Diving

A wide range of diverse marine life inhabits the Red Sea from tiny nudibranches to the largest fish, the Whale Shark.  This makes it an underwater photographer’s paradise as there is always something exciting and different to capture.  Like any area in the world there are better places and times to see certain species. 

If you are a major Shark enthusiast then Liveaboard itineraries should provide you with the best chance to see a wide range of shark species. This can include Grey Reef Sharks, White Tip Reef Sharks, Silky Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Thresher Sharks and the curious Oceanic White tip Shark.  A well known site for these encounters are The Brothers Islands, with its resident Grey Reef Sharks, occasional Hammerheads and in the winter months the shy Thresher Shark. 

Some top reefs are Elphinstone which is famous for common pelagic encounters including the Whale Shark in season and Daedalus which commonly has schooling hammerheads events at the right time of year.  All of these dive sites are offshore pinnacles and islands with dramatic reef walls down to 40m which then drop down to 100’s of meters deep  - this does mean strong currents and choppier seas, so you will have to be a more experienced diver to dive these sites and note that the only way is by liveaboard.

Diving Hurghada, Credit

Another popular creature which is regularly seen on dives in the red sea is the Sea Turtle. The 2 most common species that can be seen year round are the Hawksbill and Green Turtle.  The Hawksbill can be seen in many of the dive sites from the north to the south.  The Green Turtles are seen less, but are almost guaranteed to be seen in the southern dive site of Marsa Shouna, eating away at the bays sea grass.  In the same bay there are also regular sightings of a Dugong, but you do have to be lucky and keep an eye out.

The Red Sea offers more than just exhilarating and memorable marine encounters; it also offers a huge variety of wrecks with some very interesting history.  A lot of these wrecks can be penetrated, but before you do you should ensure you are experienced and confident enough with your general diving and in particular your buoyancy. 

The main wreck location near Hurghada is Abu Nuhas.  This shipwreck graveyard is home to a diverse selection of wrecks that have run into the reef and sunk all very close to each other.  Another very famous wreck and a 'must dive' in the North is definitely the wreck of the Thistlegorm.  This was a cargo ship which was bombed during the second world war and is now broken in half and sitting on the sea floor at 30m.  The wreck is such an interesting dive site as is still holds much of its cargo in the holds such as cars and motorbikes; it is also becoming an artificial reef and is host to a large amount of marine life.

Why so serious? Credit

Day trips

Hurghada serves a host of dive sites which you can reach from day boats and liveaboards.  There is also a huge variation in type of dive that you can take part in from famous historic wreck dives, spectacular wall dives, and colourful reef dives full of diverse marine life.  This means that it does truly cater for every divers experience and interests. 

When you choose to dive Hurghada the first decision you need to make is land based or liveaboard.  Both options allow you to dive exciting and popular sites but if you do want to visit areas that you cannot reach by day boat (and are therefore less crowded and tend to have a greater chance of seeing larger marine life) then a liveaboard is the only way to do this.

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Liveaboards 

Liveaboards from Hurghada visit the north and south.  There are many choices of itineraries to choose from so you will need to research the routes for each before you make a decision to ensure you pick one best suited to your level and interests. 

It is worth noting that a lot of liveaboard itineraries also do have a minimum dive quantity and minimum experience level required. They are also completely dive focussed not really suitable to nondivers as the general day is dive, eat, sleep, dive, eat, sleep and so on with up to four dives a day. 

Getting there

The easiest way to access Hurghada is via the city’s international airport, that connects numerous European and domestic flights to the resort town daily. This allows visitors to bypass Cairo entirely.  

Otherwise, Hurghada is connected to Cairo by a 7-hour bus trip. Super Jet and Go Bus are among the best operators, and they leave Cairo multiple times daily. It is also possible to reach Hurghada by bus from Alexandria, Luxor and Aswan. All cities have busses that run daily.

For guests connecting with Sharm el Sheikh, there is a luxury high-speed ferry connecting the two ports a few times per week. Hotels and travel agencies in Hurghada can assist with bookings, which should be organized in advance.

Marina in Hurghada, Credit

Where to Eat & Drink

Hurgada has a wide variety of restaurants, serving anything from Italian to Asian to authentically Egyptian. In matching the wide variety of accommodation, restaurants prices range from local right through to high-end international fare. Most restaurants offer a pleasant street side café atmosphere, with excellent opportunities to people watch. Guests will also find familiar international brands, including KFC and McDonalds, if feeling like really treating yourself!

Hurghada has a reasonable nightlife that transforms this resort based town in the evenings. Night clubs, pubs, bars and cafes line the streets, giving visitors various options to choose from.

Local entertainment, Credit

Other Activities

In addition to diving and snorkelling opportunities, visitors might also opt to travel further into the Red Sea, visiting the unpopulated Big and Little Gifton Islands to lounge on white sand beaches. Otherwise, there are dozens of opportunities to head into the desert on quad bikes and camels with Bedoin tribesmen. Jumping out of the resort bubble is often a highlight for guests visiting Hurghada.

It is also possible to join a sightseeing tour that features the city of Hurghada, profiling impressive mosques, churches and bazaars. Prices in these bazaars tend to be lower – but do require more negotiations. Otherwise, enjoy the plenty of shopping opportunities on the Sekalla High Street! 

Camel Riding, Credit

Hurgada’s many resorts cater well to vacationing families, offering many child-friendly activities. Most dive centres offer bubble maker courses for curious children, and otherwise there is a decent aquarium in town that allows non-divers to witness the magic below.

Tips

Hurghada is a resort-based town that is generally safe for tourists. If planning a visit, it is important to read-up on Egypt’s broader security situation as it has changed dramatically in recent years. That said, Hurghada is rarely affected by Cairo’s political unrest and visitors are able to bypass the capital entirely by flying directly into the city’s international airport if they so desire.

Since the town is built almost entirely around large resorts, visitors infrequently leave the compounds making this a very safe and peaceful destination. Resorts will easily coordinate tours into the desert and neighbouring towns, which generally tend to be hassle free. Should you decide to enter the bazaars in the main city of Hurghada, some visitors report pushy vendors and inflated prices. However, as with any market, a firm and friendly approach to bartering will serve you well as you navigate the corridors.