Scuba diving cost in Egypt & the Red Sea (2026)
The Red Sea is world-class and cheaper than you think — but Egypt's diving tax catches people out. Here's the real all-in cost of every option.
Egypt's Red Sea is one of the best-value world-class dive regions on the planet: warm water, dramatic reefs and wrecks, and prices well below the Caribbean or the Maldives. But Egypt also has a quirk that surprises visitors — a diving entertainment tax layered on top of VAT — so the price you see online is often not the price at the counter. Here's the honest, all-in picture for 2026.
Discover Scuba: your first breath underwater
A guided taster dive on the Red Sea typically runs €60–€79 all-in, depending on whether it's from shore or by boat and what gear and photos are included. It's one of the most affordable places in the world to try diving for the first time.
Open Water certification
A full Open Water Diver course on the Egyptian Red Sea typically lands in the €275–€425 all-in range. The spread depends on the agency materials (PADI's eLearning fee vs SSI's included app), whether gear is bundled, and how the local taxes are handled.
| Discover Scuba (1 guided dive) | €60–€79 |
| Open Water Diver course | €275–€425 |
| Fun dive (certified, per dive) | from ~€30–€45 |
Egypt's diving tax
Egypt applies a diving 'entertainment' tax (around 10%) on top of standard VAT. Reputable operators fold this into their quoted price. If a listing looks suspiciously cheap, ask whether tax is included before you book.
Where to dive: the main Red Sea bases
Hurghada & Makadi Bay
The central Red Sea coast around Hurghada and Makadi Bay is the classic resort-diving hub — easy boat access to reefs, plenty of certified centers, and strong value on courses. Ideal for first-timers and families.
Dahab
Dahab, on the Sinai coast, is a more laid-back, backpacker-friendly town famous for shore diving — including the legendary Blue Hole. Lots of dives are entered straight from the beach, which can keep boat surcharges down.
We track verified, all-in prices for certified centers in Makadi Bay and Dahab — compare them directly rather than trusting a stale blog figure.
Hidden costs to budget for in Egypt
- Marine-park / national-park fees in protected areas like Ras Mohammed.
- Boat surcharges versus shore dives — Dahab's shore access can save you here.
- Equipment rental if you're not travelling with your own gear.
- Tips for guides and boat crew, which are customary.
- The diving tax and VAT — included by good operators, sometimes added later by others.
The DiveCost approach to Egypt
Because Egypt's tax is the classic 'surprise at the counter', it's exactly where all-in pricing matters most. Every Egyptian price we list is checked against the operator's own site and dated.
New to all this? Start with the hidden costs of diving and Discover Scuba vs Open Water to decide where to put your money.
Bottom line: the Red Sea offers world-class diving at some of the best prices anywhere. Just budget for the all-in number — tax included — and Egypt is hard to beat for value.