Hurghada Holidays

The jewel of Hurghada's marine park, Giftun Island offers some of the most spectacular snorkelling and diving in the Red Sea. Boats depart the marina every morning for the island's protected coral gardens, where parrotfish, angelfish, and shoals of glassfish move through staghorn and brain coral in water so clear you can see twenty metres to the sandy floor. The island has two beaches — one calm and shallow for snorkellers and children, one exposed for stronger swimmers. Glass-bottom boat options are available for those who prefer to stay dry. The marine park is strictly protected; no anchor damage or coral-touching is permitted.

The Egyptian Red Sea is one of the world's premier scuba destinations — the visibility is exceptional (often 20-30 metres), the water is warm year-round (24-27°C), and the biodiversity rivals the Great Barrier Reef. The Giftun Islands marine park, the wreck of the Abu Nuhas ship cemetery, and the spectacular Shaab Abu Ramada drift dive are all accessible as day trips from Hurghada. For beginners, the Discovery Dive experience in the hotel pools or shallow reef sites is excellent. Travel Orbit can incorporate PADI course stays or dedicated dive liveaboards into your Red Sea holiday.

The Red Sea Mountains rise immediately behind Hurghada's resort strip, and the desert landscape — vast, silent, and spectacular at sunset — is a compelling contrast to days at the reef. Quad-biking and buggy safaris depart in the late afternoon, winding through Bedouin tracks past sandstone formations to a desert camp for a traditional meal and stargazing. Camel rides and dune sandboarding are common add-ons. The desert here receives almost no rainfall and temperatures can be extreme midday; evening excursions are far more comfortable and dramatically lit by the setting sun.