Pirates Diving Network
Pirates Diving Network
3.5
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Pirates Diving Network was established in 1990 and is now recognized as a leading PADI 5 star Instructor Development Center and is holding the highest award of excellence in the scuba diving industry.
Hurghada, Egypt
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Pirates Diving Network
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
22 reviews
Excellent
9
Very good
4
Average
3
Poor
4
Terrible
2
Manclio
manchester54 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Dived with Pirates over two separate days while staying at the Rixos Magawash, Hurghada.
We couldn’t fit most of our kit in the suitcase so used most of their dive gear, which is really well maintained and in good condition.
The dive master we went out with over both days, Mahmoud was really knowledgeable and made us feel safe at all times.
We’re experienced divers but haven’t dived in a couple of years so he helped us to get ourselves back up to speed again!
We were the only people diving so just the three of us went on all 4 dives.
The captain and crew members were brilliant and massively help with putting on and removing your BCD and tank etc.
Okay, it’s definitely a lot more expensive than other dive places in Hurghada, but you have to take a few things into consideration :
- it’s a small dive party, compared to the places in Hurghada which were diving near us and there must have been circa 20 divers in their group and looked like pandemonium!
- If you’re staying at Rixos, there’s no transfers and you’re straight on the boat l.
On the flip side, the lunch provided wasn’t the best but I guess that’s more down to the hotel than the dive place!!
Overall, it was a great experience and we saw a lot of undisturbed marine life that we’ve never seen on previous diving trips in Egypt.
When/if we stay at Rixos again, we’d dive with them again!
We couldn’t fit most of our kit in the suitcase so used most of their dive gear, which is really well maintained and in good condition.
The dive master we went out with over both days, Mahmoud was really knowledgeable and made us feel safe at all times.
We’re experienced divers but haven’t dived in a couple of years so he helped us to get ourselves back up to speed again!
We were the only people diving so just the three of us went on all 4 dives.
The captain and crew members were brilliant and massively help with putting on and removing your BCD and tank etc.
Okay, it’s definitely a lot more expensive than other dive places in Hurghada, but you have to take a few things into consideration :
- it’s a small dive party, compared to the places in Hurghada which were diving near us and there must have been circa 20 divers in their group and looked like pandemonium!
- If you’re staying at Rixos, there’s no transfers and you’re straight on the boat l.
On the flip side, the lunch provided wasn’t the best but I guess that’s more down to the hotel than the dive place!!
Overall, it was a great experience and we saw a lot of undisturbed marine life that we’ve never seen on previous diving trips in Egypt.
When/if we stay at Rixos again, we’d dive with them again!
Written October 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shadll1207
Birmingham, UK133 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
Lovely boat team seemed really nice . On the way to the coral reef it was quick we were told we would go to 2 locations a bout 10 - 15 mins apart the first location was lovely people were in the water for about 30 - 50 mins . The team were great then everyone was asked to re board the boat . Expecting to have a 10 - 15 min journey to the next location , we move about 100 metres they re anchored people had already smoked to the “ new” location so very few got back in the water . Really strange . The highlight was the food it was really lovely even if you don’t eat fish .
Then they seemed really drag the return we were told we would visit an island that didn’t happen disappointed really .
The they came round with a bill wallet asking for tips and checking what everyone was giving I did feed back that they should just put a box as people were leaving . They also gave feed back forms which felt intimidating I was honest on my mind and was quizzed on my responses . Clearly don’t like constructive feedback .
Not my idea of a nice end to an otherwise enjoyable trip .
Then they seemed really drag the return we were told we would visit an island that didn’t happen disappointed really .
The they came round with a bill wallet asking for tips and checking what everyone was giving I did feed back that they should just put a box as people were leaving . They also gave feed back forms which felt intimidating I was honest on my mind and was quizzed on my responses . Clearly don’t like constructive feedback .
Not my idea of a nice end to an otherwise enjoyable trip .
Written October 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
patrick f
Cardiff, UK97 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
Just to clarify this was for pirates diving based at beach albatross hotel..some of the other reviews here refer to another centre at the Hilton hotel..
It's a smallish set up a centre equipment compressor for air (no nitrox) there are two boats and all the diving was from these..
So if you are looking for the very highest standards in practice and safety then this probably isnt for you.. i had not dived with them before and no one checked my qualifications log book or insurance details..
The equipment is reasonable quality.. quite a few leaky hoses but overall not bad..
A small tip the water is a little chilly at this time of year and i found i needed a 6mm wetsuit.
One slight criticism i had is that the centre was quite laid back about whether or not people had their own computers.. quite a few other places i ve been to insist on this and make you hire one of theirs if you don't have your own... again they were a bit too laid back about all of this for my liking...
The trips start at 830 and most of the sites are about an hour or so away.. when we went it was pretty quiet.. usually about 4 qualified divers with an instructor, a couple of people on discovery dives with another instructor and maybe a few people doing snorkelling.. the days were quite long.. with all different groups doing their thing typically one after another we got back between 3 and 5 pm with 2 dives..
Boat staff really helpful with kit and helping before and after dives.. I have to say theu were great getting my box on and off the boat and cleaning and drying it all overnight.. it made the diving very low stress and a pleasure..
The sites we went to were all really easy with very little current or swell
The places we went to had good coral and lots of varied small marine life.. we saw a few stingrays turtles on about 50% of the dives morays.. no sharks this time.(14 dives).. most of the diving was only to about 10-15m.. good visibility.. we did one or two deeper dives to about 30m and on request they took us to a couple of wrecks
We were always accompanied on the first, deeper dives but the instructor seemed happy to let us go off together as a group for the simple 10m second dives.. I'm not sure this is ideal practice..
So overall i reccomend them.. I know I ve pointed out a few concerns/ lax procedures and practices but this is Egypt!! I would in particular point out that theu were really helpful on the boat and with the kit.
We used to go to sharm quite a bit before and is personally reccomend hurghada as an alternative
It's a smallish set up a centre equipment compressor for air (no nitrox) there are two boats and all the diving was from these..
So if you are looking for the very highest standards in practice and safety then this probably isnt for you.. i had not dived with them before and no one checked my qualifications log book or insurance details..
The equipment is reasonable quality.. quite a few leaky hoses but overall not bad..
A small tip the water is a little chilly at this time of year and i found i needed a 6mm wetsuit.
One slight criticism i had is that the centre was quite laid back about whether or not people had their own computers.. quite a few other places i ve been to insist on this and make you hire one of theirs if you don't have your own... again they were a bit too laid back about all of this for my liking...
The trips start at 830 and most of the sites are about an hour or so away.. when we went it was pretty quiet.. usually about 4 qualified divers with an instructor, a couple of people on discovery dives with another instructor and maybe a few people doing snorkelling.. the days were quite long.. with all different groups doing their thing typically one after another we got back between 3 and 5 pm with 2 dives..
Boat staff really helpful with kit and helping before and after dives.. I have to say theu were great getting my box on and off the boat and cleaning and drying it all overnight.. it made the diving very low stress and a pleasure..
The sites we went to were all really easy with very little current or swell
The places we went to had good coral and lots of varied small marine life.. we saw a few stingrays turtles on about 50% of the dives morays.. no sharks this time.(14 dives).. most of the diving was only to about 10-15m.. good visibility.. we did one or two deeper dives to about 30m and on request they took us to a couple of wrecks
We were always accompanied on the first, deeper dives but the instructor seemed happy to let us go off together as a group for the simple 10m second dives.. I'm not sure this is ideal practice..
So overall i reccomend them.. I know I ve pointed out a few concerns/ lax procedures and practices but this is Egypt!! I would in particular point out that theu were really helpful on the boat and with the kit.
We used to go to sharm quite a bit before and is personally reccomend hurghada as an alternative
Written March 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerome B
24 contributions
Apr 2022
I do not advise to Pirates diving center located inside the Rixos resort.
We booked an expensive boat trip with snorkeling, fishing, dolphins. The activities proposed were great and the Egyptian crew was sympathetic but the food horrible. A poor lunch box with a small salad, a basic sandwich and 2 apples. No garbage bag to clean the boat after the lunch.
But the main issue was the security. Numerous Egyptian boats rushed to dolphins. We were stressing the animals and we were closed to a collision. After 15minutes we asked to our captain to move our next activity. On the snorkeling spot, our boat failed to park and bumped another boat. A zodiac dropped us from the boat to a small island. It was so old that the direction broke when we were riding. A crew member was holding and moving the motor with his hands to keep the direction. For sure we had no live jacket and no oar. We succeed to come back with no injuries, and everybody keeps his calm but we had not safety at all.
About diving they are charging one dive USD 150, when hotel located at 15 minutes is charging USD 80 for 2 dives.
Many competitors in Hurghaga you can find better deal.
We booked an expensive boat trip with snorkeling, fishing, dolphins. The activities proposed were great and the Egyptian crew was sympathetic but the food horrible. A poor lunch box with a small salad, a basic sandwich and 2 apples. No garbage bag to clean the boat after the lunch.
But the main issue was the security. Numerous Egyptian boats rushed to dolphins. We were stressing the animals and we were closed to a collision. After 15minutes we asked to our captain to move our next activity. On the snorkeling spot, our boat failed to park and bumped another boat. A zodiac dropped us from the boat to a small island. It was so old that the direction broke when we were riding. A crew member was holding and moving the motor with his hands to keep the direction. For sure we had no live jacket and no oar. We succeed to come back with no injuries, and everybody keeps his calm but we had not safety at all.
About diving they are charging one dive USD 150, when hotel located at 15 minutes is charging USD 80 for 2 dives.
Many competitors in Hurghaga you can find better deal.
Written May 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harry1982
Antwerp, Belgium12 contributions
Jan 2019
If you look up information from this via their website (piratesdiving.com/diving-center), everything looks fine.
Until you are on the spot.
Shop does not exist; one is renovating. Days that nothing happened.
You will then be sent to another dive center without any explanation.
Outrageous, mafia, never again. This store must close !!!
Until you are on the spot.
Shop does not exist; one is renovating. Days that nothing happened.
You will then be sent to another dive center without any explanation.
Outrageous, mafia, never again. This store must close !!!
Written January 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul E
Marston Green, UK20 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
This for the dive centre located on the pickalbatross site with 2 boats. Booked 4 dives & a fishing trip(more on that later). Dive locations are ok - nothing special. Dive equipment is ok, wetsuits & BCD in good condition, can’t say on the regulators as I had my own (use din). I’m open water qualified my friend is not (theory side & confined water only). 1st dive instructor more bothered about getting you to do middle finger gestures to a camera than let you dive - I’m there to dive not act like a child. 2nd dive was what really showed the lack of safety. My friend was told what was the dive plan? Remember he’s not qualified yet only he was told what was going on & the instructor would join us at some point! 3rd dive witnessed an open water student struggling on a dive and constantly being alerted to his problems by another qualified diver & on the 3rd dive I had my hand grabbed by an instructor looking at my dive watch? Why because no instructor had a dive watch on! Oh & the dive log books were stamped but not filled in or padi number of the instructor (thankfully dive watch recorded it all) I was tempted to do the advanced course but I’m glad I didn’t after this. It’s ok if you’re qualified and don’t have any issues underwater because I’d hate to see what plan they have to fix or help you.
The fishing trip! Oh dear oh dear😔 glass bottomed boat? Not chairs or rods anywhere? We’re a bit confused but I’m thinking he must have telescopic rods nope it’s 3 crab lines with bait catching small fish about half a mile off shore😂
The fishing trip! Oh dear oh dear😔 glass bottomed boat? Not chairs or rods anywhere? We’re a bit confused but I’m thinking he must have telescopic rods nope it’s 3 crab lines with bait catching small fish about half a mile off shore😂
Written December 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alia R
Hurghada, Egypt5 contributions
May 2023
i enjoyed my staying in hurghada and the best part of it was all the trips i got to do with pirates at rixos. the boat was amazing and the food was served from the hotel. nothing was missing: the vibes and the friendly crew made my alone boat trip more enjoyable. def coming back as soon as i get the chance.
Written May 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dani
1 contribution
May 2023 • Family
Most amazing experience! Was my first time ever scuba diving and it was the most unreal experience I have ever had! Really recommend!
Written May 25, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
paulspindler
Farnborough, UK38 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
My wife and I and a number of Friends Had the Pleasure of using Pirates for a week of diving in March this year. Everything was perfect, The weather, the sea , and most importantly the way we were treated from Day 1. As experienced divers we were able to self guide on many sites which meant we could amble along at a pace that suited us. The boat was not to overcrowded even on days when snorkelers accompanied us.
The staff at Pirates were also excellent and my personal thanks goes out to the CEO who took time to ensure we all had the best time. I will definiteley be using pirates again.
The staff at Pirates were also excellent and my personal thanks goes out to the CEO who took time to ensure we all had the best time. I will definiteley be using pirates again.
Written March 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C174hotmailcouk
London, UK22 contributions
Mar 2017
Had a good week of diving with Pirates. Only slight criticism might be that when trying to pay with Egyptian Pounds the exchange rate was truly awful. Apart from that it was a great experience with great staff and guides.
Written March 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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