Hurghada with Children: What Works by Age

Hurghada with children: what works at which age

Which boat trips, rides and beach days suit toddlers, school-age children and teenagers, with minimum ages and child prices.

Discovery Tours Egypt editorsUpdated October 4, 20263 min readReviewed by Discovery Tours Egypt

In short

For toddlers and young children, the semi-submarine and Paradise Island beach day work best, because neither requires swimming. School-age children can add the Dolphin House snorkeling trip, and the horse or camel ride is open from age 6. Shared trips are free under 2, half price from 2 to 11, and full price from 12. Avoid the long inland day trips with children under about eight, as the 15-hour Luxor day involves eight hours of driving.

The semi-submarine is the easiest boat for young children because they watch the reef from a glass-walled cabin and stay dry.
Paradise Island gives children about three hours of shallow swimming and sand with a sunbed and parasol included.
The Dolphin House day lasts eight hours at sea and suits children who are happy in a mask and snorkel.
The horse and camel ride has a minimum age of 6, and the stable fits a riding helmet before you set off.
On shared trips, children under 2 travel free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price and 12 and over pay the adult price.

Children in Hurghada do best with short, flexible days built around water. For under-fives, the semi-submarine is the safest bet, and the Paradise Island beach day is a close second. For school-age children, the Dolphin House snorkeling trip and the horse or camel ride are the best additions. Skip the long road trips until children are old enough to enjoy a day of sightseeing.

Ages matter here, so this guide follows them. It also covers cost rules, because Hurghada trips are priced by age band. On shared trips, children under 2 are free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price, and from 12 they pay the adult price. The current price of each trip is on its page.

Toddlers and pre-schoolers

The semi-submarine is made for this age. It takes about three hours door to door, with sailings at 09:00, 11:30 or 14:00 so you can choose around nap time. For roughly two hours you sit in a cabin with glass walls below the waterline and see fish and coral pass by. Children who do not want to snorkel simply do not.

The boat is shared with up to 40 guests and includes a soft drink and water on board. Bring a sun hat, a light top and a camera. If your toddler is nervous of boats, a shorter, calmer sailing in the morning is easier, as the sea is usually quieter before midday.

Children aged 5 to 11

At this age a beach day works very well. Paradise Island is an eight-hour shared trip with about three hours on a white-sand beach, shallow swimming and a sunbed and parasol included. Snorkeling stops come with a guide, and masks, snorkels and fins are provided. Lunch is on board at 14:00, which is late, so pack a snack.

Confident swimmers can try the Dolphin House trip, an eight-hour day with two or three snorkeling stops and a sail of about 90 minutes each way. The dolphins are wild and sightings are never guaranteed. If your child is easily bored on a boat, Paradise Island is the gentler day.

Rides and land activities

The horse or camel ride is a three-hour outing with one hour in the saddle, through open desert down to the shoreline, at a cooler time of day. The minimum age is 6. The stable matches the animal to the rider, fits a riding helmet and serves tea afterwards. It is a good, short activity for children who like animals.

The desert quad-bike safari also takes children from age 6, and the intro scuba day from age 10. We would be cautious about both until your child is comfortable following instructions and sitting still for a briefing. Keep long inland trips, such as the 15-hour Luxor day, for teenagers or for families who already travel well together.

How to pace a week with children

Spread the big days. A good pattern is one boat day, one rest day at the hotel pool, then something short such as the ride or the semi-submarine. Children cope with the sun and sea better when they are not stacking early starts, and parents enjoy the trips more when nobody is overtired.

Pick-ups for all the family trips cover Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay, so you do not need to carry children across town to a meeting point. Ask for any pick-up time that suits a nap, as far as the sailing schedule allows.

Teenagers

Teenagers usually want something active. The Dolphin House day and the Paradise Island day both work, and from age 10 the intro scuba day is available for those who want to try diving. They pay the adult price from 12 on shared trips, so weigh the cost against how much they will enjoy it.

Practical points for any age

Bring reef-safe sunscreen, hats, rash vests and a full change of clothes for each child.
Choose morning boat departures in summer, when midday sun is strongest.
Ask for life jackets at boarding; the crew will fit them for smaller children.
Allow a spare day after a boat trip, since sun and sea tire children more than adults expect.
Keep passports or copies with you for any trip that leaves the Hurghada area.

You can book online up to 48 hours ahead. For a family, cancellation terms matter: a full refund applies three or more days before, half between three days and 24 hours, and none inside 24 hours. Sea trips stopped by the port authority for weather are moved or refunded.

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Hurghada with children: what works at which age

Planning Hurghada with kids? See which boat trips and rides suit toddlers, school-age children and teenagers, with minimum ages and child prices.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best boat trip in Hurghada for toddlers?

Start with the semi-submarine, because children sit in a glass-walled cabin and watch the reef while staying dry. It is about three hours in total and has three sailing times, so you can fit it around sleep. Snorkeling is optional and can be skipped entirely.

How old must a child be to ride a horse or camel?

The minimum age for the Hurghada horse or camel ride is 6. The stable fits a riding helmet and matches the animal to the rider. Beginners are welcome. If your child is small for their age or nervous, tell the stable at the start.

Do children pay full price on boat trips?

On shared trips, no. Under 2 travels free, ages 2 to 11 pay half the adult price and 12 and over pay the adult price. Private trips are priced per person with the rate falling as the party grows. Check each trip page for the current price.

Is Paradise Island good for small children?

It can be. The water is shallow near the beach, you have a sunbed and parasol, and there is about three hours on the sand. Snorkeling is optional and led by a guide. Lunch comes late, at around 14:00 on board, so bring snacks for hungry children.

Are the long day trips suitable for kids?

Hard for young children, yes. The Luxor day trip is 15 hours with about four hours of driving each way, and the Cairo road trip is about 20 hours. Teenagers cope better. For families, the overnight Luxor trip is a gentler way to see the temples.