Snorkelling in Hurghada — The Best Spots and How to Enjoy the Reef Safely

You do not need to dive to see the Red Sea at its best. In Hurghada the water is warm and clear, the reefs come close to the surface, and a mask, a snorkel and a pair of fins are enough to float above coral gardens full of colour. Here is where to go and how to make the most of it.

Boat trip or house reef?

Boat trips take you to the offshore islands and reefs, where the coral is healthiest and the water clearest. A typical day includes two or three snorkelling stops, lunch on board and time on a beach.

House reefs are reefs you can reach straight from a hotel beach, usually by a jetty. They are perfect for a quick swim before breakfast. Hotels to the south, around Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay, are more likely to have one than those in the town centre.

The best spots

• The Giftun Islands and Orange Bay. A protected area about half an hour by boat, with white beaches, turquoise lagoons and reefs for every level. The most popular trip in Hurghada. (See our Giftun guide.)
• Abu Ramada. A group of reefs south of Giftun, known for coral heads and large shoals of fish.
• Dolphin House. A sheltered reef where wild spinner dolphins often rest; snorkellers can sometimes swim near them. (See our Dolphin House guide.)
• Makadi and Sahl Hasheesh house reefs. Easy access from the shore and calm water, ideal for families.

What you will see

Red Sea reefs are among the richest in the world. Look for clownfish in their anemones, parrotfish grazing on coral, blue-spotted rays on the sand, lionfish, butterflyfish, and on lucky days a turtle or a moray eel in its crevice.

When to go

You can snorkel all year. The water is warmest from June to October. In winter it is cooler, so many people rent a short wetsuit, which also helps with buoyancy. Mornings are usually calmer, with better visibility.

Stay safe and protect the reef

• Never touch or stand on coral. It is alive, it breaks easily and it can cut you.
• Look, don't touch the fish. Lionfish, stonefish and some urchins can sting.
• Wear a life vest if you are not a strong swimmer; nobody will mind.
• Use reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard. The back of your legs burns quickly while you float.
• Stay near the boat and your guide, and keep an eye on the current.
• Do not feed the fish. It changes their behaviour and harms the reef.

What to bring

A mask that fits you well (many boats provide gear, but your own is more comfortable), fins, a rash guard, a towel, water and a waterproof bag for your phone.

Book your snorkelling day

Compare the best-rated snorkelling trips from Hurghada, with real reviews and free cancellation on most. Ready to go deeper? Read our guide to diving in Hurghada for beginners.

Photos: Fanny S Forsdik (CC BY-SA 3.0); Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.