Hurghada

Hurghada is the undisputed favourite resort among Egyptians and visitors from around the world who love sunshine, sea and diving.

It seems a long time since Hurghada was nothing more than a small fishing village and modest shipyard ignored by the rest of the world, including the Egyptians. In fact, it is only in the last ten years that Hurghada has grown into a town of 35,000 inhabitants to become the most popular seaside resort in the country. Hurghada is the undisputed favourite resort among Egyptians and visitors from around the world who love sunshine, sea and diving. At least one hundred tourist developments of varying levels of luxury stretch for twenty kilometres along the coast. The town centre, known as the Ed-Dahar quarter, has preserved a certain traditional character with a small souk and cheap hotels.

Few coral reefs are accessible by swimming from the shore and it is therefore worth paying for a day’s excursion out to sea. Various clubs offer this type of trip and among the most prized destinations are the Giftun Islands. The islands are a conservation area and access is restricted. Rubbish and wastewater are collected by specially equipped boats.

Safaga

Safaga, or Port Safaga which is formally correct, is one of the new resorts along Egypt's Red Sea coast. It benefits from its proximity to the airport of Hurghada, but just like Hurghada poor planning and lax authorities are about to kill its attractions before the tourist fairytale really starts. And contrary to Hurghada, there are no parts of town that appeal to travellers' interests.

North of the town, there are reefs. A few kilometres offshore lie the best diving grounds, the main attraction here are the coral pillars. Diving around Safaga involves a few hazards, with the strong currents and aggressive hammerhead sharks.

Marsa Alam

Marsa Alam is one of the fastest growing holiday resorts in Egypt, popular with wind surfers, divers and sun worshippers fortunate enough to have discovered the resort's remote tranquility.

Although previously a small fishing village, the construction of an International Airport in 2001 has established Marsa Alam as an upcoming and exclusive holiday resort. With a host of tourism projects planned for the near future, Marsa Alam is set to rival the popularity of established Egyptian resorts such as Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh.