Sharm El Sheikh Best Snorkeling Spot

Egypt is famous for its vibrant underwater life and snorkeling in Sharm el Sheikh allows you to discover the Red Sea’s finest coral gardens. With a long coastline fringed by healthy shallow reef plateaus and walls dropping into great depths, this destination is a paradise for ocean lovers.

When people ask us where is the best snorkeling in Egypt, we say Sharm el Sheikh without hesitation. If you know where to look for the best sites, you will witness more beauty here than elsewhere. We prepared this guide to share with you the top snorkel spots to visit and hotels to stay in so you can experience the best underwater sights that Sharm el Sheikh can offer!

Snorkeling Spots in Sharm El Sheikh – Shore & Boat Sites

With flourishing reefs, big schools of tropical fish, turtles, stingrays, occasional mantas, and whale sharks sightings, Sharm el Sheikh is an underwater paradise. To find the most vibrant corals and exciting sea life, here we provide you with a list of the best spots to snorkel in Sharm el Sheikh, both shore and boat-accessible locations.

Ras Nasrani

This diverse coral garden can be found along the Al Montazah coastline, between the Albatros Palace Sharm (ex Grand Cyrene and Melia Sharm) and Sunrise Remal Beach (ex Melia Sinai, Melton Beach) resorts. Both hotels provide access through a jetty.

The water is deeper on the Albatros’ side, but there is a shallow area in front of the Remal Beach. Here, you find a nice lagoon with sandy bottom where you can see many playful fish and sometimes turtles! The bottom of the lagoon drops into greater depths, where you can see gorgonian corals if the visibility is good (they are approximately at 18-20 m).

If you leave the sandy lagoon and swim alongside the reef, you will reach the drop-off at the corner. This area is recommended for advanced snorkelers only as the water is deep and the current can be strong, but this is where you can see bigger fish, sometimes even manta rays or a whale shark.

Snorkeling at the Ras Nasrani offers the best shore snorkeling in Sharm el Sheikh: you can observe here extensive coral colonies that give home to thousands of fish, including shoals of sergeant majors, surgeonfish, scorpionfish, crocodile fish, and lionfish. Blue spotted ribbontail rays and eagle rays are also often seen here.

Ras Ghamila

The Ras Ghamila dive and snorkel site is an extensive reef plateau covered with stony and soft corals. For snorkeling, it is accessible through the Coral Sea Sensatori Resort’s jetty and through the deserted sandy beach next to the resort’s area.

Primarily, it is a diving site, but if you access it from the Sensatori Resort, you will swim above the reef’s shallower part, where you can see a vibrant, aquarium-like coral garden.

We were impressed by the underwater landscape here that features coral heads, pinnacles, and small caverns surrounded by a wide selection of Red Sea reef fish. Big school of bannerfish, butterfly fish, and of course clownfish, sergeant major fish, surgeon and parrotfish, hawkfish, and pufferfish are also around. Moreover, you can expect to see turtles, eagle rays and fantail rays, crocodilefish, and also lionfish! Those who love to look for miniature sea creatures can find some nudibranchs and sea worms on the corals.

Note that the current gets powerful as you pass the Sensatori’s beachfront and swim towards the green beacon, which marks the end of the site. Pay attention to the current and turn back before you drift away. If you can’t return to the jetty, leave the water by swimming through the reef plate.

Ras Bob

Named after Bob Johson underwater cameraman who worked in this region for many years, Ras Bob is an easy snorkeling and diving place on the right of Melton Beach Resort’s floating platform. This site is sheltered from wind and waves and has no strong currents, so it is beginner-friendly.

Although the reef is not as colorful as the nearby Ras Nasrani, it is still a nice place for novice snorkelers and beginner divers. Anemonefish, banner and butterflyfish, parrotfish, crocodile fish, rainbow wrasses, blue spotted and eagle rays are the main species you can see here.

Faraana Bay Reef

If you are looking for the most beginner-friendly Sharm el Sheikh snorkeling spot, look no further than Faraana Bay. This sheltered bay is situated in the Hadaba suburb, on the southernmost side of Sharm el-Sheikh, and is famous for its jaw-dropping views and shallow, current-free reefs.

There are three resorts in the bay; either you choose, you will have easy access to this snorkel site: Faraana Reef Resort and Reef Oasis Resort have a jetty installed over the reef, while the Jaz Fanara Resort provides shore access through a sandy beach.

Those staying in the onsite resorts can access the bay from El Fanar Beach or by boat.
Faraana Bay provides access to three further snorkeling sites: Ras Um Sid, Temple Reef, and Ras Katy. (Find more information below)

Ras Um Sid – El Fanar Beach

Ras Um Sid is a teeming coral garden with a steep wall on the left tip of Faraana Bay, in front of El Fanar Beach.

Thanks to the constant nutrient-rich currents, the reef is blooming here; you will be amazed by the amount of fish and the abundance of corals when snorkeling here! This site is a good observatory spot for manta rays and whale sharks during the summer.

You can get to Ras Um Sid if you stay in one of the neighboring resorts (Jaz Fanara provides the easiest access), or through the El Fanar Beach (there is 150 EGP (€5 ) admission fee per person to enter).

Temple Reef

With its unique topography, the Temple Reef is one of the area’s most exciting sites. It consists of massive pinnacles that make it look like an underwater temple.

The reef is in the middle of Faraana Bay, about 300 m from the shore. You can access it by boat or by staying in one of the bay’s hotels.

Although the bottom is ~18 m deep, the tops of the pinnacles are closer to the surface, so this site is enjoyable for snorkelers too., While swimming over the pinnacles, you can nicely observe how thousands of fish (mainly sea goldies) are circling around the towers. The nearby sandy lagoons attract blue-spotted and eagle rays too.

Ras Katy

An interesting site suitable for beginner divers and snorkelers at all levels, Ras Katy is a shallow, wide reef plate with tower-like underwater pinnacles. It is situated on the right of Faraana Bay and accessible from the Faraana Reef Resort’s jetty or through the Ras Katy public beach, which is behind the Zeid Ibn Haretha Road villa area.

The underwater landscape features various Red Sea corals, including rare blue corals. Schools of reef fish, such as sergeant majors, bannerfish are common here, as well as parrotfish, lionfish, butterflyfish, triggerfish and surgeonfish. We also saw eagle rays, blue spotted rays, octopus and moray eels here.

This is a popular spot for glass bottom boats; be careful when snorkeling here as these boats come very close to the reef and don’t respect snorkelers.

Ras Mohammed National Park

The Ras Mohammed National Park is a must-visit to find exceptional snorkeling in Sharm el Sheikh. It is the first national Park in Egypt, covering an area of 480 sq km, including the region’s most preserved reefs, mangrove forests, sand dunes, mountainous areas, and coastal mud plains. The park is a critical habitat for fish and bird species and also an important nesting ground for Red Sea turtles.

To enjoy discovering this spectacular scenery and unique flora and fauna, you can get to the park by land or sea. Tours are available daily. It takes about two hours to reach the reserve from Sharm el Sheikh. The park’s main snorkeling sites are Anemone City, Jackfish Alley, and Seven Pools Reef.

Tiran Island

The reefs of Tiran Island showcase the most famous snorkeling sites in Sharm el Sheikh. This crescent-shaped island in the Straits of Tiran forms four reef systems: the Gordon, Thomas, Jackson, and Woodhouse Reefs.

Located in the strait, which is more than 1800 m deep, the island’s reefs constantly receive fresh, deep-sea water, allowing marine life to thrive; you will find incredible underwater scenery here.

Gordon Reef is the most suitable for snorkelers, where you can swim above a shallow (3-20 m) plateau and sandy lagoons. Tiran Island is about 1-hour boat ride away from Sharm.

Want a Guided Snorkeling Tour?

There is a wide variety of snorkeling excursions available in Sharm el Sheikh. Most hotels have a tour desk where you can sign up for excursions. Also, you can make a reservation through tour agencies. The latest experience shows that it is worth pre-booking tours online to avoid the hassle of negotiating the price on the site (which is a common practice in Egypt).

When to Snorkel in Sharm El Sheikh – Best Seasons and Tips

Our favorite time to visit Sharm el Sheikh is either the late spring-early summer or the late fall months (from mid-May till mid-June or from late September till mid-November).

Sharm el Sheikh has a subtropical desert climate with dry, hot summers and mild winters. The consistently warm air and sea temperatures make it a year-round destination; however, some periods are more favorable than others.

The weather turns hot during summer, bringing temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius. This might be good for heat lovers but can be challenging for those who can’t stand such high temperatures. The air temperatures are around 23/24 °C (73/75 °F), while the sea is between 21-23 °C (69.8-73.4 °F) during winter. With temperatures like this, it is an ideal winter snorkeling destination, but we think that the water is a bit chilly for long snorkeling sessions.

The reason why we recommend coming in the shoulder seasons (late spring-early summer and in fall) is that these periods bring the most comfortable conditions: the sea is warm enough (25-27 °C/77-80.6 °F), the air is warm but not too hot, there is plenty of sunshine to enjoy and very low risk of rain.

What You’ll See Snorkeling in Sharm El Sheikh

The aquatic life in Sharm el Sheikh is very rich. Thanks to the region’s underwater topography and geographic features, the area receives nutrient-rich deep-sea currents. Therefore, the reefs here are the most beautiful coral reefs in the Red Sea. These fringing and hermatypic-type reefs provide a home to a diverse range of marine life, including over 220 coral and 1000 reef fish species, invertebrates, crustaceans, marine mammals, and pelagic fish.

Hotels in Sharm El Sheikh with Great Snorkeling

Choosing the right place to stay is a crucial part of the vacation planning. It takes a lot of time and energy to read reviews and find a hotel that will meet your needs, especially if you have special expectations, such as a good house reef. This Sharm el Sheikh best snorkeling hotels list includes our favorite five resorts where you can reach the best sites easily from the shore.

Coral Sea Sensatori

The Coral Sea Sensatori 5* is a modern hotel that meets European standards. Staying here provides you easy access to the Ras Ghamila beautiful reefs through the hotel’s own floating jetty.

Sensatori has a huge, well-kept garden, a promenade, and a bazaar area where you can go for nice evening walks. Offering fantastic food choices in six restaurants and top-notch service provided by professional, English-speaking staff, this resort is one of the best in the Al Montazah suburb.

For more info, read our Coral Sea Sensatori Resort snorkeling post.

Baron Resort

A popular choice among European and American travelers, the Baron Resort 5* is a comfortable and relaxing hotel with excellent service, friendly staff, and great activities for adults and children. The buildings are in a lovely tropical garden, surrounded by hundreds of palm trees and waterfalls.

The water is relatively shallow in front of the hotel’s jetty with a stunning house reef. Should this not satisfy you, two prime snorkeling sites are within short distance: the Ras Ghamila on the left and the Ras Nasrani on the right.

Pickalbatros Palace

With direct access to the Ras Bob and Ras Nasrani reefs, the Pickalbatros Palace 5* (ex Cyrene Grand) is a lovely, recently renovated hotel. It features a nice garden and an excellent view of the Tiran Island.

This resort is recommended for those who seek a good value for money deal. We stayed in the Albatoros Palace two times and were satisfied with it. We loved that we could snorkel for long hours along the shoreline and have easy access to the best snorkeling spots in Sharm el Sheikh, including the Ras Nasrani and Ras Bob reefs.

Coral Beach Montazah

The Coral Beach Montazah Resort 4* is a budget-friendly Egyptian-style hotel in the middle of the Montazah area. You can enter the water directly from the hotel’s jetty and find yourself in a picturesque coral garden. Swimming to the right, you can discover the Ras Nasrani. On the left side, you can explore Ras Ghamila.

Jaz Fanara Resort

Located in Hadaba-El Fanar, directly at Ras Um Sid dive and snorkel site, the Jaz Fanara Resort and Residence 4* is definitely one of the best places to stay if you are looking for prime snorkeling in Sharm el Sheikh.

This resort has wonderful views and a family-friendly atmosphere. Staying here offers a fantastic snorkeling experience both for beginners and advanced snorkelers, as there are shallow and deeper areas to explore.

Reef Oasis Beach Resort

The Reef Oasis Beach Resort 4* lies in the middle of Fanara Bay, next to the Jaz Fanara. There is easy snorkeling right from the shore, while you can reach the Ras Um Sid, and also the Ras Kathy and Temple reefs from here. This is an excellent choice for families and couples who wish to enjoy the Red Sea’s beautiful marine life while staying in a top-rated all-inclusive hotel.

What to Pack for Snorkeling in Sharm El Sheikh

Once you have decided to book your trip to Sharm el Sheikh, it is time to pack your bags! Here’s a list of what items we recommend bringing:

• Snorkeling gear: Although it is possible to rent snorkel gear at most hotels and even the tours provide it, the best is to bring your own for hygiene reasons.
• Sun protection clothing and sunscreen: UV radiation is extreme in Egypt. To avoid sunburn, wear a rash guard when snorkeling and apply reef-safe sunscreen on areas not covered by UV protective clothing.
• Waterproof camera: you will discover the world’s finest coral gardens, so it would be a shame not to capture this beauty; make sure to pack your snorkeling camera or GoPro.
• Snorkel bag/dry bag: an essential accessory to keep your belongings in one place and protect them from water.

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