2 hours Horse Riding on The Sea and Desert- Hurghada

The best part of this Hurghada outing is the change of scenery: you ride from a stable area across dry desert ground to the Red Sea, then guide your horse into the shallow water. I like the friendly instructors and the chance to choose a camel instead of a horse. I also like the price, which is low for two hours in the saddle.

Keep your expectations sensible. The desert section may look more like a stony open lot or building site than a sweeping Sahara scene, and the sea ride is usually a short walk in shallow water, not a swim with your horse. Pickup details also deserve care.

Key points at a glance

• The sea ride is the highlight: Horses enter shallow Red Sea water, often around two feet deep, rather than swimming freely.
• Two hours in the saddle: You ride through dry ground and along the shore, with calm walking and some jogging when suitable.
• Beginners are welcome: Pre-ride coaching and instructors are provided, including the highly praised guide Hussain.
• Arabian horses are smaller and leaner: Their build can feel different if you are used to larger riding-school horses.
• Pickup depends on your hotel: Hurghada transfers are offered, while several resort areas carry a small extra fee.
• Animal care deserves your attention: Most feedback describes calm, healthy horses, but one serious complaint raised concerns about thin horses and harsh handling.

What the Hurghada horse ride is really like

The title promises horse riding on the sea and desert, and the basic idea is accurate. You spend about two hours riding, while the full outing takes roughly three hours once transport, waiting, mounting, and preparation are included.

The route begins near the stable with a calm walk. This is useful, not wasted time. You get used to the horse, the saddle, and the instructor’s commands before reaching the open shore. If the group is comfortable, you may also try a light jog.

The ride then moves through dry desert terrain toward the coast. Here, the scenery can be less romantic than the advertising suggests. Some of the route has been described as rocky ground or an area under construction, not endless golden dunes. You still get an Egyptian desert setting, but you should book this for the combination of horse, coast, and water, not for a grand desert trek.

At the shoreline, the horses enter the Red Sea. The water section is the memorable payoff, especially in Hurghada’s heat. It is generally a short ride through shallow water rather than a proper swim. The horses walk out into the sea, and you remain mounted while they cool their legs.

That distinction matters. If you picture yourself floating beside your horse or galloping through surf, this experience may disappoint. If you want the unusual sight of riding an Arabian horse into clear coastal water, it delivers something you will not get at a standard riding stable.

Calm horses and practical instruction for first-time riders

You do not need to be an expert rider, but you should have a moderate level of physical fitness. The operator provides trainers for a briefing before the ride and assistance during it. That makes the activity more approachable for first-timers and for people returning to riding after a long break.

The horses are described as calm by several customers, and one family found the instructors attentive with a six-year-old child. Another rider returned after ten years away from horses and managed a two-hour morning ride. Those details suggest that the pace is not aimed only at experienced equestrians.

Still, do not treat the excursion as a private riding lesson. It is a group activity with up to 15 people. The instructor must manage different skill levels, so the pace may feel slow if you already ride regularly.

Hussain is one instructor specifically praised for being funny and helpful, and Sara was named as one rider’s assigned horse. Names can change from day to day, but the useful point is that the experience includes on-site guidance rather than simply handing you a horse and sending you off.

The Arabian horses may also feel different from larger, heavier horses used in Britain or elsewhere in Europe. They can look lean and fine-boned. That is a normal feature of Arabian breeding, though the condition of each horse should still be taken seriously. You can ask to see the horse you will ride and raise any concern before mounting.

Crossing the dry ground to the Red Sea

The opening section is a gentle introduction. You ride in the desert area near the stable, then continue toward the beach. The phrase desert may set up an image of tall dunes, but the actual ground can be stony and mixed with developed areas.

One account describes part of the route as a large building site. Another calls the desert portion short and not especially interesting. I would therefore rate this section as functional rather than scenic. It gives you open space to settle into the saddle, but it is not the main reason to choose this tour.

That is not unusual around Hurghada. The resort coast has been heavily developed, and horse farms near the city may sit beside roads, construction, and hotel districts. You are getting a practical coastal ride close to the resort zone, not a remote wilderness expedition.

The road crossing also deserves attention. You may cross a street on horseback as part of the route. This is one reason to stay close to the guide and follow instructions carefully. The ride is not entirely isolated from Hurghada’s built-up surroundings.

For photographs, the best views are likely to come later at the beach. The dry section can still produce good images of the riders and horses against open ground, but do not judge the whole outing by the first part.

Riding horses into shallow Red Sea water

The beach section is where this trip earns its place on a Hurghada activity list. The horses enter the water, and the setting can be striking, with white sand and clear turquoise shallows reported at the riding area.

Several accounts identify the water portion as the strongest part of the outing. In hot weather, the horses appear to enjoy cooling off, and the contrast between dry desert and sea makes the ride feel unusual rather than routine.

But the water is shallow. One description puts it at about two feet deep, and the horse remains on the bottom. You ride out into the sea, but there is no horse swimming. The stay in the water may also be shorter than you expect.

This is important for families and nervous riders. A shallow water walk is easier to manage than a swim, but it is still a different sensation from riding on dry land. Listen to the instructor, keep your balance, and avoid assuming that your horse will behave exactly like a horse at home.

There may be moments when the setting feels especially memorable. One account describes a dolphin approaching briefly in the lagoon. That would be a lucky, unpredictable sight, not part of the advertised program, so do not book the ride expecting wildlife.

The sea can also be hard on personal belongings. The supplied equipment includes a helmet and bottled water, but no waterproof storage is listed. If you carry a phone for photographs, protect it carefully and ask the guide before using it near the water.

Horse care, safety, and the concern you should not ignore

The safety side is fairly clear. A helmet is included, and instructors accompany the ride. Pickup is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle, and bottled water is included. Those basics matter in Hurghada’s heat.

The group limit is 15 people. That is not a tiny private ride, but it is small enough for an instructor to keep an eye on the group. Your experience may depend on how many people book that day and how widely their riding abilities differ.

The horse-care picture is mixed. Several descriptions portray the horses as healthy, calm, and well looked after. One rider specifically said the family at the farm cared for the animals well. A different rider raised a serious concern, describing the horses as skinny and reporting harsh treatment.

I cannot resolve that conflict from the available information, so I would not brush it aside. Animal welfare should be part of your booking decision. Look at the horses when you arrive. Check that they appear alert, hydrated, and free of obvious injuries. If you see handling that makes you uncomfortable, speak up or choose not to ride.

The operator’s replies thank customers for their feedback, but they do not provide detailed information about feeding, rest periods, veterinary care, or working limits. If those points matter strongly to you, ask before booking. A low price is not a reason to overlook poor treatment.

Is $18.82 good value?

At $18.82 per person, this is one of the cheaper ways to add a riding experience to a Hurghada holiday. The price covers two hours of horse or camel riding, a helmet, bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, and trainers.

That is good value if you want a simple activity with a memorable coastal element. You get more than a short photo stop, and the ride combines two settings. For a family or a couple seeking something different from snorkeling and resort time, the cost is easy to justify.

The value becomes less impressive if you expect a polished equestrian center, long stretches of untouched desert, or extensive time in the sea. The route can include developed or rough ground, and the sea portion is limited.

Hotel transfer pricing also changes the total. Pickup from Makadi and Sahel Hashish hotels costs an extra $5 per person. Pickup from Safaga, El Gouna, and Soma Bay costs an extra $10 per person. Confirm your hotel location and the final amount before you pay.

The full outing lasts about three hours, while the riding itself lasts two hours. That is a reasonable balance. You are not paying for a whole day, and you still have time left for other Hurghada plans.

Pickup, waiting, and language details

Pickup is offered, but you need to take it seriously. One poor experience involved a missed hotel collection, while the operator said the driver waited 30 minutes at reception after sending a WhatsApp message the day before.

To avoid that kind of mix-up, watch for the confirmation message, reply to it, and wait at the agreed reception point. Keep the provider’s contact details available on the day. This is especially important in large resorts, where a driver may not know exactly which entrance or lobby you are using.

The vehicle is described as air-conditioned, which is welcome in Egypt. The quality of the transfer can vary, with some pickups handled in a private car and others as part of a group arrangement.

Language support may also vary. The experience information may suggest language options, but one French-speaking customer found that neither the riding guide nor the driver spoke French. If you need instruction in a particular language, confirm it directly rather than assuming it is guaranteed.

English communication appears to be available in at least some cases, but the specific guide can change. Clear hand signals and basic riding commands may still help if conversation is limited.

Who should book this activity?

I would recommend it to:

• First-time riders who want an easy introduction with an instructor nearby
• Confident riders who are happy with a guided group pace
• Families looking for an activity suitable for children, subject to the operator’s judgment
• Couples wanting unusual photographs by the Red Sea
• Horse lovers who are interested in seeing Arabian horses in an Egyptian setting
• Visitors who want a short activity rather than a full-day excursion

I would be more cautious if you want serious riding. The route is designed for a broad range of abilities, not fast, technical, or independent riding. The dry section may also feel ordinary if your main goal is dramatic desert scenery.

You should also think carefully if you have limited mobility or dislike mounting, riding, or getting wet. The activity requires a moderate level of fitness, and no accessibility details are provided.

Camel riding is offered as an alternative. The information does not explain how the camel route differs from the horse route, so ask whether the same two-hour desert and shore program applies before choosing.

Tips for getting more from the ride

Wear clothes that can handle dust and salt water. Long trousers are sensible for comfort in the saddle, and secure shoes are more practical than loose sandals.

Bring sun protection. The tour includes water, but not sunscreen, sunglasses, or a hat. A helmet will cover your head during the ride, so apply sunscreen to exposed areas before you leave the hotel.

Do not assume you can gallop. The tour begins calmly, and jogging may be offered when suitable. The instructor decides what is safe for the group, the horses, and the ground.

Ask how long the sea stop will last. The water section is the signature feature, but it is not described as a long swim. Knowing this before you leave prevents a mismatch between the advertisement and your expectations.

If you have not ridden for years, say so clearly. The guide can place you with a calmer horse and give you more help. Also mention your experience before the group leaves the stable, not halfway to the beach.

Finally, inspect your helmet and tack before mounting. Basic care and a quick question about the horse’s temperament can make you more comfortable from the start.

My verdict: a good-value coastal ride with clear limits

I would book this tour if I wanted two hours on horseback, a short ride into the Red Sea, and a low-cost activity near Hurghada. The calm horses, included instruction, helpful guides such as Hussain, and memorable beach section make it a strong choice for beginners and casual riders.

I would not book it expecting a pristine desert or a genuine horse swim. The route may pass rough developed ground, the water can be shallow and brief, and animal-care concerns should be checked for yourself. Confirm pickup and language arrangements, then decide if the simple, unusual coastal ride matches what you want.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The full outing lasts approximately three hours, including transport and preparation. The riding portion lasts two hours.

What can I ride during the tour?

You can choose two hours of horse riding or camel riding. Confirm the preferred option when booking.

Does the horse swim in the Red Sea?

No. The available descriptions indicate that the horses walk into shallow water, generally around two feet deep. This is not a swimming experience.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is offered in an air-conditioned vehicle. Extra charges apply for some areas: $5 per person from Makadi and Sahel Hashish hotels, and $10 per person from Safaga, El Gouna, and Soma Bay hotels.

Is bottled water provided?

Yes. Bottled water is included.

Is a helmet included?

Yes. A helmet is included in the tour price.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Yes. Trainers provide pre-ride coaching and assist during the ride. You should still have a moderate physical fitness level.

How many people can join the group?

The activity has a maximum of 15 participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund.