For the more qualified scuba diver on holiday, El Gouna boasts some of the best reefs, walls and wrecks in the Red Sea. It is also the perfect place to snorkel, with its sandy shallow beaches and the scattered coral heads hosting some exquisite marine life. In addition, there is sailing, water-skiing, kitesurfing, canoeing, banana rides, catamarans, pedal boats, horse riding and go-karting, as well as a USPGA standard 18-hole golf course. Hotels also organise day-trips to the desert, quad bike adventures and archaeological sightseeing in the surrounding area.

Arabic is the official language although English and French are widely spoken, especially in the tourist areas.

The unit of currency is the Egyptian Pound (EGP), which is divided into 100 piastres. Most credit cards are accepted in major hotels and restaurants. Visitors are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds to avoid additional exchange rate charges. Banks are usually closed on Friday and Saturday, but private exchange bureaux, called 'Forex', are open daily and banks in major hotels are open 24 hours. Cairo branches of the Egyptian British Bank and Banque Misr now have ATMs available that accept Visa, MasterCard and Cirrus and are quite common in the main tourist areas.

The beach is far from the resort and can only be reached by a bus ride or a ferry trip across the lagoon. These services run every 30 minutes.

Holidaymakers will find that El Gouna's nightlife is pulsing with variety and entertainment. The two main hubs of Kafr el Gouna and Abu Tig Marina offer the trendiest bars and cosy pubs, to billiard bars, beach bars, karaoke cafes as well as the infamous open-air disco. Places at the heart of the social scene include Studio 52, and Mangroovy Beach, which often organise live concerts and events, including Barbeque Beach parties.

El Gouna has two tourist districts, namely Kafr El Gouna and Abu Tig Marina, as well as many prominent hotel chains, all offering a wide variety of some of the world's finest cuisines, from Indian to Thai, French, Belgian, Chinese, German, Italian and much more. Not all local restaurants serve alcohol, but the food is excellent. El Gouna offers everything from relaxed marina-side bistros, seafood buffets and poolside eateries to five-star restaurants.

El Gouna has a wide variety of shopping for those on holiday to enjoy, ranging from typical Egyptian souvenirs, antiques and art to exotic oriental furniture and hand-made Turkish lamps. There is also a selection of chic shops for clothing and furniture. Along the marina boardwalk are the international brands and boutiques offering a taste of Europe.