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EgyptDescription and Is It Worth Visiting
Hurghada is slightly inferior to another popular Egyptian resort Sharm El-Sheikh in terms of the diversity and beauty of the underwater world, but there's still plenty to see here, especially if you're not an experienced diver or haven't done snorkeling in the Red Sea before.
You can observe the underwater world in Hurghada through diving, glass-bottom boat tours, or tourist submarines. But the most accessible way has always been and remains simple swimming with a mask and snorkel – snorkeling.
If you have your own mask and snorkel, be sure to bring them on vacation for independent snorkeling at hotel or paid beaches. If not, you can rent a set in Hurghada from $2, or buy a set here from $10. We recommend buying your own set, as it's more hygienic and pays for itself compared to renting in just a few days. You'll also want water shoes for swimming, the so-called aqua shoes or reef shoes. It's also better to buy them, as they'll come in handy even for regular beach holidays in Hurghada. You can buy them at the resort for $5-10.
Snorkeling is a simple and relatively safe activity compared to diving, as underwater observation mainly takes place in shallow water near the shore. It's quite easy and safe to do on your own in Hurghada.
If you're going on a snorkeling excursion, you'll have instructor-guides who will show you everything, explain things, and keep an eye on you. But still, before heading out for serious snorkeling to islands or deep water, we recommend practicing near the shore first. The thing is, despite its apparent simplicity, you still need skill and practice. To be honest, the first time swimming with a mask can cause anxiety and fear, which leads to panic. And panic, as we know, leads to rapid breathing, which while breathing through a snorkel leads to a lack of oxygen and even more panic. You need to get used to it, and then you'll feel calm in the water.
Best Spots for Snorkeling in Hurghada
The coastline in Hurghada is less reefy than in Sharm, and the beaches are more sandy, so spots with live corals and fish along the shore are harder to find. That's why the best option is to go on a snorkeling boat excursion to the islands:
- Snorkeling excursions in Hurghada on Tripster.ru
- Snorkeling excursions in Hurghada on Sputnik8.ru
- Snorkeling excursions in Hurghada on Tezeks.com
If excursions don't interest you, it's better to check when choosing a hotel what the bottom is like at the hotel beach and whether there are corals there. In general, almost all hotels with "Coral" or "Reef" in their name are usually located right on a reef beach. You can also read hotel reviews, where the quality of the beaches is usually mentioned.
🕐 Opening Hours
During daytime.
💵 Entrance Fee / Ticket Prices
On your own – free, snorkeling boat excursions cost from $13.
🚶 How to Get There
You can do simple snorkeling in Hurghada at any hotel beach. Richer underwater life can be found on the islands and in the open sea near coral reefs, where excursions go.
💥 Just a reminder that it's much more interesting to explore Hurghada's attractions with excursions, so we recommend checking out options with online booking on these trusted price comparison and search sites: