Scuba Diving & Souqs: A Long Weekend in Egypt
Rachel, Jamie and Jacqui are here to help give you the inside track.
If you're after a diving fix that won't eat up your annual leave, Egypt is the perfect destination. On this whirlwind weekend getaway, head to Hurghada for four days of diving in the Red Sea, followed by a taste of local life at the old town's souqs.
After touching down in Hurghada, you'll be whisked away to the Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh, an incredible dive resort complete with a wonderful house reef. The next two days can be spent diving straight from the shore or heading out to nearby sites, gliding over colourful corals and spotting the Red Sea's wonderful marine life. In between dives, lounge by the pool, indulge in sundowner cocktails and enjoy a spot of souvenir shopping in Hurghada's souqs before heading home. We can think of worse ways to spend a long weekend…
Itinerary at a Glance:
- Enjoy shore dives on your hotel's incredible house reef, spotting moray eels, reef sharks and more
- Head out into the big blue to dive some of the Red Sea's best sites
- Soak up Hurghada's culture on a visit to the old town's souqs
Why Book with Original Diving?
- 100% Carbon Off-setting
- UK Departure Assistance
- Fast Track UK Check-in
- Fast Track UK Security
- UK Airport Lounge Access
- Pre-booked Airline Seats
When To Travel
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
Day 1: Travel to Hurghada
Pack your (small) bag and grab your passport because your Egyptian diving adventure starts today. Breeze through the airport, pick up some tasty snacks and double-check that you've packed your holiday read before boarding your five-hour flight to Hurghada, set on Egypt's eastern coastline.
When you touch down, you'll be met and driven 25 minutes to the beautiful Oberoi Sahl Hasheesh, your base for the next three nights. You'll be arriving in the evening, so check in, drop your bags and enjoy a delicious Egyptian meal, either in the hotel restaurant or the comfort of your room. Once you're suitably stuffed, it's time for a good night's sleep, ready for your diving days to begin tomorrow.
Day 2: A Day of Shore Diving
Wake up to the sun's rays poking through your blinds and head down for a tasty breakfast. The diving begins today, and to ease you in, we've scheduled two shore dives on the Oberoi's incredible house reef, accompanied by an expert guide.
The diving here is typical Red Sea: think perfect reefs littered with colourful hard and soft coral, crystal-clear waters and an array of magnificent marine life. Keep your eyes peeled for moray eels poking their heads, turtles lazing and grazing and schools of reef fish shimmering under the sunlight.
Post dive, relax poolside at the hotel, sipping on karkadeh (traditional red hibiscus flower tea). If you haven't had your fill, we can also arrange a night dive on the house reef, followed by an expertly poured sundowner and refuelling dinner.
Day 3: Discover Nearby Dive Sites
This morning, wake up with a cup of strong Egyptian coffee and some breakfast, before heading out on an early boat trip to explore the nearby reefs with a private guide. With over 40 sites in the area to explore, your guide can advise which one is best suited for the conditions and marine life that you want to see.
Perhaps you fancy some wall and drift dives? Or maybe a spot of shark searching? Either way, you'll be surrounded by tropical reef fish and kaleidoscopic corals as you glide through the pristine waters.
Back at the hotel, treat yourself to an indulgent spa treatment or a stroll along the shore before sitting down for a sunset dinner overlooking the blue waters. As you watch the sky turn from blood orange to midnight blue, raise a toast to your final night in Egyptian Paradise - weekend escapes don't get much better than this.
Day 4: Time to Head Home
It might be your final day, but there's no need to wake up early - your flight home isn't until tonight. The morning can be spent however you please, but if you prefer exploring over a leisurely lie in, head out to discover Hurghada's souqs.
Wander along rows of stalls, soaking up the aromatic smells and taking in the vibrant colours. As you stroll, keep an eye out for souvenirs, from vibrant spices and fragrant oils to intricate ceramics and traditional scarves. After a steaming cup of mint tea and a chat (and maybe a spot of haggling) with the local vendors, it's time to head back to your hotel.
In the evening, you'll be collected and driven back to Hurghada airport for your flight home. The journey takes just under six hours - just enough time to plan your next diving getaway…
All of the holidays we create are completely tailor-made to you
A Rough Idea of Price
This Itinerary
If you would like to book the exact itinerary mentioned above, with economy flights, during mid-season and staying in our preferred room category at our preferred hotels.
From
£2,250pp
Bare Necessities
If you would like to pare back the above itinerary by travelling at non-peak times, staying in a standard room and removing some or all of the guided activities.
From
£1,900pp
Bells & Whistles
If you are looking for something extra special and would like to add business or first class flights, stay in top room categories at some of the most luxurious hotels we work with, and add more activities and guiding.
From
£2,450pp
Rachel, Jamie and Jacqui are our experts for this itinerary and as seasoned travellers they have the inside track on the most memorable adventures.