Water Sports in Hurghada: Parasailing, Banana Boat and More

Hurghada sits on the Red Sea, and many visitors want to try something more active than lying on a sunbed. Water sports in Hurghada range from a quick banana boat ride on an island day to a parasailing flight above the sea, or a private speedboat for your own group.

This guide explains what each activity involves, which of our trips include it and which ones you add yourself. Everything below comes from our own trip pages. Programs can change with weather and sea conditions, so we confirm the details on WhatsApp +20 128 8062555 when you book.

Parasailing: a short flight above the Red Sea

Parasailing is the activity people ask about most. You wear a harness and a life jacket, a speedboat pulls the parasail and you rise to roughly 30 to 50 meters above the sea. The flight lasts about 8 to 10 minutes in the air. Takeoff and landing happen directly from the boat platform, and there is an optional water splash before you land.

You can fly alone on a single flight, or share a double or triple flight, depending on total weight. The double flight has a maximum of 150 kg for two people. Before takeoff the crew gives a safety briefing, and the boat crew and equipment are part of the activity.

Parasailing is listed on our site at EUR 20 per person as a separate activity with flexible pickup, morning or afternoon. Transportation can be added for an extra charge. The activity is not suitable for children. Bring swimwear, sunglasses and a towel.

Banana boat and cobra rides on island trips

If you prefer something lighter, several of our boat trips include a towed ride. The Orange Bay Island trip includes a short banana boat or quattro ride in the price. The Paradise Island trip includes banana boat and cobra rides, and the Dolphin House trip lists a banana boat and quadra cruise during the day.

On the Hula Hula Island trip, banana and cobra rides are available if you pre-book them. Other water sports, such as parasailing, are extra there unless you arrange them in advance. This is why it helps to tell us what you want before the day, not on the pier.

These rides are short and sit inside a longer day with snorkeling, a beach and an open buffet lunch, so they suit families and groups with mixed interests. If you are unsure whether a ride suits someone in your group, ask us first.

Photo: Pariwat_Af-Don28 on Unsplash

Paradise Island: parasailing inside a full boat day

If you want parasailing without arranging it separately, look at the Paradise Island trip. It is a full-day boat trip from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with hotel pickup between 8:00 and 9:00 AM. Our site lists it at EUR 50.

The program includes the boat cruise, island entry fees, guided snorkeling stops with gear, banana boat and cobra rides, a parasailing flight, a safety briefing, a speedboat ride for the takeoff, a buffet lunch with soft drinks and beach chairs. Photography is not included, and transfers from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna and Soma Bay are charged separately.

A private speedboat for your own pace

A private speedboat is the opposite of a group day. The boat is only for your group, and you choose the slot: 4 hours (9:00 to 13:00 or 13:00 to 17:00) or a full day of 8 hours at double the price. The route can include Dolphin House, Magawish or Abu Ramada, with snorkeling stops at coral reefs and a sunshade for comfort.

The price includes round-trip hotel transfers, a licensed captain, fuel, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, bottled water and soft drinks. Island entry fees, lunch and professional photography are not included. Boat sizes vary, usually for 4 to 8 people, so tell us how many are traveling. The boat is private, so its cost is shared by your group: EUR 70 per person for two guests on the standard 4-hour trip (EUR 140 for the boat), about EUR 40 per person for four, and less each for larger groups. The captain briefs you on safety before departure, and the boat carries GPS, life jackets and a first-aid kit.

Quick checklist before you go

• Passport or ID, as on all our trips
• Swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses and a towel
• Tell us on WhatsApp which water sports you want before the day
• Ask about weight limits if you want a double or triple parasailing flight
• Tell us your hotel and area so we can confirm pickup and any transfer fee
• Remember that photographers and drone videos are not included