Hurghada was founded in the early 20th century, and until a few years ago, remained a small fishing village. Today, it has gone on to become the foremost tourist resort of the Red Sea coast and an international center for aquatic sports. If it takes place in or on the water you can do it here: windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, but above all snorkeling and diving. The unique underwater gardens offshore are some of the finest in the world, justifiably famous amongst divers. The warm waters are ideal for many varieties of rare fish and coral reefs, which may also be observed through glass bottomed boats.

Take a day trip to Giftun island for snorkeling and a fish barbecue, or view the Red Sea from a submarine! When you're not in the sea you can shop in the boutiques or visit the remains of the Roman Mons Porphyrites (mountain of porphyry) at nearby Gebel Abu Dukhan (Father of smoke). Day trips to Luxor or Safaris to explore the Red Sea mountains by camel or jeep are also available. Other islands and destinations include Shadwan Island (for diving, snorkeling, fishing, but no swimming)

Diving in Hurghada 

Hurghada has featured on international diving itineraries since the 1950s, and is today more popular than ever thanks to the accelerated pace of recent development. Flights from Europe, as well as Cairo and Luxor, land here on a daily basis. Hurghada is widely considered the capital of the Red Sea, and boasts all the facilities of a modern city without losing its timeless desert ambience. Commercial diving is well established in Hurghada. Some operators use this as a point of departure for sites lying further afield such as Abu Nuhas and Bluff Point. But it is the local sites which really guarantee Hurghada's especial popularity.