Day trips from Hurghada, how to choose without losing the day
Optional excursions from Hurghada differ less in price than in pace, and in how much of the day is left for you. The same trip can be the best memory of the holiday or twelve hours in a coach.
On a one week stay you can realistically do two, maybe three trips, no more if the holiday is to stay a holiday. So it is worth knowing how the popular destinations actually differ.
The sea, the reef and the islands
A boat trip to the reef is the classic and usually the best first choice. The boat leaves in the morning, there are two or three snorkelling stops along the way and lunch on deck in the middle of the day. Giftun Island adds a beach with very pale sand and shallow water.
- Good for people who do not dive, a mask and snorkel are enough
- Children usually cope well, because there is movement and water
- Bring a rash vest, because backs burn in the water without you noticing
- In strong wind the programme is often changed, which is normal and depends on conditions
The desert, half a day and a sunset
The safari usually leaves in the afternoon and returns after dark. The programme includes quad bikes or a jeep, a visit to a Bedouin village, dinner and the drive back. A good choice if you still want a morning on the beach.
The desert near Hurghada is stony and mountainous, it is not the Sahara with dunes. For many people that is a surprise, although the view of the mountains at sunset speaks for itself.
Luxor, the longest and the strongest day
Going to Luxor means getting up before dawn, several hours of driving each way and a late evening return. In exchange you get Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and temples that compare to nothing else in the region.
Dolphins and El Gouna
Heading out to the areas where dolphins appear regularly is still a full day, but a calmer one than the safari. Nobody can guarantee an encounter, because these are wild dolphins, not a show.
El Gouna is the opposite of the other trips. It is half a day of walking around a resort built on canals, with a marina, cafes and architecture unlike Hurghada. Good for a day when you do not want to rush anywhere.
Three questions before booking
- What time it leaves and what time it really returns, not the brochure time
- What exactly the price covers, meaning entries, a meal, drinks, equipment
- How many people will be in the group, which changes the pace more than anything else
Programme, price and availability depend on the date and the number of people, which is why there is no price list on this site. Write how many days you have in Hurghada and what you want to see, and you will get a suggestion built around that.