Hurghada is a bustling tourist metropolis with large seaside hotels that offer various sea activities to its visitors. Hurghada provides tourists with different underwater locations that are ideal for snorkelling. The city enjoys many offshore coral reef locations, from small islands to underwater spikes.
Marine Life in Hurghada
A snorkelling trip in Hurghada allows you to encounter the extraordinary marine life of the Red Sea Riviera in almost unbelievably clear waters. Egypt’s dive sites are world-famous for their visibility, reaching 70 meters in some places.
Hurghada’s coastline and islands differ entirely from their underwater landscapes, which exploded with the diversity and richness of colourful creatures and terrain.
The coral reefs in Hurghada are usually shallow and sloping, suitable for beginner diving. All divers’ favourite coral reef residents can be found in the waters of Hurghada. Parrotfish, Spearfish, Butterflyfish, Clownfish, Pufferfish, Sweet-lipped Fish, Colorful Headfish, Moray, Yellow Mink, and Turtles. As a bonus, we often see dolphins between Hurghada’s coast and snorkelling sites.
Best Snorkel Places in Hurghada
Finding the best Hurghada snorkelling spots can be a bit tricky. Although the resort town is one of the most popular snorkelling and diving destinations in the Red Sea area, it is preferable to snorkel in deep waters than directly from the beaches across the hotels. Unfortunately, though the sea looks fantastic, the shallow waters and sandy bottoms aren’t suitable for underwater life. Also, some hotel beaches have poor reefs, so in most cases, you should join a boat trip to get to Hurghada’s snorkelling spots and explore the rich marine life of Egypt’s stunning reefs.
Luckily, there are plenty of semi-emerged reefs and impressive coral walls around the many islands in the Hurghada archipelago. More than 200 fixed anchoring points are available around the reefs and islands. This helps protect the corals from the ever-growing flock of tourists and boats wanting to see the beauty of Egypt’s underwater world.
Officially, the seas in this area are now protected zones under the same jurisdiction as Ras Mohammed National Park in Sharm El-Sheikh.
Giftun Island, Abu Ramada, Magawish and Umm Gamar provide the best snorkeling in Hurghada.
Snorkeling Magawish Sokhayara in Hurghada (Small Magawish)
The Arabic word “Sokhayara” means small, so it’s the little brother island of Magawish, but it provides much better snorkelling opportunities.
Small Magawish is a rocky island with a few gorgeous beaches, with the water shining in a broad colour palette, from azure on the coast to the deep blue sea. You can also reach Magawish Sokhayara by glass-bottom boat if any non-swimmers are in your travel group.
Small Magawish is not far from the coastline of Hurghada, 30 minutes by boat. The island lies a little southwest of the island of Magawish. It is pretty good considering the proximity to the city. Sea conditions are calm and shallow waters. The water depth is 5 – 6 meters.
Corals at Small Magawish
Many stony corals are bizarrely shaped and very interesting to look at. Several coral blocks are scattered on the bottom, not far from each other. They reach the surface and are surrounded by swarms of the most colourful fish.
Soft corals along the reef wall grow in tiny yellow bubbles, swaying in the currents. Similarly, sea anemones wave their tentacles, protecting the cute clownfish Nemo.
Marine Life at Small Magawish
As you enter the water near the shamandura, groups of sergeant majors who stay close to the surface will follow you curiously. You’ll see schools of blue-green damselfish and red-orange and violet anthias. Yellow and black striped bannerfish swim in couples, often around fire corals – be careful not to touch them, as they are dangerous and cause painful abrasions. You can hear colourful parrotfish nibbling on stony corals if you’re quiet. Blue-spotted ribbon tails are abundant in the area; you will most likely discover one or more hiding on the sandy bottom.
You may even spot a crocodile fish, though they camouflage very well. You might encounter little groups of goatfish and blue fusiliers as well.
Snorkeling Shaab Sakala near Hurghada
Near the south of Giftun Kebir Island (Big Giftun), Shaab Sakala is a semi-emerged reef perfect for snorkelling. It enjoys quite a healthy reef. The sea conditions in this reef spot are relatively calm and shallow. The water depth is 6 meters. Shaab Sakala is a bit far from Hurghada: 45 minutes by boat.
Corals at Shaab Sakala
The surface area is embellished with abundant complex coral formations thanks to lots of light. The porites can reach several meters in diameter. Often, you can find a brightly shining, colourful giant clam in them – like a precious stone. You’ll see broccoli corals that look very similar to vegetables and are olive-green. They get up to 60cm long.
Snorkelling near Giftun Island
Go to Giftun Island and fall in love with its underwater depths. From stunning pelagic fish passages and Salem Express shipwrecks to spectacular coral gardens, royal gardens, and simultaneous schools of barracudas, there is everything here. Abu Hashish Island is a wonderland of turtles, rays, and black hair. Snorkel in the oval panoramic barrier and swim with groups of dolphins, spiny tails, turtles, and white-tip sharks. There is also Gota Abu Ramada, which has robbed the marine photographer of elegance: because of the clear, flat waters, the camera quickly captures vibrant marine life.
Marine Life at Shaab Sakala
Plenty of parrotfish bite away at the corals, contributing to the well-balanced underwater ecosystem. Parrotfish females are usually yellowish, with green parts near the tail and below the mouth, while males are predominantly green with some purple spots. With some luck, you can see sea turtles at Shaab Sakala. Please make sure not to chase them, watch them from a healthy distance and be respectful, as they are permanently underwater. Around the sea floors, crocodile fish and blue-spotted ribbon tail rays are common. Look closely, and you might even discover a scorpionfish. Squirrelfish live in the cavities of the reef wall, while bright red angelfish stay close to the surface. Of course, you’ll also find the usual Red Sea suspects – butterfly fish, wrasses, surgeonfish and red groupers.
Best Time for Snorkelling in Hurghada
Snorkelling is possible in Hurghada all year round. In Egypt, the primary seasonal changes are related to water temperature, which can drop to 21 degrees Celsius in winter and 30 degrees Celsius in summer. However, as a diver, you will always be on the ocean’s surface, the place most heated by the sun.
If you are worried about the cold, consider wearing a wetsuit on vacation. Buying or renting diving suits in Egypt is effortless. Also, you can check for the latest information about water conditions with your travel agency.
Some people recommend avoiding the hottest hours (July and August). If you don’t enjoy sweating or are prone to heatstroke, May to June (spring) or September to November (autumn) is the best time to visit.
