Attraction Details
Overview
Hurghada Grand Aquarium
The Hurghada Grand Aquarium is one of the largest and most comprehensive marine aquariums in the Middle East and Africa, located on the Red Sea coastal road in the New Marina district of Hurghada. Opened in 2016, it provides an accessible introduction to the extraordinary marine biodiversity of the Red Sea for visitors who want to understand the underwater world without diving or snorkeling. The aquarium houses over 1,200 marine species in a series of large tanks, tunnels, and open pools — including sharks, rays, sea turtles, moray eels, lionfish, and the full range of Red Sea reef fish species.
The aquarium’s centerpiece is a large walk-through underwater tunnel where visitors are surrounded by a continuous panoramic view of the tank’s inhabitants — sharks gliding overhead, rays banking past at eye level, and reef fish moving in schools around the tunnel walls. The tunnel experience gives the impression of being underwater without any equipment or water contact, making it accessible to all ages and abilities.
Beyond the tunnel, the aquarium has dedicated zones for specific marine environments: a coral reef tank, a jellyfish gallery, a seahorse breeding display, a mangrove ecosystem exhibit, and an open-top pool where visitors can touch selected species under supervision. An educational program explains the Red Sea’s ecological significance and the conservation challenges facing coral reef systems globally.
History & Significance
The Hurghada Grand Aquarium was conceived and built as part of the broader diversification of Hurghada’s tourism offering beyond beach and diving — providing a family-friendly attraction accessible to visitors who do not dive and to children too young for snorkeling excursions. The aquarium’s 2016 opening coincided with a period of Egyptian tourism recovery following disruptions caused by regional instability, and it was designed to provide a compelling indoor attraction independent of weather and sea conditions.
The aquarium’s marine collection focuses specifically on Red Sea species, reflecting its geographic location and providing educational context for visitors exploring the reef systems offshore. The conservation messaging integrated into the exhibits — covering coral bleaching, plastic pollution, and overfishing — reflects a growing awareness in Egyptian marine tourism of the threats facing the Red Sea ecosystem that underpins the region’s appeal.
What to See
Walk-Through Underwater Tunnel
A panoramic tunnel surrounded by the aquarium's main tank — sharks overhead, rays at eye level, and schools of reef fish moving continuously around visitors without any water contact.
Shark and Ray Display
Multiple shark species including reef sharks and nurse sharks sharing the main tank with rays — the most immediately dramatic element of the aquarium experience.
Jellyfish Gallery
A dedicated gallery with illuminated cylindrical tanks of different jellyfish species — photographically spectacular and educationally focused on these often-misunderstood marine animals.
Touch Pools
Supervised hands-on contact with selected species — starfish, sea cucumbers, and other invertebrates that can be safely handled under staff guidance.
Photo Gallery
Visitor Information
Daily 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
⛔ Closed: NeverNo dress restrictions
Photography is free
Fully accessible
💡 Visitor Tips
Location & Map
🚕 How to Get There
Located in the New Marina district of Hurghada on the main coastal road; accessible by taxi from any Hurghada hotel (10–20 min) or on foot from New Marina area hotels.
