After two years of Covid lockdowns and a sprinkle of personal chaos, we needed a reset button. By October 2022, we decided it was time to unplug and recharge somewhere sunny, easy-going, and budget-friendly. Hurghada, Egypt, checked all the boxes.
We craved warm beaches, endless lounging, and minimal stress. Wanting a no-hassle experience, we made what felt like a smart move at the time — booking through an agency. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. This was my second attempt at trusting a travel agency. After what happened next, it’ll be my last.
The Chaos Before the Calm
Our “smooth start” derailed right at the airport check-in. At 5 a.m., half-asleep and clutching coffees like life rafts, we were told we weren’t on the list for our charter flight. Cue panic.
Frantic calls. Desperate emails. Radio silence from the agency. We even started joking about switching careers to aviation law just to sue someone. Weirdly enough, two passengers didn’t show up. Thanks to their absence, we boarded by the skin of our teeth. Crisis averted. But the message was clear: never again. Self-planning or bust. The rest of the trip went smoothly. Yet that rocky start sealed the deal—DIY travel for life.
Planning With Paranoia
Picking the right hotel came down to one key factor: shallow beaches. Why? Because during my obsessive pre-trip research, I stumbled upon reports of two shark attacks in Hurghada. While such incidents are rare, my anxiety didn’t care about statistics.
We chose a resort boasting four different beaches, two of which were small, enclosed lagoons. They looked (mostly) shark-proof.
Once we arrived, beach guards and locals reassured us. Yes, sharks exist in the Red Sea. No, attacks are not common. The golden rule? Never swim after sunset.
Relieved, we ventured out more. Slowly at first, sticking close to the lagoons. Eventually, we fell in love with the farthest beach, not just because of the gorgeous water, but because that’s where the main beach bar was.
Colorful cocktails, crystal-clear waters, and friendly staff made every moment feel like a true escape. The food? Not Michelin-star level, but there was plenty of variety. Enough to keep even picky eaters happy.
The biggest win? A 24/7 snack bar. You could grab a drink/a snack at any time of the day in some part of the resort. Not that we needed it often, but it’s a service I am happy to have.
A Quick History Bite: Hurghada’s Glow-Up
Hurghada wasn’t always a tourist magnet. Back in the day, it was a small, sleepy fishing village where life moved slowly, and tourism was non-existent.
Everything changed in the 1980s, when investors realized the town’s incredible potential.
With its year-round sunshine, calm seas, and proximity to some of the world’s most stunning coral reefs, Hurghada transformed almost overnight into a resort-filled tourist destination.
Today, it’s home to over 100 resorts, countless dive shops, and a buzzing marina. And, yes, paranoid swimmers like me flock there every year.
Interestingly, before the tourism boom, Hurghada’s main economic activity wasn’t fishing — it was actually oil production. Small oil fields near the city were discovered as early as the 1920s, and for a while, Hurghada was more famous for black gold than golden beaches.
Another fun fact? The Red Sea near Hurghada is home to a ship graveyard. Several sunken wrecks, dating from World War II to modern cargo vessels, now serve as incredible dive sites teeming with marine life.
No wonder divers from around the world have Hurghada on their bucket list.
Beyond the Resort Walls
As is often the case with all-inclusive stays, we didn’t explore much of Hurghada itself. What little we did see? Honestly, a bit underwhelming. The town felt crowded, chaotic, and a little rough around the edges. Walking around involved dodging persistent vendors who made window-shopping a contact sport.
Still, the resort offered everything we needed — and then some.
Aside from the two shallow-water lagoons, there was a sprawling beachfront leading to the open sea and another area where you had to either jump in or use stairs to enter the deeper water.
After two days of sticking to our “safe” spots, we fully embraced the warm waters of the Red Sea, which, fun fact, is one of the saltiest seas in the world. Its high salinity makes floating effortless—a bonus for those of us who like to relax in the water without actually having to swim.
Excursion Dilemmas: Relax or Adventure?
One of the hardest parts of the trip? Choosing which excursions to do. We wanted to experience as much as possible, but after the exhausting full-day adventure to Cairo, we needed something relaxing rather than another jam-packed itinerary.
Enter Mahmya Island—a place so breathtaking that locals call it the Egyptian Maldives. And once we arrived, it was obvious why. Soft, white sand. Crystal-clear turquoise waters. Vibrant coral reefs. It looked exactly like a screensaver — only real.
Mahmya is part of the Giftun Island National Park, a protected marine area famous for its biodiversity. While many visitors opt for snorkeling, I quickly realized that my recently-developed fear of the open ocean wasn’t going to let me enjoy it. I lasted about ten minutes before my brain said, Nope! and sent me scrambling back to the boat. Ocean anxiety: 1. Me: 0. While others snorkeled, I lounged on deck, soaking up the sun and the view. No sharks, no stress — just peace.
We spent several blissful hours on Mahmya. There was a beachside buffet (shockingly good!), sunbeds, and more stunning views than our cameras could handle. It was the perfect antidote to Cairo’s chaos, and exactly what we needed to wrap up this odyssey in Egypt.
Lessons and Highlights
Our Hurghada escape turned out to be exactly what we needed. A blend of sun, adventure, lazy days, and just enough travel drama to keep things interesting. Sure, we learned that travel agencies aren’t for us. But we also gained something better: unforgettable memories.
From standing in front of the Great Pyramids to floating effortlessly in the Red Sea, every moment had its magic. And, we have met another destination that we are looking forward to revisiting, but in our arrangement next time 😉
If you’re looking for more travel inspiration or destination guides, check out some of my earlier adventures on the blog!
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Happy traveling!
Asya
What an crazy start of your adventure! Happy it went smoothly after that! Personally I loved Hurghada, and would definitely go back!
Sounds like this turned out to be exactly the vacation you needed!
Hurghada sounds fascinating for an adventurous escape.
I had never heard about Hurghada in Egypt before. So I was fascinated to learn more. Relaxing on the beaches would definitely be high on our list. And great to know we will find lots of dive shops too. A visit to Mahmaya Island sounds perfect.
How interesting! I have never heard of Hurghada as it’s always the big cities that hog the limelight. But the gems are these smaller, offbeat and unknown towns!
What an anxiety-ridden way to start the trip – that’s weird that the agency was not contacting you. Good to know never to use them again, but I’m glad the rest of the trip was smooth. The Egyptian Maldives sounds like the perfect nickname!
The start really set the bar low for the rest of the trip 😀 Luckily, Egypt didn’t disappoint 😉