PADI Open Water Diver Course in the Red Sea
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationRed Sea / Marsa Alam
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AgeFrom 10 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions28.62 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
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Languages
French
English
German
Arabic
In a few words
Discover the joys of scuba diving with a PADI Open Water Diver course in the heart of the Red Sea . This stay in Marsa Alam offers an idyllic and safe environment to earn your first international certification . From your hotel, you'll have direct access to exceptionally rich coral reefs for your first dives.
The training, guided by a certified instructor , follows a smooth progression combining theory, technical exercises in sheltered waters, and exploration in a natural environment. Step by step, you gain confidence to master the fundamentals of the discipline and dive independently to a depth of 18 meters .
Balancing comfort and immersion, this experience is designed to transform beginners into experienced divers. You'll discover a fascinating underwater world teeming with vibrant marine life, all while enjoying optimal visibility. A memorable adventure to validate your skills and leave with unforgettable memories of one of the world's most beautiful dive sites.
The highlights
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Complete PADI training up to Open Water Diver certification
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Diving in the Red Sea on exceptional coral reefs in Marsa Alam
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Professional PADI 5* coaching directly from the hotel
Photos
Sport
Level
Scuba diving
The expert's opinion
The PADI Open Water Diver course is the most recognized scuba diving certification in the world and is aimed at beginners with no prior experience.
During this training, you will learn the basics of diving through:
- Online theory (PADI eLearning)
- Exercises in a protected environment (swimming pool or shallow water)
- 4 dives in a natural environment
Upon completion of the training, you will receive your PADI Open Water Diver certification , which will allow you to:
- 🌊 Dive independently with a certified buddy
- 🌊 Dive to a maximum depth of 18 meters
- 🌊 Rent diving equipment and participate in guided dives all over the world
- 🌊 Continue your training with PADI's advanced courses
Minimum age:
- 10 years (Junior Open Water Diver)
- From age 15: Full Open Water Diver certification
No prior diving experience is required.
In figures
Diving
- 3 average daily practices
- Maximum depth: 18 m
Management
French
English
German
Arabic
All activities are led by a professional, PADI-certified, multilingual team (French, English, German, Arabic). Each stage of the course is supervised by a qualified instructor to ensure safe and progressive learning.
Program
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Arrival
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Arrival at your accommodation, free time.
Day 1 -
Introduction, theory and confined water
- Activity Diving
- Number of practices per day 3
- Maximum depth (in m) 2 m
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The first day begins at 8:30 am with a welcome at the dive center, verification of medical documents, and registration for the PADI Open Water Diver course. You will then be introduced to your equipment and learn how to use it correctly with your instructor.
Starting at 10:00 AM, you'll complete your first sessions in confined water. You'll learn the essential basics of diving: breathing underwater, regulator recovery, mask clearing, and buoyancy control. The goal is to gradually familiarize you with the sensations of diving.
In the afternoon, you'll continue with more advanced exercises, including managing simple situations and improving your underwater stability. The day concludes with a review of the eLearning theory and a debriefing session.
Day 2 -
Sea Dives (1 & 2)
- Activity Diving
- Number of practices per day 2
- Maximum depth (in m) 18 m
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
You are entering the Red Sea for the first time. After a briefing and equipment preparation, you set off for two dives in a natural environment.
The first dive allows you to discover the reef and work on buoyancy and orientation down to a depth of 12 meters. The second dive reinforces your skills with practical exercises while exploring the coral reefs.
At the end of the day, you complete your dive log and continue reviewing the theory.
Day 3 -
Certification (dives 3 & 4)
- Activity Diving
- Number of practices per day 2
- Maximum depth (in m) 18 m
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
This final day is dedicated to skills validation. Dive 3 focuses on navigation and advanced buoyancy control. Dive 4 is the final certification dive to a depth of 18 meters, validating all acquired skills.
At the end of the day, if all requirements are met, you will receive your PADI Open Water Diver certification.
Day 4
Note
The PADI Open Water Diver course program is organized over three consecutive days, with possible departures every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The order of the days may be adjusted according to the dive center's schedule, weather conditions, and dive site availability, while ensuring full compliance with PADI training standards.
The times indicated are approximate and may be adjusted on-site by the instructor depending on local conditions, the group's skill level, and the participants' progress. Confined water and open water sessions may be rescheduled during the day to optimize safety and comfort.
In the event of adverse sea conditions, some open water dives may be rescheduled to another time slot or a more suitable site (such as a private reef or a shallow protected area), without affecting course completion. The goal is to guarantee a progressive, safe, and PADI-compliant learning experience, while providing the best possible conditions for each participant.
Accommodation
Access
The diving center is located in the JAZ Neo Reef Marsa hotel situated in Marsa Alam on the Red Sea coast in Egypt.
For other hotels located in the immediate vicinity, a free transfer can also be arranged within a limit of 15 km.
The meeting point for diving activities is located directly within the hotel complex.
No additional travel is required to reach the diving center, allowing activities to begin from day one in optimal conditions of comfort and simplicity.
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Diving
- Basic equipment included: 12L bottle, belt and weights
- Accommodation according to the chosen package
The price does not include
- Flights
- National park fees: €8/day
- Diving permit fees: €6 per day x 3 days, total €18.00.
- Personal expenses
- Diamond Package: includes online learning materials, PADI certification, 1 dive logbook, and 1 free reef dive, €95.00.
- Boat trip from Marsa Alam: €37/person.
- Dolphin House boat trip: €60/person
- Boat trip from Port Ghalib: €37/person
- Speedboat: €30/person
- Minibus trip (2 dives): €17/person
- The tourist tax
Options
- Private monitor : CHF137.22 / person
- Diamond Package (mandatory) : CHF86.91 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
- Meals according to the chosen package
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
Complete diving equipment (buoyancy compensator, regulator, wetsuit, mask, fins and booties)
Bottle, weights and weight belt
Dive Logbook
Instruction by a professional PADI instructor
Equipment to bring
- Valid passport or identity card
- Booking confirmation
- Your personal medications, if necessary
- Change of clothes for after the dive
- Your dive logbook and your certification card (only if you are already a certified diver)
Clothing to bring
- Swimsuit
- Bath towel
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses and a hat or cap
- Flip-flops or sandals
- Reusable water bottle or flask
- A light jacket or windbreaker is recommended during the winter months (November to March).
The Sandra team
A leading diving provider in the Red Sea since 2015, this diving expert operates from eight strategic sites, from El Gouna to Marsa Alam. Sandra offers an exceptional experience in the heart of Egypt's underwater biodiversity, combining rigorous safety protocols with top-of-the-line equipment.
