Egypt Discovery
ExcursionMarsa Alam

Beginner Discovery Scuba Dive from Marsa Alam

6 hours, shared transfer, briefing, practice, one or two guided dives, equipment included.

At a glance

Departs
Daily

The short answer

A 6-hour request-only discovery dive from Marsa Alam: briefing, shallow practice, then one or two guided dives with an instructor. No qualification is required.
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Snapshot

Good to know

Destinations
Marsa Alam
Includes
Hotel transfers in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib or any resort in between (El Quseir can be arranged) · Air-conditioned transport, shared with other guests · An instructor and dive guide · All scuba equipment · One or two guided dives, whichever you choose
Guide languages
English

Best time to go

The Red Sea is diveable all year. Spring and autumn are comfortable for time on the water.

  • IATA accredited operator, open since 1988
  • A Marsa Alam team on hand locally

02Overview

A first look

This is a six-hour discovery dive from Marsa Alam for people who have never used scuba gear. At the dive centre you have a briefing, fill in a health form and try the equipment in shallow water. Then an instructor takes you on a guided dive of about 30 to 40 minutes on a calm reef. You can add a second dive after lunch if you wish. You do not need any diving qualification. This is a request-only trip, so our team confirms availability and your health details first.

Background

The facts

Marsa Alam sits on a quiet stretch of the Red Sea coast with clear water and healthy reefs. Dive centres here offer beginner dives on calm, shallow sites.

Named in this entry

discovery dive·discovery scuba dive·Red Sea coast·reef snorkelling

Suited to

Is this for you?

Yes, if

  • Curious beginners who want to try scuba diving with proper guidance.

Maybe not, if

  • Not suited to anyone with asthma, heart, lung or serious ear problems, or to people who are uneasy in water.

What lingers

  • 01A friendly briefing and practice in shallow water before you go deeper
  • 02One or two guided dives with an instructor, as you choose
  • 03A calm reef with colourful fish, chosen for beginners
  • 04All dive equipment provided, no certificate needed
  • 05Hotel transfers in a shared air-conditioned vehicle
  • 06A request-only trip, confirmed by our team before you pay

Honest assessment

The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.

Highlights

  • No dive qualification required
  • Instructor with you on every dive
  • Every piece of dive gear supplied

Things to Consider

  • Request-only, so it needs confirming
  • Lunch and drinks are not included

Stop by stop

Detailed itinerary

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The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

Included

  • Hotel transfers in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib or any resort in between (El Quseir can be arranged)
  • Air-conditioned transport, shared with other guests
  • An instructor and dive guide
  • All scuba equipment
  • One or two guided dives, whichever you choose
  • Water to drink, in bottles

Not included

  • Tips for the dive team
  • Food and drinks
  • Pictures taken under the sea
  • Money for your own purchases

Field notes

From our Egyptologists

  1. 01

    Tell the instructor early if you feel unsure, as it is never a problem

  2. 02

    Do not fly or climb to a high altitude straight after diving

Before you go

What to pack & wear

Children & families

The discovery dive is free for under-2s, half fare for ages 2 to 11 and full fare from age 12. Please tell us the age of every young guest on the discovery dive, as the operator sets minimum ages for this activity.

These fares are a guide, as prices and departure move through the year. Do ask us and we will confirm the fare for the days you have in mind.

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

  1. 01How is the price for the discovery dive worked out?
    We quote the discovery dive per person and the figure covers everything on the inclusions list. Our team confirms the figure for the discovery dive after you send a request, and until then it is provisional. For the discovery dive, bear in mind that we are a licensed Egyptian operator with ETAA Licence 718 (Category A) and IATA accreditation, but we do not sell international flights.
  2. 02When and where will you collect me?
    A driver collects you for the discovery dive at 08:00 from hotels in Marsa Alam town, Port Ghalib and the resorts between them. For the discovery dive, El Quseir pick-ups can be arranged on request. We confirm your exact time for the discovery dive once your request is accepted, so be ready in the lobby a few minutes early.
  3. 03Can children join the discovery dive, and what do they pay?
    Yes. On the discovery dive, children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult fare, and ages 12 and over pay the full adult fare. Please think about whether little ones can cope with the discovery dive, which lasts 6 hours.
  4. 04Do I need a certificate or any experience?
    No. This is for complete beginners, and the instructor stays with you. You do need to fill in a short health declaration. If you have asthma, ear, heart or lung problems, tell us when you send your request so we can check with the dive centre.
  5. 05What if I have to cancel the discovery dive?
    You can cancel the discovery dive up to three days ahead and get a full refund. From three days down to 24 hours before the discovery dive, half is returned. Inside 24 hours, or if you are not ready at collection time for the discovery dive, there is no refund. The sooner you tell us, the better.
  6. 06Why is this trip by request only?
    Diving places are limited and depend on the sea and your health answers. Our team checks with the dive centre and confirms by message, so you only pay once the dive is settled. The transfer is shared with other guests, and the instructor stays close to you in the water.

If plans change

Plans change? We make it easy.

  • More than 72 hours before your tour: keep the full amount as credit towards a future holiday with us, or take a refund.
  • Between 72 and 24 hours beforehand: hold on to the whole amount as credit, or have part of it refunded.
  • Within 24 hours of the tour, or if you don't turn up, we're unable to offer a refund or credit.
  • Should we ever have to cancel, because of the weather or anything else beyond our control, you won't lose a penny.

Credit stays valid for 12 months from your original travel date and can go towards any tour, cruise or stay with us.See the complete terms for cancelling and refunds

Continue reading

From the archives

Product ID: EXC-MRS-076584

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