Things to Do in Hurghada: Our Trips and What Each Suits

Hurghada is a long strip of Red Sea coast, and most of the best things to do in Hurghada start with a short transfer from your hotel. Some days are spent on a boat, some under the surface, some in the desert and some at a slow pace on a horse or in the city. The trick is matching the day to the people in your group.

This guide walks through the trips we run from Hurghada and says what each one is good for. Everything below comes from our own trip pages. Programs and timings can change with weather and sea conditions, and we confirm the final details with you on WhatsApp when you book.

Island days: beaches, reefs and lunch on the water

If you only have time for one thing, make it a boat day. Our island trips leave in the morning with hotel pickup, include snorkeling at coral reefs and usually serve lunch.

Orange Bay Island is the easiest starting point: EUR 25 per person, pickup between 8:00 and 9:00 AM, two guided snorkeling stops, time on the beach and a banana boat or quattro ride. Hula Hula Island (EUR 27) suits you if you want snorkeling and plain beach relaxation, while Paradise Island (EUR 50) adds water sports and a parasailing experience to the day.

Magawish Island and Ozirea Island are full-day trips of about 7 to 8 hours with free time on the island. Ozirea also gives you access to the island pool. Prices for both are available on WhatsApp, and a national park or environmental fee may apply locally on some islands, so ask us what to expect.

• Best for: first-time visitors, families and anyone who wants a relaxed day
• Choose Orange Bay for the lively beach, Magawish or Ozirea for a calmer pace
• Bring: swimwear, towel, sunscreen, hat, a photo of your passport on your phone

Dolphin House: reef stops and a chance to swim with dolphins

Dolphin House is a full-day boat trip of about 8 hours to a reef area known for dolphins. It includes two guided snorkeling stops, water sports (banana boat and quadra cruise), lunch and drinks on board, and costs EUR 25 per person. Hotel pickup is around 8:00 AM, and the exact time is confirmed on WhatsApp.

There is a chance to swim with dolphins, but dolphins move freely, so a sighting is never guaranteed. If you would rather have something shorter, our Dolphin Show takes about two hours and includes the show and a chance to meet the dolphins with their trainers.

Under the sea: submarine, scuba diving and parasailing

Not everyone wants to put a mask on. The Sindbad Submarine takes you down to 22 metres in an air-conditioned cabin, with coral reefs, marine life and a diver show visible through the windows. It costs EUR 22 per person with departures at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.

If you do want to get in the water, our scuba diving trip is beginner friendly, with two guided dives at a depth of 5 to 8 metres, full equipment and professional instructors (EUR 40). For the view from above, parasailing flies you roughly 30 to 50 metres over the Red Sea (EUR 20), and the Hurghada Aquarium (EUR 30) is a dry option for a hot afternoon.

Desert, horses and the city

The desert safari picks you up around 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM and combines a quad bike ride, a Spider Car buggy, a jeep ride to a Bedouin village, a camel ride and sunset in the mountains, finished with a Bedouin barbecue dinner and a show with Tanoura, belly dance and fire.

For a gentler pace, horse riding runs along the beach or through the desert at sunrise (6:00 AM) or sunset (4:00 PM), with optional sea swimming with the horses (EUR 25). The evening city tour (EUR 15) covers the marina, a mosque, a church, markets and the Old Town, and golf is available with a 10:00 AM pickup (EUR 50). A full-day fishing trip (EUR 90) includes several fishing stops, snorkeling breaks and lunch on board.

• Best for adrenaline: desert safari, parasailing
• Best for a slow day: horse riding, city tour, golf
• Best for sea lovers: fishing trip, scuba diving, private speedboat

How to choose and plan your days

A simple plan for a week is one boat day, one active day and one easy day, with free days in between for the pool. Boat days work well early in your stay, because programs can change with weather and sea conditions and a spare day gives you room to move a trip.

• Travelling as a couple: Dolphin House or Magawish, then a sunset horse ride
• Travelling with friends: Paradise Island, desert safari, scuba diving
• Travelling with children: ask about child policies for your chosen trip, because they differ
• Pickup areas: Hurghada city, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Makadi, Soma Bay and Safaga