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

The unusual part comes when the horse leaves the sand and enters the Red Sea. This Hurghada outing combines a desert ride, beach time, and the chance to sit on your horse in warm seawater, all within about four hours.

I like the patient trainers, especially for first-time riders, and the practical hotel pickup. I also like the choice of horse or camel, plus the chance to have photos and video taken during the ride. The main caution is that the real experience may not always match the advertised three hours or include the sea swim, so confirm those details before setting out.

Key points to know before you book

• Three different riding settings: Plan for desert tracks, Hurghada beach, and a Red Sea swim, with one hour listed for the desert and one hour for the beach.
• Moussa and his team: Moussa is singled out as a friendly, patient host who keeps the pace suited to your ability and may help take photos or videos.
• Beginner support: Trainers provide instruction before the ride and assistance during it, but you still need to feel secure in the saddle for the swim.
• Horse or camel choice: You can choose a camel instead of a horse for both the desert and sea portions.
• Good value at $59: Transfers, helmet, refreshments, and about three hours of riding are included, though outlying pickup areas cost extra.
• Confirm the swim: Some outings have reportedly lasted closer to two hours and skipped the water portion, so ask for clear confirmation at pickup.

Why this Hurghada ride is different

Most desert excursions around Hurghada use a quad bike, jeep, or camel. This one takes a quieter route: you ride a horse across desert ground, continue toward the beach, then may enter the Red Sea on horseback.

That last part is the reason to consider this experience. Riding beside the water is pleasant, but sitting on a horse as it walks into the sea is a much less common holiday activity. You get a look at Egypt beyond the standard resort routine, with the desert and coast joined in one outing.

The experience is sold as roughly four hours in total, including transport, preparation, and riding. The riding portion is advertised at three hours. The planned breakdown gives you one hour in the desert and one hour on the beach, followed by swimming with the horse. In practice, timing can vary, so I would treat those figures as the intended plan rather than a guarantee.

The tour is family-friendly and open to beginners. That does not mean no riding ability is needed. A horse in the sea can feel less predictable than a horse on dry ground, and one German-language review makes the sensible point that you should be able to hold yourself securely on the horse before attempting the swim.

Hotel pickup keeps the day simple

Round-trip pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada hotels. That matters in a resort town where your hotel may be some distance from the riding center, and it removes the need to arrange a taxi in advance.

Pickup from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, and Ahia costs an extra $5 per person. Pickup from Safaga or El Gouna costs an extra $10 per person. Those supplements are modest, but add them to the advertised $59 when comparing this trip with other excursions.

The maximum group size is 30 people. That is not a tiny private ride, and you should not book expecting one-on-one attention throughout the day. The actual riding group may feel smaller once people are divided among horses, camels, or instruction levels, but the supplied information does not promise that arrangement.

The pickup time is not stated. Ask for it after booking, and keep your phone available on the morning of the excursion. Confirmation is provided when you book, but the exact departure time will depend on your hotel and the local schedule.

Starting with the desert ride

The first riding section takes place in the desert and is listed as one hour. This is a good place for the trainers to help you settle in, learn how to hold the reins, and get used to the horse’s pace before reaching the water.

The tour places emphasis on Egyptian horse breeding and training. That gives the ride a bit more context than a simple photo stop. Egypt has a long connection with horses, and the experience presents the animals as part of local culture as well as transport for a holiday activity.

You receive a helmet, and a trainer is available before and during the ride. That support is particularly useful if you have never ridden before or have not been on a horse for years. One highly praised guide, Moussa, is described as careful about speed and willing to keep the ride at a pace the rider can manage.

You should still be honest about your comfort level. Tell the trainer if you are nervous, inexperienced, or uncomfortable with a fast pace. The best part of this excursion is not speed. It is the change in setting from desert to coast, and you will enjoy that more if you are relaxed in the saddle.

A camel is available instead of a horse. The information says you can make that choice for both the desert and sea riding. Confirm your preference before the ride begins, since changing animals later may not be practical.

Reaching the beach and the Red Sea

The second planned riding hour takes place on the beach. This is where the excursion becomes most scenic, with sand, open water, and the horse beneath you. The beach section is also the part most vulnerable to time changes, so do not assume you will spend a full hour riding beside the water.

One account describes the beach ride as only a few minutes, with much of the stop used for photographs. Photos are useful here, especially if you are unlikely to return to Hurghada soon, but you may prefer more riding and less posing. Tell the guide early if your priority is time in the saddle rather than a long photo session.

The sea portion is the main selling point, and it is worth confirming before you leave the hotel. The planned activity includes swimming with the horse in the Red Sea, but another account reports that the water portion did not happen. That does not necessarily describe every departure, but it shows why a quick check with the guide is wise.

Ask two direct questions:

• Is swimming with the horse scheduled today?
• How much time will be spent riding in the water?

If the sea is too cold for you, especially on an early morning departure, you may still enjoy the desert and beach sections. One account describes the morning as a little chilly. Bring a swimsuit if you plan to enter the water, and have a dry change of clothes available for the ride back.

What swimming with a horse actually requires

The sea swim is not passive sightseeing. You need to stay balanced while the horse moves through shallow water, and you must follow the trainer’s instructions. The supplied safety information says a helmet is provided and a disclaimer covering damage and personal injury must be signed before the activity.

The most useful preparation is simple: wear clothing that will not restrict your legs, listen closely during the briefing, and tell the trainer if you are unsure. You should not treat the water section as a place to test your riding skills for the first time without support.

The guides are meant to assist throughout the ride, and the strongest feedback about Moussa and his team focuses on patience and a sensible pace. That is important here. A calm, controlled ride is far better than being pushed into speed for the sake of a photograph.

Do not expect a swimming lesson for the horse or an extended free swim. The information promises a chance to swim with the horse, not a fixed length of time in the water or a particular riding maneuver. Think of it as a short, unusual sea experience within a broader horseback outing.

Trainers, photos, and the human side

The guide support is one of the better features of this trip. Trainers provide coaching before the ride and remain available during it. That makes the activity accessible to many beginners, although the phrase family-friendly should not be read as a guarantee that every age or ability level can participate without difficulty.

Moussa is named as one of the people leading the activity. He and his team are described as friendly, patient, and attentive to riding speed. They may also take photos and videos on your phone, which can save you from trying to handle a camera while mounted.

That help is useful, but it can also affect the timing. If you want a long beach ride, say so before the photo session begins. The experience is more satisfying when you and the guide agree on the balance between pictures and riding.

Language support is not clearly specified. One French-speaking participant had difficulty because the guide assigned to the ride did not speak French. If you need detailed instructions in a particular language, ask about this before booking. Basic guidance may be available, but a specific language is not promised.

Food, drinks, and what to bring

Coffee or tea, bottled water, and refreshments are included. That is a useful touch after time in the sun, but do not rely on the drinks as a full meal. One account specifically notes that water was not available at the moment it was requested, while the included services state that bottled water and refreshments are part of the package.

I would bring a small personal supply of water anyway, especially in hot weather. That is not a criticism of the planned inclusions. It is simply good practice for any outdoor ride in Hurghada.

Wear practical clothes that can get dusty or wet. A swimsuit, a spare outfit, sunscreen, and secure footwear make sense. The tour provides a helmet, but no other riding equipment is listed, so avoid bringing loose items that may fall during the ride.

Because this is an outdoor activity, conditions can affect comfort. Early starts may feel chilly, while the desert can become hot. The excursion includes drinks, but shade and meal arrangements are not described, so plan around the possibility that you will be outside for several hours without a substantial food stop.

Is $59 a fair price?

At $59 per person, the package is good value if the full plan happens. You receive hotel transport from Hurghada, a helmet, refreshments, trainer support, about three hours of planned riding, and the unusual chance to enter the Red Sea on horseback.

The value is strongest for someone who wants several experiences in one short outing. Instead of paying separately for a desert ride, beach ride, and water activity, you combine them into a single half-day trip. It also leaves time for other Hurghada plans.

The price looks less attractive if the outing is shortened or the swim is dropped. A two-hour ride without the water portion is a different product from the advertised experience. That is why I would confirm the schedule on the day, especially if swimming is the main reason you are booking.

Group size also affects value. A maximum of 30 people means this is not sold as a private ride. If you want personal instruction, ask whether a smaller group or private arrangement is available, though no private upgrade is specified here.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to:

• First-time riders who want trainer support and a manageable pace.
• Horse lovers looking for something beyond a standard beach ride.
• Families seeking an outdoor activity listed as suitable for children.
• Couples or friends who want memorable photos in the desert and sea.
• Visitors with only half a day available for an excursion.
• Anyone interested in choosing a camel instead of a horse.

I would be more cautious if you need guaranteed French-language instruction, a private group, a precise three-hour ride, or a confirmed long swim. The supplied information does not promise those details.

You should also think about your comfort in the saddle. The desert ride may be approachable for beginners, but the sea section calls for better balance. If you are uncertain, enjoy the dry portions and decide with the trainer whether entering the water is right for you.

Booking, cancellation, and practical checks

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. The cut-off follows local time in Egypt.

Before departure, I would confirm four things: your pickup time, the extra transfer fee if you are outside Hurghada, the expected riding duration, and whether swimming with the horse is planned that day. Those questions are especially useful because the duration and water portion have not been consistent for every departure.

A disclaimer for damage and personal injury must be signed. That is standard for an activity involving animals and water, but read it carefully before mounting. Most people can participate, yet the tour does not remove the normal risks of horseback riding.

Should you book the Hurghada horse swim?

Book it if the idea of riding from desert to beach and into the Red Sea genuinely excites you. The combination is unusual, the price is reasonable for a half-day outing, and the trainer support makes it more approachable than a free-form riding trip.

Book with a clear question about the swim and the timing. If the operator confirms the full plan, this is a good pick for a memorable family or couple activity. If your priority is guaranteed water time, a private ride, or advanced riding, choose only after those points are settled.

The strongest reason to go is not speed or luxury. It is the simple novelty of moving through three very different Egyptian settings on horseback. The main reason to hesitate is that the advertised plan may be shortened. Know that tradeoff, and you can make a sensible choice.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding portion last?

The experience lasts about four hours in total, with three hours advertised as horseback riding. The planned schedule includes one hour in the desert and one hour on the beach, plus swimming with the horse. Actual timing can vary.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Round-trip pickup and drop-off are included from Hurghada hotels. Pickup from Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, and Ahia costs an extra $5 per person. Pickup from Safaga or El Gouna costs an extra $10 per person.

Can I choose a camel instead of a horse?

Yes. The activity allows you to choose a horse or camel for the desert and sea riding portions.

Is swimming with the horse included?

Swimming with the horse in the Red Sea is part of the planned experience. However, the supplied information also records an outing where the swim did not take place, so confirm the water portion before departure.

Are helmets and refreshments provided?

Yes. A helmet, coffee or tea, bottled water, and refreshments are included. Bringing extra personal water is still sensible for a hot outdoor activity.

Can children participate?

The activity is described as child appropriate and family-friendly. A disclaimer covering damage and personal injury must be signed, and every rider should be comfortable following the trainer’s instructions.