The Best Excursions from Hurghada

The Best Excursions from Hurghada and How to Choose One That Is Really Worth It

Discover the most popular excursions from Hurghada – from Orange Bay and Luxor to desert safaris – and learn how to choose a reliable agency for an experience without unpleasant surprises.

If you are going on holiday in Hurghada, don’t limit yourself to the beach and your hotel. The Red Sea, the desert and the ancient treasures of Egypt offer some of the most spectacular excursions you can take in this part of the world.

The problem is that for each of them you will find dozens of agencies and hundreds of offers, and choosing the right one is not always easy.

In Hurghada, you can book excursions directly through your hotel, from local agencies or online through platforms such as Viator or GetYourGuide. In many cases, the same local operators are behind the tours, but prices and booking conditions can be very different. That’s why it is worth comparing several offers before making a decision.

During the two visits we made to Hurghada, we noticed the same thing: almost every hotel has its own excursion offers, while along the promenade you will be approached by dozens of agents. Quite often, we found the exact same excursion being sold at completely different prices. That’s why we wanted to explain not only which excursions are worth taking, but also how to choose a reliable operator.

Orange Bay and Paradise Island

These are among the most popular excursions in Hurghada and are a perfect choice if you want a relaxing day on a beach with white sand and turquoise water.

Excursions usually include a boat trip, one or two snorkeling stops and lunch on board.

• Duration: 7–8 hours
• Estimated price: €25–45 per person for a standard excursion, while premium options or tours with smaller groups can cost €60–90. In some cases, the marine reserve fee is not included and must be paid separately.

Mahmya Island

Also located on Giftun Island, Mahmya is considered the premium option. The beach is generally less crowded, and excursions are usually organised in smaller groups.

• Duration: 8–9 hours
• Estimated price: €45–75 per person.

It is one of the more expensive sea excursions from Hurghada, but the price difference is generally reflected in the quality of the services and the smaller number of tourists.

Dolphin House

If you want to go snorkeling and hope to see dolphins in their natural habitat, this is one of the most popular excursions from Hurghada.

Of course, seeing dolphins cannot be guaranteed.

• Duration: 7–9 hours
• Estimated price: €25–50 per person, depending on the operator and the number of snorkeling stops.

Excursions usually include lunch and hotel transfers.

Desert Safari

A completely different kind of experience, a desert safari can include ATV, buggy or jeep rides, a visit to a Bedouin village, a traditional dinner and, sometimes, stargazing through a telescope.

• Duration: between 3 and 7 hours, depending on the programme.

Short ATV safaris last approximately three hours, while full programmes including dinner and a show can take up almost the entire afternoon and evening.

• Estimated price: €20–45 per person for group tours.

Private safaris or buggy experiences can cost considerably more.

Luxor

If you are passionate about history, a trip to Luxor is worth every hour spent on the road. You will visit Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings and other impressive monuments of Ancient Egypt.

• Duration: 14–16 hours
• Estimated price: €50–90 per person for group excursions by coach.

VIP options or smaller-group tours usually cost more than €100.

Cairo and the Pyramids

This is one of the most spectacular excursions you can take from Hurghada, but also one of the most demanding.

If you dream of seeing the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, the long journey can be worth the effort.

• Duration: 16–18 hours by coach.

There are also options by plane, which significantly reduce the time spent travelling but are considerably more expensive.

• Estimated price: €60–100 per person for coach excursions and €200–350 for tours by plane.

Diving and Snorkeling

The Red Sea is famous for its coral reefs, and Hurghada is one of the most popular destinations for beginners and for those who want to discover the underwater world.

• Duration: approximately 7–8 hours, including the boat trip and two dives or several snorkeling sessions.
• Estimated price: snorkeling excursions generally cost €25–40 per person, while an introductory diving experience starts at around €45–80.

For certified divers, excursions including two dives are generally more expensive.

How Do You Choose a Good Excursion?

Once you have decided what you want to visit, the more difficult part begins: choosing the right agency.

For the same excursion, you can find price differences of several tens of euros, but these differences are rarely accidental.

Before booking, check a few important things:

• Don’t choose based on price alone. A very cheap offer can hide important compromises: a much more crowded boat, less time spent on the island or snorkeling, a modest lunch or additional fees that are not included in the advertised price. In many cases, the difference between a €25 excursion and a €40 excursion can translate into a considerably more enjoyable experience.
• Read the reviews, especially the 2- and 3-star reviews. Five-star reviews are often extremely enthusiastic, while one-star reviews can sometimes reflect exceptional situations. Two- and three-star reviews, on the other hand, can reveal problems that occur more frequently: delays, overcrowded boats, poorly prepared guides or snorkeling stops that are too short. If the same complaint appears repeatedly, it is a warning sign.
• Find out who actually operates the excursion. Many agencies and websites are simply intermediaries. The excursion itself is operated by a local company, and that operator makes a major difference when it comes to service quality, the condition of the boat, the professionalism of the crew and the organisation of the entire day. If you can find out the operator’s name, look for reviews of that company as well, not only reviews of the agency through which you are booking.
• Check what is included in the price. Hotel transfers, snorkeling equipment, marine reserve fees, drinks or lunch are not always included. Some excursions may appear cheaper at first, but end up costing more after you add all these services or fees that have to be paid before boarding.
• Compare several offers before booking. Don’t buy the first excursion offered to you at your hotel or on the promenade. Compare at least three offers, check exactly what services they include and read the reviews. You will often discover that the same destination is available at similar prices, but with important differences in comfort, group size and service quality.

There is no single agency that organises the best excursions for every destination in Hurghada. The secret is to choose based on reviews, included services and the operator’s reputation, rather than simply looking at the price.

Very often, an extra €10–15 can make the difference between an average excursion and a much more enjoyable experience — one that you will remember fondly even after your holiday is over.