The essentials

  • Certification: PADI Open Water Diver, valid for life and worldwide to 18 m.
  • Duration: 3 to 4 days (2 days if e-learning is done before you leave).
  • Price: about 350 to 480 euros depending on the centre; check what is included.
  • Minimum age: 10 (junior certification for ages 10 to 14).
  • Condition: medical questionnaire; a doctor's certificate is required if any answer is yes.

How the course runs

  1. Theory: 5 modules, online (PADI e-learning) before you leave or on site.
  2. Confined water: shallow-water exercises (pool or beach): mask, regulator, buoyancy.
  3. Sea: 4 dives with an instructor, to 18 m, often by boat or from the centre's beach.
  4. Tests: 10 minutes treading water and a 200 m swim (or 300 m with mask and snorkel), final quiz.

Save time by doing the e-learning before the trip: you then spend more time in the water and less in the classroom.

How to choose a centre

  • Group size: no more than 4 students per instructor.
  • Instructor language: French, German, Polish, Italian or English; ask before booking.
  • What is included: equipment, certification, boat, lunch, hotel transfer. "Rock-bottom prices" often hide extras.
  • Quality: PADI-affiliated centre (ideally 5 Star), recent reviews, equipment in good condition.
  • No pressure: a good centre lets you repeat an exercise at no cost.

When to go

The sea is divable all year. The water is warmest from July to October (about 28 to 30 °C) and coolest in February (about 21 to 22 °C, a 5 mm suit advised, approximate figures). The air is pleasant from October to April: see weather month by month. For sites and wildlife, see Hurghada's dive sites.

After certification

With Open Water level, you dive to 18 m with a buddy. The PADI Advanced Open Water (dives to 30 m) then takes 2 to 3 days. To see large fish such as sharks, see Elphinstone, reserved for experienced divers; for swimming safety, see sharks in Hurghada.

Safety and insurance

Do not fly within 18 hours of a dive (a prudent rule after several days of diving). Travel insurance with evacuation is useful: see travel insurance for Egypt.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the PADI course take in Hurghada? 3 to 4 days, or about 2 days with e-learning done beforehand.

How much does it cost? About 350 to 480 euros depending on the centre.

Do you need to swim? Yes, a 200 m swim and 10 minutes treading water.

What age do you need to be? 10 at minimum.

Is the certification valid elsewhere? Yes, worldwide, for life.