people who have never used scuba gear. A shared vehicle collects you at 08:00 and takes you to the dive centre. There you fill in a health form, sit through a short briefing and have your equipment fitted. Next comes practice in shallow water, where you learn to breathe from the regulator and clear your mask. After that, an instructor takes you down on a calm reef for about 30 to 40 minutes. A second dive is optional after a lunch break. You are back at your hotel by about 15:00. This trip runs on request, and our team confirms it with you.
Background
The facts
Marsa Alam is known for its healthy reefs and clear water. Intro dives start at a dive centre on the coast and use a calm, shallow reef suited to first-timers.
Named in this entry
Scuba diving·Marsa Alam·Dive centre·Coral reef·Instructor·Red Sea
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- Adults and teenagers who have never dived and want to try it with an instructor.
Maybe not, if
- Not for people with heart, lung or ear conditions, or for pregnant guests.
What lingers
- 01A briefing and practice in shallow water before you go deeper
- 02One guided dive of about 30 to 40 minutes, with an optional second
- 03An instructor and dive guide with you throughout
- 04All scuba equipment provided and fitted for you
- 05No certification needed, only a health declaration
Honest assessment
Real trade-offs from our experience managing this tour.
Highlights
- No certificate needed
- Instructor with you throughout
- All equipment included
Things to Consider
- Health questions can rule some guests out
- Lunch is not included
Stop by stop
Detailed itinerary
- 1
The vehicle comes at 08:00 and takes guests from Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between to the dive centre. Eat a light breakfast and avoid heavy food. Bring your swimsuit and a towel.
- 2
At the dive centre you complete a short health declaration. Say honestly if you have asthma, ear trouble, heart problems or are pregnant. The instructor then explains the basics and fits your wetsuit, mask, fins and tank.
- 3
You stand in waist-deep water and learn to breathe through the regulator, clear water from your mask and signal to the instructor. Nothing moves on until you feel comfortable. Take as long as you need.
- 4
The instructor holds your hand or your tank and leads you over a calm reef at a shallow depth. You see coral and reef fish while you float and breathe. Each dive runs 30 to 40 minutes.
- 5
Lunch is not included, so bring cash or ask the dive centre what is on offer. Drink plenty of water and rest on shore. Many guests find they are hungry after the first dive.
- 6
If you chose two dives, you go back in with the same instructor. The second dive is often easier, because you know what to expect. You may go a little longer or a little deeper if the instructor judges it safe.
- 7
After a rinse and a change, the vehicle takes you back to your hotel for about 15:00. Do not fly for at least 24 hours after diving, so mention this if you leave Egypt soon.
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Pick-up and drop-off in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between your hotel and the dive centre; El Quseir on request
- Shared air-conditioned vehicle
- Instructor and dive guide
- Complete scuba equipment
- One or two guided dives, as you choose
- Bottled water
Not included
- Gratuities
- Lunch and drinks
- Underwater photos
- Personal expenses
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
Equalize your ears early and often on the way down
- 02
Tell the instructor at once if anything hurts, and go up
Before you go
What to pack & wear
Children & families
Intro dives usually require a minimum age that the dive centre sets, and young children are not suited to the course. Please tell us the age of each guest when you send your request. Our team confirms what is possible and what the fare is for children.
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
On the ground
Where it is
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How does the price work for the intro dive?
The price is per person. It covers the instructor, all equipment and the transfers. Children under 2 are not suited to this trip, and our team confirms child pricing with you. This trip is on request, and prices are provisional until we reply.02Do I need to be a certified diver?
No. This is a discovery experience for beginners. The instructor teaches you the basics in shallow water first, and you dive only to a modest depth. You will not earn a certificate on this trip.03Is it safe, and what health questions are asked?
A short health declaration is required before every dive. It asks about asthma, ear and sinus problems, heart conditions, epilepsy and pregnancy. If you answer yes to any, you may need a doctor's note. The instructor stays with you the whole time.04What if I feel nervous underwater?
That is common and normal. You can signal the instructor at any time and go up to the surface. The first minutes are in shallow water so you can adapt. There is no pressure to do the second dive.05What is the cancellation rule?
More than 72 hours ahead, keep 100% as credit toward future travel or take a 100% refund, less bank charges. Between 72 and 24 hours, keep 100% as credit or take a 50% refund. Within 24 hours, or if you don't show up, there is no refund or credit. If we have to cancel, you lose nothing.06Do I share the vehicle and the dive centre with other guests?
Yes. The vehicle is shared, and a small group may be at the dive centre together. Each guest has an instructor beside them on the dive itself. Ask our team if you want a private dive session.
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Continue reading
From the archives
Last updated Product ID: EXC-MRS-076584
At a glance
- Departs
- Daily
You Might Also Like
Marsa AlamAbu Dabbab Bay from Marsa Alam – Turtles & Dugong Snorkeling
A five-hour morning at Abu Dabbab Bay, a sheltered beach where green turtles graze on seagrass and, with luck, a dugong too. You snorkel from the beach and have free time on the sand. Sightings are possible but never guaranteed. The vehicle is shared with other guests, and beach entrance, equipment and water are included.
From $90
Marsa AlamSataya Dolphin Reef from Marsa Alam – Full-Day Boat & Snorkeling
A 13-hour day to Sataya, also called Dolphin Reef, in the far south of the coast. A shared vehicle drives you to Hamata harbour, and a boat takes you out to the reef, where spinner dolphins often rest. Sightings are likely but never guaranteed. There are two snorkeling stops, and lunch is served on board. The group is shared with up to 25 other guests.
From $129
Marsa AlamEdfu & Kom Ombo Day Trip from Marsa Alam – Private, by Road
A private 14-hour day by road to two Nile temples: the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the double temple of Sobek and Haroeris at Kom Ombo. You have your own vehicle, driver and Egyptologist, with lunch at a local restaurant. Entrance tickets and bottled water are included.
From $277