Learn at home. Dive abroad.
For beginners, preparation starts in Northern Ireland. Meet your instructor, become familiar with the equipment and develop your pool skills before heading to the Red Sea.
Oceanauts • Winter 2027
Winter Dive Academy 2027
From the Irish Sea to the Red Sea.
Learn to dive, take your skills further or join us as a certified diver for seven nights exploring Egypt’s Red Sea coast. Three experiences from £795 per person. Flights booked separately.
Explore the packagesRegister my interest20–27 February 2027Roots Red Sea · El Quseir, Egypt7 nights · 6 days of diving
20–27 February 2027 · Register your interest
The departure is subject to sufficient bookings and final confirmation. Registering your interest does not commit you to booking or reserve a space.
A whole new world beneath the surface.
Coral gardens, colourful reef fish and the thrill of discovering something new on every dive. Explore the Red Sea, then understand more of what you see through Marine Ecology.
Red Sea reef ecosystems
Photo: Mahmoud Habeeb / USAID · Public-domain image (United States). Display cropped.
A moment with a turtle
Photo: Koshka-kleopatra · CC BY 4.0. Display cropped; image remains available under its original licence.
Look a little closer
Photo: Alexander Vasenin · CC BY-SA 3.0. Display cropped; image remains available under its original licence.
Photographs highlight Red Sea ecosystems and wildlife, rather than specific sightings at Roots. Every dive is different; wildlife encounters are never guaranteed.
Why travel with Oceanauts?
Led by an Oceanauts SSI Instructor Trainer, our Academy combines personal instruction, reef exploration and marine ecology. Beginners prepare in Northern Ireland before travelling with Oceanauts to complete their training in Egypt.
Instructor Trainer led
An Oceanauts SSI Instructor Trainer provides continuity from preparation through to your diving in Egypt.
Share the experience
Beginners and certified divers can join the same trip. Opportunities to dive together depend on qualifications, experience and the training schedule.
Understand what you discover
Every package includes Marine Ecology, adding another dimension to your time underwater.
Three ways to join. One shared adventure.
Learn to dive, take your skills further, or join someone you love for a week on the reef. Every package brings the group together through the SSI Marine Ecology programme.
New to diving
Open Water Explorer
£1,595
Per person sharing · Flights excluded
Your first step into the underwater world.
- Four pool evenings in Northern Ireland
- SSI Open Water + Marine Ecology training and certification
- Four qualifying dives, then further supervised diving once certified
- Scuba equipment hire included
Explore this package
Begin with SSI digital learning, academic preparation and four evenings of pool training in Northern Ireland. Build confidence with your equipment and practise essential skills before travelling.
At Roots, complete four qualifying Open Water dives on the house reef. Once successfully certified, continue exploring through supervised diving with Oceanauts.
- SSI Open Water Diver training and digital certification
- SSI Marine Ecology training and digital certification
- Four pre-departure pool evenings in Northern Ireland
- Seven nights in shared Deluxe Chalet accommodation
- Soft all-inclusive meals and refreshments
- Return Hurghada airport transfers
- Scuba equipment hire for six diving days
- Standard air fills and scheduled house reef diving
- Local diving taxes for scheduled diving days
Optional Zodiac excursions cost extra. Certifications require successful completion.
Beginners who want to go further
Zero to Advanced Explorer
£1,895
Per person sharing · Flights excluded
Start as a beginner and take your diving further.
- Everything in Open Water Explorer
- SSI Advanced Open Water training and digital certification
- Five Advanced training dives
- One Zodiac day with two dives
Upgrade from Open Water Explorer for £300.
Explore this package
Complete the same preparation and Open Water training as Open Water Explorer. After qualifying and demonstrating readiness to progress, continue into SSI Advanced Open Water training.
Develop your skills through five Advanced training dives and enjoy an included Zodiac day with two dives. Marine Ecology learning runs alongside your diving throughout the week.
Includes everything in Open Water Explorer, plus SSI Advanced Open Water Diver training and digital certification, five Advanced training dives and one Zodiac diving day with two dives.
This is an intensive pathway. Progression depends on successful completion of Open Water, individual readiness and suitable conditions. Certifications are awarded only when SSI requirements have been met.
Already certified
Reef Explorer
£795
Per person sharing · Flights excluded
Already certified? Come along for the adventure.
- For certified partners, family members and friends
- Eligible house reef diving + standard air fills
- SSI Marine Ecology training and certification
- Equipment hire and Zodiac excursions charged separately
Explore this package
Enjoy a week at Roots Red Sea, explore the house reef and discover more about its marine life through SSI Marine Ecology. Ideal for certified divers joining friends, partners or family on a training package.
- SSI Marine Ecology training and digital certification
- Seven nights in shared Deluxe Chalet accommodation
- Soft all-inclusive meals and refreshments
- Return Hurghada airport transfers
- Standard air fills and eligible house reef diving
- Local diving taxes for scheduled diving days
Equipment hire and Zodiac excursions are additional. Ask Oceanauts to arrange equipment hire before travelling.
House reef access and supervision depend on qualifications, experience and Roots’ requirements. Roots requires at least 25 logged dives for unguided diving. If you require guided diving, contact us before booking to confirm arrangements and any additional charges. Marine Ecology certification requires successful completion.
Prices per person sharing. Flights excluded. All certifications depend on meeting SSI requirements; advanced progression depends on successful Open Water completion, readiness and suitable conditions.
Couples & family · Shared booking offer
Share the adventure — save £100
Already dive? This could be the week your partner or family member discovers why you love it. Or learn together and share those first underwater moments.
£100 off your combined booking
Book two places together, including at least one Academy training package, and receive £100 off the combined booking.
- Open Water Explorer + Reef Explorer: £2,290
- Zero to Advanced Explorer + Reef Explorer: £2,590
- Two Open Water Explorer places: £3,090
- Open Water Explorer + Zero to Advanced Explorer: £3,390
- Two Zero to Advanced Explorer places: £3,690
The discount applies once per qualifying pair. Two Reef Explorer bookings do not qualify.
Start here. Finish in the Red Sea.
Build confidence at home, then put your new skills into practice in Egypt. A land-based diving holiday gives us time to learn, explore and enjoy the week at a comfortable pace.
Before we travel
Both training packages begin with SSI digital learning, academic preparation and four evenings of pool training in Northern Ireland. Build confidence with your equipment and practise essential skills before travelling.
Your pre-departure learning and pool training must be completed before we travel to Egypt.
Your week in Egypt
At Roots, complete your four qualifying Open Water dives. Once successfully certified, enjoy further supervised diving and explore the house reef with Oceanauts.
Zero to Advanced students who qualify and demonstrate readiness continue into SSI Advanced Open Water training, with five Advanced training dives and an included Zodiac diving day with two dives.
Marine ecology · Included for everyone
More than just diving
Learn about the reefs and wildlife you encounter throughout the week. Through SSI digital learning, structured teaching and group discussions, explore:
- Marine ecosystems and coral reefs
- Relationships between marine organisms
- The influence of the physical environment
- Marine conservation and responsible diving
Use observations from your dives to bring the learning to life. Participants who successfully complete the programme receive their SSI Marine Ecology certification.
Roots Red Sea · A land-based escape
A home beside the reef.
Stay at a dedicated diving resort near El Quseir with an on-site dive centre, direct house reef access and space to relax between dives. The house reef has a sandy, walk-in bay with areas suitable for beginner training and further exploration.
Every package includes seven nights in a shared Deluxe Chalet, soft all-inclusive meals and refreshments, access to the resort’s pool and facilities, and return transfers between Hurghada airport and Roots.
Prices are per person sharing. Discuss rooming preferences with Oceanauts before booking.
Explore Roots Red Sea
Built into your package
- Seven nights in shared Deluxe Chalet accommodation
- Soft all-inclusive meals and refreshments
- Access to the resort’s pool and facilities
- Return Hurghada airport transfers
- SSI Marine Ecology training and digital certification, on successful completion
- Standard air fills and scheduled or eligible house reef diving
- Local diving taxes for scheduled diving days
- For both training packages: stated SSI training and scuba equipment hire for six diving days
- For Zero to Advanced: five Advanced training dives and one Zodiac day with two dives
Plan for these separately
- Return flights
- Egyptian visa
- Suitable travel and diving insurance
- Travel to and from your departure airport
- Alcoholic drinks and personal purchases
- Equipment hire for Reef Explorer
- Optional Zodiac excursions beyond those included in your package
- Optional Nitrox fills
- Any additional guiding agreed for Reef Explorer
Standard air fills are included. Scuba equipment hire is included in both training packages. One Zodiac day is included in Zero to Advanced Explorer.
Flights and travel costs
Direct easyJet flights have been identified from Belfast International to Hurghada. Flights are booked separately; coordinate with Oceanauts before purchasing.
Belfast International → Hurghada · EZY3077
Saturday 20 February 2027 · 12:50–20:45
Hurghada → Belfast International · EZY3078
Saturday 27 February 2027 · Departure 21:45
Arrival 02:25 on Sunday 28 February
Times are local. Schedule and fare supplied with the trip update on 14 October 2026; reconfirm before booking.
| Package | Package price | Quoted return flights | Combined estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Water Explorer | £1,595 | £475.63 | £2,070.63 |
| Zero to Advanced Explorer | £1,895 | £475.63 | £2,370.63 |
| Reef Explorer | £795 | £475.63 | £1,270.63 |
Based on the supplied return flight quote of £475.63 per person, including a standard seat, small cabin bag and 23 kg hold bag each way. This is a quoted fare, not a live price: prices and availability may change until booked. These examples are before shared-booking discounts and exclude visas, insurance and other personal expenses.
Your week in the Red Sea
Marine Ecology teaching and discussions take place throughout the week. This is a proposed itinerary. Diving schedules may change with conditions, student progress and supervision requirements. Final diving times will allow an appropriate interval before flying.
20 February · Travel to Roots
Fly to Hurghada and transfer to Roots.
21–22 February · Open Water & reef diving
Open Water qualifying dives for beginners; house reef diving for certified guests according to their agreed arrangements.
23–25 February · Explore & progress
Supervised reef exploration for Open Water students; Advanced training and the included Zodiac day for Zero to Advanced students; house reef diving and optional excursions for certified guests.
26 February · Final dives & time to unwind
Final morning diving, followed by equipment rinsing and time to relax. Final diving times will allow an appropriate interval before flying.
27 February · Homeward bound
Relax before the airport transfer and evening return flight. The identified Hurghada–Belfast flight departs at 21:45 local time.
28 February · Arrive in Belfast
Arrival back in Belfast is scheduled for 02:25 on Sunday 28 February. Allow for the overnight return when planning onward travel.
A few things you might be wondering
Do I need diving experience?
No experience is needed for Open Water Explorer or Zero to Advanced Explorer. Reef Explorer is for already-certified divers.
Can I choose Zero to Advanced as a complete beginner?
Yes, subject to suitability. You must successfully complete Open Water and demonstrate readiness before progressing into Advanced training.
Do I need to complete training before travelling?
Training students must complete their assigned digital learning, academic preparation and four pool evenings in Northern Ireland before departure. Pool dates will be provided by Oceanauts.
Are there swimming or medical requirements?
Yes. Participants must meet the relevant SSI swimming, age and medical requirements. A medical assessment may be needed depending on your screening responses. Please do not send medical history through this enquiry form.
Is equipment included?
Equipment hire for six diving days is included in both training packages. Reef Explorer guests can bring their own equipment or arrange hire through Oceanauts before travelling.
Can my certified partner or friend join?
Yes. Reef Explorer allows certified divers to join the same trip. The £100 shared-booking discount applies when a qualifying pair includes at least one training package.
Can newly qualified divers explore the reef independently?
Newly qualified students follow the Academy’s supervised diving arrangements. Unguided diving is subject to Roots’ requirements, including a minimum of 25 logged dives.
Are diving taxes included?
Yes. Local diving taxes for scheduled diving days are included in the advertised package prices.
What if I don’t complete the training?
Certification depends on meeting SSI requirements. We’ll explain completion and continuation arrangements before you book. Progression to Advanced training cannot be guaranteed.
Does registering interest commit me to booking?
No. Registering interest starts a conversation about the trip. Oceanauts will provide booking, payment and cancellation terms before you commit. Departure is subject to sufficient bookings and final confirmation.
From an enquiry to an adventure
- Register your interest. Tell us your preferred package and who might join you.
- Have a conversation. We’ll discuss experience, preparation, room requests and any extra costs.
- Decide when the details are confirmed. Receive the final programme, supplier arrangements, booking terms and payment schedule before making a paid booking.
Roots is the planned resort base, with training through Oceanauts. The final booking structure and responsibilities will be set out in the written information supplied before booking.
Register your interest
Your next diving adventure starts here
Tell us which package interests you, your current diving experience and whether you’re travelling with someone. We’ll discuss suitability, preparation, rooming and travel arrangements before confirming your place.
Registration does not commit you to booking. No payment is taken here. Departure is subject to sufficient bookings and final confirmation.