Hurghada with Kids — Easy Beaches, Gentle Boat Trips and Desert Fun for Families

Hurghada is one of the easiest places in Egypt to travel with children. The sea is warm and calm on most days, many beaches are sandy and shallow, hotels are built for families, and the best excursions are short enough not to exhaust anyone. Here is how to plan it.

Choose a calm, sandy beach

For young children, the beach matters more than anything else. Look for a hotel with a sandy, gently sloping beach and calm water, rather than one where the reef starts right at the shore. The bays south of town, such as Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh, are popular with families for this reason. Many hotels also have pools, splash areas and kids' clubs.

The best boat trip for families: an island day

A day at the Giftun Islands or Orange Bay is ideal for families: shallow, turquoise lagoons where children can paddle safely, and a reef stop for older children and parents. Choose a larger, steadier boat with shade and lunch on board, and ask about child-size life jackets. (See our Giftun Islands guide.)

See the reef without getting wet

Glass-bottom boats and semi-submarines are perfect for toddlers, grandparents and anyone nervous of the water. In under two hours you see colourful fish and coral through the windows, with no swimming at all.

Desert adventures for children

A jeep safari is the family-friendly way into the desert: no driving, a Bedouin camp, a short camel ride and often a sunset. Quad bikes usually have age limits; younger children can ride with a parent on some tours, or everyone can go by jeep.

Dolphins and longer trips

Dolphin-watching boat trips are popular with children, but they are longer and depend on the dolphins. For under-fives, a shorter trip is usually the happier choice. Luxor is a very long day by road and better saved for older children who are curious about ancient Egypt.

What suits which age

• Toddlers (1–4): the hotel beach and pool, a glass-bottom boat, an easy island lagoon.
• Young children (5–9): snorkelling in shallow lagoons with a life jacket, a jeep safari, a semi-submarine.
• Older children (10+): snorkelling stops on the reef, a junior try-dive, quad biking where allowed, perhaps the Luxor day trip.

Practical tips

• Sun first. High-factor sunscreen, hats, rash guards and shade in the middle of the day.
• Water shoes protect little feet on rocky or coral areas.
• Stay hydrated and drink bottled water.
• Plan excursions for the morning, when the sea is calmer and children have more energy.
• Keep days light. One activity a day and plenty of pool time makes for happier children.

A break for the parents

Our Hurghada spa does not accept children under 12, but it is a lovely way for parents to take turns: one at the pool, one at a hammam or massage, with pickup from the hotel and payment in cash on the day.

Plan your family days

Compare the best-rated things to do in Hurghada, with real traveller reviews from families and couples alike.