If you have never dived and want to try it, the intro dive day is a sound way to do it in Sharm El Sheikh. You do not need a license or experience. You spend a short time on land learning the basics, then two guided dives with a certified instructor close beside you. The day is 7 hours long and most of it is spent on a boat in a calm spot.
Many first-timers expect something harder than it is. You do not swim hard or kick far; you breathe slowly and let the instructor guide you. The skills are simple, and the hardest part for most people is trusting that the regulator will keep giving them air. That feeling passes within the first minute or two under the surface.
It is not a certification course, so it does not give you a card, and the depths stay shallow. What it gives you is a tried and tested introduction to breathing underwater with the instructor in control. Many people finish it knowing whether they want to take the full course. This is what to expect, step by step.
The morning: paperwork and fitting
We pick you up from your hotel at 08:00 and take you to the dive center. There you fill in paperwork and a medical self-declaration, and the team fits your scuba equipment, which is all included. At 09:15 you board the dive boat and sail to a sheltered reef. The boat is shared with up to 20 other guests.
Take the form seriously. It asks about conditions that matter under pressure, such as asthma, heart problems, ear and sinus trouble, and pregnancy. If any applies, speak to your doctor before the day, not on the boat. A good instructor will not argue if you decide not to dive.
The briefing on the boat
At 10:15, on the boat, the instructor explains the basics. You learn how to breathe through the regulator, how to equalize the pressure in your ears as you go down, and the hand signals used underwater. Ask every question you have; there is time, and nobody is in a hurry.
Equalizing is the skill that matters most. As you go down, the pressure presses on your eardrums, and you relieve it by gently blowing against a pinched nose. Do it early and often, before it hurts. If it still hurts, signal to the instructor and go up a little. Nobody will think less of you, and it is the most common reason for a short dive.
The first dive
The first dive starts at about 10:45 and goes to about 6 meters. The instructor-to-guest ratio is one to two at most, so the instructor is never far. You swim slowly along the reef, look at the fish and coral, and signal when you want to go up or if something is wrong. It is calm, and time passes quickly.
Under the surface, everything feels slow and quiet. You hear your own breathing, you drift above the coral and the fish do not seem to mind you. Keep your hands close to your body and do not touch the reef, since coral is easily damaged and some of it can sting. Look, breathe, and enjoy the slow pace.
Lunch, then the second dive
- 12:30 – lunch on board, with soft drinks and water.
- Between dives – a rest, and snorkeling if you want it.
- 13:30 – the second dive at another reef, to a maximum of 12 meters.
- 15:00 – return to the jetty and the transfer back to your hotel.
By the second dive most people are more relaxed and stay down longer. You may be allowed to go slightly deeper, up to 12 meters at most, and you will see more of the reef. The second reef is a different spot, so the day does not feel repetitive.
Between the dives you rest on the boat and can snorkel if you like. Eat lunch, drink water and wait before the second dive, because your body needs to clear the gas it has absorbed. If you feel unwell, tell the instructor and skip it. The first dive is already a good result, and nobody counts the number of dives.
Who can do it, and what is not included
The minimum age is 10. You need to be comfortable in water, though you do not need to be a strong swimmer. Gratuities, underwater photos and video, towels and dive insurance are not included, so bring cash and a towel. If you want photographs, ask the instructor about the options on the day.
Bookings are open online up to 48 hours before; inside that, send us a request. A full refund applies 3 or more days before, half between 3 days and 24 hours, and none inside 24 hours. For the current price, see the trip page. The price is per person, and children and adults are priced as set out on that page.
Plan with us
Your first scuba dive in Sharm El Sheikh: how the day goes
A 7-hour intro dive day in Sharm El Sheikh: briefing, two shallow dives with an instructor, lunch on board, and what beginners should know.