How Does Beach & Swimming Work in Egypt?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Middle East
1The Quick Answer
The Red Sea (Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh) offers world-class diving and snorkelling with exceptional visibility year-round.
2What You Need to Know
Egypt's Red Sea coast is one of the world's premier diving and snorkelling destinations, with warm clear water, vibrant coral reefs, and diverse marine life. Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh are the main resort hubs with hundreds of dive centres and well-developed beach infrastructure. The Mediterranean coast (Alexandria, Marsa Matruh) is less developed and more popular with domestic tourists. Jellyfish blooms occur seasonally in the Red Sea, typically in late summer; some Mediterranean beaches have strong currents that are not always marked. Red Sea resorts have lifeguards at hotel beaches but public beaches may not.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Book a liveaboard dive trip from Hurghada or Sharm for access to the most spectacular remote reefs — prices are far lower than comparable trips in Southeast Asia
- 2Wear reef-safe (no oxybenzone) sunscreen at all times — Egypt's coral reefs are protected and chemical sunscreen causes serious damage
- 3Check for jellyfish advisories at your resort's front desk before swimming, particularly August–October
Important Warning
Several shark attacks have occurred in Sharm el-Sheikh waters over the years, mostly near feeding zones. Follow local dive-operator guidance strictly and do not swim near fishing boats or areas where feeding has occurred.
How does this compare?
Beach & Swimming rules in nearby and similar countries:
The UAE has excellent public beaches with warm water year-round, but appropriate swimwear and flag safety systems apply.
Agadir has safe, lifeguarded swimming, but Essaouira is extremely windy and the Atlantic coast can have powerful currents requiring caution.
The Red Sea coast offers world-class beaches, diving, and snorkeling — women can now wear swimsuits at designated tourist beaches and resorts.
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