The Red Sea
The Red Sea’s reef-lined playground
Egypt's Red Sea coast trades pharaohs for coral — Hurghada is the country's beach and diving capital, with reef walls a short boat ride offshore, uninhabited islands for day trips, and a desert backdrop for those who want sand of a different kind.
Places in The Red Sea
Pins are approximate.
A striking orange-sand beach on Giftun Island, one of the most popular boat-trip stops from Hurghada.
Trips that stop here
What to do
- Relax on the distinctively orange-toned sand
- Snorkel the fringing reef just offshore
- Try the banana boat and other watersports on offer
Good to know
- Gets busy with day-trip boats — arrive early for quieter sand
- Included lunch on most boat packages
- Best time
- Morning, before the bulk of day-trip boats arrive.
- What to wear
- Swimwear with a cover-up for the boat ride.
- Weather
- Warm water and sun nearly year-round.
A reef known for its resident pod of spinner dolphins.
Trips that stop here
What to do
- Snorkel alongside wild spinner dolphins
- Swim over the reef's shallow coral gardens
Good to know
- Keep a respectful distance — don't chase or touch the dolphins
- Full-day trips depart early; expect an early pickup
- Best time
- Morning trips have the best dolphin sightings.
- What to wear
- Swimwear with reef-safe sunscreen.
- Weather
- Warm Red Sea water year-round.
The city's boulevard-lined marina — restaurants, boats, and Hurghada's liveliest evening strip.
What to do
- Stroll the waterfront promenade at sunset
- Pick a boat trip straight from the marina docks
- Have dinner at one of the marina's seafood restaurants
Good to know
- The default meeting point for most boat excursions
- Evenings are far livelier and cooler than daytime
- Best time
- Evening, for dinner and the waterfront atmosphere.
- What to wear
- Casual, comfortable clothing.
- Weather
- Sea breeze keeps it milder than inland Hurghada.
One of the Giftun archipelago's most photographed beaches — powder-white sand and clear turquoise shallows.
What to do
- Relax on one of the Red Sea's most scenic beaches
- Snorkel directly from shore
- Eat at the island's beachfront restaurant
Good to know
- One of the more popular day-trip islands — book ahead in high season
- Bring cash for extras beyond the boat package
- Best time
- Morning arrival, before the crowds build up.
- What to wear
- Swimwear with a cover-up for the boat ride.
- Weather
- Warm water and sun nearly year-round.
A small boat-trip island stop near Hurghada, known for calm shallows and a relaxed beach-day pace.
What to do
- Swim in calm, shallow water close to shore
- Snorkel the nearby reef edge
- Relax at a beachside spot with music and drinks
Good to know
- Usually included as one stop on a multi-island boat day
- Ask your operator whether it's a standalone or combined-island trip
- Best time
- Daytime, as part of a boat excursion.
- What to wear
- Swimwear with a cover-up for the boat ride.
- Weather
- Warm water and sun nearly year-round.
A small private-feeling beach island stop near Hurghada, used by several day-trip boat operators.
What to do
- Beach and swim in a quieter, less crowded setting
- Snorkel the surrounding shallow reef
- Relax away from the busier main islands
Good to know
- Ask your boat operator whether this stop is included in their route
- Good for travelers wanting a calmer island than Orange Bay or Mahmya
- Best time
- Daytime, as part of a boat excursion.
- What to wear
- Swimwear with a cover-up for the boat ride.
- Weather
- Warm water and sun nearly year-round.
A landmark mosque overlooking Hurghada's marina, known for its bright minarets against the waterfront.
What to do
- Photograph the mosque against the marina waterfront
- Visit respectfully outside prayer times
- Walk the surrounding El Dahar streets afterward
Good to know
- Non-Muslim visitors should check locally whether entry is currently permitted
- Modest dress and quiet behavior expected nearby regardless
- Best time
- Outside of the five daily prayer times.
- What to wear
- Modest, conservative dress — required for entry, respectful even from outside.
- Weather
- Coastal breeze keeps it milder than inland Hurghada.
What to expect
- Warm water and sun almost year-round — this is Egypt's beach town, not a monument city.
- Reef conditions vary by season; your guide will pick the best sites on the day.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen — many operators require it to protect the coral.
- A short flight or ~5-6hr drive from Cairo; many visitors combine it with Luxor.
Planning the practical side?
Currency, weather, what to wear, visas, airports and public holidays — everything for your trip in one place.
- One day, start to finish
A day on the Red Sea
Red Sea: Hurghada, reefs and the Sinai coast. Scroll, and the map follows the day.
The order we’d take these places in, and the time between them. Yours is planned around you.
- Places
- 3
- Getting about
- 2 h 55
- From your stay and back
- 08:30–05:06
From your stay, 38 min by car · 31.2 km
1El Gouna
Sea & islands · about 4 h 00 here
Lagoon town north of Hurghada.
Then, 33 min by car · 27.8 km
2Hurghada
Sea & islands · about 6 h 00 here
Reefs and boat days on the Red Sea.
Then, ≈ 1 h 43 by boat · 17.6 km
3Giftun Islands
Sea & islands · about 7 h 00 here
Snorkelling off white-sand islands.
Back where you’d stay
At Hurghada, Sakkala (our example). The rings are 10, 20 and 30 minutes on foot; what’s nearby comes live from OpenStreetMap.
Finding what’s nearby…
Also worth the trip
- Ras MohammedNational park at the tip of Sinai.69 km
- Blue Hole, DahabA reef sinkhole on the Gulf of Aqaba.163 km
- St Catherine’s MonasteryAt the foot of Mount Sinai.145 km
Start from this day: change the stops, add your details, and keep it as a document.
Back home, and still talking about it
Experience in Egypt
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing Experience with Yahia! We had an amazing time in Egypt! We visited the Pyramids, the Egyptian Museum, rode camels and enjoyed an incredible quad bike adventure in the desert! Our guide, Yahia, was absolutely wonderful! Such a kind, friendly and helpful person who made our experience even more special. He took great care of us and made sure we had the best time. Highly recommended! Thank you, for everything!
Read it all on TripadvisorThe most value for money experience
The whole experience was amazing. The responses were immediate and the guys really tried to tailor the trip to our needs. They calculated everything, making our trip easy and enjoyable. From picking us from the airport till dropping us off in the end , we felt safe during the whole time. 100% worth
Read it all on Tripadvisor5 friends in Egypt
Yahya is an amazing guy who loves what he does. He planned some fantastic days for our group, tailored to our preferences. He had amazing partners and drivers who picked us up no matter the place or time. Also he was there for us when we needed his help. If I had to plan my trip again I would definitely choose him.
Read it all on TripadvisorThe way to experience Cairo - So easy and great
Once again a super well planned trip and a guide who is funny and very well into the things we see and experience. This was my second time in Cairo and the dessert with Yaya as my guide. He arranged everything and we had a very packed three days full of interesting sights and experiences. We wanted to add a stop not originally planned and he managed that also. My best recommendations hereby sent.
Read it all on TripadvisorThe Best Tour Guide in the World – I Came to Egypt and Found a Brother! ❤️🇪🇬
Yahya is not just a tour guide. He is so much more than that! I have traveled to many places around the world, but my experience in Egypt was truly unforgettable, and one of the biggest reasons for that was Yahya. From the very first moment, he made us feel welcome, comfortable, and part of his family. Every single experience was incredible! From the amazing activities and breathtaking places we visited to the delicious local food and hidden gems he introduced us to, everything was simply perfect. He didn’t just show us Egypt. He made us experience the real Egypt, its culture, its people, its beauty, and its magic. But what makes Yahya truly special is not only how amazing he is at his job. It’s his personality, his kindness, his positive energy, and, above all, his enormous heart. He is one of those rare people you meet while traveling who end up becoming a part of your life forever. Without a doubt, he is the BEST TOUR GUIDE IN THE WORLD! I would return to Egypt a thousand times, and I know I will be back! Not only because Egypt is such an incredible country, but also because I now have someone there who feels like family. And here’s something special: His name is Yahya, but I always called him Yannis, the Greek name I gave him. I met him as Yahya, I called him Yannis, but in the end, I found a brother in Egypt. ❤️ Some trips give you beautiful memories. Others give you friendships that last a lifetime. I was lucky enough to experience both. Thank you for everything, my brother! Until we meet again! 🇪🇬❤️
Read it all on TripadvisorFORGOTTEN EXPERIENCE
We always dreamed of being in Egypt... This dream of Yahya and his colleagues made a reality. The days we were there, we met outstanding and kind people, excellent guides, and historically informed people who helped us understand Egyptian culture and have fun. This trip will remain unforgettable for us We certainly recommend it.
Read it all on TripadvisorA dreamlike experience 🤩
It was an incredibly enjoyable and fun vacation, filled with fulfilling moments. I highly recommend it to those who want a genuine experience, unlike classic tours. You'll feel like you're visiting a local friend rather than a guide. It was wonderful how every detail was thoughtfully considered for you. Yahya's knowledge, experience, cheerfulness, and fun-loving nature made him stand out from the very first moment. Thank you so much for everything, I can't wait to go again! 🤩☺️
Read it all on TripadvisorThe best trip of my life
There are trips that come and go, that fade in memory over time, and others that, even when they end, you carry inside you forever. Egypt had been for a long time, a destination I really wanted to visit and the expectations were high, I won't hide it. But sometimes the beauty of a place is not only hidden in what you see, but also in the way someone helps you discover it. And when you have a person next to you who is passionate about what they do, knows the history of the place, and manages to convey a piece of that love to you, then the trip becomes something much more than a simple experience. From the moment we set foot in Egypt, we were caught up in its rhythms. We walked the streets of it, smelled its scents, felt its pulse and intensity. Somewhere among all of this, we forgot that we were guests. We weren't satisfied to see it through the eyes of a tourist, we lived it and for a week we became a small part of it. I don't want to sound exaggerated, but the week we spent in Egypt was one of the best weeks - not to say the best - of my life. Amidst all this, without realizing it, completely naturally, people who were initially just companions became our people. And maybe that is the most beautiful part of a trip: the people you meet by chance and end up having a special place in your life and in your mind. Some trips end, but those that leave you remain inside you forever. For the moments, the laughs, the jokes, the kilometers, the tears... forever grateful.
Read it all on Tripadvisor5 Guys in Egypt
Great experience and great guys to make your memories so special.
Read it all on TripadvisorGroup of friends 5 days Egypt
Great guys with love for what they do. 100% suggest them
Read it all on TripadvisorUnforgettable experience!!
I'm going to be honest with my review. I had my hesitations with booking a guide for my trip, as I was thinking that it was going to be awkward and typical, as the relationship with any regular guide. But Yahya proved me wrong. He is the most significant reason why I had such an enjoyable holiday, not only because the program he made was good, but most importantly because his personality was his greatest quality. He arranged for us such unique activities, that made us all desire more, and be even more excited for the next day that came. But apart from the unforgettable things we did, the car rides and chilling times were just as amazing. I could talk all day about this trip, but unless you book with him, you won' t be able to comprehend the experience. So, with all my heart, I encourage everyone to book with Yahya, if they want to love their trip as much as we did, and miss it the moment they return home! 🥰😍🥺🐪⛺️🇪🇬🕊🐿
Read it all on TripadvisorAn Unforgettable Experience in Egypt!
We had an amazing experience with Yahya in Egypt! Everything was perfectly organized from start to finish. He was professional, friendly, and always willing to help. He was incredibly knowledgeable and made every visit interesting and enjoyable. We felt safe, well taken care of, and truly welcomed throughout the trip. Thank you for helping us create unforgettable memories in Egypt! 🫶🏻 Highly recommended to anyone looking for a reliable and high-quality tour experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read it all on TripadvisorOnce in a lifetime trip
Going to Egypt with Yahya is literally an experience that no other experience comes even close! He really is THE BEST !! Everything was so well organised, he really was there for everything and made us feel safe and comfortable the whole trip ! Yahya’s program makes you never want to go back home , he is so fun and charismatic!!! I would do a lobotomy to do this trip again!!!!!
Read it all on Tripadvisor
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