The 5 Best Snorkeling Spots Around Hurghada
Not every reef near Hurghada is worth a full day at sea. These five are.
Why the reef matters more than the beach
Most visitors book a boat by its photos. The reef under it decides the day.
1. Sha'ab El Erg
The horseshoe reef north of Hurghada, better known as the Dolphin House. Shallow sand flats on the inside, a coral wall on the outside, and a resident pod of spinner dolphins that rests here through the middle of the day.
2. Giftun Drift
A gentle current carries you along the eastern edge of Giftun Island. Best done as a drift with the boat following — ask your guide whether conditions allow it.
3. Abu Ramada
Locals call it the aquarium. Dense schools of glassfish, a hard coral plateau at six metres, and enough structure to keep you busy for an hour without moving far.
4. Magawish
The closest option to the city and the calmest. If it is your first time in a mask, start here.
5. Careless Reef
Deeper and more exposed, usually reserved for divers, but strong snorkelers see moray eels and the occasional reef shark from the surface.
Practical notes
- Go on the earliest boat you can. Wind builds through the afternoon.
- Reef-safe sunscreen only, and a rash guard beats a second coat of it.
- Never stand on coral. It takes decades to regrow what one fin kick breaks.
