Hurghada is one of Egypt’s leading snorkeling and diving destinations and a prime location for resort tourism. So what better place to plan a summer snorkeling adventure?
In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know for a safe and enjoyable snorkeling experience in Hurghada and introduce you to 10 of the most popular snorkeling and diving sites in and around Hurghada. Let’s dive right in!
Key Takeaways
- Hurghada offers amazing snorkeling with clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and lots of tropical fish, perfect for beginners and experienced snorkelers alike.
- The best snorkeling spots include Giftun Island, Abu Ramada Island, Shaab El Erg, Magawish Island, and more, mostly reached by boat.
- Always stay safe by snorkeling with a buddy, using well-fitting gear, checking water conditions, respecting marine life, and using reef-safe sunscreen.
- Choose your accommodation based on nearby snorkeling spots, with great options in Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna, Soma Bay, and Downtown Hurghada. Enjoy your underwater adventure!
Where to Stay in Hurghada? A Quick Overview
From Makadi Bay to Downtown Hurghada, these are the best hotels to stay at:
| Makadi Bay | Makadi Bay Spa Hotel | Click here for availability & rates |
| Sahl Hasheesh | KaiSol Romance Resort | Click here for availability & rates |
| El Gouna | Cook’s Club | Click here for availability & rates |
| Soma Bay | Amarina Abu Soma Resort | Click here for availability & rates |
| Downtown Hurghada | Meraki Resort | Click here for availability & rates |
A Quick Introduction to Hurghada’s Marine Life and Coral Reefs
Hurghada, located on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, offers clear waters with good visibility for snorkeling and diving. The area features coral reefs home to over 1,000 species of fish, including clownfish, angelfish, parrotfish, and sea turtles. The reefs consist mainly of hard and soft corals in various shapes, providing habitats for diverse marine life.
Water temperatures in the Red Sea remain warm throughout the year, allowing for snorkeling and diving in most seasons. Around Hurghada, you can find an active snorkeling scene with lots of providers of snorkeling equipment, diving classes and snorkeling excursions as well as a range of affordable hotels. These conditions make Hurghada suitable for both beginners and experienced snorkelers.
Why to Go Snorkeling in Hurghada (and Why Not)
Along with Sharm El-Sheikh and Dahab, Hurghada consistently ranks as one of the best snorkeling spots in Egypt and the wider Red Sea region. But who exactly is Hurghada perfect for?
Sharm El-Sheikh is the typical Red Sea resort city. It is home to countless all-inclusive resorts with private beaches and snorkeling excursions to places like Ras Mohammed. On the other side, Dahab is the picture-perfect backpacker destination. Here, you won’t find huge all-inclusive resorts and curated tour experience, but a large independent driving scene, affordable apartments and world-class snorkeling spots such as the Blue Hole.
And Hurghada? It is somewhere in the middle of both. While it does support a large tourism sector with a range of tourism resorts, it also has a lively independent diving scene residing in Al Kawthar, El Hadaba, the Intercontinental Area or El Gouna. In Hurghada, you will find everything for a laid-back holiday with snorkeling excursions to a lengthy stay with lots of independent adventures.
Can’t decide between Hurghada and Dahab? In this article we share with you, why we would always choose Dahab over Hurghada.
First Time Snorkeling? Stay Safe with These Tips
Exploring colourful coral reefs and encountering rare tropical fish is very exciting, but please remember to always stay safe during your snorkeling trip.
Is this your first time snorkeling? Follow these essential tips for first timers for a safe and enjoyable experience snorkeling in the Red Sea:
- Never snorkel alone: First and foremost, make sure to follow the golden rule of snorkeling and diving. Never ever snorkel alone. Make sure to always have at least one buddy with you when snorkeling to help out each other in case of an emergency.
- Use a fitting snorkel mask: Whether you are buying your own snorkeling equipment or renting equipment in Hurghada, make sure to use properly fitted snorkel masks and fins. This prevents annoying water leaks and discomfort when wearing for a longer time.
- Check conditions before snorkeling: For the best snorkeling experience, snorkel when the water is calm and the visibility is high. Always check the conditions of a snorkeling spot before entering. Avoid snorkeling under dangerous conditions such as high waves and strong currents.
- Respect marine life and coral reefs: Avoid touching any marine life and coral reefs when snorkeling. You are just a visitor in the marine world, so leave it in the same condition as when you came. Besides, some marine life is venomous and you don’t want to find out the hard way which is.
- Stay hydrated and use sunscreen: When exploring the underwater world, it is easy to forget about space and time – but your body won’t. So, make sure to drink lots of water before and after snorkeling and apply reef-safe sunscreen 15-30 minutes before your dive.
The Most Popular Snorkeling Spots in Hurghada (in No Specific Order)
While it is impossible to even name close to all of Hurghada’s snorkeling spots, that are worth a visit, we picked 10 of the most popular snorkeling sites that you can’t miss during your Hurghada holiday:
Giftun Island
If you choose Giftun Island for your snorkeling adventure, you will take a boat to reach its coral reefs filled with colorful fish. This spot suits both beginners and experienced snorkelers looking to explore the underwater world. There is no direct beach access; you must arrive by boat from Hurghada or nearby resorts. A word of caution, however: Giftun Island is very touristy.
Abu Ramada Island
When you visit Abu Ramada Island, you’ll snorkel from a boat around rocky areas and coral towers where many fish live. The clear water here makes for an enjoyable snorkeling experience. The island does not have a beach or walkway for easy access, so boat transport is necessary.
Shaab El Erg
Shaab El Erg is a great place to explore by boat if you want to see coral and tropical fish up close without many other snorkelers around. It offers a lively underwater scene for your snorkeling trip. There is no beach access as it’s quite far out in the sea, so you will reach it by boat only.
Magawish Island
Magawish Island is perfect if you prefer calm, shallow waters. You can snorkel from the shore here, making it ideal for families and beginners. The island has small beach areas and walkways, allowing easy shore access for snorkelers. The only transport you’ll need, is a boat from Downtown Hurghada.
El Aruk
At El Aruk, you’ll find coral towers rising near the surface. You’ll reach this spot by boat and discover a variety of marine life as you snorkel. There is no beach or walkway access, so boat arrival is required. Close-by you’ll also find the Underwater Military Museum, an underwater display of tanks and other heavily armoured military vehicles.
Fort Arabesque Coral Reef
Fort Arabesque Coral Reef near Makadi Bay is a well-preserved reef you can explore by boat. You’ll see different corals, fish and even turtles during your snorkeling session, if you are lucky. The reef is accessible mostly by boat, with only a private beach access from the Fort Arabesque Resort Hotel.
Makadi Bay Reef
Makadi Bay Reef offers clear water and many coral shapes. You can snorkel here from shore or by boat, making it a peaceful place to explore underwater. There are beaches and walkways nearby, providing easy shore access.
Ras Disha
Ras Disha located close to Sahl Hasheesh is a quieter spot with coral gardens and good visibility. You’ll want to take a boat to reach this calm snorkeling location. There is no direct beach access, so boat transport is needed.
Tobia Arba
Tobia Arba, also called The Seven Pillars, has many coral formations and fish to discover. It’s a popular choice for boat snorkeling trips if you want to see rich marine life. There is no beach or walkway access, so you must arrive by boat.
Salem Express Reef
If you’re interested in snorkeling near a shipwreck, Salem Express Reef near Soma Bay is a good option. You’ll reach it by boat and find many fish around the wreck. It goes without saying that this one of even more impressive when scuba diving. The reef does not have beach access and is only reachable by boat.
Where to Stay in Hurghada
Have you settled on the idea of snorkeling in Hurghada? Congrats! You are in for a treat of vibrant coral reefs and colorful fish.
If you are now wondering where you should stay in Hurghada, we have identified the five best areas to stay in while snorkeling in Hurghada:
- Makadi Bay: Located south of Hurghada, Makadi Bay offers prime snorkeling spots such as the Fort Arabesque Reef, the Makadi Bay Reef and Bimbo Island. In Makadi Bay, you will find higher-priced all-inclusive resorts, such as Sunrise Royal Makadi Resort (the affordable option), The Makadi Spa Hotel (the value pick) and Sunrise Tucana Resort Grand Select (the luxury option).
- Sahl Hasheesh: Located close to Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh also features some snorkeling spots such as Ras Disha and the Blue Lagoon which is good for windsurfing. Due to the lass attractive snorkeling spots, you can find cheaper resorts in Sahl Hasheesh, such as Flow Spectrum Resort (the affordable option), KaiSol Romance Resort (the value pick) and Premier Le Reve Hote & Spa (the luxury option).
- El Gouna: Located north of Hurghada, El Gouna is known for its modern and luxurious vibes. Along its several islands and lagoons, you can find snorkeling spots like Shaab El Erg and several great windsurfing spots. Accommodation options in El Gouna include boutique hotels and condos such as Creek Hotel and Residences (the affordable option), Cook’s Club (the value pick) and The Chedi (the luxury option).
- Soma Bay: A little further south than Makadi Bay, you will find Soma Bay, another resort town that takes the crown for the most luxurious accommodation options. Close to Soma Bay you will find prime snorkeling sites like Abu Soma Garden, Tobia Arba and the Salem Express Reef. In Soma Bay, you will find resort hotels such as JAZ Soma Beach (the affordable option), Amarina Abu Soma Resort (the value pick) and Steigenberger Resort Ras Soma (the luxury option).
- Downtown Hurghada: Some of the best snorkeling spots, however, are located close to Hurghada itself. Giftun Islands, Magawish Island and El Aruk are all just a stone’s throw from Downtown Hurghada. There, you will also find great boutique hotel and resort options such as Golden Sun Hotel (the affordable option), Meraki Resort (the value pick) and Pickalbatros Blu Spa Resort (the luxury option).
The Bottom Line
Hurghada is full of stunning coral reefs and incredible marine life. The snorkeling spots in Hurghada mentioned in the article barely scratch the surface of everything there is to see and explore in and around Hurghada.
So, before you board your flight to Hurghada make sure you know where exactly you will be staying – Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, El Gouna or Soma Bay – and have a look around there to find the best snorkeling opportunities close to your stay. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hurghada good for snorkeling?
Yes, Hurghada is great for snorkeling. Along with Sharm El-Sheikh and Dahab, Hurghada is regarded as one of the best snorkeling spots in Egypt and the Red Sea. Some of the best snorkeling sites in Hurghada include Giftun Island, Magawish Island and the Fort Arabesque Reef.
Does Hurghada have coral reefs?
Yes, Hurghada is home to extensive coral formations including colorful coral reefs and plenty of tropical fish, sea turtles, dolphins and even sharks. In close-by resort towns such as El Gouna, Makadi Bay and Soma Bay, you can find even more coral reefs.
Where in Egypt is the best for snorkeling?
The most popular snorkeling destinations in Egypt are Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh and Dahab, with some tourists also heading to Marsa Alam. The best snorkeling spot for you depends a lot on whether you prefer to stay in resort town such as Hurghada or to experience a more laid-back vibe such as Dahab.
Is it safe to swim in the Red Sea in Hurghada?
Yes, swimming in the Red Sea in and around Hurghada is considered safe with calm, crystal clear waters and well-protected beaches with shallow waters. While shark attacks do occur the are much rarer than the news make it seem. In 2025, there were only 11 fatal shark attacks in the whole world.
