Hurghada & Red Sea
Hurghada Overview
Hurghada has transformed over the last 40 years from a sleepy fishing village into the largest resort on the Red Sea. The city stretches over 40 km of coastline and consists of three parts:
- El Dahar (Old Town): The original town center with a bazaar, mosque, and the most authentic flair. Locals live here, restaurants are inexpensive, and the souk offers everything from spices to textiles. Good for budget travelers.
- Sekalla (Center): The main tourist street Sheraton Road with hotels, restaurants, shops, and the marina (Hurghada Marina). The nightlife pulses here with bars and clubs.
- New Hurghada / Resort Zone: South of the city, the large all-inclusive resorts stretch with their own beaches, pools, and house reefs. Secluded, comfortable, but not very authentic.
Hurghada is the easiest entry point for a beach vacation on the Red Sea — with direct flights from Germany (4–5 hours) and all-inclusive offers from €400–600 per week.
Diving in the Red Sea★★★
The Red Sea is among the Top 5 diving areas in the world — and Hurghada is one of the best starting points. The combination of warm water temperatures (21–29 °C year-round), excellent visibility (often 20–30 m), and a breathtaking diversity of species makes the Red Sea a paradise for divers and snorkelers alike.
Top Diving Spots from Hurghada
| Spot | Depth | Level | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Giftun Islands | 5–25 m | Beginner–Intermediate | Coral gardens, turtles, dolphins. By day boat (1h). National park fee 200 LE. |
| Abu Nuhas | 5–30 m | Intermediate–Advanced | Four wrecks (Carnatic, Giannis D., Chrisoula K., Kimon M.). The "Wreck Cemetery" of the Red Sea. |
| Erg Somaya / Umm Gamar | 10–40 m | Intermediate | Steep walls, barracuda schools, moray eels, sometimes sharks. |
| Shaab el-Erg | 5–18 m | All Levels | Dolphin hotspot! Spinner dolphins rest here in the lagoon in the morning. By speedboat 45 min. |
| Brothers Islands | 5–70 m | Advanced | Big fish: hammerhead sharks, thresher sharks, mantas. By dive safari (2–3 days). |
| Elphinstone Reef | 5–60 m | Advanced | Oceanic whitetip sharks, steep walls, currents. From Marsa Alam. |
Dive Centers & Prices
Hurghada has over 100 dive centers — quality varies greatly. Look for PADI or SSI certification and read reviews. Prices (guidelines 2025/2026):
- Single Dive (House Reef): €25–35
- Day Boat (2 Dives + Lunch): €40–60
- PADI Open Water Course: €250–350
- Dive Safari (5–7 days, Brothers/Daedalus): €800–1,500
- Equipment Rental (complete): €15–25/day
Recommended Dive Centers: James & Mac Diving Center (German-run, excellent reputation), Jasmin Diving (reliable, good boats), Aquanaut Dive Center (professional, small groups).
Tipp
The best diving season in the Red Sea is year-round, but October–December offers the best combination of warm water temperatures (26–28 °C), good visibility, and possible big fish encounters (whale sharks, mantas). In summer (July–August), the water is warmest (29 °C), but visibility can be slightly reduced by plankton blooms.
Snorkeling
You don't need a diving certificate to experience the underwater world of the Red Sea — snorkeling is enough to see corals, colorful fish, turtles, and with a bit of luck, even dolphins.
Best Snorkeling Spots
- Giftun Island: Coral gardens at depths of 1–5 m, crystal-clear water, colorful parrotfish and surgeonfish. By day boat from Hurghada Marina (€25–40, including lunch).
- Mahmya Beach (Giftun): Upscale day trip to the island with beach club, snorkeling equipment, and buffet. €50–70. Worth it!
- Resort House Reefs: Many hotels in the resort zone (e.g., Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, Sahl Hasheesh) have their own coral reefs right at the doorstep, accessible from the beach. Ask about the house reef when booking the hotel!
- Orange Bay (near Giftun): White sandy beach, turquoise water, good snorkeling reef. Day trip from €25–35.
Tipp
Bring your own snorkeling gear — the rental equipment on the boats is often worn out and fits poorly. A good mask with a dry snorkel costs €20–40 and makes a difference.
El Gouna★★
El Gouna is the upscale counterpart to Hurghada — an artificially created resort 25 km north, built around lagoons and canals, with Venetian-style bridges, its own brewery, cinema, and even an airfield. El Gouna was developed by Egyptian billionaire Samih Sawiris and is the most stylish resort on the Red Sea.
Highlights
- Kitesurfing: El Gouna is one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world. Shallow, warm water, reliable wind (especially June–September), several schools (Kiteboarding Club El Gouna, Red Sea Zone). Courses from €250 (3 days), equipment rental from €50/day.
- Downtown / Abu Tig Marina: The marina with its restaurants, boutiques, and bars is the social hub. Evening sundowners by the water — the most elegant Red Sea experience.
- Beaches: Mangroovy Beach (kitesurfers), Zeytuna Beach (quiet, island), Buzzha Beach (party).
- Brewery: The Sawiris Brewery produces local craft beers — unusual for Egypt and worth a visit.
Marsa Alam★★
Marsa Alam, 270 km south of Hurghada, is the quiet alternative for divers and nature lovers. Here, the reefs are more pristine, the beaches emptier, and the underwater encounters more spectacular. Marsa Alam is the best place in Egypt to see dugongs (sea cows), sea turtles, and dolphins.
Top Spots
- Abu Dabbab: One of the few places worldwide where you can regularly see dugongs while snorkeling. The sea cows graze on the seagrass meadows at depths of 5–10 m. Green sea turtles are also common here. Entrance to the beach: 200 LE.
- Elphinstone Reef: Legendary dive spot with steep walls and oceanic whitetip sharks. Only for experienced divers (currents!).
- Dolphin House (Samadai Reef): Protected lagoon where hundreds of spinner dolphins rest. Snorkeling tours under strict protection regulations. Unforgettable!
- Port Ghalib: Modern marina with restaurants and shops, starting point for dive safaris to the southern reefs.
Desert Tours & Excursions
Behind the coast begins the Arabian Desert — offering its own adventures.
From Hurghada
- Quad/ATV Tour in the Desert: 2–3 hours through the Arabian Desert, with a stop at a Bedouin village (tea, camel riding, starry sky). From €25–40. Popular, but beware: Many providers have poorly maintained quads — book only with established providers.
- Day Trip to Luxor: By bus or minibus (4–5 hours, from €40–60) or by organized tour (€70–100, including guide and entrance). Long, but doable as a day trip.
- Day Trip to Cairo: By domestic flight (1 hour, from €80–120) or bus (5–6 hours). Cairo as a day trip from Hurghada is only sensible by flight.
- Dolphin Snorkeling Tour: Half-day trip by speedboat to Dolphin House. From €35–50. High sighting rate!
- Glass Bottom Boat: For non-swimmers: View coral reefs through the glass bottom. From €20–30, 2 hours.
All-Inclusive Resorts
Hurghada is one of the most affordable all-inclusive destinations from Europe. Package tours including flight, transfer, and 4-star all-inclusive from €400–600 per week per person (off-season). The resorts offer large pool areas, private beaches, entertainment, multiple restaurants, and often a house reef for snorkeling.
Top Recommendations by Category
| Category | Recommendation | Special Feature | From/Night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget (3★) | Arabia Azur, Bella Vista | Good value for money, pool, beach | €25–40 |
| Mid-range (4★) | Jaz Aquamarine, Steigenberger Al Dau | Multiple pools, good house reef, water park | €50–80 |
| Upscale (5★) | Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh, Kempinski Soma Bay | Private beach, spa, excellent cuisine | €100–200 |
| Families | Makadi Palace, Dana Beach Resort | Kids club, water slides, entertainment | €40–70 |
| Divers | The Breakers (Soma Bay), Hilton Marsa Alam | Own dive base, first-class house reef | €60–120 |
Tipp
The best house reefs (snorkelable directly from the beach) are at: Soma Bay (Kempinski, The Breakers), Sahl Hasheesh (Oberoi), Makadi Bay (Jaz Makadi). Specifically ask about the house reef when booking — it makes the difference between a good and a great beach vacation.
Practical Tips Hurghada
Arrival
Hurghada Airport (HRG): Direct flights from many German cities (Condor, Eurowings, SunExpress, Corendon). Transfer to the hotel is included in package tours. Individually: Taxi to the center 100–200 LE (€2–4), to the southern resorts 200–400 LE.
Money & Payment
In the resorts, many things are paid in euros or dollars (sometimes even preferred). Outside the hotels, pay in LE — the exchange rate is better. ATMs are available in Sekalla and at major hotels. Credit cards are accepted in hotels and upscale restaurants.
Safety
Hurghada is safe for tourists. The resort zone has its own security, and the beaches are guarded. In the center (El Dahar, Sekalla), exercise normal caution — pickpocketing is possible in crowds. Swimming: Pay attention to the flags! The Red Sea has strong currents. Jellyfish are rare, but lionfish are present — do not touch!
What to Wear
Western standards apply in the resorts (bikinis, shorts, etc.). Outside the resorts — especially in El Dahar and at mosques — shoulders and knees should be covered. In the evening at the marina restaurants: Smart casual is sufficient.
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