Diving and snorkeling in the Red Sea is by far the best leisure activity on holiday in Egypt. Magnificent colorful coral reefs, exotic fish, rock formations and sea creatures such as turtles and manatees (dugongs) await you. Even if you're not the water rat, you should go snorkeling in Egypt. What is there to discover? Where are the most beautiful house reefs in Egypt? And what should you definitely pay attention to? I have put together the most important information for you with my tips and experiences for snorkeling in the Red Sea.

The most beautiful thing is the windless, early morning, when most holidaymakers are in the Hotel still sleeping, the sun is slowly crawling over the horizon and the sea is as smooth as glass. You feel the warmth on your skin and have the first coffee of the day in your hand. And you think: Should I or shouldn't I? I would actually like to jump in, but the water already looks cold and I'm still tired. I'm telling you: do it - go snorkeling in the Red Sea and experience the magic of the underwater world in this unique place.

Grab your diving mask, snorkel, fins and your inflatable life buoy, head to the jetty and be the first on the house reef. Jump into the water and immerse yourself in the fascinating underwater world while snorkeling in the Red Sea in Egypt. What is there to discover? And what should you definitely pay attention to?

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Snorkeling in Egypt - What you absolutely need to know

A brief overview

• The Red Sea is one of the best areas for diving and snorkeling.
• If you are vacationing in Egypt, you should definitely snorkel or dive in the Red Sea.
• You don't have to paddle far out and you will see colorful corals, exotic fish and fascinating sea creatures such as turtles, rays or manatees very close to the beach.

My experiences snorkeling in the Red Sea

Diving and snorkeling in the Red Sea is so breathtakingly beautiful. And probably my most important experience is that snorkeling in Egypt is beautiful almost everywhere. You will find more or less intact coral reefs everywhere that have not fallen victim to coral bleaching. On the contrary, the reefs have actually recovered and now look better than they did 20 years ago.

You can hardly go on a dive or snorkeling trip without encountering a large sea turtle or at least a blue spotted ray - not to mention lots of colorful fish. Diving and snorkeling in the Red Sea is beautiful almost everywhere and you will discover so much in a very short time.

I was particularly impressed by two experiences: firstly, snorkeling with the Marsa Alam manatee and secondly, the numerous encounters with turtles and also wild dolphins, which with a bit of luck you can go snorkeling with on a diving safari.

When you snorkel with a large sea turtle for half an hour and it isn't afraid at all and you can watch it in peace, that's a very special moment. It's similar with the manatee, which you first have to find - and once you spot it, you can spend a while snorkeling with the friendly animals in the Red Sea.

My experiences snorkeling in the Red Sea have been very positive so far throughout the country. The house reefs of the hotels and resorts are all a bit similar - and yet each one has its own special features. I've often snorkeled and dived at Marsa Alam, but also further north at El Quseir, Safaga, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, in Hurghada and on the Sinai in Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab. Where was it most beautiful? I’ll tell you that further down in the post.

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Snorkeling in Egypt - the most beautiful house reefs in the Red Sea

Of course, my ranking of the most beautiful house reefs in Egypt only includes snorkeling spots where I have already snorkeled or dived myself. As already mentioned, there are several great house reefs where you can snorkel in the Red Sea. I would therefore rather not base my choice of hotel or resort on the house reef.

You can tend to assume that a great hotel with good reviews will also have a sizable house reef for diving and snorkeling in the Red Sea. Every diving center and every hotel will tell you that their house reef is the most beautiful one around. So the ranking only says one thing – where I enjoyed snorkeling in Egypt the most.

1. El Quadim Bay at El Quseir

A paradise for divers and snorkelers is El Quadim Bay near El Quseir, which belongs to the exclusive Mövenpick Resort. The house reef is one of the most beautiful and diverse in the Red Sea and offers fascinating experiences for both beginners and advanced divers. The bay is criss-crossed by numerous erks overgrown with colorful corals and sponges and is home to rich fish life. From surgeonfish and moray eels to turtles and rays, you can discover everything here.

In the shallow part of the bay there is a macro spot that is particularly interesting for photographers. There you can observe tiny creatures such as seahorses, ghost pipefish or nudibranchs. If you are lucky, you can also encounter larger sea creatures such as dolphins or even whale sharks in the bay, which sometimes stray into the calm waters. El Quadim Bay is a real insider tip for anyone who wants to experience the beauty and diversity of the Red Sea up close.

2. Marsa Mubarak at Port Ghalib (Marsa Alam)

Marsa Mubarak is one of the most popular bays near Port Ghalib (Marsa Alam) by a Manatee in Egypt to experience. Manatees, also known as dugongs, are fascinating marine mammals that look like they've stepped straight out of a fantasy movie. Very peaceful and graceful, they feed mainly on seaweed, which they tear off the seabed with their movable lower lips. Manatees are very shy and not easy to spot, but there is a good chance of finding them in Marsa Mubarak.

To snorkel with a manatee in Egypt, you need to take a boat that departs from Port Ghalib or Marsa Alam and takes around 20 minutes to reach the bay. Once there, you can either jump into the water from the boat or go to the beach and walk into the sea from there. The water is very clear and shallow and you can see the manatees from the surface as they come up to breathe. They surface about every 10 minutes and then stay on the surface for a few seconds before diving back down. If you're lucky, you can swim with this fascinating creature for a while and observe it up close.

In addition to the manatees, there are many other sea creatures to discover in Marsa Mubarak, e.g. B. Turtles, rays, reef sharks, Napoleon fish and colorful corals. The bay is a paradise for snorkelers and divers who want to explore the wonderful underwater world of Egypt. Marsa Mubarak is an unforgettable experience for all nature lovers and a highlight of any holiday in Port Ghalib or Marsa Alam.

3. Sharm El Naga near Safaga

Sharm El Naga is an idyllic place for those looking for peace and nature. The small bay is about 40 kilometers south of Hurghada and can only be reached via a gravel road. Here you will find a fine sandy beach that slopes gently into the turquoise blue water. The special thing about Sharm El Naga is the offshore fringing reef, which you can easily reach via a jetty. The reef is a paradise for snorkelers and divers, as it is home to a variety of colorful fish and corals. With a bit of luck you can even see turtles, dolphins or whale sharks. The reef is part of a nature reserve and is therefore carefully maintained.

4. The Breakers Soma Bay

If you want to experience the fascinating underwater world of the Red Sea up close, The Breakers Soma Bay Hotel is the perfect place for you. The hotel is located directly on a beautiful house reef that inspires both snorkelers and divers. You can easily drive a golf cart along a long jetty to the outside of the fringing reef, where you have a gentle entry into the crystal clear water. The house reef offers you a variety of colorful corals and exotic fish that you can admire at your leisure.

5. Cleopatra Luxury Resort Makadi Bay

The Cleopatra Luxury Resort in Makadi Bay is known for its lively atmosphere and the many boats docked at the on-site jetty. In contrast to many other dive sites, the house reef here does not extend along a fringing reef, but is located directly next to a seagrass meadow that protrudes into the bay. But don't let that fool you, as these conditions still offer top-notch snorkeling conditions.

During your snorkeling adventure at the Cleopatra Luxury Resort, you can expect breathtaking coral formations that glow in a variety of colors and shapes. They form an ideal habitat for a variety of marine life. If you're lucky, you'll even meet curious sea turtles that move through the crystal clear water and captivate you.

6. Cleopatra Luxury Resort Sharm El Sheikh

One of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Red Sea is to snorkel at the house reef at Cleopatra Luxury Resort in Sharm El Sheikh. The resort is located directly on a fringing reef that is home to a variety of colorful fish and corals. You reach the house reef via a short jetty that leads you directly into the clear and warm water. There you can let yourself be carried by the current and explore the fascinating underwater world.

7. Three Corners Equinox in Marsa Alam

An unforgettable highlight of my diving vacation in Marsa Alam was the encounter with a manatee on the house reef of the Three Corners Equinox. This resort offers a great location for divers who want the chance to see a dugong. This rare and fascinating marine mammal sporadically comes to the house reef to feed on the seagrass meadows.

If you're lucky, you'll be able to watch him up close and even interact with him. The house reef is also very beautiful and varied, with lots of colorful fish and corals. It is easily accessible and suitable for both beginners and experienced divers. I can recommend Three Corners Equinox to anyone who wants a relaxing yet exciting diving holiday in Marsa Alam.

Do you prefer diving or snorkeling in the Red Sea?

Personally, I would always prefer diving to snorkeling because then you are more flexible and can also go to places that you don't necessarily get to as a snorkeler. If a turtle swims 20 meters below you while you're snorkeling, you can't even dive straight down - unless you're an experienced freediver. With the diving device you can approach marine animals even at greater depths. However, you don't necessarily have a choice: If you don't have a diving license, your only option is snorkeling to immerse yourself in the underwater world.

It would be advisable to get your diving license at home before your holiday in Egypt so that you can go diving in Egypt. You can also learn to dive on site, but of course you will lose valuable vacation days. That's why I would always recommend getting your diving license before your vacation and then starting diving straight away. You can also go snorkeling in the Red Sea - one doesn't exclude the other.

Rent snorkeling equipment or take it with you?

I would generally take the snorkeling equipment with me when snorkeling in Egypt. Then you have your own equipment that you can familiarize yourself with at home. What you should definitely have with you if you are on a beach vacation in Egypt and want to swim and snorkel there are:

• Water shoes and booties to protect against sharp stones
• a light diving suit or shorty as protection against sharp corals and hypothermia
• your diving mask with snorkel or full face mask
• High-quality diving fins – either light travel fins or diving fins
• Inflatable life buoy or borrowed life jacket
• Smartwatch to record swimming activity
• Photo camera in an underwater housing - you would probably regret it if you met the manatee and couldn't take a photo

If you can't fit all of these things in your suitcase because your airline limits the weight of luggage, you can skip the fins and the shorty. You can rent both on site. When it comes to diving masks and snorkels, I would always use my own, familiar model.

Safety tips for snorkeling in the Red Sea

The Red Sea is treacherous - the wind can pick up quite quickly and there are almost always surface currents that you may not see before snorkeling. In this respect, you should always follow a few safety tips when snorkeling in the Red Sea to avoid getting injured, drifting or even drowning.

• Never go snorkeling alone in the Red Sea, but always with at least two people and, if possible, under the supervision of a lifeguard.
• Familiarize yourself with your snorkeling equipment before snorkeling in the Red Sea.
• Be sure to follow the safety instructions on signs and lifeguards on site at all times - especially the flags.
• Keep an eye on the weather forecast – especially the wind.
• When there are waves, stay in the sheltered lagoon and do not swim to the outer reef.
• Keep your distance from turtles, dolphins and manatees so as not to scare the animals.
• Keep your distance from corals and dangerous fish such as stonefish and triggerfish to avoid injuring the animals or yourself.
• Always use an inflatable life buoy like the Restube (test) or rent a life jacket on site.

Once you're there, you may get the impression that these safety precautions are not necessary. My experience is that the Red Sea can be treacherous - waves and currents in particular can be tough on you when snorkeling in Egypt. So it's better to be on the safe side, protect yourself, your snorkel buddy and the wildlife in the sea.

Book your well-deserved vacation now!

Book your dream vacation now at favorable conditions on the renowned booking portal HolidayCheck – top rated by Stiftung Warentest (01/2024). Click and browse now!

Snorkeling in the Red Sea in Egypt – is it better to pack snorkeling equipment?

My conclusion

Snorkeling in the Red Sea in Egypt is simply fantastic - and should definitely not be missed on any trip to the land of the pharaohs. Many holidaymakers want to go on a beach holiday in Egypt and snorkeling is a refreshing change. The underwater world in the Red Sea is so beautiful that snorkeling in Egypt is a must. Even if you're not a water lover and maybe you didn't plan on going snorkeling, you should give it a try.

If in doubt, as an inexperienced snorkeler, you should get instructions from the local water sports center and definitely use an inflatable life buoy or borrow a life jacket. Snorkeling in Egypt is definitely one of the leisure activities that you shouldn't miss out on because it makes your vacation in the land of the pharaohs very special.

Have you already snorkeled in Egypt or are you planning your first snorkeling tour? Where do you really want to go snorkeling? Share your experiences in the comments.