The Red Sea in Egypt is one of the most beautiful places to see turtles. By now there are probably hundreds that I have seen over time in the land of the Pharaohs. Every encounter with a sea turtle in the Red Sea is unique. Which turtles can you see? And where is the best place to find them? In my experience report I have put together all the information you need if you want to snorkel or dive with the animals.

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I had a moment like that recently Snorkeling in Abu Dabbab. Somewhat secluded on the fringing reef, where there were no other snorkelers, a small shadow suddenly appeared in the distance in the deep blue of the Red Sea. I think: Maybe that's one Any or a tuna? An eagle ray perhaps? What could that be?

No, everything wrong. I see a green sea turtle coming straight towards me from a distance, very leisurely and relaxed, without any fear. Curious as ever, she swims a few meters away directly past me to the beautiful, colorful coral reef to feed on it. I follow her from a distance and watch her from my position snorkelers.

A memorable encounter

We move to the top of the reef, where the water is only about a meter deep. And here too the reptile is not shy. She comes towards me, watches me. Occasionally she surfaces to take a breath. But she doesn't move away. And so our encounter drags on for half an hour. Like here in Abu Dabbab I had at Diving and snorkeling, I have had several encounters with turtles in the Red Sea in Egypt.

And every moment of it was as special as this one because the animals just look like they come from another world. And when you look at them up close and see their individual patterns on their shells, this impression only increases. Even after dozens of encounters over the last few years, this is still something special for me.

Video – Snorkeling with a turtle in Marsa Alam

Below I have picked out a video for you in which you can see how incredibly beautiful it is to snorkel with a turtle in the Red Sea in Egypt. It's really crazy and always a great experience.

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The Red Sea in Egypt – one of the best places for turtle encounters

In my opinion, the Red Sea is one of the best places to see sea turtles in their natural habitat. Egypt is pretty easy and quick to get to from Europe – you only have to fly 4,5 to five hours. On the other hand, the animals are still relatively common around the popular holiday resorts between Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay, Safaga via El Quseir to Marsa Alam.

So you have a good chance of seeing the animals there. Similar height to that on Maldives or Mauritius. The situation in Southeast Asia is different - for example Thailand – where stocks are sometimes significantly reduced. Sea turtles are therefore seen less frequently. Below I would like to share my experiences and tips with you to help you see sea turtles while diving and snorkeling on your Red Sea holiday in Egypt.

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My experiences with sea turtles in the Red Sea in Egypt

In the past few years I've been diving about 20 times Snorkeling in Egypt and was able to see an incredible number of animals in the Red Sea there - like this one Manatee from Marsa Alam, dolphins and sharks in Egypt. This is by far not everything. While diving and snorkeling, you will see an incredible number of exciting creatures such as eagle rays, moray eels and many other exotic sea creatures that do not exist in Europe.

But I don't think I've spent more time with any animal in the Red Sea than sea turtles. Sometimes, when they weren't shy, we swam together for half an hour or more. Such an encounter can sometimes lead to a real interaction if you don't shy away from the turtle and allow it. You have to pay attention to the animal's signals. If it swims away, leave it alone. If it stays or comes closer, you can react accordingly.

Three species are particularly common in Egypt: the loggerhead sea turtle, the green sea turtle and the leatherback sea turtle. But the latter is very, very rare. Most often I met you green sea turtle. And if you also want to meet the animals, I'll try to give you a few tips below to help you find them.

Where to snorkel and dive with turtles in the Red Sea?

After the question, let's start with where. Where do you find sea turtles in the Red Sea in Egypt? Quite simply: basically everywhere. If I were a turtle, I would steer clear of Hurghada, but in general you can even find the animals here if your hotel has a house reef where you can snorkel. If not, you can go on a snorkeling trip. If you plan it with experienced guides from a diving school, you will definitely have a good chance of seeing turtles in Hurghada.

You have good chances in Sharm El Sheikh

In Sharm El Sheikh there is the large Ras Mohammed National Park. The turtles can spread there relatively unmolested. In this respect, you have a pretty good chance of encountering sea turtles there. The views are similarly good in the Strait of Tiran - for example at Jackson Reef. If you snorkel or dive on your home reef in Sharm El Sheikh, the chances are so mediocre. You can be lucky there.

Lots of sea turtles in Makadi Bay, Soma Bay and Safaga

I have had very good experiences with turtle encounters in the three popular holiday resorts of Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, Sharm El Naga, Soma Bay and Safaga, all of which are south of Hurghada. You have a pretty good chance of meeting the animals on the house reefs.

You can also book snorkeling trips – for example to the Giftun Islands off Hurghada or to Ras Abu Soma off Soma Bay. By the way, you can also meet other animals there, such as whale sharks or dolphins. My only encounter with a whale shark so far was off Safaga. And you often find dolphins there because they are curious and come to the excursion boat.

High chances of turtle encounters in Marsa Alam and El Quseir

Basically, my experience has been that the further south of Egypt you go, the more likely you are to encounter turtles. In the El Quseir region, the chances of encounters increase significantly. And the best opportunities to dive and snorkel with sea turtles are in the entire Marsa Alam region. If you want to increase your chances of spotting sea turtles while vacationing in Egypt, consider booking a hotel with a good house reef in the area. This significantly increases the chances of encounters.

Best chances for turtles in Abu Dabbab

I saw the most turtles in the area around Marsa Alam. These include the areas of Port Ghalib, Marsa Mubarak (Marsa Mares) and Abu Dabbab. In Abu Dabbab I saw more turtles than ever before during the three weeks I was there. Sometimes two animals at the same time. They are just everywhere and usually sit on the seagrass meadow because they feed on seaweed.

Since the structure of the bay is very similar, I also had exciting encounters there. And I also met the manatee in question there. I experienced something similar in Marsa Mubarak (Marsa Mares). It's literally teeming with turtles there.

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Tips for your encounter with turtles in the Red Sea

Basically, if you want to watch turtles while snorkeling and diving on vacation, your best chances are in the south of Egypt. The following applies: the lonelier and more remote a bay is and the fewer snorkelers and divers in the water, the better the chances of meeting sea turtles and other creatures such as manatees, rays, sharks, whale sharks and dolphins.

In the near future we would like to go further south of Egypt - towards Hamata, where it is even more remote and lonely. The encounters are correspondingly more frequent. Here are a few tips to make your encounters with turtles even more enjoyable:

1. Find a hotel in Egypt with a good house reef for snorkeling and diving
2. Find out more locally - for example from the lifeguards on the beach - where turtles are often spotted. They actually always know.
3. When you snorkel, always go in pairs.
4. If you want to see turtles while diving in Egypt, let your local dive center know. They usually know at which dive sites turtles are particularly frequently spotted.
5. If you have spotted a turtle, you can be happy. Behave cautiously. Watch carefully how the turtle reacts to you. Is she swimming away, is she coming closer? React accordingly and keep a respectful distance.
6. If you are relatively close to the turtle because it is coming towards you, hold an object such as your GoPro between you. Turtles have razor-sharp jaws and like to snap just out of curiosity.

What turtles are there in the Red Sea in Egypt?

Below I have listed everything you need to know about the three species of turtles in the Red Sea. These three are the most common. The loggerhead sea turtle and the green sea turtle are far more common, at least near the beach, than the giant leatherback turtle, which I have never seen before. I've only heard of rare encounters.

Art	Scientific name	Description	Frequency in the Red Sea
Loggerhead sea turtle	Eretmochelys imbricata	Distinctive shell with overlapping scales, lives on coral reefs.	Often
Green sea turtle	Chelonia mydas	Wider, smoother shell, feeds primarily on seagrass.	Often
Leatherback turtle	Dermochelys coriacea	Largest of all sea turtles, leathery, non-scaly shell.	Less often

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Encounters with turtles in Egypt on the Red Sea

My conclusion

I'll never get used to it. Every time a turtle appears, you see it flapping its flipper feet and it comes towards you, it's a special moment. Each one of these encounters is unique. And if you have the chance to experience something like this, enjoy the moment thoroughly and as consciously as possible.

Stand some distance from the animal and see how it reacts to you. Take photos without a flash so as not to blind the sensitive creature. Then you will have an encounter that you will remember for a long time.

Have you encountered a turtle in the Red Sea in Egypt? Which animals have you already seen? And what trips have you planned to meet turtles? Share your experiences in the comments.

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