Snorkeling in Hurghada: Best Spots, Tips & Reef Etiquette

Hurghada is one of the easiest places on earth to snorkel: warm water, calm sheltered reefs and hundreds of fish species in just a few metres of water. This guide covers where to go, what to expect and how to keep yourself — and the reef — safe.

Best snorkeling spots near Hurghada

• Giftun Islands — the protected marine park offshore, visited on the Orange Bay trip. Easy reefs with lots of fish.
• Mahmya — a sheltered house reef on Giftun Kebir, ideal for beginners.
• Shaab El Erg (Dolphin House) — a large horseshoe reef north of Hurghada, famous for spinner dolphins.
• Magawish and the White Island — shallow, sandy lagoons with bright turquoise water.
• Hotel house reefs — Makadi Bay and Sahl Hasheesh have good reefs right off the beach.

What will you see?

Expect parrotfish, clownfish in anemones, butterflyfish, angelfish, damselfish and the Red Sea's endemic species. Turtles, moray eels, blue-spotted stingrays and octopus are regular sightings; dolphins visit some reefs.

Tips for beginners

• Wear a life jacket or hold a float ring until you feel confident.
• Defog your mask with a little baby shampoo or anti-fog before each stop.
• Breathe slowly through the snorkel and keep your face relaxed.
• Stay with the guide and your buddy, and away from boat lanes.
• Wear a rash vest: the sun burns fast on your back while snorkeling.

Protect the reef

Coral is a living animal and grows only a few millimetres or centimetres a year. Never stand on or touch it, keep your fins off the bottom, don't feed fish and use mineral reef-safe sunscreen. Every Hurghada Day Trips snorkel guide briefs guests on these rules before entering the water.

Frequently asked questions