Looking for a unique adventure that combines learning, exploration, and relaxation? Join us at Marsa Shagra, one of Egypt’s most iconic eco-diving villages, and take your first steps into the underwater world with the PADI Open Water Diver Course.
This internationally recognized certification is your gateway to scuba diving, and there’s no better place to begin than the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea. As a solo traveler, you’ll be welcomed into a friendly, international community of divers and like-minded adventurers. With small group lessons and expert instructors, you’ll receive personalized attention and build your confidence in a safe, supportive environment.
From shallow reefs teeming with marine life to relaxed evenings under the stars, Marsa Shagra offers a perfect balance of excitement and tranquility. Whether you’re traveling to challenge yourself, meet new people, or simply try something new, this is the perfect place to dive into something unforgettable.
Day 1 – Arrival in Egypt: Into the Desert by the Sea
Your adventure begins! You arrive at Marsa Alam Airport (or transfer from Hurghada) and check in at the Marsa Shagra Eco-Village. After settling into your accommodation, you’ll get a short orientation of the camp and meet the team at the dive center to go over your course schedule. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy a sunset tea by the sea and your first dinner at the camp restaurant, where you can meet fellow travelers.
Day 2 – Course Introduction & Confined Water Training
After breakfast, you begin your PADI Open Water course with theory sessions – including video lessons and knowledge reviews. Later, you’ll head into the shallow waters near the shore for your first confined water session, where you’ll learn essential dive skills in a safe and controlled environment. The afternoon is free to relax or explore the beach. Dinner is served in the main restaurant, followed by an optional dive talk or quiet evening under the stars.
Day 3 – 6 – Padi Open Water Course
In the morning, you’ll continue with confined water practice. Later in the day, you’ll make your first open water dive on the stunning house reef, going down to a maximum of 12 meters. You’ll practice buoyancy, mask clearing, and basic navigation. Afterward, enjoy a relaxed evening and share your first dive stories with others at dinner.
On day 4 you complete your final two training dives, reaching a depth of up to 18 meters. You’ll demonstrate your safety skills, finish underwater navigation, and complete your course requirements. Congratulations – you’re now a certified PADI Open Water Diver! You’ll receive your certification and log your dives. Celebrate your achievement with a beautiful sunset and a well-deserved dinner.
On day 5 & 6 you complete your final two training dives, reaching a depth of up to 18 meters. You’ll demonstrate your safety skills, finish underwater navigation, and complete your course requirements. Congratulations – you’re now a certified PADI Open Water Diver! You’ll receive your certification and log your dives. Celebrate your achievement with a beautiful sunset and a well-deserved dinner.
Day 7 – Day Off: Rest, Reflect, and Recharge
No schedule today , just pure relaxation. Enjoy a slow breakfast, snorkel the reef, book a massage, or simply soak up the sun and serenity of Marsa Shagra. This day is yours to enjoy however you choose.
Day 8 – Departure: Farewell to the Red Sea
After breakfast, it’s time to check out and transfer to the airport or your next destination. You leave with your Open Water certification, new skills, unforgettable memories, and maybe even a few new dive buddies.
With warm water, excellent visibility, and calm sea conditions most of the year, Marsa Shagra offers one of the best and safest environments to learn scuba diving – especially for Open Water beginners.
ROYAL TENT OR HUT
DELUXE CHALET
PREMIUM DELUXE CHALET
The Royal Tent is our most popular accommodation option and an integral part of our minimal impact concept. The interior is 5×5 meters and well furnished with a minibar, fan, bean bag chairs and table, and a seating area just a few meters from the shoreline. Royal Tents are available with a double bed or two singles and share a communal bathroom facility. Shower towels are available if needed from the reception (free of charge) and beach towels can be rented on site for a fee.
The Huts are simple, dome-roofed rooms, measuring 3.5 x 3.5 meters. They are set on the beach, slightly back from the shoreline but offer uninterrupted sea views. They feature two single beds, bedside table with a lamp, a wardrobe, and a fan. Huts share a communal bathroom facility and shower towels are available if needed from the reception (free of charge). Beach towels can be rented on site for a fee.
The Deluxe Chalet is our finest room standard overlooking the spectacular mountains on one side and the Red Sea on the other. There are terraces on either side with breathtaking views and every room enjoys an unobstructed sea view. The Deluxe Chalets are 4×6 meters and feature either double bed or singles and feature wardrobe, side & dressing table, AC, digital safe, mini-bar, water kettle with coffee and tea. Deluxe Chalets feature en-suite bathroom and towels are provided for showering and for the beach.
Marsa Shagra has two Premium Deluxe Chalets. Similar to our Deluxe Chalets they overlook the spectacular mountains on one side and the Red Sea on the other. The Premium Deluxe Chalets have a larger, more comfortable terrace and seating area, and a higher standard of furnishing and design, as well as being located closest to the reception, restaurant and the centre of the village.
The Red Sea is famous for its vibrant underwater life: think colorful corals, turtles, rays, moray eels, clownfish, and even the occasional dolphin or dugong. The biodiversity here makes every dive exciting, even as a beginner.
You need to bring (a copy of) your passport, your diving license(s) and a recent medical statement, plus if applicable, vouchers for your diving package, diving course and transfers.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Haute Température (C) | 22 | 23 | 24 | 27 | 30 | 32 | 33 | 33 | 32 | 29 | 25 | 23 |
| Haute Température (F) | 71.6 | 73.4 | 75.2 | 80.6 | 86 | 89.6 | 91.4 | 91.4 | 89.6 | 84.2 | 77 | 73.4 |
| Basse Température (C) | 14 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 22 | 18 | 16 |
| Basse Température (F) | 57.2 | 57.2 | 60.8 | 68 | 73.4 | 77 | 78.8 | 78.8 | 77 | 71.6 | 64.4 | 60.8 |
| Température de l’eau (C) | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 23 | 22 |
| Température de l’eau (F) | 69.8 | 71.6 | 73.4 | 75.2 | 77 | 80.6 | 82.4 | 84.2 | 82.4 | 82.4 | 73.4 | 71.6 |
| Pluviométrie (mm) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Couverture nuageuse (%) | 10 | 7.5 | 8.75 | 8.75 | 7.5 | 1.25 | 1.25 | 1.25 | 2.5 | 5 | 7.5 | 11.25 |
| Heures d’ensoleillement (hrs) | 9 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
Most major European countries have direct flights to Marsa Alam international Airport, which is only 35 kilometers north of Marsa Shagra Village, 75 kilometers from Marsa Nakari Village and 150 kilometers from Wadi Lahami Village. A private bus will take you from the airport to the location of your choice and back. It is also possible to fly to Hurghada, or Luxor to transfer to any one of our villages.
The village has internet access via Wi-Fi. Please ask at reception for more information. Also, please remember that due to the remoteness of our location internet access is not always as fast and efficient as other parts of the world!
Guests should bring their own shampoo, conditioner etc and towels. Towels for showering are provided in our Chalets and Deluxe Chalets only. For other accommodation types, shower towels and beach towels can be rented for €5 per week. Toiletries can be purchased from our shop in Marsa Shagra Village and there is also a small supermarket opposite Marsa Shagra Village.
No experience needed! The course is designed for complete beginners. You just need to be comfortable in the water and able to swim.
Desert Experiences Yourway offers several half day or overnight desert trips by jeep, quad, camel or horse, and you can even do an Astro Tour and where you can learn about the stars in the desert sky. We also offer excursions to Luxor/Aswan. The transfer will take the road from Marsa Alam over Edfu. There are no convoys anymore but the road via Edfu to Luxor is open for tourism transfers only between 6AM until 5PM daily, and with a special permission only. For more information, please contact Reception.
Our villages are equipped with plenty of first aid supplies: wound disinfectant, plasters and bandages, light pain killers, etc. Our doctors in Baro Medical are equipped with all professional medical supplies you might need in case of an emergency or an illness. For your own comfort you can bring insect repellant and insect bite creams – these items can also be purchased on site.
Yes, based on soft all inclusive (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Lightweight, breathable clothes (cotton or linen)
Swimsuits
Rash guard or UV shirt (for snorkeling/sun protection)
Comfortable shorts and T-shirts
Warm layers for cool evenings (sweater or fleece)
Long pants/skirt for sun or modesty when visiting local areas
Light scarf or buff (protection from wind/sun/sand)
Flip-flops or sandals
Reef-safe water shoes (optional, useful on rocky shore)
Sun hat or cap
Sunglasses (preferably polarized)
Waterproof bag/dry bag (for boat rides or beach days)
Reusable water bottle
Quick-dry towel or dive towel
Reef-safe sunscreen
Lip balm with SPF
After-sun lotion or aloe vera
Mosquito repellent
Basic personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.)
Prescription medication & seasickness tablets (if needed)
