Sharm el Sheikh best snorkeling places and hotels

Egypt is famous for its vibrant underwater life and visiting Sharm el Sheikh best snorkeling places will allow you to see the Red Sea’s finest coral gardens. The city has a long coastline fringed by healthy reefs that are easily accessible at several spots from the shore. In this guide, we share with you what are the best locations and hotels to stay for those who look for easy shore snorkeling in Sharm el Sheikh!

Sharm el Sheikh best snorkeling spots

Many people agree that Sharm el Sheikh is the top destination to go if it comes to snorkeling in Egypt. With stunning coral reefs, big schools of tropical fish, turtles, stingrays, occasional mantas and whale sharks sightings, this location an underwater paradise.

Although almost all resorts have beach access offering snorkeling from the shore, but for the best holiday experience, we recommend you to look for a hotel that locates directly in one of Sharm el Sheikh best snorkeling regions. To know where are the corals the prettiest, we provide you here with a list that features many details as well as what-to-see info about the best spots to snorkel in Sharm el Sheikh. Let’s discover the stunning coral reefs of the Montazah and El Fanar area!

Tip: From our Egypt travel tips you can get some useful advice on how to prepare for a safe holiday!

Al Montazah area

If you want to explore Sharm El Sheikh best snorkeling spots, the perfect place to stay is definitely the Al Montazah region. This area is just a 15 minutes drive from the Sharm el Sheikh Airport and has a wide variety of hotels to choose from. The long coastline of the Montazah is considered having the healthiest corals and divided into 3 areas, the Ras Nasrani, Ras Ghamila and Ras Bob reefs.

Ras Nasrani

In Arabic, Ras Nasrani means Christian’s Head means. This rich coral wall can be found between the Albatros Palace Sharm (ex Grand Cyrene and Melia Sharm) and Sunrise Remal Beach Resort (ex Melia Sinai, Melton Beach) hotels. The water is deeper from the Albatros’ side, but there is a shallow area in front of the Remal Beach.

Here you find a nice lagoon with sandy bottom, good light conditions and many playful fish including napoleon wrasses and sometimes turtles! By good visibility, you might see gorgonian corals in the deeper waters (at about 18-20 m).

If you leave the sandy lagoon and swim alongside the reef, the water will be deeper, this area is for advanced snorkellers! Stay close to the coral wall and watch the currents!

The Ras Nasrani’s long coral wall offers the best Sharm el Sheikh snorkeling experience with shoals of sergeant majors, surgeonfish, colorful sea clams, scorpionfish, crocodile fish, and lionfish to see. Observe the wide variety of coral colonies that give home to thousands of fish!  In the deep, you might spot blue eagle rays too! The luckiest snorkellers and divers use to see manta rays or even whale sharks here!

Ras Ghamila

The name Ras Ghamila means delightful Cape in Arabic. This area starts at Coral Sea Sensatori Resort, the end of the site is marked by a green beacon. If you go snorkeling here, always check the currents; sometimes they could be strong.

The reef is relatively shallow (10-15 m) with sandy bottom. We were impressed by the underwater landscape here that features coral heads, pinnacles and small caverns. The Ras Ghamila has the largest number of sea fans in the region.

Expect to see turtles, eagle and fantail rays, crocodile and lionfish! Big school of bannerfish, butterfly fish and of course clownfish, sergeant major fish, surgeon and parrotfish, hawkfish and pufferfish are also around. Those who love to look for miniature sea creatures can find some nudibranchs and sea worms!

Ras Bob

Ras Bob is an easy snorkeling and diving place right next to the Melton Beach’s floating platform. It is sheltered from wind and waves with no strong currents. The place got its name after Bob Johson underwater cameraman who worked in this region for many years.

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

Ras Um Sid – El Fanar Beach

The El Fanar or Faraana Bay is definitely heaven for underwater explorers! This big bay is sheltered by high cliffs that guarantee an absolutely stunning view. The left corner of the bay is known as Ras Um Sid that is definitely a must-visit one of Sharm el Sheikh best snorkeling spots. Thanks to the constant nutrient-rich currents, the reef is teeming with life! You will be amazed by the amount of fish and the abundance of corals when snorkeling here!

You can visit this spot even if you are staying at a different hotel through the El Fanar Beach for a small fee. The Ras Um Sid is an easy-to-visit site, but the El Fanar Bay offers two further Sharm el-Sheikh best snorkeling spots, the Temple Reef and the Ras Kathy area. However, these are recommended for advanced snorkelers only. For more information on these places, read our Jaz Fanara snorkeling review!

Tip: If you want to participate in an adventurous tour while in Sharm, check out the Million Hope Shipwreck snorkeling!

Sharm el Sheikh best snorkeling hotels

We know from personal experience that choosing the right place to stay during your vacation is a crucial part of the holiday planning. It takes a lot of time and energy to go through on all the reviews and find the one that meets all the needs. With this Sharm el Sheikh best snorkeling hotels selection, we’d like to help you with some where-to-stay ideas with a list that includes the best resorts around the above-mentioned snorkeling places.

Coral Sea Sensatori

The Coral Sea Sensatori 5* is a modern hotel that meets European standards. The staff is very professional, English speaking. There is a huge well-kept garden and promenade that are perfect for nice evening walks.  The hotel has an adults-only section as well. From here, you will have easy access to the Ras Ghamila beautiful reefs through the hotel’s own floating jetty. For more info, read our Coral Sea Sensatori Resort snorkeling post.

Albatros Palace

With direct access to the Ras Bob and Ras Nasrani reefs, the Albatros Palace 5* (ex Cyrene Grand) is a lovely recently renovated hotel. It features a nice garden and an excellent view to the Tiran Island. Recommended for those who seek a good value for money place to stay close to Sharm el-Sheikh best snorkel spots.

Coral Beach Montazah

The Coral Beach Montazah Resort 4* is a budget Egyptian-style hotel right in the middle of the Montazah area. You can enter the deeper water from the hotel’s jetty. Perfect location for travelers who seek a simpler accommodation close to Sharm el-Sheikh best-snorkeling sites.  Swimming to the right from the hotel, you can discover the Ras Nasrani. On the left side, you can explore Ras Ghamila.

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 water is relatively shallow in front of the hotel’s jetty, the house reef is stunning. It has a nice tropical garden with hundreds of palm trees, two huge swimming pools with waterfalls. Shops are also available within walking distance.

Jaz Fanara Resort

Located directly at Ras Um Sid, the Jaz Fanara Resort and Residence 4* is definitely one of the best Sharm el Sheikh snorkeling hotels with a wonderful view and a family-friendly atmosphere. Staying here offers an easy snorkeling experience in shallow water for both for beginners and advanced snorkelers.

Reef Oasis Beach

Right next to the Jaz Fanara, the Reef Oasis Beach Resort 4* lies in the middle of the Um El Sid hill overlooking the Temple Reef. Great for families and couples who wish to enjoy the Red Sea’s beautiful marine life while staying in a good all-inclusive hotel.

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