SSI Open Water Course: A Complete Beginner's Guide to Scuba Diving in Sharm El Sheikh
Have you ever wondered what it feels like to breathe underwater, explore a coral reef, and discover a world that most people only see in documentaries?
Perhaps you've already tried scuba diving on holiday and want to take the next step. Or maybe you've never worn a diving mask before and are wondering whether scuba diving is really something you can learn.
The good news is that you don't need to be an experienced diver to get started.
The SSI Open Water Course is designed for beginners who want to learn scuba diving, develop essential underwater skills, and earn an internationally recognized diving certification.
At Red Sea Marine Diving Center in Naama Bay, Sharm El Sheikh, we help beginners take their first steps underwater through personal instruction, small training groups, and practical experience in the beautiful Red Sea.
In this guide, we'll explain how the course works, what you'll learn, how long training takes, what certification allows you to do, and what to consider before choosing a dive center.
1. What Is the SSI Open Water Course?
The SSI Open Water Diver course is an entry-level scuba diving certification program.
It teaches you the knowledge and practical skills needed to plan and conduct recreational dives with an equally or more qualified buddy, within the limits of your training and certification.
Unlike a one-time introductory dive, this is a complete training program. You don't just experience breathing underwater; you learn how to use scuba equipment, control your buoyancy, communicate with your buddy, and respond to common diving situations.
Your training combines three main elements:
Knowledge development: Understand scuba diving principles, equipment, pressure, buoyancy, and safety.
Confined water training: Practise essential skills in a controlled, shallow-water environment.
Open water training: Apply what you've learned during four supervised training dives.
After completing all required training, assessments, and water fitness requirements, you'll receive your SSI Open Water Diver certification.
It is the first major step towards a lifetime of scuba diving adventures.
2. Can You Take the SSI Open Water Course With No Previous Experience?
Absolutely. The course is specifically designed for people who are new to scuba diving.
You don't need a previous diving certification or experience with scuba equipment.
Many beginners arrive with the same questions:
Will I feel comfortable breathing underwater?
What happens if water gets inside my mask?
Can I equalize my ears?
What if I feel nervous during training?
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
These are perfectly normal concerns.
Learning to dive is a process. You start with the basics, practise in a controlled environment, and gradually build the skills you need for open-water diving.
At Red Sea Marine, we don't rush beginners. Our training groups are limited to a maximum of four students per instructor, allowing more time for individual guidance and practice.
You should never feel pressured to perform a skill before you're comfortable and ready.
3. What Are the Requirements for the SSI Open Water Course?
Before starting, there are a few important requirements to understand.
Minimum age
The minimum age is 10 years. Students under 15 receive a Junior Open Water Diver certification, with additional supervision and depth restrictions.
Swimming and water fitness
You should be comfortable in the water and able to complete SSI's required water fitness evaluation. You don't need to be an athlete, but you must meet the training requirements.
Medical fitness
Scuba diving requires an appropriate level of physical fitness. You'll need to complete the relevant medical questionnaire. Certain medical conditions may require medical clearance from a physician before participating.
Previous experience
No previous scuba diving experience is required.
If you're unsure whether you're ready, speak with your instructor before booking. It's always better to clarify any concerns before beginning your training.
4. What Will You Learn During the SSI Open Water Course?
Becoming a diver involves much more than learning how to breathe through a regulator.
The course develops the knowledge, practical abilities, and awareness needed to enjoy scuba diving responsibly.
Understanding scuba equipment
You'll become familiar with the equipment used during recreational diving, including:
Diving mask, fins, and exposure protection.
Buoyancy Control Device (BCD).
Regulator and alternative air source.
Scuba cylinder.
Weight system and dive computer.
You'll learn how the equipment works, how to prepare it, and how to perform basic safety checks before entering the water.
Breathing and underwater comfort
Breathing underwater may feel unusual at first.
Your instructor will help you become familiar with your regulator, practise breathing calmly and develop confidence in the water.
You'll also learn how to recover your regulator and clear your mask.
Buoyancy control
Buoyancy is one of the most important skills in scuba diving.
You'll learn how to control your position in the water, maintain a comfortable depth, and move without damaging the coral reef.
Good buoyancy makes diving more enjoyable, improves your awareness, and helps protect the underwater environment.
Underwater communication
Divers cannot speak to each other underwater, so you'll learn standard hand signals and how to communicate important information to your buddy.
Dive planning and safety
You'll learn how to prepare for a dive, understand your limits, monitor your air supply, and recognise situations that require attention.
These skills are the foundation of responsible recreational diving.
5. How Long Does the SSI Open Water Course Take?
Most beginners should allow approximately three to four days for their Open Water training in Sharm El Sheikh.
The exact duration depends on your progress, training schedule, conditions, and completion of all SSI requirements.
The program includes online knowledge development, confined-water sessions, practical skills, and four open-water training dives.
One advantage of completing your SSI eLearning before travelling is that you can study at home and spend more of your holiday focusing on practical training.
Our advice: Don't choose a dive center simply because it promises the fastest certification. Your comfort, understanding, and ability to perform the required skills are much more important than finishing a few hours earlier.
6. What Happens During Each Training Day?
Your instructor will organize the schedule according to your experience and progress. The following is a typical three-to-four-day training plan, not a guaranteed timetable.
Before arriving in Sharm El Sheikh
Start your SSI eLearning at home.
You can study the theory, learn about scuba equipment, and understand the principles of diving before your holiday begins.
This gives you more time to enjoy the practical side of the course once you arrive.
Day 1: Getting comfortable underwater
Your first day focuses on preparation and the fundamentals.
You'll meet your instructor, complete the necessary paperwork, check your equipment, and receive a course briefing.
You'll then begin practising essential scuba skills in confined water or a suitable shallow training environment.
For many students, this is the most exciting part: taking those first breaths underwater.
Days 2–3: Your first open-water training dives
As your confidence and skills develop, you'll progress to open-water training.
You'll complete your required dives under the supervision of your instructor, practising the skills you've already learned while becoming more comfortable in the Red Sea.
Every dive allows you to improve your buoyancy, awareness and underwater communication.
Day 4: Completing your training
If additional time is needed, you'll continue practising and completing the required training and assessments.
Once all certification requirements have been successfully completed, your instructor can process your SSI Open Water Diver certification.
Remember, the schedule is flexible enough to account for individual progress. Certification should be earned through demonstrated ability, not simply by completing a timetable.
7. Why Is Sharm El Sheikh a Great Place to Learn Scuba Diving?
Choosing where to learn scuba diving can make a real difference to your first experience.
Sharm El Sheikh is one of Egypt's best-known diving destinations, offering access to beautiful coral reefs, colourful marine life and a variety of diving environments.
The Red Sea is particularly attractive to beginners because it offers warm water, excellent underwater scenery and opportunities to train in suitable sheltered locations.
Start at Naama Bay
At Red Sea Marine, our training takes place around our Naama Bay house reef at Ghazala Beach.
Starting in a familiar training environment gives beginners the opportunity to focus on their skills without immediately having to deal with the additional demands of a boat excursion.
As you become more confident, your training introduces you to the open-water environment.
And there's a lot to discover.
The Red Sea is home to colourful reef fish, moray eels, groupers, rays, turtles, and spectacular coral formations.
Your first certification can become the beginning of many future diving adventures.
8. Why Learn With Red Sea Marine in Sharm El Sheikh?
Not all diving courses offer the same learning experience.
The certification standards are important, but the quality of instruction, group size, communication, and personal attention can make a considerable difference, particularly when you're a beginner.
At Red Sea Marine, our approach is built around making your first diving experience safe, enjoyable, and personal.
Small training groups
We limit our SSI Open Water training groups to a maximum of four students per instructor. This allows more individual attention and gives you more opportunities to practise.
A beautiful training location
Our dive center is located in Naama Bay, with access to the Ghazala Beach house reef.
Training at your own pace
We understand that everyone learns differently. Some students feel comfortable underwater immediately, while others need more time to develop confidence.
We focus on helping you understand and perform the required skills rather than simply rushing through the course.
A personal approach
From your first enquiry to your final training dive, we want you to feel welcome, supported, and confident about your progress.
9. Is SSI Open Water Certification Recognized Worldwide?
Yes. SSI is an internationally recognized scuba diving training agency.
The SSI Open Water Diver certification follows the ISO 24801-2 standard for autonomous recreational divers.
Once certified, you can dive with an equally or more qualified buddy in environments equivalent to your training and within your certification limits.
For divers aged 15 and above, the standard recreational depth limit is 18 metres. Junior certifications have additional restrictions.
Your certification is digital, and you can use it when visiting dive centers and planning future diving holidays.
It doesn't expire, although dive centers may recommend a refresher if you haven't dived for a long time.
10. SSI vs PADI: Which Open Water Course Should You Choose?
One of the most common questions from beginners is whether SSI or PADI is better.
Both are established international scuba diving training agencies. Both provide recognized entry-level certification programs, and both follow internationally recognized training standards.
There are differences in their learning systems, digital platforms, teaching materials, and individual course structures.
However, for a beginner, the training experience is often more important than the agency name alone.
Before choosing, consider:
How experienced is your instructor?
How many students will be in your group?
Where will you complete your practical training?
What is included in the course price?
Will you receive personal attention?
Does the schedule fit your holiday?
Our recommendation is simple: choose a professional dive center where you feel comfortable asking questions and learning at your own pace.
At Red Sea Marine, we offer SSI training with small groups and personal instruction in Sharm El Sheikh.
11. How Much Does an SSI Open Water Course Cost in Sharm El Sheikh?
The price of an SSI Open Water Course depends on the dive center, training arrangements, group size, and what is included.
Some courses advertise a lower starting price but charge separately for equipment, learning materials, certification, or other services.
Before booking, always ask for a clear breakdown.
At Red Sea Marine, our listed SSI Open Water Diver Course price is €500.
Our course is presented as an all-inclusive training package covering:
SSI eLearning.
Confined-water training.
Four open-water training dives.
Scuba equipment for training.
SSI certification.
Please confirm the current package details, any applicable additional fees, and the complete booking conditions with our team before reserving.
We believe that knowing what you're paying for should be part of a good diving experience.
12. What Should You Bring to Your SSI Open Water Course?
You don't need to arrive with your own scuba equipment.
For your training, the dive center will arrange the necessary scuba equipment included in your course package.
However, we recommend bringing:
Swimwear.
A towel.
Sunscreen suitable for marine environments.
Comfortable clothing for after diving.
Your travel documents and any required medical information.
If you wear contact lenses or glasses, let your instructor know before the course so you can discuss suitable options.
Most importantly, arrive ready to learn and enjoy the experience.
13. What If You're Nervous About Your First Scuba Dive?
This is something we hear from beginners all the time.
Some people are excited but nervous about breathing underwater. Others worry about equalizing their ears, clearing their mask, or losing control of their buoyancy.
You don't have to pretend that you're not nervous.
Tell your instructor how you feel. Good instruction starts with understanding the student, not simply explaining the equipment.
During your training, you'll have opportunities to practise skills, ask questions, and become familiar with the underwater environment.
If something doesn't feel right, communicate with your instructor.
You should never feel pressured to continue when you're uncomfortable.
A good first diving experience is not about being fearless. It's about learning to understand the environment and becoming comfortable through proper training.
14. Frequently Asked Questions About the SSI Open Water Course
Can complete beginners take the SSI Open Water Course?
Yes. The course is designed for beginners, and previous scuba diving experience is not required. You'll learn the necessary knowledge and practical skills from the beginning.
How many dives are included in the SSI Open Water Course?
The course requires at least four open-water training dives, together with the required knowledge development, confined-water training, and assessments.
How deep can I dive after certification?
The standard SSI Open Water Diver certification allows divers aged 15 and above to dive to a maximum recommended depth of 18 metres, within the limits of their training and applicable diving conditions. Junior divers have additional restrictions.
Does SSI certification expire?
No. Your certification does not have an expiry date. However, if you haven't dived for a long period, a refresher course is a sensible way to rebuild your confidence and review your skills.
Can I complete the course during a holiday in Sharm El Sheikh?
Yes. Many visitors plan their SSI Open Water training as part of their holiday. Allow approximately three to four days as a planning guide and confirm the actual schedule with the dive center before travelling.
Do I need to know how to swim?
You must meet SSI's water fitness evaluation requirements. You don't need to be an experienced swimmer, but you must be comfortable in the water and able to complete the required assessment.
Can I complete the theory before arriving in Egypt?
Yes. SSI eLearning allows you to complete the knowledge development online before your holiday, subject to your course arrangements.
Is SSI better than PADI?
Neither agency is automatically better for every student. Both offer internationally recognized training. Instructor quality, group size, safety, training conditions, and the overall learning experience should influence your decision.
What happens if I have difficulty equalizing my ears?
Tell your instructor immediately. Never force equalization or continue descending when experiencing discomfort. Your instructor can help you understand the techniques, but you should only continue when it is safe to do so.
Can I dive independently after completing the course?
You can dive with an equally or more qualified buddy within the limits of your certification and experience. Open Water certification does not mean diving alone or beyond your training.
15. Ready to Start Your Scuba Diving Journey?
Your first scuba diving certification is more than a course. It's the beginning of a new way to experience the underwater world.
Imagine finishing your training, looking back at your first breaths underwater, and realizing how much you've learned in just a few days.
Whether you're visiting Sharm El Sheikh for your first diving holiday or finally ready to become a certified diver, Red Sea Marine is here to help you take that first step.
Learn with experienced SSI instructors, enjoy personal attention in small groups, and discover the incredible underwater world of the Red Sea.
Start your SSI Open Water journey with Red Sea Marine in Naama Bay, Sharm El Sheikh.
Have questions before booking? Contact our team:
Red Sea Marine Diving Center
Naama Bay, Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt
Email: info@redseamarinesharm.net
Phone / WhatsApp: +20 1069781855