Hurghada Grand Aquarium is probably the most popular tourist attraction in all of Hurghada and the Red Sea, due to its daily availability, close location to most of the hotels in the city, relatively cheap price, and what it has to offer for both adults and children in terms of entertainment and having a great day out.

A wild forest exhibit inside the aquarium

The Aquarium is home to many aquatic creatures and wildlife animals. Over 12,000 animals call it their home, of over 100 species. The aquatic animals are displayed in over 24 different galleries, many of which are located in water tanks with hundreds of fish and species in each tank, with the biggest tank being home to over 20 species.

The aquarium’s largest water tank showcases hundreds of marine species in a single massive display

The marine aquarium is home to many different species that include sharks, tortoises, rays, and many different coral fish of the Red Sea. Additionally, there are lots of other freshwater species, including Nile River fish and exotic species from Africa, that live in a freshwater aquarium displayed in a forest-like theme teeming with wildlife.

A variety of freshwater fish species from Nile River and Africa

In addition to the aquariums, there is also a wide collection of wild animals from all over Egypt, most notably the Nile crocodile that is displayed there. The mini zoo has a list of species including monkeys, wild iguanas, gazelles, turtles, ostriches and more.

A long-lived tortoise on exhibit at the aquarium

Hurghada Grand Aquarium Opening Times and Tickets

Hurghada Aquarium operates daily from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m., with the latest admission at 10 p.m. Tickets can be bought on-site, costing $35 for an adult, with children aged four to nine getting 50% off the price, and infants up to four years old being admitted for free. Tickets can also be bought online through their official website or through a tour operator for a package that includes two-way transfers from the hotel and back.

Outside view of Hurghada Grand Aquarium

Packages sold by tour operators are usually a better price than buying from the official website, since operators buy them in bulk, and are also great if you do not want to worry about the transfers.

Shark Feeding Show

Hurghada Grand Aquarium runs a shark feeding show three times a day, where two divers enter a big shark tank and feed wild sharks and rays. The show runs for about an hour and runs three times a day, at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. It is recommended that you visit during these times so you can attend the show, which many of the kids will love, and there is the opportunity to capture some professional pictures for a small fee with the divers.

Animal Feeding

Some of the animals can be fed during the day, including the turtles, gazelles and even the monkeys. The animal carers at the aquarium can provide you with the food and you can participate in feeding the animals. Please note that this is only available during the times when the animals are fed, not all day long.

Visitors can feed great white pelicans during the tour, along with other birds and animals

Dive with the Sharks

An additional programme that Hurghada Aquarium offers is the Dive with the Sharks experience, available only to professional divers with an Open Water diving certificate, where you get to dive with real sharks.

This experience is offered for a fee of $125 and also includes entrance fees to the aquarium and mini zoo.

Food & Drinks

There are three smaller cafeterias available at Hurghada Grand Aquarium, two of them within the indoor area and one in the outdoor area (near the mini zoo). They all offer soft drinks, bottled water and light snacks, so do not expect anything fancy. The outdoor cafeteria also offers bubble tea and ice creams.

Make sure you bring a light snack with you or have some food before you go to the aquarium. Though the visit would not exceed a few hours, the kids could get hungry during your stay there.