PADI Open Water Diver Course — Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay & Safaga
Your first breath underwater begins here — earn the world's most recognized scuba certification in the Red Sea.
The PADI Open Water Diver Course is the globally recognized entry-level certification that opens the underwater world to beginners with no prior diving experience required. Conducted across three days in the warm, clear waters of the Egyptian Red Sea, this course blends classroom theory, confined water practice, and real open water dives into a structured learning journey.
The Red Sea coastline around Hurghada — including El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, and Safaga — offers some of the most beginner-friendly dive conditions in the world, with exceptional visibility, calm currents, and thriving coral reef ecosystems. These qualities make it an ideal environment to develop foundational dive skills under the supervision of PADI-certified instructors.
Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a PADI Open Water Diver certification that is valid for life and recognized by dive centers in every corner of the world. This certification allows independent diving to a maximum depth of 18 meters and serves as the gateway to all advanced PADI courses.
Course Highlights
Earn the most widely accepted scuba diving certification in the world, valid for life with no renewal required.
Train in the Red Sea, renowned for its crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and excellent year-round visibility.
Complete PADI eLearning theory at your own pace before or during the course, supported by certified instructors.
All confined water training sessions take place in a controlled, supervised environment to build confidence safely.
Conduct four open water dives on genuine reef sites, putting your new skills to use in a real marine environment.
Flexible pickup from multiple Red Sea resort areas including El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, and Safaga.
Course Itinerary
1
Day 1 — Knowledge Development & Confined Water Sessions 1–2
Begin with PADI knowledge development covering dive theory, equipment basics, and safety principles. Move into the confined water environment to practice core skills including regulator use, mask clearing, and buoyancy control.
2
Day 2 — Confined Water Sessions 3–5 & Open Water Dives 1–2
Complete remaining confined water exercises to refine essential techniques. Transition to the open water for your first two supervised reef dives, applying skills learned in a real underwater setting.
3
Day 3 — Open Water Dives 3–4 & Certification
Complete the final two open water dives to demonstrate dive proficiency. Upon successful assessment, your PADI Open Water Diver certification is submitted and issued, valid worldwide for life.
What Is Included
Included
PADI Open Water Diver course fees and certification registration
All diving equipment (BCD, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins, tank)
Boat trips for open water dive sessions
Hotel pickup and drop-off from Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, and Safaga
PADI-certified instructor throughout the full course
Lunch and refreshments on dive days
Not Included
PADI eLearning materials (if not purchased in advance)
Underwater photos or videos
Travel insurance
Personal expenses and gratuities
Important Information
Participants must be able to swim and in reasonable physical health. A medical questionnaire is completed prior to the first session. Please inform the dive center of any medical conditions in advance.
Duration
3 days. Sessions run across consecutive days combining theory, pool, and open water components.
Meeting Point
Hotel pickup is available from Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, and Safaga. Confirm your exact location upon booking.
What to Bring
Swimwear, towel, sunscreen (reef-safe recommended), and any prescription medication. All dive gear is provided.
Cancellation
Cancellation and rescheduling policies are confirmed at the time of booking. Check the booking terms for your specific reservation.
Accessibility
Participants must be in adequate physical health to dive. Medical conditions such as heart or respiratory issues must be disclosed before the course begins.
Age Range
Minimum age is 10 years. Participants under 18 require parental or guardian consent. No upper age limit provided medical clearance is obtained.
Ready to Become a Certified Diver?
Secure your place on the PADI Open Water Diver Course and take your first steps into the underwater world of the Red Sea. Spaces are limited — book early to guarantee your preferred dates.
Do I need any prior diving experience to join this course?▼
No prior experience is required. The PADI Open Water Course is designed specifically for complete beginners and guides you step by step from theory to open water dives.
Is the PADI Open Water certification recognized worldwide?▼
Yes. PADI is the world's leading diver training organization and the Open Water certification is accepted by dive centers globally. It is valid for life with no expiration date.
What depth can I dive to after completing the course?▼
Upon certification, PADI Open Water Divers are qualified to dive independently to a maximum depth of 18 meters. Deeper dives require advanced certification.
Is hotel pickup available from all listed Red Sea resort areas?▼
Yes. Pickup is available from Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, and Safaga. Confirm your accommodation details when booking.
Are there any medical requirements I should be aware of?▼
Participants complete a PADI medical questionnaire before the course. Conditions such as asthma, heart issues, or epilepsy may require a physician's clearance. Disclose any health conditions in advance.
What happens if I cannot complete all sessions within the 3 days?▼
Contact the dive center directly if you encounter difficulties during the course. Rescheduling options may be available depending on the operator's policy and your remaining time in the area.
PADI Open WaterScuba Diving CourseHurghada DivingEl Gouna DivingRed Sea DivingBeginner ScubaDive Certification EgyptMakadi BaySoma BaySafaga DivingLearn to DiveUnderwater Experience
This PADI Open Water Diver Course operates along the Egyptian Red Sea Riviera, departing from five distinct resort areas: Hurghada (the main hub), El Gouna (a lagoon city 25 km north), Makadi Bay (a sheltered bay 30 km south), Soma Bay (a peninsula 45 km south), and Safaga (a port town 60 km south). The Red Sea is globally recognized as one of the premier scuba diving destinations due to its year-round warm water temperatures (22–30°C), exceptional underwater visibility (often exceeding 20 meters), and biodiverse coral reef ecosystems. The region's calm, current-free inshore conditions make it particularly suitable for first-time divers completing open water training.
Activity Type: Scuba Diving Course | Certification: PADI Open Water Diver | Region: Red Sea Riviera, Egypt | Locations: Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, Safaga | Duration: 3 Days | Difficulty: Easy | Experience Required: None | Minimum Age: 10 Years
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