Navigation


Hurghada

Introduction

The town of Hurghada has two centers: Downtown (quite interesting, but made for tourists, which you can visit in one hour) and Sigala (less interesting). To go there from your hotel, you can either take a bus (coming every 2 or 3 min., costing 1 pound per person) or a taxi (10 pounds for 4-5 persons). Of course you have to negotiate every price! Remember: in Hurghada, there is nothing to do but diving! One day should be kept for visiting Luxor. Even if the journey costs 85 dollars and you have to stand up at 4 am.

Hotels: the best are the Intercontinental, the Sofitel, and the Marriot, but there are quite expensive. Some other hotels, like the Sheraton, are cheaper and almost as comfortable.

The biggest problem when diving in Hurghada is... the number of divers. Since all the boats leave at the same time, you usually find 10 of them at the same place. Because of all those people, and since the boats use anchors, the corals are often broken. Fortunately, there are lots of fish. Notice also that there is no interesting wreck near Hurghada.

Travel facts

Calendar

JanFebMarAprMayJuneJulyAugSepOctNovDec
161618202325303026241917
212223242425262726252422
best period
acceptable period
not recommend
air temperature
water temperature

Diving type

Destination
easily accessible
easily accessible
bargain destination
bargain destination
Diving level & type
for beginners
for beginners
for advanced divers
for advanced divers
shore diving
shore diving
liveaboard
liveaboard
Diving Characteristics
pelagics
pelagics
lots of fish
lots of fish
lots of corals
lots of corals
interesting underwater scenery
interesting underwater scenery
Other activities
attractive natural spots
attractive natural spots
gastronomy
gastronomy
night life
night life
beach
beach
snorkeling
snorkeling

Map

map

Diving Sites

  • rating : 4.0
    Carless Reef
    rating : 4.0
    depth : 20 m
    visibility : excellent
    description :
    2 reefs lying on a sandy bottom at 20 meters (top at 12 meters), in a dive site with lots of fish. Some current. Saw six morays, a shark and a turtle. It's the best dive site in Hurghada, even though there are lots of divers.

  • rating : 3.0
    El Aruk Diana
    rating : 3.0
    depth : 12 m
    visibility : excellent
    description :
    Like El Aruk Gigi. Saw two rays.

  • rating : 3.0
    Gota Abu Ramada East
    rating : 3.0
    depth : 13 m
    visibility : excellent
    description :
    Some unusual fish in shallow water. The current slightly lowers the temperature. Interesting snorkeling after the dive.

  • rating : 3.0
    Shabrur Umm Gamar
    rating : 3.0
    type of diving : wreck
    depth : 37 m
    visibility : excellent
    description :
    On this dive site there is a wreck at a depth between 28 and 37 meters, in a bad state (with a motor and 5 tanks, lying over a large area). The coral is very rich, and there are lots of fish.

  • rating : 3.0
    Small Giftun
    rating : 3.0
    depth : 17 m
    visibility : excellent
    description :
    An easy dive (great for beginners) near the reef. Saw 5 napoleons.

  • rating : 3.0
    Umm Gamar
    rating : 3.0
    depth : 25 m
    visibility : excellent
    description :
    3 small caves at 25, 20 and 18 meters. Lots of napoleons, trumpet-fish (50 cm), a lion-fish and a ray. It is very interesting to do some snorkeling on the reef after the dive.

  • rating : 2.0
    El Aruk Gigi
    rating : 2.0
    depth : 12 m
    visibility : excellent
    description :
    A lot of pinnacles full of corals (about 10, the dive takes place on the middle of them) with lots of fish. Shallow water.

  • rating : 2.0
    Gay Samana
    rating : 2.0
    depth : 27 m
    visibility : excellent
    description :
    Lots of fish, but some current.

  • rating : 1.0
    Abu Ramada South
    rating : 1.0
    depth : 28 m
    visibility : good
    description :
    Some napoleons. Unfortunately, the coral is quite dead and there are only few fish. Not really interesting...

  • Ben El Jabal
    depth : ?
    visibility : ?
    description :
    Great corals, interesting relief with a turtle and a moray.

  • El Fanadir
    depth : 12 m
    visibility : ?
    description :
    Dive at 12 meters on a sandy bottom with a vertical wall of corals.

  • Torfa El Fanus
    depth : ?
    visibility : ?
    description :
    The northern part of this site is quite interesting, with nice corals. Only sand and stones to the southern part.

Links

Pictures

All these pictures were taken with a 'waterproof' camera (maximum depth: 4 meters, even though it is possible to go down to 10 meters to take one picture); thanks for your understanding...

The bottoms are extremely rich: we feel as if we were swimming in an aquarium... 

A lot of dive sites are very interesting for snorkeling. 

There are always lots of fish. 

Some of them are coming very close to the camera! 

But they leave quickly. 

The greatest problem with diving in Hurghada (apart the number of divers) is the coral, which is very poor... partially due to some divers! 

Previous destination

Next destination

In the vicinity

Tags