3 Hours Swimming By Horse in Red Sea Riding on the Beach and Dessert – Hurghada

Horseback riding meets the Red Sea. This Hurghada excursion combines a desert ride, beach time, and the rare chance to enter the sea on horseback. I like the included hotel transfers and the patient trainer support, especially for first-time riders. I also like that you can choose a camel instead of a horse for the desert and sea portions.

The main caution is that the advertised three hours of riding may not always be delivered in full. One rider reported closer to two hours, no swimming, and no refreshments, while another found the beach segment very short. Confirm the schedule and swimming portion when you are picked up.

Key Points Before You Book

• The sea swim is the main event: Riding a horse into the Red Sea is far more unusual than a standard beach ride.

• Moussa and his team receive strong praise: Riders describe the staff as patient, friendly, and willing to match the pace to your comfort level.

• The advertised riding time is three hours: This includes about one hour in the desert, one hour on the beach, and time swimming with the horse.

• You can choose a camel: The activity allows a horse or camel for both the desert and sea riding portions.

• Hurghada hotel transfers are included: Pickup and drop-off are free from Hurghada hotels, with small extra charges from several outlying resort areas.

• Morning conditions can vary: One rider found the early air chilly, while another complained of strong heat and not enough water, so bring practical sun and swim gear.

What This Hurghada Horse Ride Is Really Like

This is not a polished riding-school lesson followed by a short photo stop. It is a hands-on excursion built around three different settings: open desert, the Red Sea shore, and shallow water with the horse.

The advertised tour lasts about four hours from pickup to return, with three hours of horse riding. The riding time is divided into roughly one hour in the desert, one hour on the beach, and a final water session. The exact order can vary, but the point is the change of scenery.

I like this format because it gives you more than one kind of ride. The desert section gives the trip an Egyptian feel. The beach ride provides the classic holiday photographs. The sea portion is the unusual part that makes this activity worth considering over an ordinary horseback outing.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is a group excursion, with up to 30 people allowed on the booking. The actual riding group may be smaller, but the experience is not presented as a private lesson. Pace, waiting time, and the amount of personal attention can depend on the group.

Pickup From Hurghada Hotels and the Resort Areas

For visitors staying in Hurghada, round-trip hotel transfers are included. That is a useful benefit at this price because you do not need to arrange a taxi to a stable or find your own way across town.

Transfers from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, and Ahia cost an additional $5 per person. Pickup from Safaga or El Gouna costs an additional $10 per person. You should give your exact hotel details when booking so the operator can confirm the pickup plan.

The activity offers mobile tickets and confirmation at the time of booking. You will need to sign a disclaimer covering damage and personal injury before riding. That is standard for a horse activity, but it is also a reminder to take the safety briefing seriously.

One practical point is water. Bottled water and refreshments are listed as included, along with coffee or tea. Yet one rider reported asking for water in hot conditions and finding none available. I would bring your own bottle anyway, especially if your pickup is early or the forecast is hot.

The Desert Ride: A Gentle Start for Most Riders

The desert section is planned as about one hour of riding. This is where you meet your horse, settle into the saddle, and learn how the staff manages the group.

Trainers provide coaching before the ride and support during it. That matters if you are new to horses, since a desert ride can feel exposed and unfamiliar at first. You are not expected to arrive as an experienced rider.

The most positive feedback focuses on pace. Moussa and his team are praised for riding only as fast as each person feels comfortable. That is exactly what you want from a mixed-ability group. A calm pace lets beginners enjoy the ride instead of worrying about controlling a horse in open terrain.

The horses are described as well-bred, and the activity presents Egyptian horse breeding and training as part of the experience. I would treat the cultural angle as a light introduction rather than a formal history lesson. You may hear about local horse care and training, but the main focus remains riding.

A camel is available instead if you prefer one. The choice is useful for anyone who likes the idea of an animal ride but does not feel ready for a horse. It also gives families and mixed groups a way to take part together, although the information does not specify how the camel ride differs in duration or handling.

The Beach Section and the Photo Problem

The beach ride is listed as about one hour. On paper, this should be the most scenic part of the land route, with the Red Sea beside you and the desert behind you.

In practice, the beach portion may feel shorter. One rider found that only a few minutes were spent riding along the beach, with much of the time used for photographs. Photos are part of the appeal, especially when you are riding beside the sea, but you should know what you value more.

If you want active riding, tell the guides early. If you want pictures for your holiday album, the stops may suit you perfectly. The staff has also been praised for taking photos and videos on a rider’s own phone, which is a thoughtful touch when you are handling the reins and cannot take pictures yourself.

Bring a phone case that can cope with sand and water. The tour does not state that professional photography is included, so do not assume you will receive a separate photo package. The useful service here is help with your own phone.

The beach ride also provides a good test of comfort before the water section. You can judge how steady you feel in the saddle, how the horse responds, and whether you want to continue into the sea.

Swimming With the Horse in the Red Sea

The swimming session is the reason most people consider this trip. You ride the horse into the Red Sea, with the animal entering the water while you remain mounted.

This is not the same as a normal swim. One rider specifically noted that you need to be able to hold on while the horse is in the water. That is important advice. Even if the horse and trainer are calm, the movement changes once you leave firm ground.

A helmet is provided for every rider. Trainers are also meant to assist throughout the activity. You should listen closely to their instructions about posture, balance, and when to enter or leave the water.

The water may feel pleasant, but the air can be cool in the morning. One rider found an early start a little chilly. A swimsuit, towel, and a light cover-up are sensible choices. The supplied information does not confirm that towels or changing facilities are provided, so you should not count on them.

The swimming portion also needs the clearest confirmation. It is included in the advertised program, but one rider reported that the group did not swim with the horses at all. That could reflect weather, operating conditions, timing, or a difference between the booked program and the delivered one. Ask directly at pickup: How long will we ride in the water, and is swimming planned today?

If the sea entry is cancelled, the value of the tour changes. You still have the desert and beach ride, but the most distinctive part is missing.

Safety, Comfort, and Riding Ability

The excursion is described as suitable for most people and appropriate for children. That does not mean every child or beginner will find it easy. A young rider needs to follow instructions, remain seated, and stay calm around horses and camels.

The trainers are the strongest safety feature in the program. Several positive accounts describe the guides as careful with beginners and willing to slow down. That kind of patience is more valuable than a fast ride.

You will receive a helmet and must sign a personal injury disclaimer. The operator does not provide a detailed list of age, weight, swimming, or medical restrictions in the supplied information. If any of those issues matter to you, ask before paying.

I would also avoid treating the sea ride as a chance to show off. Hold on properly, keep your attention on the trainer, and do not assume that being comfortable on a beach ride means you are ready for the water.

For comfort, bring:

• Swimwear and a towel
• A bottle of water, even though refreshments are listed
• Sun protection
• A secure phone case
• A light layer for a cool morning
• Shoes or sandals that you do not mind getting wet

Is $59 a Fair Price?

At $59 per person, the tour is reasonably priced if the full program operates as described. You receive hotel pickup and return in Hurghada, about three hours of riding, a helmet, bottled water and refreshments, and the rare horse swimming segment.

The value is strongest if you want a memorable activity rather than advanced riding instruction. You are paying for transport, animals, trainers, and access to three settings in one half-day outing. That leaves room in your schedule for snorkeling, a boat trip, or a relaxed afternoon at your hotel.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long, uninterrupted beach ride. The beach portion can be shortened by photo stops, and the overall riding time may not always reach three hours. The tour is also less attractive if the swimming element is cancelled and you have booked it only for that purpose.

The extra transfer fees are modest. Add $5 from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, or Ahia, or $10 from Safaga or El Gouna. Even with that addition, the price can work well for a family or small group, and group discounts may be available.

Who Will Enjoy This Most?

I would recommend this outing to a first-time rider who wants something unusual and does not need a technical lesson. The trainer support, slow pace, and choice of horse or camel make it approachable.

It also suits families, provided children can follow instructions and remain secure in the saddle. The activity is described as child appropriate, but the lack of detailed age rules means you should confirm suitability for very young children.

Horse lovers will appreciate the chance to see the animals in a different setting. The experience is also a good fit for couples and friends who want photographs that are more memorable than the usual beach snapshot.

You may want to skip it if you are an experienced rider looking for speed, independent riding, or a long route with few stops. You may also be disappointed if you dislike group activities or need a guaranteed swimming session.

How the Staff Shapes the Day

The best accounts of this excursion center on the people, particularly Moussa and his team. Their strongest qualities are patience, friendliness, and a willingness to keep the pace manageable.

That is not a small detail. A horse ride can quickly become stressful when a guide pushes beginners too fast. Here, the positive pattern is the opposite: the staff adjusts to the rider and helps with photos.

There are limits, though. One rider found that the guide did not accompany the group and that communication in French was difficult. If language support matters to you, ask in advance which language your guide speaks and who will lead the ride.

The activity is operated by El Agamy Travel. The stated maximum is 30 people, so you should expect a commercial group setting rather than a private outing. The quality of the day will depend partly on how the group is managed and how clearly the schedule is explained.

Booking Advice and Cancellation Terms

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded, and changes inside that same period are not accepted.

Cutoff times follow local Hurghada time. If weather, illness, or a change in plans might affect you, make your decision early.

At booking, confirm three things: your hotel pickup, the expected riding time, and whether horse swimming is planned. These questions address the main areas where the delivered experience may differ from the advertised program.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The full excursion lasts about four hours, including pickup and return. The advertised riding time is three hours.

How is the three-hour riding time divided?

The program lists about one hour of riding in the desert, one hour on the beach, and swimming with the horse in the Red Sea.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Hurghada.

Is there an extra transfer fee from other resort areas?

Yes. Transfers from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, and Ahia cost an extra $5 per person. Transfers from Safaga and El Gouna cost an extra $10 per person.

Can I ride a camel instead of a horse?

Yes. You can choose a horse or camel for both the desert and sea riding portions.

Is the activity suitable for children?

The activity is described as child appropriate and family friendly. A helmet is provided, but you should confirm details for very young children before booking.

Is a helmet provided?

Yes. Each rider receives a helmet.

Are food and drinks included?

Coffee or tea, bottled water, and refreshments are listed as included. It is still sensible to bring your own water because availability may vary.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.

Should You Book the Hurghada Horse and Red Sea Ride?

Book it if you want a distinctive half-day activity, especially the chance to ride into the Red Sea rather than spend another morning on a standard beach excursion. The included Hurghada transfers, helmet, trainer support, and camel option add real value at $59.

I would book with one condition: confirm that the swimming session is operating on your date and ask how much of the three-hour riding schedule will be spent actually riding. If you are comfortable with a slower group pace, photo stops, and some uncertainty in the exact timing, this can be a memorable addition to a Red Sea holiday. If you need a guaranteed long beach ride or a formal riding lesson, choose a specialist stable instead.