Activities · Destination Guide
Hurghada (Giftun and Abu Nuhas)
Protected islands, wreck legends, and easy Red Sea day-boat range
Updated Mar 25, 2026 • 30 sources
Hurghada (Giftun and Abu Nuhas) Activity Planning
Pick an activity mode to compare signature sites, skill fit, and gear planning notes before you lock your trip.
Scuba
What It Feels Like
Hurghada is one of the easiest places in the Northern Red Sea to mix forgiving reef dives and ambitious wreck days in the same itinerary. Operators such as James & Mac, Diving Star, Egypt Dive, and RedSea Life all market Hurghada day diving and Giftun access, while the wider city fleet also serves northbound Abu Nuhas plans when sea state and demand line up. That means shallow coral gardens, drift walls, and some of the Red Sea's most famous wrecks can all sit within reach of the same hotel base.
Signature Sites
Start Here
One of Hurghada's classic drifts, with sloping reef, gorgonians, schooling fish, and a cleaner bluewater edge that feels very different from the shallower Sabinastyle reefs.
A coralrich reef near the Giftun system where much of the action sits around {{ 10 | distance:m }} to {{ 12 | distance:m }}, making it a strong site for newer divers, long bottom times, and relaxed photography.
Shallow coral tables and sandy channels in roughly {{ 5 | distance:m }} to {{ 14 | distance:m }} create an easy entry point for beginners and snorkeldiver mixed boats, though current can still build on drift days.
Advanced
The most photogenic of the Abu Nuhas wrecks for many divers, with the superstructure and tilted geometry creating striking swimthrough views from about {{ 17 | distance:m }} to {{ 30 | distance:m }}.
Elegant iron ribs and a more open silhouette make this a favorite for ambientlight wreck photography.
A more demanding Abu Nuhas option, with shallow sections and a deeper stern that reaches roughly {{ 32 | distance:m }}.
Planning Playbook
Operator Checklist
- Book Abu Nuhas with an operator that is explicit about wreck standards, oxygen, crew ratio, and whether penetration is guide-led or forbidden on your level.
- Ask whether Giftun protected-area charges are included in the day price or collected separately.
- Bring an SMB, torch, and a tidy kit setup. CDWS environmental briefings discourage dangling gauges, octos, and accessories.
- If Abu Nuhas is your priority, ask whether departure is from Hurghada or farther north, because El Gouna area departures can shorten the run.
Conditions Fallback
- Ask whether Giftun protected-area charges are included in the day price or collected separately.
- If Abu Nuhas is your priority, ask whether departure is from Hurghada or farther north, because El Gouna area departures can shorten the run.
Avoid
- Do not ignore wind can reshape the itinerary advisories from local operators.