Dream Beach
Hurghada’s beautiful coastline has a mixture of public and privately-run beaches. Dream Beach is a public beach but unless you are a guest at one of the hotels, you will need to pay a daily charge to use it. This is usually the case with all beaches across Hurghada, and the price can vary depending on facilities and amenities available.
This peaceful and idyllic sandy beach has warm, crystal clear waters, ideal for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving. Drinks, snacks and meals can be purchased and the waiters are happy to bring your choice of refreshments to you as you relax on your sun bed, soaking up the sun.
At the weekends and during school holidays, many local families spend the day at the bustling Dream Beach, but not to worry – you can usually find yourselves a quiet spot to sit back and relax under the warm sunshine.
Mahmya Beach
The beautiful Mahmya Beach is located on the southern shore of Giftun Island’s National Park, just a short boat ride away from Hurghada. In order to protect the coral reef and its marine life, the boats moor at buoys located a short stop away at sea and then sail visitors to the shore using smaller boats.
This blissful bay, with its white soft sand and azure blue waters is an idyllic spot for relaxing in the sun with family and friends. The snorkelling adventures available on this beach are fantastic; you can explore the beautiful coral reefs scattered throughout the lagoon and embrace the array of colourful fish to be seen here. What more could you want from a beach?
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, why not have a bite to eat at the beachside restaurant, serving delicious seafood and Italian specialities? Relax with a cool drink and soak up the atmosphere (and of course the sun), before making the return journey to your hotel.
Old Vic Beach
Old Vic Beach is the oldest public beach in Hurghada, located on Village Road – near the centre of the town. As with all public beaches in Hurghada, there is a daily fee to use the beach and its facilities – but it’s certainly worth it for a trip over here. Your beach fee gives you access to sun beds, parasols, an outside shower and toilets, too. Do bear in mind you are not allowed to bring your own refreshments onto the beach, but not to worry; there is a bar selling freshly made food and snacks, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
This beach also has a water sports station where you can embark on a parasailing adventure, go windsurfing, water-skiing or take a ride on a banana boat. If water sports are not realy your thing, there’s plenty of other options to enjoy. In fact, there’s a beach volleyball court available at the beach, or why not take a stroll along the sand looking out for hermit crabs found on most of Hurghada’s beaches? Alternatively, just lie back on your lounger and enjoy the glorious Egyptian sunshine…
Paradise Island
The aptly named Paradise Island is just a 45-minute boat ride from the beautiful town of Hurghada, and holidaymakers can easily arrange a trip across the sea to this lovely little slice of heaven-on-earth. The soft, white, sandy beach of Paradise Island has had a marine protectorate since 1986, and the amazing coral reef which surrounds the island is filled with countless colourful and exotic fish, making this a very popular beach destination for avid snorkelers and divers.
Paradise Island is particularly popular with families, as the children enjoy the boat trip across the Red Sea, where they can revel in playing on the sand, building sand castles, having fun in the specially designed kid’s area and paddling and swimming in the warm sea.
There are sunbeds and parasols on the beach, as well as a tasty restaurant and bar – where you can enjoy a meal and a drink. Quite often, Egyptian folklore shows and dancing displays are put on for your entertainment before you catch the boat for the return trip to Hurghada.
Sahl Hasheesh Beach
With a dry climate all year round, Hurghada is a popular destination for visitors seeking sun and relaxation. Just south of Hurghada town is Sahl Hasheesh Bay, with its 12-kilometres of sandy beaches, bordered by warm, calm and clear waters; making it a particular favourite with tourists.
Sun beds and parasols are available both on the sands and on the long jetty which juts out into the sea. Snorkelling off the jetty is particularly enjoyable with the hundreds of colourful fish swimming around you as you explore the area – it’s a bit like swimming in a giant aquarium. Various hotels front this wondrous beach, plus there are thriving local bars and tasty cafes located nearby for when you’re looking for some refreshments.
Away from the beach, it is well worth taking the time to stroll around the Old Town of Sahl Hasheesh, with its lovely palm tree-lined promenade, attractive buildings and landscaped green spaces.
Sharm El-Arab Beach
The miraculous Sharm El-Arab Beach is approximately 32-kilometres to the south of Hurghada. Wander down the steps leading to this lovely bay and you will find a curved stretch of fine, soft sand, as well as clear, blue waters with great coral reefs.
On the beach, there are sunbeds and umbrellas and a bar serving snacks, various hot drinks and soft drinks, plus local beers and beverages. The bar here offers a lovely terraced area with tables and chairs laid out for you to use, or you can take your food back to your sun lounger (if you prefer). Holidaymakers can also have a relaxing massage or maybe join one of the exciting belly-dancing classes held on the beach.
Snorkelling is a favourite pastime for visitors to Sharm El-Arab; you can hire equipment and life jackets if you don’t have your own, and there is a dive-centre situated on the beach, too. So, why not join them and explore the beautiful underwater world of corals, turtles, snails, barracudas, shortnose batfish and the beautiful, turquoise doctorfish?
Zeytuna Beach
Zeytuna Beach is part of the El Gouna resort complex and is situated on its own private island which is accessible both by boat and by a footbridge from the mainland. This idyllic beach has a 400-metre long jetty extending out into the Red Sea and from here you can dive, swim and snorkel in the beautifully clear waters along a coral reef.
The beach itself has plenty of sunbeds, umbrellas, windbreakers, restrooms and showers, and if you feel like being pampered there is a salon where you can have a massage, a manicure or a pedicure.
A variety of drinks, snacks and meals can be purchased from one of the restaurants which specialise in freshly caught fish and seafood dishes. There are a host of activities to partake in on this popular beach, including sky diving, paragliding and scuba diving. Or, if you are feeling lazy you can just lie back and relax in the baking hot Egyptian sun.