For most divers visiting the Red Sea, the choice between a resort stay in Hurghada and a liveaboard comes down to one thing: do you want a flexible, comfortable holiday with the freedom to explore the local marine life at your own pace, or are you on a dedicated mission to reach remote offshore reefs? If you value a soft bed each night, evening variety, and the ability to dive some of the Red Sea’s most famous sites—including the SS Thistlegorm and vibrant house reefs—without living on a boat for a week, then a diving Hurghada resort-based trip with a professional center like Diving Around Hurghada is the perfect choice. We provide the ideal balance of world-class diving and the comforts of a traditional vacation.
Why Choose a Hurghada Dive Resort for Your Red Sea Adventure?
Hurghada is the beating heart of Red Sea diving, and for good reason. It offers an unbeatable combination of accessibility, variety, and value. When you base yourself in a Hurghada dive resort, you are not just booking a dive trip; you are booking a complete holiday experience with the flexibility to tailor it to your exact desires.
The Freedom of a Land-Based Base
Staying in a resort puts you in control. You are not confined to a boat’s schedule for a week.
- Evening Options: After a fantastic day of diving with Diving Around Hurghada, your evenings are your own. You can explore the bustling marina, enjoy a dinner at a world-class restaurant in El Gouna, or simply relax by the hotel pool.
- Mixed Activities: Traveling with a non-diver? A resort stay is essential. While you explore the underwater world, your companions can enjoy spas, water parks, desert safaris, or shopping.
- Pace Yourself: Feel like taking a day off? No problem. You can lounge on the beach, catch up on sleep, or take a trip to Luxor to see the Valley of the Kings, all without the pressure of a boat’s fixed itinerary.
Diving Variety Right at Your Doorstep
The idea that you need a liveaboard to see great diving is a myth. From Hurghada’s marinas, day boats access an incredible range of sites suitable for all levels.
- Local Reefs: Gifton Island, Abu Ramada, and Sha’ab El Erg (known as Dolphin House) are world-class dives teeming with life, all reachable within an hour.
- Famous Wrecks: The SS Thistlegorm, one of the top wreck dives on the planet, is a regular destination for day boats from Hurghada. You can also dive the El Mina and Carnatic wrecks.
- Consistent Quality: By diving with a single, trusted operator like Diving Around Hurghada, you build a relationship with the crew. They learn your skills and preferences, ensuring each dive is safe, fun, and tailored to you. As our website states, we provide “consistent service from a familiar team who understands your preferences and skill level.”
The Liveaboard Alternative: A Different Kind of Expedition
A liveaboard is a floating dive lodge. It takes you to remote offshore marine parks like the Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone (the famous BDE route). You live, eat, and sleep on the boat, with the sole purpose of diving.
The Appeal of the Liveaboard
- Remote Access: You can reach sites inaccessible to day boats, offering a shot at big pelagics like hammerheads and oceanic whitetips.
- Maximum Diving: You can do up to 4-5 dives a day, including night dives, logging 20+ dives in a week.
- Dive-Focused Community: You share the experience with a small, dedicated group of divers, creating a strong camaraderie.
The Trade-Offs
- No Escape: You are on the boat for the entire duration. There is no “land life” or evening entertainment outside the cabin.
- Motion Sickness Risk: You are at sea 24/7, which can be challenging if you are prone to seasickness.
- Higher Experience Level: Many offshore sites have strong currents and deep drops, often requiring an Advanced Open Water certification and many logged dives.
Head-to-Head: Hurghada Resort Diving vs. Liveaboard
To help you decide, here is a direct comparison of the two experiences.
| Feature | Hurghada Resort Diving (with Diving Around) | Egypt Liveaboard Diving |
|---|---|---|
| Access to Sites | Local reefs, islands, and famous wrecks like the SS Thistlegorm via day boats. | Remote offshore sites like Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone. |
| Daily Dive Schedule | 1-3 dives per day. Flexible, with afternoons and evenings free. | 4-5 dives per day (including night dives). All day, every day. |
| Experience Level | Suitable for all levels. Perfect for beginners, casual divers, and families. Check dives available. | Best for Advanced Divers with 20-30+ dives. Not recommended for beginners. |
| Accommodation | Comfortable hotel rooms, pools, restaurants, and amenities. A proper bed every night. | Compact cabins on a boat. Shared facilities. Basic to luxurious, but always at sea. |
| Social Atmosphere | Varied. Socialize with divers on the boat, or enjoy private time away from the dive group. | Intense, dive-focused community. You are with the same small group for the whole trip. |
| Cost & Value | Lower upfront cost. You pay for your hotel and then choose dive packages. Our multi-day diving packages offer the best per-dive rates. | High upfront cost, but includes everything. Excellent value per dive if you do 20+ dives. |
| Flexibility | Maximum. You can choose to dive, take a day off, or go on a desert trip. | Minimum. The schedule is fixed on diving. There are no other options. |
| Best For | Divers wanting a balanced holiday with comfort, variety, and freedom. Families and mixed groups. | Divers focused solely on maximizing diving and chasing pelagics in remote areas. |
The Diving Around Hurghada Advantage: Your Home Base for Red Sea Diving
As a PADI 5-Star Dive Center, Diving Around Hurghada is your ideal partner for a resort-based diving holiday. We take the hassle out of the logistics so you can focus on the fun.
Our Smart Dive Packages
Booking a multi-day package with us is the smartest way to dive. As detailed on our Diving Packages page, you get:
- Best Value: “You’ll secure the best per-dive rates,” meaning more money in your pocket for exploring the nightlife.
- Seamless Experience: We handle transfers, tanks, and a delicious onboard lunch buffet (with pasta, salads, fresh chicken, soup, fruit, and drinks).
- Consistent Service: The same expert team gets to know you, ensuring personalized dives every time.
- Variety: We visit two different dive sites every day, expanding your experience of Hurghada’s incredible marine life.
Our packages include transfers, 12L tanks, and lunch. You can easily add Nitrox, rental gear, or a 15L tank. This is diving Hurghada the way it should be: easy, fun, and affordable.
Making Your Choice: A Simple Guide
Ask yourself these questions to make the right decision:
- What is your experience level?
- New or infrequent diver? Choose Hurghada diving with a resort base. You can do a check dive and build confidence on gentle reefs.
- Experienced with 50+ dives? A liveaboard is a great next step for a new challenge.
- Who are you traveling with?
- Solo or with diver buddies? Both work, but a liveaboard is more dive-focused.
- With a non-diving partner or family? You must choose a Hurghada dive resort. This is non-negotiable for a happy holiday for everyone.
- What kind of vacation do you want?
- An expedition focused 100% on diving? Choose a liveaboard.
- A holiday that includes fantastic diving? Choose a resort in Hurghada. You get the best of both worlds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A resort stay has a lower initial cost. You pay for your hotel and then choose dive packages. Our multi-day diving packages offer excellent value per dive. A liveaboard has a high upfront cost but includes everything.
Yes, absolutely. Day boats from Hurghada, including those operated by Diving Around Hurghada, regularly run trips to the SS Thistlegorm.
Most liveaboards require an Advanced Open Water certification and many logged dives for offshore routes. For beginners, diving Hurghada from a resort is the safest and most enjoyable option.
Our packages include hotel transfers, 12L tanks, a full lunch buffet, and soft drinks/hot drinks on board. You can see the full details and prices on our website.
Top sites include Giftun Island, Abu Ramada, the El Mina wreck, the Carnatic, and Sha’ab El Erg for dolphin encounters. The SS Thistlegorm is also a regular trip.
You can bring your own, but we offer a full set of rental equipment for a small daily supplement if you prefer to travel light.
Yes. Diving Around Hurghada offers Nitrox fills (32%) for an additional fee per tank, allowing for longer bottom times.
If you are very prone to seasickness, a resort is a safer bet. You return to land each evening. If you are on a day boat, you can get fresh air on deck, and the trip is only for the day.
Yes! This is a major advantage of a resort stay. You can easily book a desert safari, a trip to Luxor, or enjoy the city’s nightlife on your non-diving days.
Visit our website at divingaround.com and check our diving packages page for prices and to make a booking.
Conclusion: Experience the Best of Both Worlds with Diving Around Hurghada
A liveaboard is a fantastic adventure for the dedicated, experienced diver. But for the vast majority of visitors, a resort-based trip in Hurghada offers a richer, more flexible, and equally breathtaking Red Sea experience. You get to dive world-class sites like the SS Thistlegorm and Giftun Island, return to the comfort of a hotel each evening, and enjoy all the leisure activities Egypt’s coast has to offer.
With Diving Around Hurghada, you get the best value, expert guidance, and seamless service. Don’t sacrifice your holiday for your diving. Have both. Book your diving Hurghada adventure with us today.
Your Practical Checklist for a Hurghada Dive Holiday
Follow these steps for a stress-free trip.
3-6 Months Before:
- [ ] Book Your Flights: Fly into Hurghada International Airport (HRG).
- [ ] Choose Your Resort: Select a hotel in Hurghada, El Gouna, or Sahl Hasheesh that suits your budget and style.
- [ ] Research Dive Packages: Visit Diving Around Hurghada online to compare our multi-day diving packages and find the best fit.
1-2 Months Before:
- [ ] Book Your Dive Package: Secure your spot with Diving Around for the best rates and availability.
- [ ] Arrange Insurance: Purchase comprehensive dive and travel insurance. It’s essential.
- [ ] Check Your Gear: If using your own, service your regulators and BCD. Test everything.
1-2 Weeks Before:
- [ ] Pack Your Bags:
- Dive Gear: Mask, snorkel, fins, computer, dive torch, SMB, 3-5mm wetsuit.
- Essentials: Reef-safe sunscreen, passport, insurance docs, C-card.
- Comforts: A good book for the boat ride, a light jacket for windy evenings.
- [ ] Confirm Transfers: Double-check your hotel transfer from the airport.
On the Day:
- [ ] Relax and Enjoy: Arrive at the marina, meet the Diving Around team, and get ready for an unforgettable dive.
- [ ] Listen to Briefings: Pay close attention to the dive briefings for safety and to spot the best marine life.
- [ ] No-Fly Rule: Remember to leave at least 24 hours after your last dive before flying home.