Red Sea holidays

What to do in the Red Sea

Relaxing is usually priority number one during a Red Sea holiday, but when it’s time to be up and about there’s plenty of choice. Head under the waters to discover the rich marine life on offer or turn inland to explore stark desert landscapes.

The Giftun Islands

When it comes to the best beaches in the region, the Giftun Islands are worthy contenders. Soft white sand shelves into shallow turquoise sea and, in contrast to some of Hurghada’s mainland beaches, it’s easy to swim without encountering coral underfoot.

Visitors often spend a few hours sunbathing and swimming, and most day boats stop on the way for snorkelling on the reefs that surround the islands. Expect darting fish and, at some locations, even green turtles swimming in the water.

Eastern Desert

Take a jeep tour inland from Hurghada or any other of Egypt’s mainland Red Sea resorts and the ocean is soon forgotten and replaced by a sea of sand dunes and jagged rocky peaks.

Explore the desert on a quad or by motorbike or visit a Bedouin camp for dinner where grilled meat and sweet tea are served.

Abu Dabbab

With strong currents and caves, the Red Sea around Marsa Alam is noted for its challenging diving – but the rewards, (seeing hammerhead sharks, for example) are worth it.

Abu Dabbab dive site is literally a different kettle of fish, suitable for scuba novices and snorkelers. In the shallow waters, it’s not unusual to spot green sea turtles and guitar sharks, and there are even two resident dugongs! In the same area, the Sha’ab Samadai reef is home to a pod of spinner dolphins.

Monastery of Saint Anthony

Widely considered one of the oldest monasteries in the world, with roots stretching back to the fourth century, this walled complex sits hidden in the Red Sea Mountains. There’s a mill, a bakery, gardens and five churches, with the recently restored wall paintings from the 13th century an obvious highlight.

Tours are guided by monks, who often include a trip up to a section of the fortified walls.

Eilat

Big, brash and fun, there’s so much to do in Israel’s Red Sea resort. Non-divers and even non-swimmers can experience the same views as more experienced water babies at the Underwater Observatory.

Descend steps to 6m under the surface and see the Red Sea’s waters teeming with marine life. The beaches are beautiful and, when it’s time to cool down, there’s the Botanical Gardens. It’s home to more than 1,000 types of trees and plants, as well as a waterfall – something of a novelty in the desert.

Where to stay in Red Sea

For families

Family-friendly hotel facilities and proximity to the beach are likely high on the checklist for those travelling with kids, and an all-inclusive package can help keep the budget on track.

For plenty of daytime fun within a self-contained, secure environment, there are two purpose-built resorts near Hurghada Airport. Makadi Bay’s hotels are built on a gently sloping beach and it’s home to Egypt’s largest waterpark. El Gouna is dotted on islands around a series of lagoons, meaning there’s plenty of shallow beachfront. Kids will love the go-kart track, aquarium, and an air-conditioned indoor playground with trampolines, slides and swings.

For travellers on a budget

Happily, the entire Red Sea region offers excellent value for money. Egyptian resorts tend to offer lower prices than their Israeli or Jordanian counterparts, and across the board hotels without direct beach access will offer price savings. Don’t automatically choose room-only, as all-inclusive deals here can be incredibly good value.

The large resort of Hurghada has the widest choice of budget accommodation, particularly in the centre and north of town – hotels at the southern end of the resort tend to be mid-range and above.

For food and drink

Eilat’s culinary scene is vibrant with sushi spots, burger restaurants and Brazilian steakhouses sitting alongside Mediterranean cuisine and Israeli classics. The upmarket Egyptian resort of El Gouna has a vast array of restaurants, many within the Abu Tig Marina.

Staying on an all-inclusive basis? Opt for a bigger hotel with a wide choice of restaurants so you don’t get “buffet fatigue”. And look out for dine-around programmes offering the chance to eat at other properties nearby.

For nightlife

Hurghada has a lively party scene after dark, with a wide choice of bars and a couple of large open-air clubs right on the beach offering the option to dance in the sand and watch the stars from a hammock. Eilat also has a booming bar and club scene that is glamorous in vibe, although there are relaxed, informal pubs too.

Purpose-built resorts – such as El Gouna and Soma Bay– that lack a town centre tend to have a more sedate atmosphere in the evening, with more mature clientele enjoying restaurants and hotel bars rather than lively clubs.

For culture

Adding cultural excursions into your Red Sea holiday is easier at some resorts than others. Eilat and Aqaba are good choices if the rose-red city of Petra, historic Jerusalem or the Dead Sea are on the wish-list. In Egypt, the northern resort of Ain Sokhna is just 90 minutes by road from Cairo, giving easy access to the treasures of the Pharaohs.

Day tours from Hurghada to Egypt’s classic sights involve very long drives: four hours to Luxor and five to Cairo. However, there are other options from this stretch of coast, including desert safaris to experiences the Bedouin way of life, and trips to see the ancient monasteries of St Anthony and St Paul.