Many people arrive in Marsa Alam with no plan to dive and leave wishing they had tried. The reefs here are close to shore and the water is clear, which makes them a gentle place to learn what breathing underwater feels like.
An introductory dive is not a course. It is a supervised first taste, designed for people who have never done it. Here is what the day involves.
Before you get in the water
You are collected from your hotel at about 08:00 and reach the dive center around 09:00. There you complete a short health form, meet your instructor and have your equipment fitted. The briefing covers how the gear works, how to clear your mask and how to signal with your hands.
Take the health questions seriously. Asthma, ear trouble, heart conditions and some medicines can make diving unsafe. If any apply, tell us when you book, and bring medical information. We would rather talk it through early.
The instructor watches you throughout the briefing to see how comfortable you are. If something feels unclear, ask. Nobody expects you to understand the equipment instantly, and questions at this stage make the dive safer.
Practice in shallow water
At around 09:45 you practice in shallow water, standing or kneeling where it is easy to stop. This is where most nerves settle. You breathe from the regulator, clear water from your mask, and get used to the feeling of weightlessness.
One of the practice exercises is learning to recover your regulator if it slips out of your mouth. It sounds worse than it is. The instructor shows you step by step, and after a couple of tries most people find it easy.
The guided dive
At about 10:45 you make your first guided dive, lasting 30 to 40 minutes. The instructor stays close, often holding your gear or hand, and sets the depth and pace. The reef is calm and shallow, with colorful fish and coral to look at.
After a lunch break at about 12:30, you can make a second dive at 13:30 if you want. Many first-timers choose it, because by then they are more relaxed and notice much more. Others stop after one, and that is perfectly fine.
Fish tend to ignore divers who move slowly. Stay relaxed, breathe evenly and let the reef come to you. Moving your arms less than you think you need to will also save air and keep you steadier.
What it feels like
- Breathing – slow and steady, with a rhythm you pick up in minutes
- Ears – a gentle pressure, relieved by pinching your nose and blowing softly
- Floating – light and quiet, with sound muffled by the water
- Time – it passes fast, and 30 minutes can feel like 10
Some people feel an odd tightness in the mask or a dry mouth from breathing compressed air. Both are normal. Sip water between dives and tell your instructor if anything feels wrong.
After your dive
You are back at your hotel by about 15:00. Rest, drink water and keep off alcohol for a while. If you plan to fly soon, ask the dive center about the waiting time before a flight. Dive rules on this are firm, and they apply to beginners too.
Wildlife is a bonus on any dive, never a promise. You might see turtles, rays or schooling fish, or you might simply enjoy the reef itself.
If you enjoy it, the next step is a proper course, which gives you a certificate and lets you dive more widely. You can look into this at home or later in your trip. There is no pressure to decide on the day.
Plan with us
Your first scuba dive in Marsa Alam: a beginner's guide
How an intro scuba day works in Marsa Alam: the briefing, shallow practice, one or two guided dives, health checks and what beginners should know.