A guide to the best beaches in Hurghada
If you like to spend your Hurghada holidays relaxing, there’s a good choice of hotels which place you right on the beach. Here you’ll find all the amenities you could ever need, including sunloungers as well as bars, restaurants, spa areas and a fantastic array of watersports. There are also public beach areas with access to a variety of useful amenities, also for a small fee. But wherever you end up on your Hurghada holidays we suggest you take part in one of the most popular activities the area has to offer – scuba diving and snorkelling.
Old Vic Beach, Hurghada
Found on Village Road in Hurghada lies Old Vic Beach, which is the oldest public beach in the area. This is an idyllic spot, located near the centre of town and is pretty good value for money too. Included in your daily fee are sunloungers and a bar with hospitality staff at hand. As on many of the beaches, you’ll probably come across local wildlife like hermit crabs, and even a heron splashing about in the sea. You can also have a go at the numerous watersports available, including parasailing or a banana boat ride.
Sahl Hasheesh Beach, Sahl Hasheesh
Just south of Hurghada City you’ll discover nearly 13 kilometres of stunning shoreline at Sahl Hasheesh, a large portion of which is swimmable. The land here gently slopes upwards offering panoramic views of the bay area and the offshore islands. This includes Abu Hashish Island, which comes with fantastic snorkelling and diving opportunities where you’ll experience remarkable marine life and glowing coral reefs. One of the best hotels on the shore, with superior amenities and a private beach, is Tropitel Sahl Hasheesh.
Makadi Bay
Next door to Sahl Hasheesh sits lovely Makadi Bay. It boasts many All Inclusive luxury hotels like the Fort Arabesque Hotel which sits among stunning gardens with top beach amenities. This is a beautiful spot with gentle activities that carry on until the evening, with live music at many of the hotel’s beach bars. The bay nestles beautifully between the desert and translucent sea with inshore reefs home to exquisite marine life, making it a great spot for scuba diving and snorkelling.
Soma Bay
A bit further south towards Safaga is Soma Bay, a gorgeous setting with a desert-scape behind it. Here you’ll find luxury hotels with their own stretch of beach, including the contemporary Palm de Soma. On arrival, this is an impressive complex boasting a wide-range of amenities. The beach is well served with conveniently placed sunbeds and palm leaf parasols. Plus, there’s a diving and watersports hut where you can grab yourself a kayak or surfboard. The hotel even has an aqua park, which is great for the kids and puts on regular beach activities.
Mahmya, Gifton Island
You’ll feel like you’re on a paradise beach at Mahmya located on Gifton Island, just a 45-minute boat ride away from Hurghada. Thatch-roofed bars and parasols set against the rocky shore and golden sands give this beach a tropical island feel. The easiest way to visit is by booking a snorkelling or diving excursion to the area. This remarkable place represents around 80% of the biodiversity of the coral reefs in the Red Sea, and don’t forget to lookout for the extraordinary birdlife too.