The Hurghada Grand Aquarium — "Red Sea in Glass" — is a public aquarium holding more than 1,200 animals across roughly 100 species, in nearly a million US gallons of marine and freshwater. It is one of the largest in the region and it is entirely indoors and air-conditioned.

That last detail is not a footnote. Between June and September, and on any day when the wind kills the boat trips, this is one of the few attractions in Hurghada that is genuinely pleasant in the middle of the day.

What is inside

Twenty-four galleries arranged by habitat rather than by tank, so you move from Red Sea reef through open ocean to freshwater environments. Sharks, rays and sea turtles occupy the larger displays, and the walk-through tunnel is the part children talk about afterwards.

The same ticket includes a zoo section with reptiles and other land animals, which most visitors do not realize until they arrive.

Diving with the sharks

For certified divers there is a 35-minute dive inside the main tank. In open water a shark encounter lasts seconds at distance; here you are in the water with them for half an hour, at fixed depth, with a guide beside you and no current or visibility to manage. An Open Water certification and previous open-water experience are required.

Why it is worth an hour before you snorkel

A slightly unexpected argument for going early in your trip: the species labels tell you what you are about to swim past. Most people find they recognize far more on their first reef snorkel because of it. It also works for nervous children — seeing a turtle or a reef shark safely behind glass takes a good deal of the fear out of the real thing a few days later.

Practical advice

  • Allow around three hours to see it without rushing.
  • Go mid-morning or late afternoon. Several tour groups tend to arrive together in the middle of the day, and the tunnel is far better without a crowd three deep at the glass.
  • Hotel transfers are not included in the standard ticket — check what you have booked, or ask us to arrange a private transfer.
  • Food and drink are not included; there is a cafe on site.
  • Turn your flash off. It distresses the animals and the glass reflects it straight back into your photograph anyway.

Tickets and details are on our Grand Aquarium page.