The Parent's Guide to Hurghada Excursions with Kids

Planning Hurghada excursions with kids is mostly about choosing the right trip for each age and keeping the days relaxed. Hurghada makes it easy: calm sea, sandy islands, a desert right behind the hotels and hotel pickup on almost every trip. This practical guide helps parents choose trips for each stage, deal with heat, long days and seasickness, and plan a week that works for the whole family.

Choosing trips by age

Every child is different, and each activity has its own age and safety rules, so always tell us your children's ages before booking. As a general guide:

Toddlers and preschoolers

Short, easy days are best. A boat trip with a beach, such as Paradise Island, lets little ones play in the sand and paddle in shallow water while the older ones snorkel. Keep the rest of the day for the hotel pool and naps. Evening trips that end late are hard at this age.

Primary school children

This is the golden age for Hurghada excursions. Children love:

- snorkeling with a life jacket close to a parent, on a trip to an island or Orange Bay; - looking for wild dolphins on a Dolphin House trip (never guaranteed, so prepare them for that);

• •an evening in the desert with a jeep ride, a camel ride and the stars through a telescope on the stargazing desert adventure.

Older children and teenagers

Teenagers often want more action: the Super Safari with quad, jeep, buggy and camel, longer snorkeling stops, or a horse ride on the beach and in the desert. This is also the best age for a day trip to Luxor to see the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple. Ask us about the rules for driving quads and buggies before you book.

For more ideas, see our list of family-friendly activities in Hurghada.

Handling the sun and the heat

The sun is the biggest challenge for children in Hurghada, all year round.

- Plan around midday. From June to September, choose morning trips and keep the hottest hours for the shade or the pool. - Cover up. A UV T-shirt for the water, a hat with a neck flap and sunglasses do more than sunscreen alone. - Sunscreen often. Reapply after every swim and every hour on the boat. - Drink, drink, drink. Give children water regularly, before they ask for it.

• •Watch for signs. Red cheeks, headaches or unusual tiredness mean it is time for shade, water and rest.

Long days and tired children

- One trip, then a rest day. Children enjoy two great trips with a pool day in between more than three trips in a row. - Snacks and entertainment. Pack snacks, a small toy, a book or a downloaded film for transfers and bus rides.

• •Think about a private trip. On a private tour, such as the private morning quad safari, the guide adapts to your children's pace and you can take breaks whenever you need. Our comparison of group vs private safari tours explains the differences.

On the boat

- Life jackets: ask the crew for a child-sized life jacket for snorkeling, and keep young children wearing one on deck if they are restless. - Never leave children alone at the edge of the boat or on the ladder. - Seasickness: a children's travel sickness remedy before departure, a seat in the middle of the boat and a light breakfast help.

• •Snorkeling practice: let children try the mask in shallow water on the beach before they snorkel at the reef.

In the desert

- Closed shoes and light clothes that cover arms and legs, against sun and dust. - A scarf or buff for dusty rides. - A warm jumper for evening trips from November to March: desert evenings get cold fast.

• •Camels and animals: children love them, but always stay with the guide and listen to the handlers.

Food and drinks for children

Most children find something they like in Hurghada: rice, grilled chicken, bread, pasta, fruit and ice cream are easy to find. On trips with lunch, the food is usually simple, such as grilled meat or fish, rice, salads and fruit, so picky eaters rarely go hungry. Still, pack familiar snacks for long days and give children bottled water only. If your child has an allergy or a special diet, tell us when you book so we can check what is possible on the trip.

Packing list for family excursions

- swimwear, towels and dry clothes for the way back; - UV T-shirts, hats, sunglasses and plenty of sunscreen; - water bottles and snacks; - wet wipes, tissues and a small first-aid kit with plasters; - children's medicine you might need, including for travel sickness; - a waterproof bag for phones and a change of clothes;

• •a warm layer for boats and desert evenings in winter.

Our guide on what to wear in Hurghada has more clothing tips for each season.

A relaxed family week in Hurghada

- Day 1: arrival, pool and beach. - Day 2: boat trip to Paradise Island or Orange Bay. - Day 3: pool day. - Day 4: evening in the desert with stars and dinner. - Day 5: pool day or a visit to the Hurghada Grand Aquarium. - Day 6: Dolphin House trip, or Luxor for older children.

• •Day 7: a morning horse ride or one more beach day.

Plan your family holiday with us

All our trips include hotel pickup in Hurghada, so you never need to organise transport with children. Browse all our tours, or send us a message on WhatsApp from any tour page with your dates and your children's ages, and we will suggest the trips that suit your family best.