One day in Hurghada

Day by day

1. Day 1: Giftun Islands and Hurghada Marina

   Giftun Islands, Hurghada Marina, El Mina Mosque and Dolphin House reef, then El Dahar souq in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Giftun Islands

      Choose a boat that limits passenger numbers; the big party boats get crowded at the most popular reefs. Allow Full day.

   2. Late morning

      Hurghada Marina

      Come for sunset and dinner; the boardwalk is at its liveliest after dark. Allow 1–2 hours.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Grilled Red Sea fish

      Fish restaurants in El Dahar and around the marina, where you choose the fish and pay by weight.

   4. Afternoon

      El Mina Mosque

      Photograph it from the marina boardwalk after sunset; dress modestly and ask permission before entering outside prayer times. Allow 30 minutes.

   5. Late afternoon

      Dolphin House reef

      Stay calm in the water and let dolphins approach; do not chase or touch them, and choose an operator that respects the no-chase rules. Allow Full day.

   6. Evening

      El Dahar souq

      Visit in the early evening, when it is cooler and busiest, and haggle politely.

If it rains

• Swap in Hurghada Museum (Central Hurghada): Visit on a windy day when boat trips are cancelled, or in the afternoon heat.
• Swap in Hurghada Grand Aquarium (Hurghada): Combine it with a resort day; it is a good option for very young children before a snorkelling trip.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 15–21 hours of visiting over one day, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 10.4 hours in December to 13.8 hours in June.

Getting between stops: Taxi. Taxis are the main way between the resorts, the marina and El Dahar; most are unmetered.

More or fewer days

• 2 days in Hurghada
• 3 days in Hurghada
• 5 days in Hurghada

Questions travellers ask