Snorkeling in Sharm El Sheikh

Ras Mohamed National Park, the legendary Blue Hole and the coral pinnacles of Tiran, Sharm offers the most dramatic underwater scenery in Egypt.

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Turquoise water

20m+ underwater visibility year-round.

Sunny weather

300+ sunny days a year.

Variety of sites

Reefs, islands, dolphin lagoons.

Overview

Sharm El Sheikh sits at the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula, the meeting point of the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez. The geography produces some of the most dramatic underwater walls in the world. Coral grows from one metre below the surface and drops to 800 metres in places. The town itself is divided between Naama Bay (older, more bars and restaurants) and Sharm El Maya / Hadaba (closer to the marina). Most snorkeling boats depart from Sharm Marina and reach Ras Mohamed in 90 minutes.

Best snorkeling spots

Ras Mohamed (Shark Reef + Yolanda)

Egypt's first national park, sheer walls dropping to 750 metres, the country's most decorated reef.

Tiran Island (Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, Gordon)

Four reefs in the strait between Sinai and Saudi Arabia, current-rich and packed with marine life.

Blue Hole, Dahab

130-metre submarine sinkhole, the most famous freediving spot on Earth, snorkelers stay on the rim.

Naama Bay

Walk-in reef from the central Naama beach, easy snorkeling and decent visibility.

Far Garden

Shore-entry reef at the north end of Sharm, gardens of soft coral and an anemone city.

Marine life

The strait of Tiran funnels nutrient-rich water past walls dense with hard and soft coral. Resident populations include white-tip reef sharks, eagle rays, green and hawksbill turtles, Napoleon wrasse, and large groupers. Whale sharks pass through on migration in late summer. The cooler water of the Gulf of Aqaba supports species not found further south, like the Sharm El Sheikh anemonefish.

Full Red Sea marine life guide

Weather

Best time: April to June, September to November
Avoid: December to February north-wind days
Water temp: 21°C in February, 28°C in August

Getting there

Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) sits 18 km north of Naama Bay. Most pickup drivers reach hotels in 10 to 30 minutes. From Cairo, the drive is 7 hours, the flight is 1 hour.