Hurghada Egypt
Egypt

8 Cruises availables At departure or passage at this port

Emerald Waterways (8 Cruises)

Port of Hurghada | Cruise Port Guide

Between the Arabian desert and the Red Sea, Hurghada stretches along dozens of kilometres of shoreline, facing coral reefs that rank among the most vibrant on the planet. This former fishing village turned major Egyptian beach resort welcomes ships at its port, in the heart of the Sekalla district; the modern marina and its cafés sit a short distance away, and the old town of El Dahar lies a few kilometres to the north.

The Red Sea, Above All

People come here first and foremost for the water. Clear and warm almost year-round, it shelters coral gardens teeming with butterflyfish, clownfish, moray eels, and turtles. Boat excursions to the Giftun Islands, with their pale sandbanks set against the turquoise, combine swimming and snorkelling over the reefs; the many well-run dive centres offer introductory dives as well as outings for certified divers. Those who'd rather stay dry can opt for glass-bottom boats, a semi-submersible, or the city's large aquarium, which introduces families with young children to Red Sea marine life.

The Marina and the Waterfront

Around the marina, pedestrian walkways line up cafés, grilled fish restaurants, and terraces where you can smoke shisha facing the yachts. The grand El Mina Mosque, with its two 40-metre minarets, watches over the nearby basin and can be admired from the outside by everyone. As the day winds down, the promenade comes gently to life: Egyptian families, vacationers speaking every language, and sugarcane juice vendors.

El Dahar, the Old Hurghada

To get a feel for everyday Egypt, head to El Dahar, the historic quarter. Its souk offers pyramids of spices, dried hibiscus, cotton fabrics, copperware, and souvenirs; haggling here is a good-natured ritual, and you'll often leave with a bag of karkadé thrown in as a bonus along with your tea; allow a bit of extra time, since the alleys all look alike and it's easy, and rather enjoyable, to lose your way. That back-and-forth is part of the exchange. The surrounding lanes, with their men's cafés full of tea drinkers and dominoes games, offer a sharp contrast to the coastal hotel resorts. Getting there means a taxi from the port, with the fare agreed on before getting in.

The Desert at the City's Doorstep

Behind the coastal strip begins the Eastern Desert, a realm of ochre mountains and Bedouin camps. Half-day excursions reach it by off-road vehicle, with tea served under a tent, bread baked over embers, and sunset over the ridges. The mineral silence of these landscapes, just twenty minutes from the hotel pools, never fails to surprise. As for the temples of Luxor, they lie about four hours away by road: some cruise lines offer this very long inland day trip, reserved for those undeterred by either the drive or the heat, who dream of seeing Karnak at least once in their lives.

Practical Notes

  • Port in the Sekalla district: marina reachable on foot or within a few minutes by taxi.
  • El Dahar and its souk: about 5 km north of the port.
  • Giftun Islands: 45 minutes to an hour by boat.
  • Currency: the Egyptian pound; agree on taxi fares in advance.

The Reef, Remembered

Seen from the gangway on departure, the coastline turns back into what it has always been: a line of sand between two vast expanses, one of rock, the other of water. Everyone carries away their own image from this stop, a ray gliding above the coral, the minarets glowing in the evening light, or the scalding tea of a Bedouin camp. The Red Sea has a particular gift: its colours stay with you long after you've left.

Frequently Asked Questions

At the port of Hurghada, in the Sekalla district. The modern marina and its cafés are a short walk or a few minutes by taxi; the old town of El Dahar lies about 5 kilometres to the north.
For the water. The Red Sea here is clear and warm almost year-round, and the reefs along the coast are among the liveliest on the planet: butterflyfish, clownfish, moray eels, turtles.
Glass-bottom boats and a semi-submarine show the reef while you stay dry. The town's large aquarium presents Red Sea marine life, which works well with young children.
Pale sandbars set on turquoise, 45 minutes to an hour away by boat. Trips combine swimming and snorkelling over the reefs; it is the most requested excursion of the call.
Yes. Dive centres are numerous and well established: try-dives for beginners, outings for certified divers. Bring your certification card if you have one.
A morning boat trip, then the marina late in the day: pedestrian quays, grilled fish restaurants, shisha terraces facing the yachts. The great El Mina mosque with its two 40-metre minarets watches over the neighbouring basin and can be admired from outside.
In El Dahar, the historic quarter, about 5 kilometres north of the port. Its souk lines up spices, dried hibiscus, cottons and copperware, and the surrounding lanes, with their men's cafés and games of dominoes, contrast sharply with the coastal resorts. Go by taxi, fare agreed before you get in.
Yes, but you have to want it: roughly four hours on the road each way. Some lines offer this very long inland day. It suits travellers whom neither the drive nor the heat puts off.
Yes, and it starts twenty minutes from the pools. Half-day trips head by four-wheel drive into the ochre mountains of the Eastern Desert, with tea under a Bedouin tent, bread baked on embers and sunset on the ridges.
The Egyptian pound. Agree taxi fares before getting in, keep small change for the souk and for tips, and expect to bargain in El Dahar: the ritual is part of the exchange.