Horse Riding & Swimming Experience in the Sea & Desert – Hurghada

Hurghada’s most unusual horse ride does not stop at the shoreline. You follow the coast, cross into the golden desert, then take your horse into the Red Sea for a swim. It is part beach outing, part desert trek, and part wet, slightly comic adventure.

I like the strong change of scenery and the fact that hotel pickup is included. I also like the practical touch of a helmet, drinks, and up to three hours in the saddle. Guide Ali has been praised for taking plenty of photos and videos, which is useful when both your hands are busy with a horse.

The main caution is simple: this is not a dry horseback ride. Your clothes, shoes, and possibly your belongings can get wet, and one rider reported chafing on the legs. Wear trousers, choose clothing that can handle salt water, and treat the $22 price as a starting point because taxes add €10 per person.

Key points to know before booking

• Horseback swimming in the Red Sea: The ride includes entering the water with your horse, not just looking at the sea from the beach.
• Three settings in one outing: You ride along the coast, through the desert, and in the sea during an experience lasting about four hours overall.
• Ali may handle the photos: The guide has been praised for taking many photos and videos during the ride.
• Hotel pickup is included: Transport is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle from the listed service area.
• Extra charges matter: Government and value-added taxes cost €10 per person in cash, with another €10 per person for pickup from several outlying resort areas.
• Small group size: The outing has a maximum of 15 people, so it is not designed as a private ride.

From your hotel to the Hurghada stable

The day begins with pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle. That removes one of the common annoyances of a riding excursion: finding the stable on your own and arranging a taxi both ways.

The stated duration is about four hours, while the riding and swimming portion lasts up to three hours. The remaining time allows for transportation and the practical business of preparing for the ride. Exact pickup times are not provided, so check your confirmation carefully and be ready at your hotel.

The included pickup applies to the main Hurghada service area. If you are staying in El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh, you need to pay an additional €10 per person in cash for the transfer. That charge can change the value of the tour, especially for a couple or family, so calculate it before booking.

A maximum of 15 people keeps the outing smaller than a large coach-based attraction, though it does not guarantee a private or quiet ride. If you want personal instruction or a private horse, this is not advertised as that kind of experience.

Getting ready for three hours in the saddle

The operator provides a helmet, which is an important inclusion for a mixed riding outing. You should still dress for friction, dust, sun, and water. Long trousers are the sensible choice because the saddle and stirrups can rub bare legs.

The most useful clothing rule is this: assume everything worn during the ride may get wet. The horse enters the Red Sea, so swimwear or quick-drying clothing under your riding clothes makes sense. Avoid wearing anything you cannot afford to soak in salt water.

Take care with phones, wallets, and cameras. The supplied details do not promise dry storage or waterproof containers. If Ali is your guide, he may take photos and videos for you, but you should still ask where personal items can be kept before setting out.

Water, coffee, and tea are included. That is a modest but welcome touch during a warm-weather ride. Bring only what you need, since a horse ride is not a good place to manage a large beach bag.

The beach ride and Red Sea views

The first major part of the outing follows Hurghada’s coastline. From horseback, you get a slower view of the turquoise water than you would from a bus or hotel terrace, with the sea breeze and the sound of the water close by.

This section is likely the easiest place to settle into the rhythm of the horse. You can enjoy the shoreline and get used to the pace before the route changes. The supplied information does not state whether riders can choose between walking, trotting, or faster speeds, so do not assume a gallop.

The beach portion has real appeal for a first-time rider. You are not confined to an enclosed riding ring, and the scenery gives the outing a clear sense of place. At the same time, beach riding can be less predictable than arena riding. Sand, other people, and changing footing may affect the pace, so follow the guide’s instructions closely.

The coastline is also where photos are likely to be strongest before you get wet. If Ali is leading your ride, you may have someone available to capture photos and video rather than trying to manage a phone from the saddle. Keep your posture steady and your hands free for the horse.

Into the golden desert

After the coast, the ride turns inland toward Hurghada’s desert. The change is the heart of the itinerary. Within one outing, you move from sea air and open water to golden sand and rugged ground.

The desert section offers a different kind of scenery from the beach. It is drier, quieter, and more open, with the horse carrying you through terrain that would be tiring to cover on foot. You get a taste of the region beyond the resort strip without giving up the convenience of a half-day tour.

The description does not promise a specific desert camp, viewpoint, meal, or cultural stop. That matters because the value here comes from riding through the desert itself, not from a long list of added attractions. If you want a full desert safari with quad bikes, Bedouin activities, or dinner, you should compare this with a different product.

For beginners, the desert can feel more adventurous than the beach. The ground may be uneven, and the open setting can make the horse’s movement feel more noticeable. Most participants can take part, and the experience is designed for both experienced riders and novices, but you should be honest about your comfort in the saddle when booking.

Swimming with your horse in the Red Sea

The sea swim is the feature that sets this outing apart from an ordinary beach ride. You do not simply ride near the water. The experience includes swimming in the Red Sea with your horse.

That sounds memorable, but it also changes what you need to bring and wear. Salt water, wet fabric, sand, and saddle contact can be hard on the skin. The practical advice from the ride is especially useful here: wear trousers to reduce chafing, and make sure everything you wear can get wet.

You should also expect the swimming portion to be weather and condition dependent, even though no specific restrictions are listed. The supplied details do not say how deep the horses go, how long the swim lasts, or whether riders dismount before or after entering the water. Ask the guide for a clear briefing before the sea section begins.

The water experience will appeal most to confident riders who want something playful and unusual. It may be less comfortable for someone who dislikes getting wet, worries about open water, or wants a polished, highly predictable riding lesson. This is an adventure outing, not a formal equestrian course.

Photos, guidance, and group size

Ali is specifically associated with taking many photos and videos during the ride. That can be a major advantage here. Horseback swimming is difficult to photograph yourself, and the beach and desert provide natural settings for pictures.

Do not treat the photo service as a guaranteed professional package unless it is confirmed at booking. The available details indicate that Ali did this for one outing, but they do not promise a set number of images, editing, or delivery method.

The group limit is 15 people. That is small enough to feel more manageable than a large tour, but the experience may still include riders with very different abilities. A beginner may need more guidance, while a strong rider may want more speed. The published description does not promise separate groups by skill level.

A helmet is supplied, and service animals are allowed. Most people can participate, but the available information does not list weight limits, riding restrictions, medical conditions, or specific child policies. Ask directly if any of those details affect your booking.

What the $22 price really covers

At $22 per person, this is an inexpensive way to combine three settings and up to three hours of riding. Hotel transport, a helmet, drinks, beach riding, desert riding, and sea swimming are all included, so the advertised price covers more than a short stable ride.

You should not compare the cost only with a one-hour horseback session. The beach and desert route, the water portion, and the included transport make this closer to a half-day outing. The value is strongest if you want variety and a memorable activity rather than advanced riding instruction.

There are two important extra charges. Governmental and value-added taxes cost €10 per person, paid in cash on the spot. Pickup from El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, or Sahl Hasheesh costs another €10 per person in cash.

Those fees are significant beside a $22 base price. If you stay in central Hurghada, the extra tax is the main addition. If you stay in one of the named resort areas, add both charges before deciding. Bring the required cash and confirm the exact currency and amount at booking, since the advertised base price and the extra fees are listed in different currencies.

Who should book this ride

I would recommend this for someone who wants an active Hurghada outing with a strong novelty factor. The combination of desert, beach, and sea swimming gives you more variety than a standard riding tour, and the experience works for beginners as well as seasoned riders.

It suits couples, small groups, and independent visitors who want photos from an unusual activity. It also works well for someone who has only half a day free and wants hotel transport rather than a complicated local transfer.

I would hesitate if you need a dry activity, dislike sand and salt water, or want a serious lesson with detailed riding instruction. I would also ask more questions if you have mobility concerns, a medical issue, or specific needs involving children, since the available information does not cover those points.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and changes during that period are not accepted. The cut-off uses local time, so do not leave cancellation decisions until the last minute.

My verdict on this Hurghada horse ride

I like the idea because it offers a genuine change of pace from the usual Hurghada boat trip. You get the coastline, the desert, and a horse swim in one outing, with transport and basic equipment included.

The experience is not perfect for everyone. The extra €10 tax, and possibly another €10 transfer fee, makes the final cost less simple than the headline price. Wet clothing, leg chafing, mixed riding ability, and limited detail about the sea section also call for sensible preparation.

Book it if you want a memorable, active half-day and are happy to accept a little unpredictability. Wear trousers, bring cash, protect anything valuable from water, and ask about the swim and pickup before you leave. Skip it if you want a dry, formal riding lesson or a tightly scripted excursion.

FAQ

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately four hours. Up to three hours are allocated to horse riding and swimming.

Where does the horse ride take place?

The route includes Hurghada’s beach, coastline, and desert areas. It also includes swimming in the Red Sea with the horse.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are provided in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is pickup available from El Gouna or Safaga?

Pickup from El Gouna, Safaga, Somabay, Makadi, and Sahl Hasheesh is available for an additional €10 per person, paid in cash on the spot.

What equipment is provided?

A helmet is included. Water, coffee, and tea are also provided.

Are taxes included in the $22 price?

Governmental taxes and value-added taxes are not included. An additional €10 per person is paid in cash on the spot.

Can a beginner join the ride?

Yes. The experience is intended for both seasoned riders and novices, and most participants can take part.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

What is the cancellation policy?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.