The Red Sea in Egypt: the coast from El Gouna to Marsa Alam – and what’s actually reachable from Hurghada
Updated October 1, 2026 · 9 min read
From Hurghada, the islands and reefs right off the city are genuinely within reach, and by land so is everything within just over 50 kilometres: El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay and Safaga. Marsa Alam, the Sinai and the southern reefs need separate planning. Hurghada’s most talked-about excursion on GetYourGuide leads straight into this reachable stretch of sea: the 3 Islands, Dolphins & Snorkel Yacht Trip with Lunch – eight hours, from €44 per person, rated 4.7 across 8,267 reviews, taking in Orange Bay and the Giftun and Magawish islands in a single day. For anyone for whom a whole day on the water is too much, the Royal Seascope Submarine Cruise with Snorkel Stop fits better: two hours, from €18.57, with the reef visible through windows.
A stay in Hurghada gives access to different reefs and excursions from a stay in Marsa Alam or on the Sinai. Brochures often list the names together, although several hours by road or a separate boat journey lie between them. This guide follows Egypt’s Red Sea coast from north to south.
The Red Sea’s coral reefs draw divers here. Egypt’s diving industry body CDWS lists over 300 coral species and around 1,200 fish species. CDWS Whether you can reach a reef from your hotel beach or need a boat depends on the specific stretch of coast.
Where Hurghada actually sits in this sea
The Red Sea runs from Suez in the north to the Bab el-Mandeb strait in the south, around 2,250 kilometres long and 355 kilometres wide at its broadest point. Its average depth is around 490 metres, and in the central trough it reaches 2,730 metres. Around 2,000 kilometres of coral reef line its coasts. Red Sea
In the north, the Sinai Peninsula divides the sea into the Gulf of Suez to the west and the Gulf of Aqaba to the east. Hurghada is on the African side near the mouth of the Gulf of Suez. Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab are on Sinai and require separate travel planning.
The coast from north to south – with distances from Hurghada
El Gouna, around 20–25 km north. A planned lagoon town of islands, canals and bridges with three marinas, and water sports are a focus there. El Gouna The wind that ruins a boat trip in Hurghada is what kitesurfers come here for. Easily doable as a half-day trip from Hurghada.
Sahl Hasheesh adjoins Hurghada to the south; most of the large hotel resorts lie between the El Mamsha promenade and Sahl Hasheesh, and beyond it come the hotels of Makadi Bay. Hurghada
Makadi Bay, around 30 km south of Hurghada Airport according to JAZ. A hotel bay without a traditional town centre; Mini Egypt Park and the Dolphin World dolphinarium are here too. Running through the desert near Makadi Bay, for example, is the “Makadi Bay ATV Tour”: two hours, from €10.50 per person, rated 4.7 across 2,945 reviews – it’s booked from Hurghada.
Soma Bay lies on a peninsula south of Hurghada. The operator gives its address as kilometre 48 on the Hurghada–Safaga road. Hotels, a golf course and water sports characterise the resort area. Somabay
Safaga, just over 50 km south. A genuine port town: phosphate is shipped from here, and ferries sail to Duba in Saudi Arabia, including for pilgrims on their way to Mecca. In 1993 it hosted the Windsurfing World Championships. Safaga
El Quseir, around 140 km south. One of the most historically interesting places on the stretch: there was already a port here in Roman times, and the Ottoman fortress from the late 16th century is now a museum. El Quseir · Fortress
Marsa Alam lies around another 130 km further south, several hours’ drive from Hurghada. The region includes Abu Dabbab, with seagrass beds and possible turtle and dugong sightings, the offshore dive reef Elphinstone, and Sataya further south, known for spinner dolphins. Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed; boat journeys and participation requirements differ between sites.
South of Marsa Alam lies Wadi el Gemal National Park. Egypt’s environment ministry describes an area encompassing desert mountains, coastline and marine habitats. ↗
What’s actually feasible from Hurghada – and what isn’t
This is where the brochure and the timetable part ways.
Works as a day trip: the islands and reefs right off Hurghada, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, Safaga. On land, all of these lie within just over 50 kilometres; the islands are reached by boat. Which of these works well with children is sorted by duration rather than destination in Hurghada with kids.
Works, but it’s a long day: El Quseir and the wrecks in the Gulf of Suez. The SS Thistlegorm, a British cargo ship sunk by German bombers in 1941, lies in the Strait of Gubal near Ras Mohammed, at around 30 metres at its deepest, and is a well-known dive site. SS Thistlegorm From Hurghada that means a long crossing; many divers reach it via a liveaboard or from Sharm El Sheikh.
Southern reefs need separate planning: Abu Dabbab is also offered as a day trip from Hurghada. A local transfer operator quotes about three hours’ drive each way. A hotel near Marsa Alam is more practical for frequent visits. Elphinstone, Sataya and the Brothers Islands are different destinations with different boat journeys and participation requirements; check the actual departure port, transfer and required diving experience for the specific trip. ↗
Five ways to see this reef from Hurghada
All five trips below leave from Hurghada and return the same day. The difference isn’t the destination, but how much time you’re willing to spend on the water.
| Trip | Duration | from | Rating | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Seascope Submarine Cruise with Snorkel Stop | 2 hours | €18.57 | 4.4 across 5,424 reviews | those who don’t want to get in the water, and a first look at the reef |
| Hula Hula Cruise with Lunch, Massage, & Snorkeling | 8 hours | €22.89 | 4.4 across 2,050 reviews | a small budget for a full day on the water |
| Speedboat, Dolphins, Snorkeling & 2 Islands | 4 hours | €33.25 | 4.6 across 4,085 reviews | those with only half a day at sea |
| 3 Islands, Dolphins & Snorkel Yacht Trip w/ Lunch | 8 hours | €44 | 4.7 across 8,267 reviews | those who want Orange Bay, Giftun and Magawish in one go |
| Intro Diving Beginner and Discover Red Sea Underwater | 8 hours | €44.70 | 4.8 across 1,419 reviews | those who want to go underwater with a tank for the first time |
Check availability and prices for the 3 Islands yacht trip
Anyone who doesn’t want to get into the water, or who’s travelling in winter when the sea sits around 22–24°C, can still see the reef from the underwater observation deck. A snorkelling stop is part of the programme – nobody has to take part.
Check dates for the Royal Seascope cruise
Which dive bases and courses exist locally is covered in Diving in Hurghada; the reefs reachable without a tank are covered in Snorkelling in Hurghada. Because almost everything on this coast runs via a boat, it’s worth checking Boat trips with kids beforehand if children are coming along.
Check the intro diving course in the Red Sea
The protected areas, and why they cost money
Several islands, reefs and stretches of coast are protected, and you notice that at the till.
Giftun island trips may charge protected-area and island fees separately. Check the amount, currency, child policy and any cash payment on site for the specific offer. The official fee schedule differs by area and visitor group, so there is no single amount for everyone. EEAA What to see in Hurghada · island trips
At the southern tip of the Sinai lies Ras Mohammed, a national park since 1983, Egypt’s oldest, and the place where the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba meet. It doesn’t fall within Hurghada’s catchment area – you reach it from Sharm El Sheikh.
Do not touch or take anything from the reef. Germany’s Federal Foreign Office lists an Egyptian export ban on protected natural products, including corals and shells, even when purchased. Leave beach finds where they are and follow local conservation rules. ↗
The seasons on this coast
In Hurghada, average daytime highs are around 30°C in April, 34°C in May, 32°C in October and 28°C in November. From December to March they are about 22–26°C, and from June to August 36–37°C. Hurghada climate table Underwater visibility depends on the reef and conditions that day; winter does not guarantee better visibility. Which months suit which trip is sorted in Best time to visit Hurghada.
In the northern Red Sea, the wind blows persistently from the north-west. Red Sea In Hurghada it is strongest on average in September and weakest in November. Weather Spark
If you are travelling with an infant and mainly want less heat, winter works in your favour; what else matters is covered in Hurghada with a baby.
In windy weather, decide on the excursion after checking with the operator. A port closure does not automatically make a desert trip possible: wind, dust and heat can disrupt that too. a trip into the Eastern Desert · Things to do in Hurghada
Our recommendation
For most people, “3 Islands, Dolphins & Snorkel Yacht Trip with Lunch” is the right call: eight hours, from €44 per person, rated 4.7 across 8,267 reviews. In a single day it covers exactly the part of this coast that’s reachable from Hurghada – Orange Bay, Giftun and Magawish. For anyone who can’t swim or gets seasick easily, that’s a long day; they’re better off with something shorter.
A small budget suits the Hula Hula cruise: also a full day and also with lunch, from €22.89, rated 4.4 across 2,050 reviews. The price difference here is more honest than the rating difference: 4.4 against 4.7 isn’t a chasm, but it isn’t the same thing either.
Check dates and prices for the Hula Hula cruise
Anyone with only half a day at sea should take the speedboat to two islands with dolphin watching: four hours from €33.25, rated 4.6 across 4,085 reviews. Anyone who wants to go underwater with a tank should take the intro diving course – eight hours from €44.70 and rated 4.8 across 1,419 reviews; discuss medical questions with a doctor, not the instructor.
And here’s what no trip from Hurghada covers: Elphinstone, Sataya, the Brothers Islands and Ras Mohammed. Those are different departure ports and different participation requirements. Anyone travelling mainly for those should be based further south or on the Sinai.
