Snorkeling in Egypt – Complete “Where to go” guide

Are you looking for the world’s most fascinating aquatic life? Then you should go snorkeling in Egypt! This country in northeastern Africa is a popular holiday destination and a paradise for snorkelers and divers, where you can discover the planet’s most diverse underwater ecosystems.

Egypt’s snorkeling sites never fail to amaze us. From the first time we dipped our head underwater here (which was more than 13 years ago!), we felt we were in heaven. Featuring pristine coral reefs, rich sea life, and incredibly clear waters, it is hard to beat the beauty of the Red Sea.

However, to witness its wonders, you need to know where to look for the best sites. Snorkeling is possible around all main resort cities of the Egyptian Riviera, but the areas differ regarding the shoreline’s characteristics and the quality of reefs. Therefore, we have prepared this guide for you about where you find the best snorkeling in Egypt and give you a brief overview of the top sites of each area, from the most popular Sharm el Sheikh, and Hurghada to the less-visited Marsa Alam, Dahab, and Taba regions.

Egypt Snorkeling Overview

• the Egyptian Red Sea offers some of the world’s best snorkeling with incredible marine biodiversity
• the best snorkeling you find in Sharm el Sheikh, Marsa Alam, and Dahab
• there are also good snorkeling sites around Hurghada and Taba
• snorkeling in Egypt is possible year-round, with the best time from May till October. If you want to avoid the summer heat, choose the shoulder seasons: late spring-early summer (from mid-May till mid-June) and late fall (from early October till mid-November)
• you can see some of the world’s healthiest coral reefs and a wide variety of sea creatures, including sea turtle species, big pods of dolphins, and the rare dugong (sea cow)

Best Snorkeling Spots In Egypt

Egypt’s tourism infrastructure is centered around bigger resort areas. Sharm el Sheikh, Marsa Alam, and Dahab are most suitable for advanced snorkelers, while you find beginner-friendly snorkeling around Hurghada and Taba.

If you are unsure which area to pick up for your vacation, here we give details on all main destinations so you can find the best place that suits your needs the most.

Sharm el Sheikh

Sharm el Sheikh is a modern tourist destination in the Sinai Peninsula. Undoubtedly, the region has started to boom because of the fantastic undersea life that awaits visitors here.

The city’s shoreline is characterized by fringing reefs including shallow plateaus and steep drop-offs that create ideal conditions for marine life to thrive; you can see incredible flora and fauna here.

What we like about snorkeling in Sharm el Sheikh the most is that the top sites are easily accessible from the shore; if you stay at hotels with good house reefs, you don’t need to go on boat trips to enjoy fantastic underwater sights.

The corals start growing from the shore, creating shallow shore reefs that extend 5-30 meters from the water’s edge, followed by vertical walls dropping off to depths of tens, sometimes hundreds of meters.

These significant depths ensure the reefs constantly receive nutrient-rich waters that make the corals extremely vibrant. Moreover, this explains why you can see big creatures such as manta rays or even a whale shark on top of regular reef visitors like moray eels, eagle rays, octopuses, and sea turtles here.

Best snorkeling areas in Sharm el Sheikh:

Al Montazah: characterized by shallow sandy lagoons and steep vertical walls, Sharm el Sheikh northern dive and snorkel spots in the Al Montazah suburb (Ras Nasrani, Ras Bob, and Ras Ghamila) are our personal favorites. This region is famous for its rich marine life and dense coral cover, including soft coral and Gorgonian Fans. However, since these reefs are subject to currents, we recommend them for advanced snorkelers only. With several fantastic hotels in all price ranges along the Al Montazah shore, this area is the perfect choice for serious underwater explorers looking for the best snorkeling in Egypt.

Hadaba (El Fanar) area: this sheltered bay in the southern part of Sharm el Sheikh is a popular choice among tourists because it is wind-protected. It doesn’t have such a steep drop-off as other snorkeling sites in the area; therefore, it is the most suitable for beginner snorkelers. You can access here three top spots: Ram Um El Sid, Temple Reef, and Ras Kathy.

Ras Mohammed National Park: covering an area of more than 480 km2 on land and sea, this protected marine park at the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula is a paradise for divers and snorkelers. At its incredible snorkeling sites like the Anemone City, Stingray Station, Yolanda Reef, you can discover untouched reefs with the region’s most beautiful corals and a diversity of marine species, including big Napoleon wrasses, lionfish, jackfish, tunas, batfish, Risso dolphins, and different shark species.

Sign up for a Ras Mohammed snorkeling tour and enjoy this incredible beauty!

Tiran Island: located in the narrowest section of the Straits of Tiran separating the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aqaba, Tiran Island has a variable underwater landscape. Thanks to the strait’s nutrient-rich deep sea currents, corals are building up massive structures here and the marine life is teeming: big schools of fish, Napoleon wrasses, and sea turtles are easy to encounter, while often dolphins, manta rays, and sharks can be spotted too. Tiran Island’s coral reefs (Gordon, Thomas, Wood House, and Jackson Reefs) were named after English cartographers who first created maps about this area in the 19th century.

Join a Tiran Island boat tour, and you’ll stop at 3 of the area’s best snorkeling spots where you can discover these reefs!

Hurghada

Hurghada, once a small fishing village, is the country’s main holiday complex these days. It has an old-town area with traditional bazaars selling perfumes, papyrus, and local spices, but the coastline is dotted with modern resorts.

Hurgdaha is the best choice for first-timers in Egypt. It allows visitors to make the most of their holiday by combining beach fun with visiting historical attractions like the Pyramids of Giza or The Valley of the Kings in Luxor.

If the primary purpose of your holiday is discovering the Red Sea’s underwater wonders, you need to know how/where to find good snorkeling in Hurghada. Many hotels have sandy beaches only, especially in the city center. There is little marine life in these places, and you might be disappointed.

But there are some areas where you find vibrant coral reefs, mainly in the south: Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, or Soma Bay offer access to vibrant coral gardens. These reefs are shallow without steep drop-offs, offering beginner-friendly snorkeling in Egypt.

Moreover, there are some nice boat-accessible snorkel sites near the coast where you can enjoy pristine beaches and swim with dolphins.

Best snorkeling spots around Hurghada:

Makadi Bay: the best snorkeling area near Hurghada is the Makadi Bay. With relatively shallow coral gardens and current-free water, this sheltered bay provides a fantastic experience for snorkelers at all levels. The extensive reef system is easily accessible from the shore by walking through the beach or wooden jetties.

Giftun Island: just about 45 km from the coastline, Giftun Island is one of the most popular boat excursions in Hurghada. It is famous for its beautiful natural landscape, postcard-perfect sandy beaches, and crystalline waters. The Island is home to popular beaches like Paradise Island Beach, Orange Bay, and Mahmya. Remember this when booking a Giftun Island tour; all boats are going to the same place but to a different part of the Island. These beaches are all sandy and are rather bathing beaches than snorkeling sites, but the boats stop at several nearby on the way to the Island where you can enjoy good snorkeling.

Sunken City – Sahl Hasheesh: Sunken City is an artificial reef in front of the Pyramisa Sahl Hasheesh Resort Hotel, approximately 20 km south of Hurghada Center. The lost city of Atlantis inspired this underwater installation and is definitely one of the most special snorkeling places in Egypt. If you are around, don’t miss out on exploring this exciting site where you can snorkel between undersea sculptures and observe how marine life turns them into an artificial reef.

Shaab El Erg Reef: if you want to swim with dolphins in Hurghada, this is where you need to go. The Shaab El Erg is a horseshoe-shaped reef system northeast of El Gouna. It features the Dolphin House and the Poseidon Garden snorkeling/diving sites. The Dolphin House is a great place to spot Bottlenose Dolphins, while at the shallow Poseidon Garden reef, you can observe many different kinds of colorful reef fish.

Sharm El Naga: this peaceful, protected bay lies only 40 km south of Hurghada City and is one of the most pristine snorkeling places in Egypt. Its shallow, clear waters make it a perfect place for novice snorkelers.

Marsa Alam

The Marsa Alam region is the perfect choice if you want a peaceful holiday far from the world’s noise and enjoy the best snorkeling in Egypt. This is the country’s southernmost region, which is less developed than the popular, more accessible resort cities.

Therefore, marine life is more untouched, and the corals are healthier than around the main tourist spots. Moreover, you can encounter more big sea creatures here, including some rare, endangered species.

Many people come snorkeling to Marsa Alam because this is the only place in Egypt where you can see dugongs (sea cows). Also, the region is famous for its giant sea turtles.

Although you need to know that Marsa Alam is a remote location, the hotels are far from the city and each other, so do not expect busy nightlife here. This is the place to enjoy nature and disconnect! The area could be windy, therefore we recommend choosing a hotel that is built in a wind-protected bay. We give some suggestions in our Marsa Alam snorkeling guide.

Best snorkeling sites in Marsa Alam:

Marsa Mubarak: if you want to encounter the famous dugong, visit Marsa Mubarak. This rare marine mammal resides in some specific bays along the coast, and Marsa Mubarak is one of those places where it is regularly spotted. The corals are not that nice in this bay, but you will get memories that last a lifetime when swimming along a sea cow!

Abu Dabbab: this sandy-bottomed bay is a beloved snorkeling site in Marsa Alam. Thanks to its extensive seagrass beds, it is a primary habitat for giant sea turtles, but leopard rays and guitar sharks can also be seen. On the sides of the bay, there are shallow reefs to discover.

Sataya Reef: the Sataya region is one of the most popular snorkeling places in Egypt. The reefs here are home to a large population of dolphins, so you can swim with them in their natural environment. A Sataya snorkeling trip is a long yet rewarding full-day excursion; the journey takes approximately 2 hours from Hamata Port, about 150 km south of Marsa Alam. It is a protected area, and the daily number of visitors is limited, therefore you should book your trip in advance.

Marsa Shagra: a little north of Marsa Alam, Marsa Shagra is a strictly protected area. Here, besides a wide variety of Red Sea corals and usual sea creatures, you can encounter larger marine animals, such as the rare dugong or a whale shark.

Lahami Bay: if you want to get away from everything, visit Lahami Bay, which is in the southernmost region of the Egyptian Riviera. With an advanced reef system consisting of shallow and deeper areas, this bay caters snorkelers at all levels.

Dahab

Dahab is the Sinai Peninsula’s most treasured diving and snorkeling destination. It lies approx. 80 kilometers northeast of Sharm el Sheikh, one hour drive from the Sharm el Sheikh International Airport.

This former fishing village is the best place to experience the country’s real side: you can visit Bedouin villages and fantastic land attractions here on top of discovering preserved reefs and stunning marine life.

This destination is not as modern as the other cities on this list. You find a few hotels belonging to big international chains here, but most accommodations adapted their service to the needs of divers, snorkelers, and freedivers. Therefore, there is a good variety of simpler, budget-friendly accommodations here.

We greatly enjoyed our time in Dahab; we loved the chill vibes and the fact that the shoreline was not overdeveloped. Dahab is a good choice if you are looking for a laid-back, authentic snorkeling destination in Egypt.

Dahab snorkel spots offer something for snorkelers at all levels. There are many snorkel sites along the coastline; most are easily accessible from the shore and are free to visit (except the Blue Hole).

Most popular Dahab snorkeling sites:

Blue Hole: this 130m deep underwater sinkhole is one of the most iconic diving and snorkeling sites in Egypt (also one of the most dangerous ones). Swimming over such great depths requires some courage, but snorkeling at the Blue Hole is a must if you are in Dahab.

Ras Abu Galum: a protected marine reserve where you can visit an authentic Bedouin village and snorkel over shallow, protected reefs. This snorkeling trip includes Ras Abu Galum and the Blue Hole, so you can visit two fantastic sites in one day!

Eel Garden: this sandy lagoon in the center of Dahab offers a unique sight: you can watch here how hundreds of garden eels dance on the seafloor to the rhythm of the currents!
Islands: an exciting site in south Dahab, where you can snorkel over giant underwater pinnacles colonized by massive corals and surrounded by big shoals of fish.

Three Pools: a beginner-friendly spot where you can discover a shallow coral garden built-up from three lagoons and a gradually sloping reef. At Three Pools, you can discover two additional sites since they are very close to each other, the Moray Garden and Golden Blocks.

Taba

Taba is the northernmost resort area of the Red Sea, close to the Israel border. It is a famous vacation spot with luxury resorts and picturesque views. This region is not exceptional regarding marine life, but those planning to spend their vacation in Taba might want to know if they can snorkel here.

Hotels in Taba Heights (Bayview Taba Heights and Strand Beach Resort) offer access to small offshore reefs. Again, snorkeling is not as good here as at the previously mentioned destinations, but first-timers will find it interesting. Moreover, there are some nearby snorkel sites you can visit with tours.

Snorkeling sites near Taba:

Fjord Bay: about 15 km south of Taba City, this protected bay has dazzling coral reefs and a unique underwater landscape that is a must-see! There are two good snorkeling sites here, the Taba Hole and the Fjord Banana Reef. The Hole is an excellent spot for divers and freedivers, with an impressive coral bed at 16 m deep and a hole at 24 m where you can observe glassfish. The Banana Reef is a shallow banana-shaped reef with a maximum depth of 12 m, offering easy snorkeling.

Pharaoh’s Island: a granite atoll surrounded by nice coral reefs, also called Coral Island, is available by a short boat trip from Taba. The Island is famous for the Crusaders’ citadel, which has been on the Unesco World Heritage List since 2003. You find the Picasso Reef near the Island, which offers top snorkeling with many colorful fish (including Picasso fish) and huge table coral colonies to see.

Abu Lou Lou Reef – Nuweiba: this nice shallow spot lies halfway between Dahab and Taba, at the Coral Resort Nuweiba. The Abu Lou Lou Reef is known as “lionfish city” because of the many lionfish present here. You can see not only lionfish but also pufferfish, surgeonfish moray eels, and sometimes turtles too. Abu Lou Lou is a good choice for beginners with an average depth of between 5 and 20 meters.

Best Time To Go

One of the best things about Egypt is that it can be visited year-round. While many snorkeling destinations have monsoon, trade-wind seasons or just winter months with low sea temperatures, these will not happen in Egypt.

Snorkeling in Egypt is possible in all seasons. The country has a desert climate with dry, hot summers and mild winters. The water temperature reaches 29-30 °C (84.2/86 °F) in the summer months, during July-August, while the daily highest air temperatures are between 40-44 °C (104/111.2 °F). Practicing water activities makes the heat bearable, but those who cannot stand such high temperatures are better off avoiding these months.

The weather is the coldest in December and January; sea temperatures drop to 20-21 °C (68/69.8 °F), while the air temps are around 23/24 °C (73/75 °F) on average This might seem cold compared to the summer temperatures, but remember that such temperatures are summer-like in many countries. If you come in the winter season, wearing a 3 mm wetsuit might be helpful for your comfort, although some people swim without it.

With that said, the best periods for snorkeling in Egypt are the late spring- early summer and autumn months! We recommend planning your trip between early May and late June or mid-September and late November. During these times, the water is pleasantly warm, but the air temperatures are not too high.

Also, keep in mind that the sun is really strong year-round in Egypt, so always take care of UV Protection and use reef-safe sunscreen!

What Can You See While Snorkeling In Egypt?

The Red Sea is famous for its biodiversity: more than 1200 species of reef fish and 300 species of coral were identified in these waters. The sea’s fortunate geographic location protects it from strong currents and major storms, allowing marine life to thrive. The Red Sea corals are extremely tolerant to extreme temperatures and resistant to bleaching; the Great Fringing Reef of the Red Sea in Egypt was even declared a Hope Spot.

Conclusion

We think that an Egypt snorkeling vacation is excellent value for the money. The Red Sea offers a lot of things to see, with amazing corals and many interesting creatures, including rare creatures. The weather conditions are perfect year-round, and there is a wide range of hotels in all price categories. Therefore, we highly recommend to all sea lovers to visit the country for snorkeling; we guarantee that you will fall in love with the beauty you find here. We hope our recommendations help you make your holiday plans. Read our other Egypt posts for more information on the locations, or contact us if you have any questions!

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