Best Excursions in Hurghada 2025: The Insider Guide

Hurghada isn't just a beach hotel. It's the launchpad to some of the best experiences in Egypt — coral reefs, the Eastern Desert, pharaonic temples, the capital itself. Here's our top 10 of excursions, updated for 2025 based on feedback from English-speaking travellers.

1. Giftun Island snorkelling day

The classic. The Giftun archipelago, 1 hour by boat from Hurghada, holds one of the richest coral ecosystems in the Red Sea. The typical day includes two snorkel stops (vibrant reefs, parrotfish, anemones, occasional turtles), grilled-fish buffet aboard the boat, and 1-2 hours of beach time on the island itself.

• Price: £28-45/person (group), £75-125/person (private for 4-6 people).
• Duration: 8am-5pm.
• For whom: everyone, snorkel beginners included (life jackets provided).

2. Desert safari: quad, camel, Bedouin dinner

Late-afternoon half-day trip. Quad bike or jeep into the Eastern Desert, camel ride at sunset, traditional dinner under a Bedouin tent with show (Tanoura dance, whirling dervish).

• Price: £25-40/person.
• Duration: 2pm-10pm.
• For whom: everyone, photogenic, family-friendly.

3. Cairo day trip (by flight)

The marathon experience, but unforgettable. 5am flight Hurghada → Cairo (45 min), private van to Giza (pyramids, Sphinx), lunch, then the Grand Egyptian Museum (open since 2024 — the new Tutankhamun gallery is exceptional), evening return.

• Price: £230-300/person (flight + guide + entries + lunch).
• Duration: 4am-10pm.
• For whom: history enthusiasts, first-time visitors. Avoid with kids under 8.

4. Luxor day trip (bus or flight)

More accessible than Cairo — Luxor is 4 hours by bus from Hurghada (or 1 hour by flight). Itinerary: Karnak Temple (largest religious complex ever built), Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings (3 tombs of your choice), Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon.

• Bus price: £65-105/person (a/c van + guide + entries + lunch).
• Flight price: £190-275/person.
• Duration: 4am-10pm by bus, 7am-7pm by flight.
• For whom: everyone, intense but essential.

5. Sindbad submarine ride

For those who don't want to get wet: a real submarine descends 20 m into the coral reef for 50 minutes. 360° visibility, fish without swimming.

• Price: £40-55/person, half-price kids.
• Duration: 3 hours total.
• For whom: kids, seniors, non-swimmers.

6. 3-4 night Nile cruise (Luxor → Aswan)

Not strictly an "excursion" — more of a mini-trip. From Hurghada, take a bus or flight to Luxor, board a 5-star vessel (Steigenberger, Mövenpick), 3 nights cruising with stops at Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae. All-inclusive on board.

• Price: £280-450/person (cruise only) + £80-120 transfers.
• Duration: 3 or 4 nights.
• For whom: couples, slow travellers, photographers.

7. Discover Scuba Diving

For those who've always wanted to try diving. Half-day with a PADI instructor: 30-minute theory briefing, 2 dives in shallow water (5-12 m) on a house reef.

• Price: £55-75/person (equipment + photo souvenirs).
• Duration: 4 hours.
• For whom: age 12+, non-divers, good health required.

8. Marsa Alam day trip (snorkel/dive)

A long day but worth it: 2-hour van south to Marsa Alam, snorkel at Sataya Dolphin Reef (near-guaranteed dolphin encounter), or dive at Abu Dabbab (turtles, dugongs in season), evening return.

• Price: £75-110/person (snorkel) or £105-150 (dive).
• Duration: 6am-7pm.
• For whom: nature lovers, confident swimmers.

9. Mahmya Island / Orange Bay

Alternative to Giftun for travellers wanting a more chill beach + snorkel + sun day. Quieter (fewer boats), longer beach, equally clear water.

• Price: £35-55/person (boat + buffet lunch).
• Duration: full day.
• For whom: couples, families, rest days.

10. El Gouna visit

The "little St-Tropez" of Egypt, 30 min north of Hurghada. Marina with yachts, refined restaurants, pedestrian downtown, private beaches. Half-day excursion for a high-end lunch, artisan shopping, lagoon views.

• Price: £25-40/person (van + town tour).
• Duration: 5 hours.
• For whom: those wanting a "modern" pause in their stay.

Combining everything in one week

Our suggested 7-day itinerary:

• Day 1: arrival + beach rest.
• Day 2: Giftun snorkelling.
• Day 3: beach / rest / spa.
• Day 4: Luxor day trip (bus).
• Day 5: Desert + Bedouin dinner (half-day).
• Day 6: beach / El Gouna (half-day).
• Day 7: return.

If you want to add Cairo, extend to 8-9 days; otherwise it gets too intense.

How to book with Belivavoyage

All our excursions come with English-speaking guides, private transfers from your hotel, lunch included, entry fees paid. Packages from London, Manchester, Birmingham and other UK departure cities on our packages page.

For custom itineraries, message us on WhatsApp — our team replies in English within minutes.