The Red Sea is the reason most people come to Hurghada, and it rewards every level of effort, from a mask and snorkel in the shallows to a week of diving on a boat. This guide explains the options, in the order most visitors try them, so you can decide how deep to go.
Start with snorkeling
If you have never put your face in the sea, the easiest introduction is a boat day to the Giftun Islands, where the Orange Bay cruise combines a reef stop, a sandy beach and lunch. If you want variety, the three-islands cruise visits several stops in a day, while Paradise Island and Eden Island trips offer quieter beaches and a reef close to shore. Snorkeling gear is nearly always provided, crews help beginners and life jackets are standard. Dolphin House is a longer day aimed at a resident group of dolphins, but wild animals are never guaranteed, so treat any sighting as a bonus.
See the reef without getting wet
The semi-submarine and glass-bottom boat trips sit you below the waterline and show you coral and fish through large windows, usually in around two hours. They suit young children, nervous swimmers and anyone who wants a quick look before committing to a longer day. The Grand Aquarium is a good wet-weather companion, because it explains what you will see on the real reef.
Try a first dive
The beginner scuba day trip is designed for people with no certification, and an instructor stays with you throughout. You learn a few basic skills, breathe underwater in shallow water and then dive with a guide to a modest depth. It is the best way to find out whether you like diving before you pay for a course. Remember that you should not fly for at least eighteen to twenty-four hours after diving, so plan this for early in your holiday rather than the last day.
Learn to dive properly
The PADI Open Water Diver course is the standard first certification, and it lets you dive with a buddy to eighteen metres anywhere in the world. The version offered from Hurghada includes eLearning, so you can finish the theory at home and spend your time in the water. Expect confined-water skills first, followed by four open water dives over two days. Courses usually take three to four days in all. Choose a school with small groups, good equipment and instructors who speak your language, and be honest on the medical questionnaire.
Dive as a certified diver
Once you hold a card, boat days with two dives and lunch are the staple of the Red Sea. Choose a boat with a briefing for each site, a manageable group size and a guide who knows the reefs. For serious divers, the liveaboard week lets you dive several times a day and sleep on the boat, reaching reefs far from the resort coast. Check the minimum experience, the itinerary and what is included, such as nitrox and park fees.
Choose the right season
The water is warmest from late spring to autumn, and visibility is often good year-round. Winter can be breezy and cool on deck, so bring a rash vest or a shorty wetsuit for snorkeling and a thicker suit for diving. Spring and autumn are the sweet spots for many divers, with comfortable air and water. Wind can affect where boats go, so be flexible.
Protect the reef
The Giftun Islands are a protected area, and the reefs are fragile. Never stand on or touch coral, do not collect shells or feed fish, wear reef-safe sunscreen and keep your fins away from the bottom. Hurghada is crowded with boats, so choose operators who brief guests on reef etiquette. Take your rubbish back with you.
Safety basics
Drink plenty of water, wear sun protection, listen to the safety briefing and use a life jacket if you are unsure in the water. Divers should keep their certification and logbook handy, avoid alcohol before diving and carry insurance that covers diving. If you are prone to seasickness, take a tablet before boarding and sit near the middle of the boat.
Plan the week
A balanced plan for a keen snorkeler might be a Giftun cruise on day two, a semi-submarine ride with the family on day four, a first dive or the start of a course on day five and a catamaran day for relaxation on day six. For a diver, add a certified boat day mid-week and consider the liveaboard as a holiday of its own. If you are not diving, a kitesurfing lesson in El Gouna is a good alternative water sport.