Outdoors · Hurghada · Egypt
7 best outdoor things to do in Hurghada
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: user:vberger, Public domain
Quick answer
Start with Giftun Islands, Dolphin House reef and Hurghada Grand Aquarium. Together the 7 picks below take roughly 23–33 hours across 7 areas; all charge for entry.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 7
- Free entry
- 0
- Time to see them all
- 23–33 hours
- Areas
- Sekalla and Hurghada Marina, El Gouna and Hurghada
Outdoors in Hurghada
Island · Sekalla and Hurghada Marina
1.Giftun Islands
Choose a boat that limits passenger numbers; the big party boats get crowded at the most popular reefs.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Kids
- Photo spot
Nature · El Gouna
2.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.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
Aquarium · Hurghada
3.Hurghada Grand Aquarium
Combine it with a resort day; it is a good option for very young children before a snorkelling trip.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Nature
Experience · Sahl Hasheesh
4.Sahl Hasheesh sunken city
Go in the morning, when the water is calmest and visibility is best.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Active
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Experience · Eastern Desert
5.Eastern Desert safari
Choose a sunset trip in summer to avoid the midday heat, and bring a scarf and sunglasses for the dust.
- Time needed
- 3–6 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Active
- Kids
- Outdoors
- After dark
Theme park · Makadi Bay
6.Makadi Water World
Check whether your hotel includes access before buying a ticket.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Active
- Outdoors
Experience · Soma Bay
7.Kitesurfing and windsurfing
Learn with a school that uses radio helmets and a rescue boat, and book a course over several days to allow for wind changes.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours per lesson
- Cost
- Expensive
- Active
- Outdoors
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Sekalla and Hurghada Marina | Giftun Islands | Full day |
| El Gouna | Dolphin House reef | Full day |
| Hurghada | Hurghada Grand Aquarium | 2 hours |
| Sahl Hasheesh | Sahl Hasheesh sunken city | 1–2 hours |
| Eastern Desert | Eastern Desert safari | 3–6 hours |
| Makadi Bay | Makadi Water World | Half a day |
| Soma Bay | Kitesurfing and windsurfing | 2–3 hours per lesson |
Booking and timing
Of these 7, 1 low cost, 5 mid-priced, 1 expensive. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Giftun Islands; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 6 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Sekalla and Hurghada Marina): Giftun Islands, at least 6 hours.
- Half-day 2 (El Gouna): Dolphin House reef, at least 6 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Hurghada and Sahl Hasheesh): Hurghada Grand Aquarium → Sahl Hasheesh sunken city, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Eastern Desert): Eastern Desert safari, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 5 (Makadi Bay): Makadi Water World, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 6 (Soma Bay): Kitesurfing and windsurfing, at least 2 hours.
The best months to be outside
- February: highs of 23°C (73°F), about 0 rainy days, moderate crowds. The coolest sea of the year; still sunny, and popular with European winter-sun visitors.
- December: highs of 23°C (73°F), about 0 rainy days, busy crowds. Mild, sunny days and cool nights; Christmas and New Year are the most expensive weeks.
- January: highs of 22°C (72°F), about 0 rainy days, moderate crowds. Sunny, warm afternoons and chilly evenings; windy days can be cool on boats, so pack a jacket.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Sekalla and Hurghada Marina — Marina boardwalk, dive boats, restaurants and bars around the port
- Sahl Hasheesh — Planned resort bay 20 km south with a promenade and clear-water reefs
- Makadi Bay — Self-contained all-inclusive resorts and a water park 30 km south
- Soma Bay — Peninsula of upscale resorts, a golf course and kitesurf centres 45 km south
- El Gouna — Lagoon town of canals, marinas and restaurants 25 km north
More of Hurghada
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Hurghada?
Giftun Islands. Two desert islands off Hurghada, Giftun Kebir and Giftun Saghir, form the heart of a national park of reefs and white-sand beaches.