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Snorkeling over a coral reef in clear blue water

Best Snorkeling Spots and Beaches in Sharm El Sheikh, with Sea Temperatures

11 October 20264 min read

Where to snorkel in Sharm El Sheikh, from Ras Mohammed and the Tiran reefs to Shark's Bay and Nabq, plus the sea temperature for every month and the reef rules.

The Red Sea around Sharm El Sheikh is warm, clear and full of life all year. The Red Sea as a whole is home to more than 1,200 fish species, over 200 of them found nowhere else, and about 250 kinds of coral. Here is where to go, what the water is like each month, and the simple rules that keep the reefs alive.

The best snorkeling spots

Ras Mohammed National Park

The top choice for a full day on the water. IUCN reports up to 90% live coral cover in places, and turtles, dolphins and manta rays are often seen. Boats visit the famous Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef. The park is about 33 km by road from Naama Bay and closes at sunset. You need a full Egyptian visa to visit: the free Sinai entry stamp does not cover it.

The Tiran reefs

The four reefs in the Strait of Tiran, Gordon, Thomas, Woodhouse and Jackson, are reached by boat from Sharm. Visibility is often 25 to 35 m. Divers come for the hammerhead sharks that gather near Jackson Reef in late summer, roughly July to October.

Shark's Bay

A short drive from Naama Bay, Shark's Bay is known for clear turquoise water and coral close to the shore, which makes it a good half-day choice for families.

Ras Um Sid

One of Sharm's best local reefs, reached from the shore or by boat. Divers come for a forest of sea fans on the wall at 20 to 25 m. Currents can be strong here, so go with a guide and stay close to the reef.

Naama Bay

Naama Bay is Sharm's main tourist hub, with a crescent-shaped beach in front of its seafront promenade. It is the easiest place to start if you are staying in town.

Nabq Bay

The most northerly bay, about 20 minutes from the airport. The water is shallow near the beach before a sharp drop-off, and the nearby Nabq Protected Area has mangroves along about 7 km of shore.

Sea temperature by month

Even in winter the sea averages above 22 °C. These are long-term averages for the sea next to Sharm El Sheikh (NOAA, 1991 to 2020):

Month Sea temperature
January 23.4 °C
February 22.7 °C
March 22.6 °C
April 23.4 °C
May 25.1 °C
June 26.3 °C
July 28.3 °C
August 29.0 °C
September 28.0 °C
October 27.8 °C
November 26.5 °C
December 24.8 °C

February and March are the coolest months, and August is the warmest. In winter a shorty wetsuit makes a long snorkel more comfortable.

Reef rules

Egypt follows the Green Fins code, a UN Environment Programme initiative run here by the Chamber of Diving and Water Sports:

  • Do not stand on coral. Feet and fins break it easily.
  • Do not touch, chase or feed marine life. Feeding fish can make them sick or aggressive.
  • Diving and snorkeling gloves are not allowed in Egypt.
  • Use a reef-safe sunscreen, or cover up with a rash vest. Some sunscreen chemicals, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate, may harm coral.
  • Throw nothing into the water.
  • Never take coral or shells home. Taking them out of Egypt is banned, even if you bought them in a shop.

Stay safe in the water

  • Snorkel with a buddy or a guide, and ask about currents before you get in.
  • Wear fins and a vest if you are not a strong swimmer.
  • Check that your travel insurance covers water sports. The UK Foreign Office notes that sea or air rescue can cost more than 4,000 US dollars an hour.

Book a snorkeling trip

Sources

All Sharm guides

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Sharm El Sheikh at dusk, with a lit mosque and the beach

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