What an intro dive in Sharm El Sheikh is
An introductory dive, sometimes called a try dive or discovery dive, lets you breathe underwater with full scuba equipment under the close supervision of an instructor, without signing up for a course. Starting from the beach rather than a boat makes it gentler on nerves. You enter where you can stand, get used to the equipment in shallow water, and only move on when you feel ready. Sharm’s reefs often begin close to the shore, so coral and fish appear quickly.
How the session typically runs
- Hotel pick-up and the drive to the dive beach.
- Health questions. The instructor asks about your health. Mention any heart, lung, ear or sinus problems, recent surgery, medication or pregnancy. You may be asked to fill in a short medical form.
- Briefing on land. How the regulator works, how to clear your ears and the hand signals you will use underwater.
- Kitting up. The instructor helps you into the equipment and checks that everything fits.
- Shallow-water practice. Standing in the water, you put your face in, breathe through the regulator and try the basic skills.
- The dive. The instructor stays right beside you and leads the way along the reef at a relaxed pace.
- Rinse, change and head back to your hotel.
Who shore diving suits
- Snorkellers who want to stay down longer and get closer to the fish.
- Couples or friends who want to try something new together.
- Anyone considering a full diving course who wants to test it first.
- Teenagers, with minimum ages set by the dive centre’s rules. Mido confirms them on WhatsApp.
You should feel reasonably comfortable in the water. You don’t need to be a strong swimmer, but tell the instructor if you’re nervous: a good instructor simply slows everything down.
Tips from a local
Don’t dive on your last day. Divers are advised to wait a number of hours before flying, so ask your instructor for the current guidance and keep at least a full day between your dive and your flight home.
- Equalise early and often. Pinch your nose and blow gently every metre or so on the way down, and never push through ear pain.
- Breathe slowly and never hold your breath. It is the one rule that matters most underwater.
- Hands off the reef. Don’t touch coral or animals, and keep your fins away from the bottom.
- Eat lightly before the dive and skip alcohol the night before.
- Wear contact lenses if you need them, since glasses won’t fit under a mask. If you wear glasses, ask us in advance about options.
- In winter, bring a warm layer for afterwards. The sea is around 21–22°C in February, and you will feel the breeze when you come out.
Combine it with other sea trips
A good order is to snorkel first on the Ras Mohammed and White Island boat trip and try diving a day or two later. If someone in your group doesn’t want to get wet, the semi-submarine shows the same reef world through big windows, and the glass bottom boat is a relaxed alternative for young children. When your holiday ends, book your Sharm El Sheikh airport transfer with Mido too, and keep that day dive-free.
Book shore diving in Sharm El Sheikh by messaging Mido Tours on WhatsApp (+20 10 1868 1624) with your date, hotel and any medical questions you would like us to check first.
