Hurghada / El-Ghardaka

Half way down the Egyptian Red Sea coast, on a promontory projecting into the sea, is the small but growing resort and water sports center of Hurghada (El-Ghardaka), chief town and administrative center of the Red Sea Frontier District.

With its perpetually warm and dry climate and its unique facilities for diving and snorkeling enthusiasts Hurghada is now attracting steadily increasing numbers of visitors both in summer and in winter.

Before the tourist trade reached this remote spot on the Red Sea coast it was the center of Egypt's principal oil field, surpassed only quite recently by the still more productive oilfields in Sinai. The headquarters of the oil installations lie 2miles/3km northwest of the harbor.