Continental Hotel Hurghada

Hurghada was the first commercial dive base in the Red Sea and is now a thriving resort that caters almost exclusively to divers. It offers a fantastic choice of dive sites, many of which are sheltered and within a thirty minute to one-hour boat ride from the resort. Outstanding reefs and drop-offs are available, whilst Hurghada’s location also gives access to the legendary wreck graveyard of Sha’ab Abu Nuhas.

Learning to Dive

Hurghada is the ideal place to dip your fins into the water for the first time. There are a large number of safe and sheltered sites that offer superb visibility to appreciate the fabulous marine life. Plentiful reefs sit in shallow water that is perfect for beginners. A full range of courses is offered at the dive centre and qualifying dives are undertaken at sites situated just a short boat ride away.

Find out more about our learn to dive holiday in Hurghada.

Qualified Divers

Hurghada’s many dive sites offer an abundance of reef marine life and an incredible diversity of corals, including impressive towers and pinnacles to explore. Sha’ab El Erg is a particular favourite, a huge horseshoe-shaped reef that is dotted with ergs and is renowned for its resident dolphin pod.

The spectacular marine park surrounding the Giftun Islands is a highlight, with nearly ten sites and a variety of dive plans to suit all experience levels. There is enough here to keep most intermediate and experienced divers completely absorbed, including an incredible wall tumbling to more than 50m, drift dives and spectacular gorgonian fans, plus the opportunity to see larger reef species and the occasional passing pelagic.

For wreck enthusiasts there is no better experience than a day boat trip to the incredible Sha’ab Abu Nuhas which is usually available at least once a week. Situated about halfway between Hurghada and Ras Mohammed, this reef patch lies next to a major shipping lane and it is home to four complete wrecks. It is magical to swim into a cloud of glassfish on the Chrisoula K and the Giannis D and see lionfish stalking prey in dark corners of the hold.

Hurghada was once a traditional fishing village but now is a thriving, busy resort well-known to divers. Downtown Hurghada has some colourful bazaars and great shopping opportunities for leather, gold, carpets and cloth. It is also possible to combine diving with a trip to visit the tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the Temples in Luxor.

Tours available include boat trips, sunset cruises, and jeep safaris into the desert where you can join the Bedouin for a traditional meal. A popular trip is a 1-day tour to Luxor to see the magnificent Valley of the Kings and Temples of Karnak and Luxor.

Getting Around

The downtown area is a short trip in a microbus taxi but many shops are within walking distance from the main hotels.

Climate 

The hottest time of the year is July and August with air temperature of over 30°C. The coolest time is January with the temperature at around 20ºC. Rainfall is negligible and it is invariably sunny but breezes can be cool.

Time

Egypt is 1 or 2 hours ahead of GMT depending on the season as Egypt does not operate Daylight Saving Time.

Currency

Egyptian pounds or LE.

We recommend that you take some money in cash to Egypt. There is a currency exchange desk available at the hotel.  Please note that Scottish notes and Australian Traveller's Cheques are not accepted in Egypt.

Tipping

Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognised part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to travellers for personal recognition of the services offered. We would advise that you allow approx. £10 for gratuities for local staff for the duration of your stay.

Flight Information

Flights are available to Hurghada (HRG) from a number of UK airports.

Flight duration: Approx 5–5½ hours

Transfer times: These vary according to the hotel choice. Minimum transfer time is approx. 20 minutes, certain more remote destinations require longer transfers. 

Departure tax:  N/A

Visas

Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

Passports

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.

We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.

For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.