Situation today (27 October 2026)
- UK advice (FCDO, 4 August 2026): advises against all travel to North Sinai and, in northern South Sinai beyond the St Catherine-Nuweiba road, against all but essential travel, except the west and east coastal areas; it also advises against the Hala'ib Triangle. Hurghada is not named.
- Borders: the Rafah crossing is closed; the Taba crossing with Israel can close at short notice (FCDO).
- Incident at sea: a drone strike and fire damaged two ships off Damietta on 29 July; the FCDO warns further attacks are possible (Mediterranean coast, not the Red Sea).
- Strikes and protests: none announced in Egypt affecting visitors in our sources on 27 October 2026.
- Insurance: travelling against official advice can invalidate your insurance (FCDO).
Calendar to the end of January 2027
| Date | Event | What it means for you | Status and source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 2026 to Jan. 2027 | Strike or protest affecting Hurghada | Nothing to report for now | None announced on 27 October |
| Nov. to Feb. | Northerly wind and rough sea | Boat trips and dives cancelled some days, cooler sea for swimming | Usual season, check the day before |
| Nov. to March | Rare but possible rain, flash floods in wadis | Desert roads cut, excursions cancelled | Seasonal risk, check on the day |
| 24 Dec. to 2 Jan. | Year-end high season | Hotels and flights full, high prices | Annual peak |
| Thursday 7 January 2027 | Coptic Christmas | Public holiday, some shops closed | Usual holiday, to be confirmed |
| About 8 Feb. to 9 March 2027 (outside the period) | Ramadan | Restaurants closed by day in some areas, changed hours, lively evening meals | Dates to be confirmed with the moon |
Safety, sea and weather
- Areas to avoid: stay out of North Sinai and the FCDO zones; organised desert excursions go with a licensed operator.
- Sea: wind can close marinas and cancel trips; ask the operator for a refund or a new date. See also our page on sharks and sea safety.
- Heat and sun: even in November the sun is strong; drink plenty of water.
- Scams: see our guide; no specific warning for Hurghada in the UK advice.
What to do: refunds, insurance, alternatives
- On a windy day: a cancelled cruise can be replaced by a day at the hotel or in town; book with free cancellation.
- Excursions: choose a boat trip to Giftun Island or Orange Bay with a possible new date.
- Flight: keep a changeable ticket if your flight transits through the Middle East.
Keep your tickets, receipts and a screenshot of the announcement. For a flight, the airline must offer a refund or rerouting; the fixed compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 depends on the cause of the disruption and only applies to flights leaving the EU, or arriving in the EU with a European airline. Before booking anything non-refundable (hotel, train, excursion), read the cancellation terms.
What if you fall ill or get hurt during the trip? A disruption does not help when there is an accident. SafetyWing (bought online, for the length of the trip) covers medical costs and evacuation; it is not cancellation insurance, so read its trip-interruption terms before counting on it for a strike or a missed flight. See our travel insurance guide.
See also our safety and scams guide.
What to do safely when wind or news upends your plans
Here is a plan B if the sea is closed or your flight is disrupted.
- A low-risk outing: guided city highlights tour, on land, so unaffected by wind and sea.
- A low-risk outing: small-group day trip to Luxor, no boat involved, so it runs in strong wind.
- Private transfer: Hurghada airport private transfer, adapts to flight delays.
- Hotel with free cancellation: See hotels in El Gouna (free cancellation), calm resort north of Hurghada, refundable if plans change.
FAQ
Is Hurghada safe?
The UK advice of 4 August 2026 does not name it among the areas to avoid. It advises against North Sinai and some border areas.
Are there strikes or protests in Egypt?
None is announced affecting visitors in our sources as of 27 October 2026.
Are boat trips cancelled in winter?
Some days of strong wind, yes: the operator must offer a new date or a refund.
Sources checked on 27 October 2026: FCDO Egypt (4 August 2026, page checked on 27 October 2026). No more recent information found for Hurghada; this page will be updated.
