Hurghada & El Gouna

Hurghada and El Gouna for Gulf families

Sandy beaches, island boat days and a calm lagoon town just up the coast. Here is how Hurghada, El Gouna and the bays around them compare.

In short: Hurghada is the largest resort town on Egypt's Red Sea mainland, with direct flights from Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuwait, many sandy beaches with gentle entry and easy boat trips to the Giftun islands. El Gouna, just north, is a quieter lagoon town; Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay to the south offer calm resort stays. A 5-night El Gouna and Safaga stay typically ranges from 2,000 to 8,300 SAR per room, excluding flights.

Hurghada, El Gouna and the bays: how they differ

Hurghada town: busy and good value, with many family hotels, restaurants, the marina and easy access to boat trips. Choose a hotel with its own sandy beach.
El Gouna: a planned resort town built around lagoons and canals, with marinas, small beaches and a relaxed pace. Popular with families who want to walk to restaurants and keep children close.
Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay: south of Hurghada, with large resorts on wide bays. Good for families who want to stay put in one hotel.
Safaga and Soma Bay: further south, quiet and windy, with long sandy beaches. A rest holiday for grandparents, couples and anyone who wants calm. We present Safaga as a relaxation stay only, not as treatment.

Island boat days: Giftun and Orange Bay

The Giftun islands, a short boat ride off Hurghada, have been a protected national park since 1992; overnight stays and camping are not allowed. Day trips usually stop at one or two snorkelling reefs and spend time on a white-sand beach; Orange Bay on Giftun Kebir is the best known. Boats with shade, toilets, life vests for children and a lunch on board make the day easy for families.

These trips are operated by licensed boat companies, which we coordinate with. We avoid unlicensed sellers on the street or beach, and we check that the boat carries life jackets in children's sizes. Park entry fees are set by the authorities and can change, so we confirm them before you go.

Giftun islandsOrange BayGlass-bottom boatsSnorkelling with a guide

Packages

Relaxation

El Gouna & Safaga Calm Stay — 5 Nights

2,000–8,300 SAR per room

Lagoon-side El Gouna or the quiet bays of Safaga and Soma Bay: slow days, calm water and low humidity.

✓5 nights in a 4–5-star resort

✓Hurghada airport transfers

✓Spa and pool access at the resort

✓A relaxation holiday — not a medical treatment

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Marsa Alam Reefs & Turtles — 5 Nights

1,650–4,900 SAR per room

Egypt's far-south Red Sea coast: untouched reefs, turtle bays and some of the clearest water in the country.

✓5 nights in a 4–5-star resort

✓Marsa Alam airport transfers

✓One snorkelling trip to a turtle bay

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El Gouna for families

El Gouna's lagoons give calm, shallow water and short walks between hotel, beach and marina. Families often split the week: a few beach days, an island trip from El Gouna's own marina and evenings at the marina restaurants. Teenagers can try water sports with licensed centres; the area is known for kitesurfing on windy days, with lessons by certified instructors.

Further south: Marsa Alam

If your family loves snorkelling, Marsa Alam, south along the coast, has quieter natural reefs and bays where sea turtles are often seen feeding on seagrass. It has its own airport, and it suits a dedicated beach-and-reef week; see Marsa Alam Reefs & Turtles.

Best months to visit

Published monthly averages for Hurghada show the sea at about 21–23°C from December to March and 26–28°C from May to October. Daytime air ranges from about 23°C in January to above 40°C in July and August. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October and November) are the most comfortable for families. Winter is sunny and mild but windy and cool at night; summer is very hot, so plan the beach for mornings and late afternoons.

Flights from the Gulf

At the time of writing, flynas lists flights to Hurghada from Riyadh, Jeddah and Qaisumah, and Jazeera Airways flies from Kuwait to Hurghada. From the UAE, families usually connect through Cairo when there is no suitable direct option. Schedules change by season, so we check your dates. Transfers to El Gouna, Makadi or Soma Bay are provided by a licensed transport company.

Indicative prices and support

Package	Indicative price
El Gouna & Safaga Calm Stay, 5 nights	2,000–8,300 SAR per room
Marsa Alam Reefs & Turtles, 5 nights	1,650–4,900 SAR per room
Car with driver (licensed company)	375–560 SAR per day; family van 790–1,125 SAR per day

Prices are indicative, exclude flights and depend on hotel, month and room type; the final price is confirmed by the licensed company that operates and invoices the stay. If anyone feels unwell, we can arrange a doctor visit at your hotel through licensed providers. Hayakkom coordinates holidays, stays and treatment in Egypt for families from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait — in Arabic and English. Comparing coasts? See our Safaga & Soma Bay guide or Sharm el-Sheikh.

Black sedan used for private transfers — Transport by a licensed transport company. Photo for illustration.

Option	Indicative price
Sedan with driver, full day (8–10 h)	375–560 SAR
Family van with driver, full day	790–1,125 SAR
Cairo airport ↔ city, one way	65–310 SAR per vehicle

Questions people ask

Is Hurghada or El Gouna better for small children?

Both work. El Gouna's lagoons are calm and everything is close, which suits toddlers. In Hurghada, Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh, choose a hotel with a sandy beach and gentle entry; we check this for each hotel we suggest.

Is the Giftun island trip safe for children?

With a licensed operator, a well-equipped boat and children's life vests, families take this trip every day. On windy days the sea can be choppy, so the operator may change the route or date.

Can Safaga help with skin or joint conditions?

We offer Safaga and Soma Bay as relaxation holidays only, not as treatment. For any medical condition, please speak to a licensed doctor; we can arrange a video consultation.

How do we get from Hurghada airport to El Gouna or Soma Bay?

We arrange a private transfer with a licensed transport company. It meets you at arrivals and takes you directly to your hotel.

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Hayakkom is an Egyptian coordination and marketing company (Commercial Register 49973). It is not a travel agency or tour operator. Trips, transfers and tourist transport are operated and invoiced by licensed Egyptian tourism and transport companies; their name and licence number appear on your written quote. Hayakkom earns marketing fees, paid only by its licensed Saudi partner company. You receive an itemised written estimate before you pay. Families in Saudi Arabia pay in Saudi Arabia, in riyals, through Hayakkom’s licensed Saudi partner company; providers issue the invoices for their services.

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Tell us your dates, who is travelling and your budget. We reply in Arabic or English with a written, itemised quote.

📱 WhatsApp +20 103 156 7949 ✉️ support@hayakkom.com