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

Riding a horse into the Red Sea is the unusual part of this Hurghada outing. You spend about an hour in the desert, another hour near the beach, and may then take your horse into the warm sea for a swim. A camel is also available if you prefer a slower, higher seat.

I like the patient coaching, especially for beginners, and the simple convenience of hotel pickup, helmets, water, and refreshments. Moussa and his team have been praised for matching the pace to each rider and helping with photos. The main caution is that the advertised three hours may not always be delivered, and the beach section or swimming can be shortened.

Key points to know before you book

• Horse and sea in one outing: Ride through desert terrain, along the beach, and into the Red Sea when conditions and the schedule allow.
• Beginner-friendly support: Trainers provide instruction before the ride and assistance during it. You are not expected to be a professional rider.
• Moussa’s team gets strong praise: Their patient pace and willingness to take photos are major advantages for first-time riders.
• Swimming needs balance: You must be able to stay seated on the horse while it moves through the water.
• A camel is an alternative: You can choose a camel instead of a horse for both the desert and sea portions.
• Allow about four hours: The ride itself is listed as three hours, with round-trip hotel transportation included.

Why this Hurghada ride is different

Horse riding in the desert is easy to find around Hurghada. Horse riding into the Red Sea is less ordinary. That final change of setting is the reason to consider this trip rather than a standard stable ride.

You begin on land, where the trainer can explain how to handle the horse and help you settle into the saddle. The pace is adjusted to your comfort. That matters because the group can include complete beginners as well as people who already ride.

The experience connects three very different parts of Hurghada: open desert, sandy shoreline, and warm seawater. You get the pleasure of a traditional riding excursion without giving up the coastal setting that brought you to the Red Sea in the first place.

The tour is described as family-friendly and suitable for most people. Still, you should be honest about your comfort in a saddle. Swimming with a horse is not the same as sitting on one for a slow walk. You need enough balance to remain secure while the horse moves through the water.

Starting with hotel pickup in Hurghada

Pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada hotels. That makes this easier to fit into a holiday schedule, particularly if you do not want to arrange a taxi to a stable outside the resort area.

The full outing takes about four hours, although the riding portion is listed as three hours. Plan for time spent getting to the riding site, meeting the trainers, preparing the horses, and returning to your hotel. It is best treated as a half-day activity, not a quick one-hour ride.

Transfers from some nearby areas cost extra. Pickup from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, or Ahia is listed at $5 per person. Pickup from Safaga or El Gouna costs $10 per person. Confirm your hotel location and transfer fee when booking, since the included transfer applies to Hurghada hotels.

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is not a small private ride, so the amount of individual attention can depend on the group and the number of horses in use. The presence of trainers is useful here, particularly during the first part of the outing.

The desert ride gives you time to learn

The desert section is listed as one hour. This is the sensible place for the trainer to help you learn the basics before the ride becomes more adventurous.

You can expect guidance on mounting, handling the horse, and keeping a comfortable position. The trainers are available before and during the ride, and the strongest praise for this experience centers on their patience. Moussa and his team have been singled out for letting riders choose their own speed rather than pushing everyone to ride fast.

That approach is especially helpful if this is your first time on a horse. You can focus on posture and balance instead of trying to keep up with a confident rider. Experienced riders may find the controlled pace less exciting, but it makes the outing more accessible to a mixed group.

The desert setting also gives you a clear contrast with the sea portion. You ride across dry, open ground before heading toward the coast. Egypt’s long tradition of horse breeding and training is part of the presentation, though this is primarily a riding activity rather than a formal cultural tour.

If you choose a camel, the desert portion changes character. A camel offers a different sitting position and rhythm, and the option is useful if a horse does not appeal to you. The same choice is available for the beach and sea riding portions according to the tour information.

The beach portion can be brief

The beach ride is listed as one hour, but you should keep your expectations flexible. The actual time near the water can be affected by photos, group movement, preparation for swimming, and the overall pace of the outing.

One account describes the beach section as only a few minutes, with much of the time spent taking photographs. That may not be a problem if you want keepsake images, but it matters if your main goal is a long, uninterrupted ride beside the sea.

The guides may take photos and videos using your mobile phone. This is a helpful touch because carrying a camera while riding is awkward. It also means you should bring a phone that you are comfortable using around sand and water. The tour information does not promise professional photography or a separate photo package.

I would think of the beach section as a transition to the main novelty, not as a long beach gallop. The advertised pace is better suited to a guided group ride than to racing along the shoreline. If you want speed or a private riding lesson, this may not be the right format.

Swimming with the horse in the Red Sea

The sea portion is the highlight, but it is also where you need the clearest expectations. You are not simply walking a horse beside the water. The advertised activity allows you to enter the Red Sea with the horse and ride while it swims or moves through the shallows.

You need to be able to hold yourself securely on the horse. One useful warning from the tour details is that swimming requires you to keep your balance on the horse. That makes this part less suitable for someone who is nervous in the saddle, even if the land riding felt easy.

The water can also feel cool in the morning. One account specifically notes a chilly start, so bring suitable swimwear and a light layer for the beginning of the trip. The tour provides bottled water, coffee or tea, and refreshments, but you should not assume that every drink you may want will be available at every moment.

There is an important point about consistency. The advertised program includes swimming, yet one account describes a ride where the horses did not enter the water. That could reflect timing, weather, local conditions, horse availability, or how the outing was operated that day. If swimming is the sole reason you are booking, ask for confirmation before departure and understand that the sea portion may be subject to change.

The horse’s welfare and the rider’s safety should come first. A responsible guide may shorten the water section if conditions are not suitable. That is reasonable, but it is still worth knowing that the experience may not unfold exactly like the description every time.

Safety, helmets, and the right level of confidence

A helmet is provided for every rider. You also sign a disclaimer concerning damage and personal injury before the activity begins. That form does not replace common sense, but it makes clear that riding carries normal risks.

The excursion is described as appropriate for children, and most people can participate. The information does not give a specific minimum age, weight limit, or swimming requirement. If you are booking for a child or anyone with limited riding experience, ask the provider about suitability before paying.

The trainers are the most important safety feature in practical terms. The strongest part of the experience is their reported willingness to slow down for riders who are not confident. That can turn a stressful first ride into a manageable one.

You should still be comfortable with the basic idea of mounting a horse, sitting upright, and following instructions. If you cannot swim, have poor balance, or feel uneasy around large animals, choose the camel option or skip the water section if the operator allows it. The supplied information does not specify how partial participation is handled, so ask ahead.

What is included for the $59 price

At $59 per person, the price covers more than the riding time alone. You receive round-trip pickup and drop-off from Hurghada hotels, a helmet, roughly three hours of riding, and the possibility of entering the Red Sea with the horse. Coffee or tea, bottled water, and refreshments are also included.

That is fair value if you want an unusual half-day activity and would otherwise need to arrange transport separately. The included transfer is particularly useful in a resort area where a taxi to an outlying stable could add cost and hassle.

The value is weaker if you are paying mainly for a full three hours in the saddle and that time is shortened. One account describes a two-hour outing instead of the advertised three, while another notes that the beach section was very brief. I would book this for the combination of desert, beach, and sea rather than for a guaranteed amount of continuous riding.

Group size also affects the calculation. With up to 30 people, this is not presented as a private experience. You may have a better day if you enjoy a social excursion and do not mind pauses for other riders. If you want personal instruction or a carefully timed swim, ask about a smaller group before booking.

Who will enjoy this most

This outing suits you if you want a memorable Red Sea activity but do not need a polished luxury operation. It is a good match for:

• First-time riders who want a trainer nearby
• Families looking for a child-appropriate activity
• Couples seeking unusual holiday photos
• Horse lovers who want something beyond a standard desert ride
• Visitors with a free half-day in Hurghada
• Riders who like the idea of combining land and sea in one trip

It is less suitable if you need exact timing, fluent language support, a private guide, or guaranteed swimming. One person had difficulty because the guide did not speak French, and there was also a complaint about not having water available at the time it was requested. Bring your own extra water if you are concerned, even though bottled water is listed as included.

The excursion can also work for mixed ability levels because the pace may be adjusted. Strong riders should not expect an advanced training session, and nervous riders should not feel pressured to go fast. The best experience comes when everyone accepts a calm group pace.

Practical advice for a smoother ride

Wear clothes that can get wet and dusty. Swimwear is sensible for the Red Sea portion, and a light layer can help during a cool morning start. Secure loose items before mounting, since sand and water are hard on phones, sunglasses, and small bags.

Bring extra water, especially if you are visiting during a hot part of the year. Refreshments are listed, but one account describes difficulty getting water, so a personal bottle is a wise backup.

Keep your phone protected. The team may take photos and videos with it, which is convenient, but the ride includes desert dust and seawater. A waterproof pouch or secure case is more useful than a loose phone in a pocket.

Tell the trainer your riding level at the start. Moussa’s team has been praised for staying within each rider’s comfort zone, but the guide can only adjust the pace if you speak up. If you want the sea portion, say so early and ask how the timing is planned that day.

Book with the cancellation terms in mind. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled start. Changes or cancellations made inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Hurghada horse swim?

I would book this if the main appeal is the unusual combination of desert riding and a Red Sea swim. The $59 price is reasonable when hotel transfer, helmet, refreshments, and several riding settings are included. The patient support from Moussa and his team is a real advantage for beginners.

I would not book it if you require a guaranteed three full hours, a long beach ride, or certainty that the horse will enter the water. Those parts can vary. Ask about the day’s swimming plan, your pickup fee, language support, and expected riding time before you confirm.

For a flexible rider who wants a story to take home, this is a worthwhile Hurghada excursion. Just treat it as a guided group adventure with possible changes, not as a precisely timed private lesson.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The full excursion lasts approximately four hours, including transportation. The riding portion is advertised as three hours.

How is the riding time divided?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada hotels. Extra charges apply from Makadi, Sahl Hasheesh, Ahia, Safaga, and El Gouna.

How much do transfers from nearby areas cost?

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

Is a helmet provided?

Yes. A helmet is provided to each rider.

Can I ride a camel instead of a horse?

Yes. You can choose a camel instead of a horse for the desert and sea riding portions.

Is the activity suitable for children and beginners?

The activity is described as child-appropriate, and most people can participate. Trainers provide instruction before the ride and assistance during it.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.