PADI Open Water Course in Hurghada: Real Cost, Schedule and What’s Included

How much does the PADI Open Water course cost in Hurghada?

We quote the PADI Open Water course on request, because the final price depends on your package: how you study the theory, which equipment is included, whether hotel transfers are added and which fees are charged separately. For context, one Hurghada operator lists its own course at 350 euros.

That competitor figure comes from the divingaround.com price page, which says it covers materials, equipment rental, instructor fees and the certification card. It is their price, not ours, and the page gives no age, medical or fee details.

What a fair quote must include

A quote is only comparable when it lists the same items. Ask every school to confirm each line in writing.

Photos, videos, personal expenses and dives outside the course are not part of our course package.

How many days does the PADI Open Water course take?

PADI says many students finish in three or four days when they complete the theory through eLearning first. The course is performance-based, so the schedule follows your progress. The four open-water dives must be spread over at least two days, according to PADI.

The three parts of the course

Confined water is calm, pool-like water where you practise skills before the sea. Open water is the sea itself, where you repeat those skills on real dives. PADI describes three parts:

In PADI's own guide, dives one and two go to a maximum of 12 metres. Dives three and four go to a maximum of 18 metres.

What is included in the course, and what is not?

Our PADI Open Water course includes PADI training with a qualified instructor, learning materials per package, confined-water training, the required open-water dives, tanks and weights, equipment per package and certification processing. Hotel transfers are included where your package says so. Medical exams, photos and personal expenses are not.

• Not included: a medical examination, if required.
• Not included: personal equipment, if your package does not cover it.
• Not included: photos, videos, personal expenses and extra dives.
• Not included: any fee the selected package does not list.

Who can take the PADI Open Water course?

Anyone aged 10 or older who can swim and passes the medical questionnaire. PADI states the minimum age is 10 in most areas. Students under 15 earn the Junior Open Water Diver certification, which can be upgraded at 15.

Swim test

According to PADI, you swim 200 metres without stopping, or 300 metres in mask, fins and snorkel, and float or tread water for 10 minutes. Any stroke is allowed and there is no time limit.

Medical questionnaire

The PADI medical questionnaire is a form that screens for conditions that matter underwater. PADI's professional blog says page one has 10 questions. A "yes" leads to detailed follow-up questions. A diver who answers "yes" to a follow-up needs a physician's approval before diving. Check the form at home before you travel.

Age and depth limits

Junior divers aged 10-11 must dive with a PADI professional or a certified parent or guardian, according to PADI's restrictions page.

What does each day of the course look like?

The day-by-day plan depends on your progress, the sea, your course format and instructor availability, so we confirm it at booking. The sequence below follows PADI's structure; it is an example layout, not a fixed timetable.

1. Start: registration, medical questionnaire check and the instructor's briefing. Theory with the instructor if you have not done eLearning.
2. Confined water: set up your kit and practise core skills in calm water.
3. Open-water dives one and two: repeat the skills on a Red Sea reef, to a maximum of 12 metres.
4. Open-water dives three and four: further skills and a dive to a maximum of 18 metres.
5. Assessment: your instructor checks each required skill. You get extra practice if you need it.
6. Certification: processed according to PADI procedures once you meet every requirement.

Pickup times are confirmed after booking, according to where your hotel is.

Can I do the theory at home first?

Yes. PADI eLearning lets you finish the knowledge development online before you travel, so your days in Hurghada go to in-water training. PADI's blog gives a study time of five to 10 hours, so plan a few evenings. Tell us you are using eLearning when you book.

What if I struggle to equalise or feel nervous?

Equalising is gently blowing against a pinched nose to even out pressure in your ears. It is taught in the theory and practised from the first descent. Tell your instructor straight away if you feel pressure or worry. The course is performance-based, so you move on when you are comfortable, not on a timer.

Not ready for scuba? A guided snorkeling trip shows you the same kind of reefs from the surface.

What can I dive after Open Water?

With the PADI Open Water Diver certification you can dive with a buddy to a maximum of 18 metres, according to PADI. The certification does not expire, but PADI recommends diving regularly and avoiding long gaps of six to 12 months or more.

To go deeper, take the PADI Advanced Open Water course. PADI's minimum age is 12, and the limit is 21 metres for ages 12-14 and 30 metres for ages 15 and over. See all PADI courses in Hurghada.

How do I choose a dive school?

Choose a school that names a PADI instructor, lists every inclusion in writing and asks for your medical questionnaire before any practical training. Avoid a quote that is much cheaper but silent on equipment, certification or fees. The checklist below takes two minutes.

• Is the instructor a qualified PADI instructor, and who teaches each session?
• Does the quote cover all four open-water dives?
• Is equipment, tanks and weights included?
• Is certification processing included?
• Are park or environmental fees stated?
• What happens if weather cancels a dive?

How does Divers Trips handle the PADI Open Water course?

Divers Trips runs the PADI Open Water Diver course in Hurghada with a PADI instructor, to PADI standards. The price is on request. Send your preferred start date, the students' ages, any diving experience and your hotel name, and we confirm availability, schedule and the final price.

Hotel pickup is arranged according to your course package. Once certified, you can use the card on our full-day diving trip, which costs 60 euros per person. See the diving in Hurghada page, or contact us with questions before you book.