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Divers during the Drift Diver course in the Red Sea, Sharm El Sheikh
The Wave Diving Center Since 1995 · Sharm El Sheikh · PADI 5★

PADI Drift Diver

Relax and glide with the current — effortless, in-control drift diving in just one day.

★★★★★ 4.9 · 1,283 reviews
📅 1 day · 2 dives 🌊 Dive with the current 🎓 Open Water divers
Max 4 per instructor

Small groups for real, personal attention.

Equipment included

All well-maintained diving gear provided.

Runs every day

Start any day, around your holiday plans.

Effortless & fun

Let the current do the work as you glide.

Loved by Divers Worldwide
★★★★★

“My first proper drift dive was pure magic. Essam had us relax and glide with the current while the reef flew past — and he made deploying the SMB feel completely natural.”

Daniel
PADI Drift Diver · Verified review
★★★★★

“Tito taught me to read the current and stay with my buddy the whole way. Two effortless dives, and I finished feeling totally in control.”

Lukas
PADI Drift Diver · Verified review
★★★★★

“I used to be nervous about currents. Mohammed’s calm briefing and coaching changed that completely — now drift diving is my favourite thing to do.”

Sofia
PADI Drift Diver · Verified review
★★★★★

“Essam is patient and precise. He explained drift-dive planning and buoyancy so clearly, and the SMB and reel work just clicked.”

Marco
PADI Drift Diver · Verified review
★★★★★

“The best specialty I’ve done. Tito knows exactly where the current runs — we covered so much reef and it honestly felt like flying.”

Elena
PADI Drift Diver · Verified review
Smiling diver swimming toward the camera with her dive group behind on a Red Sea drift dive

Master the art of drift diving in 1 day

Drift diving is one of the most effortless and exhilarating ways to explore the underwater world — instead of fighting the current, you let it carry you along as the reef glides by. The PADI Drift Diver course teaches certified divers to use currents to their advantage while staying relaxed and completely in control.

Over 1 day and 2 training dives you’ll learn drift-dive planning, buoyancy control and how to use a surface marker buoy (SMB) and drift lines — all while maintaining buddy contact and clear communication, guided by a PADI-certified instructor with a maximum of 4 students.

Requirements to join the course

PADI Open Water Diver certified (or equivalent)
Minimum age 12 years
Medically fit to dive
Course curriculum

What you’ll learn

1

Diving with Currents

Navigate and stay in control while diving in moving water — using the current to your advantage rather than resisting it, so every dive is relaxed and effortless.

2

SMB & Drift Lines

Learn to deploy and use a surface marker buoy (SMB) and drift lines, so the boat can track your group and follow you safely throughout the dive.

3

Buddy Contact & Awareness

Maintain buddy contact and effective communication, with precise buoyancy and environmental awareness, as you ride the current and glide over the reef.

See what your course looks like

Real moments from our divers in the Red Sea.

Drift Diver course at The Wave Diving Center — photo 1
Drift Diver course at The Wave Diving Center — photo 2
Drift Diver course at The Wave Diving Center — photo 3
Drift Diver course at The Wave Diving Center — photo 4
Drift Diver course at The Wave Diving Center — photo 5

What’s included

  • ✓ Transfer from and to your hotel
  • ✓ PADI instructor (maximum 4 students)
  • ✓ 2 instructor-led training dives
  • ✓ All diving equipment (SMB & reels)
  • ✓ Lunch and drinks on the boat

Not included

  • × PADI Drift Diver manual & certification fee (€100) — add at checkout
  • × Underwater photography
What you earn

Your certification

PADI logo
You’ll be certified as
PADI Drift Diver

A worldwide-recognised PADI specialty certification, qualifying you to plan and conduct drift dives with a buddy and counting toward your PADI Master Scuba Diver rating.

Lifetime Certification
Never expires under PADI standards.
Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Who can take the PADI Drift Diver course?
You must be at least 12 years old and already hold a PADI Open Water Diver certification (or an equivalent from another agency). The course builds on those skills to make diving in currents relaxed, controlled and safe.
Is drift diving safe?
Yes — drift diving is safe when it is properly planned and executed. Your instructor teaches you to plan the dive, stay with your buddy and use a surface marker buoy so the boat always knows where your group is.
Will I need any special equipment?
Yes — you’ll use a surface marker buoy (SMB) and reel, along with good buoyancy control. All the equipment you need is included and provided in your size.
What are the benefits of being a Drift Diver?
You’ll be able to enjoy some of the Red Sea’s best current-swept sites with confidence, cover more reef with less effort, and the course also counts toward your PADI Master Scuba Diver rating.
Do you offer hotel pick-up?
Yes — we offer a door-to-door pick-up service from any hotel in Sharm El Sheikh.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking as early as possible to secure your preferred date, especially in peak season. We also accept last-minute bookings depending on availability — contact us anytime to check for open slots!
When will I receive my pick-up time?
After your reservation is confirmed, our team will contact you with your exact hotel pick-up time and all the details you need for your trip.

Why choose
The Wave Diving Center

🏆 30+ Years Experience

Award-Winning Excellence

PADI EMEA Bronze Professional Development Excellence Award 2026

PADI EMEA Bronze Professional Development Excellence Award 2026 certificate awarded to The Wave Diving Center
VERIFIED GOOGLE REVIEWS

Trusted by divers worldwide.

Every review is independently posted on Google by real guests who have dived with The Wave Diving Center.

Why learn with
The Wave Diving Center

Established in 1995, The Wave Diving Center has decades of experience training divers of all levels.

PADI-certified instructors

Professional, patient and safety-first, every dive.

Small groups

Maximum 4 students per instructor for real attention.

World-class dive sites

Learn on the Red Sea’s legendary reefs and walls.

Modern equipment

Well-maintained, comfortable gear in all sizes.

Flexible options

Courses run every day, around your holiday plans.

Marine conservation

We dive responsibly and protect the reef we love.

Accredited & certified by

Ready to breathe underwater?

Reserve your spot in minutes, or message us on WhatsApp — we’ll sort your dates, hotel pickup and everything else. Let’s make some bubbles!

WhatsApp us
Duration1 day · 2 dives
You getPADI Drift Diver certification
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