Hurghada Marina: Yachts, Cafés, Evening Walks and the Boats to the Islands

Hurghada Marina is the town's smart harbour: a long walkway past rows of white yachts, with cafés, restaurants and shops right by the water. Many visitors call it the New Marina, and it is where a lot of Hurghada's boat trips begin. Whether you want a relaxed evening out, a coffee with a view of the boats or a look at the harbour before your island day, this guide covers what the marina is like, the best time to go and how to get there from the different hotel areas.

What is Hurghada Marina?

Hurghada Marina is a yacht harbour in the centre of town, close to the old district of El Dahar and the big El Mina Mosque by the port. Private yachts, dive boats and excursion boats are moored along the quay, and a wide pedestrian promenade runs around the water.

Along that promenade you'll find a mix of places: cafés where people sit for hours over a coffee or a fresh juice, restaurants serving seafood, Egyptian dishes and international food, ice-cream and sweet shops, and small boutiques and souvenir shops. It's one of the most popular places in town for an evening out, for tourists and for Egyptian families alike.

The marina is not a beach. It's a harbour, so there's no swimming there. Think of it as Hurghada's living room: a place to stroll, eat and watch the boats.

The walk along the yachts

The nicest way to see the marina is simply to walk the promenade from one end to the other and back. It's flat and easy, so it works with a pushchair, and there are plenty of places to stop and sit.

Things to look out for:

- The yachts and boats. From small fishing boats to big private yachts, the quay is a good spot for photos, especially when the lights come on. - The view across the water. From the quay you look out over the harbour towards the open Red Sea. - El Mina Mosque. The large mosque by the port, with its tall minarets, is one of the town's landmarks and is close to the marina.

• •The evening crowd. After sunset the promenade fills with families, couples and groups of friends, which gives it a lively, friendly feel.

If you'd like a guide to show you the marina together with the old town, the mosque and the bazaar, ask us about a Hurghada city tour: it covers them all in one relaxed half day or evening, with pickup from your hotel. Our Hurghada travel guide has more about the town itself.

Eating and drinking at the marina

The marina has a wide choice of places to eat, from simple cafés to smarter restaurants with tables by the water. Seafood is a favourite here: grilled fish, shrimp and calamari, often with rice, salads and bread. You'll also find Egyptian classics, pizza and pasta, and plenty of desserts.

A few tips:

- Look at the menu first. Prices at the marina vary a lot from one place to the next, and waterfront tables are usually more expensive. Most places show their menu outside. - Fish is often sold by weight. If you choose your fish from a display, ask how much it will be before it goes on the grill. - Coffee and juice are the cheap way to enjoy the view. If you only want to sit by the boats, a fresh mango or lemon-mint juice is a pleasant way to do it.

• •Service charge. Check whether service is already included in the bill before you add a tip.

For the dishes worth trying while you're in town, read our Hurghada food guide.

The best time to visit

The marina is at its best in the evening. During the day, especially from about May to October, the sun is strong and there's little shade on the promenade, so most people come after sunset when the air cools down and the lights come on along the water.

In the winter months (December to February) the evenings can feel cool with the wind off the sea, so bring a light jacket. A late-afternoon walk followed by an early dinner works well at that time of year. Our best time to go to Hurghada guide explains what each month feels like.

A good plan is to keep the marina for the evening of a day you spent out on the water or in the desert: you come back to the hotel, rest, and head out again for dinner.

Boat trips from the marina

Many of Hurghada's sea trips leave from the marina area, including the boats to the Giftun islands. On our trips you don't need to find the boat yourself: we pick you up at your hotel in Hurghada and drive you to the marina, where the boat is waiting. The tour page shows the plan of the day and the pickup time.

Popular boat days:

- Orange Bay: the classic white-sand beach on Giftun Island, with two snorkeling stops on the way. Our Orange Bay guide explains the day. - Paradise Island: the easiest island day, with calm, shallow water near the beach. Good for families and non-swimmers.

• •Dolphin House: a boat trip to the reef where wild dolphins often rest. They are wild animals, so sightings are never guaranteed, but the snorkeling is lovely either way.

Not sure which island to pick? Our article Paradise Island or Orange Bay? compares the trips side by side.

How to get to Hurghada Marina from your hotel

How you get there depends on where you're staying:

- Hotels in central Hurghada and along the main hotel strip: the marina is usually a short taxi ride away. Agree the fare with the driver before you get in, or use a ride app if one works where you are (check the app). - Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay and Soma Bay: these resort areas are south of town, so the ride is longer. Some hotels there run a shuttle into town: ask at reception.

• •El Gouna: El Gouna has its own marina and town centre, so most guests go into Hurghada only for a special evening.

If you'd rather not deal with taxis, especially with children or for a late dinner, we can arrange a car with a driver to take you there and back. Send us your hotel and the time you'd like to go, and we'll reply with the details.

Tips for your evening at the marina

- Dress code: casual is fine, but light trousers or a skirt and a T-shirt are more comfortable than beachwear, and respectful near the mosque. - Cash: carry some small notes in Egyptian pounds for coffee, tips and small purchases; many restaurants also take cards. - Friendly offers: you'll be invited into restaurants and shops along the promenade. A smile and a "no, thank you" is enough. - Photos: the yachts look best just after sunset, when the sky is still blue and the lights are on.

• •Plan your sea day: walking past the excursion boats is a good moment to decide which island trip you want for the coming days.

Next step

Enjoy the marina in the evening, and spend a day out on the water from it. Book Orange Bay or Paradise Island with hotel pickup, or send us a message on WhatsApp if you'd like help choosing the right trip for your group.