What to Wear on a Red Sea Boat Trip from Hurghada (2026 Packing List)

Boat-day mistakes in Hurghada are almost always the same handful: too little sun protection, the wrong shoes, no cash for tips, no dry layer for the windy ride back. This list covers exactly what to wear, what to bring, and what to leave in the hotel safe so the day is as good as the photos make it look.

What to wear on the boat

• Swimsuit underneath. Put it on at the hotel, save 20 minutes of changing on a moving boat.
• Light cover-up or t-shirt + shorts. The boat ride out is breezy. Cotton is fine going out; you'll get damp coming back.
• A pair of flip-flops or slip-on sandals. Decks get hot in the sun. Closed shoes are unnecessary.
• Sunhat with a wide brim and a chin strap. Without the chin strap, the breeze takes it.
• Polarised sunglasses. The water glare on the way to Orange Bay is no joke.

What to put in your bag

• Beach towel. Hotels usually let you borrow one for the day. The boat has spares but they're small.
• Reef-safe sunscreen, SPF 50 minimum. Reapply every 90 minutes; the sun on the water is unforgiving and reflects back at you.
• Lip balm with SPF. The most-forgotten item; the most-noticed at sunset.
• Aftersun cream or aloe. Even careful travellers catch a little.
• A dry change of clothes in a waterproof bag (we provide bags too), for the drive back.
• Phone in a waterproof pouch. The pouch is the difference between great photos and a broken phone.
• Cash for tips. 50-100 EGP per person for the crew is generous. They earn it.
• A light long-sleeve or shawl. Sounds wrong in 32 C, but on the windy ride home you'll thank yourself.
• A reusable water bottle. We provide unlimited water, mint tea and soft drinks on board, but your own bottle saves single-use plastic.

Snorkeling specifics

Masks, snorkels and fins are provided on every Yala Hurghada boat at no extra cost. If you have your own mask and you're particular about the fit, bring it. A few tips that make snorkeling much more pleasant:

• Anti-fog the mask: rub a tiny drop of baby shampoo or commercial anti-fog into the dry lens, then rinse once with seawater right before you get in.
• Loose ponytail or low bun if you have long hair. High buns push the mask off the back of your head.
• If you wear glasses, ask us in advance about prescription masks. Contact lenses work fine for one-day use.

What to leave at the hotel

• Passport. Photocopy or photo on phone is enough. The original stays in the hotel safe.
• Jewellery. Saltwater and gold-plating do not mix. Wedding rings are fine, but consider leaving anything else behind.
• Expensive cameras unless you have a waterproof housing. The deck is wet, the spray is salty, and you'll have less fun if you spend the day protecting gear.
• Drone. Egyptian customs is strict about drones in tourist zones. Don't bring one onto a Hurghada boat without explicit advance clearance.

If you're bringing kids

• A child rash vest covers shoulders and back, where they burn first.
• Two swimsuits each, so they're not putting a wet one on after lunch.
• A snack they actually like, even though full lunch is on board. Kids on the water get hungry differently.
• Headphones and a downloaded movie for the drive back. Sleepy and unentertained kids are loud.

If you're worried about seasickness

Most Hurghada boat days are calm. Wind picks up by mid-afternoon, mostly on the ride home. If you're prone:

• Take a non-drowsy seasickness pill 30-45 minutes before boarding.
• Stay above deck and watch the horizon, not the floor.
• Ginger sweets help more than most people expect.
• Avoid heavy breakfast.

Boat trips this list works for

This packing list works the same for all of our boat days: Orange Bay, Dolphin House, Hula Hula and Ozirea Island. Adjust the sun layers up in summer (June-August) and down in winter (December-February).

Ready for your boat day?

Browse all Hurghada boat trips, pick a date, and pack the list above. Free hotel transfer is included, lunch and drinks on board, and the crew handles everything else.