Top 10 Beaches to Visit In Egypt
Egypt may be known for its pyramids and ancient ruins, but it is its thriving beach resorts that have drawn tourists in recent years.
Egypt is famous for its great diving spots, bordered by the riches of the Red Sea and the relaxation of the Mediterranean, and its modern beach resorts provide a new source for its tourism industry.
The stunning coastline along the Red Sea is a magnet for sun-lovers looking for year-round sunshine.
While coral reefs and the vast underwater prairies attract groups of enthusiastic divers from all over the world to experience diving on the Egyptian coast.
Here is a list of the best beaches in Egypt so that you can discover the luxury and natural beauty of this amazing country.
1 Fjord Bay - Taba
Fjord Bay is located about 15 km from the small Egyptian city of Taba near the border with neighboring Eilat in Israel.
A perfect piece of paradise for taking pictures, Fjord Bay is the perfect place to snorkel whether you are a professional divers with hundreds of hours of diving experience or you are just a first timer.
The reason this place is such a great place to dive in is the huge expanse of coral reef that lies at the bottom of the fjord, located at an impressive depth of 24 metres.
It's hard to believe the huge amount of fish and the diversity of marine life that live among the coral reefs, and it's good to know that healthy coral reefs are an indicator of clean water and a good ecological balance.
The fjord itself is a dark blue bay protected on three sides by a mountain range, ideal for hiking and for panoramic views of the fjord.
2 Ras Abu Galum - Dahab
If you are looking for an amazing place to do some snorkeling or diving, Ras Abu Galum is a great choice as it is located near a traditional Bedouin settlement.
About 15 km from the small coastal city of Dahab on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula, is a piece of the bright blue ocean.
This desert diving paradise is a delight of stunning seascapes that contrasts brilliantly with the barren rocky land making it a very special place to visit.
Arrive through the desert on camel back before diving into the depths of the Red Sea, enjoying direct view and the splendor of the underwater landscapes.
The mixture of hard and soft corals is an ideal environment for fish like angelfish, parrotfish and Picasso fish among many others, so be sure to bring an adequate camera for underwater photography.
4 Ras Umm Sid - Sharm El Sheikh
Ras Umm Sid is the best beach in Sharm El Sheikh, an attractive beach filled with a variety of activities that can be done.
This popular holiday resort boasts stunning views of the Red Sea and is also very popular with divers who want to explore the wealth of life beneath the waves.
The place is located at the top of a peninsula which means that the area is a bit quieter compared to other more active beaches in the area.
Near the old market you can get an insight into the traditions and heritage of the locals - there are plenty of accommodations near that beach that are very popular with families.
The beach itself is the place where divers visiting Egypt cannot forget its splendor as the beauty of the coral reefs attracts them.
Rare fish come out and disappear in the amazing formations, which can also be seen simply by snorkeling in the shallow waters and are a great way for kids to get to know the ocean.
El Gouna
which means “lake” in Arabic, is the name of a stylish and modern beach located in the northern Red Sea on the east coast of Egypt.
The bustling city of El Gouna attracts wealthy Egyptians and jet-set European tourists to enjoy upscale shopping, a diverse dining scene, and of course a very attractive beach.
It's the kind of place where families and couples want to come to relax and unwind for a few days at a 5 star resort - there are also plenty of activities to enjoy in the area.
El Gouna is famous in Egypt for its water sports - and strong winds mean good conditions for kite flying, water skiing and paragliding, to name a few.
Surrounded by a scenic network of canals and lagoons with sandy islands in the middle, a stay in El Gouna means days spent relaxing on the white sandy beaches or playing on the area's famous golf course, and enjoying glasses in the evening at the cocktail bars.
6 Sahl Hasheesh Beach - Hurghada Sahl
Hasheesh Beach is one of the most famous diving areas on the Red Sea, and it is a distinguished resort that is part of Hurghada's tourist city center, which extends for 40 km along the coast.
Known for its lively and untouched coral beaches, the area has steadily developed since the 1980s into a thriving vacation spot.
Hotels and holiday villages dot the coastline from the beach, and Sahl Hasheesh Beach itself is an attractive place for water sports enthusiasts, with plenty of opportunities to try windsurfing and yachting as well as snorkeling.
However it gets hot here with temperatures regularly rising above 40°C - no wonder most people want to cool off with a refreshing snorkel!
7 Sharm El Luli Beach - Marsa Alam
Sharm El Luli Resort is located 60 km south of Marsa Alam city on the Red Sea and is one of the destinations for nature lovers.
It contains one of those soft, pastel-coloured landscapes where the soft gray sands glide into the pale blue of the ocean like a picture of paradise.
The area is also ideal for snorkelers and divers, so be sure to bring your gear - as well as food and drink, because there's nothing else close by.
The beach can be reached with an organized excursion through your hotel in Marsa Alam, but be sure to spend the day here to enjoy the magic of the crystal waters and the wealth of wildlife that inhabit it.
8 Agiba Beach - Marsa Matrouh
This famous Egyptian beach may not be well known to travelers from outside the country, and the word Agiba means "miracle" in Arabic.
Agiba Beach is a small but very impressive jewel on Egypt's Mediterranean coast, located 24 km west of Mersa Matruh.
The only way to reach this curved stretch of beach is through a rocky path that leads from the top of the cliff to the bottom.
Once you're on the sand, it's hard not to be affected by the transparent color of the water as the sun shines on the surface.
However this is a popular area and in the height of summer things are a bit crowded here with people enjoying their days out - but for the rest of the year it's almost empty.
The sea in the ocean is very rocky and the waves flowing from the wide ocean are very powerful, but they also provide some great opportunities for surfing off the rocks.
9 Soma Bay
The glamorous new Soma Bay resort is located less than an hour from Hurghada Airport. The stand-alone resort is completely surrounded by the sea and is known for its great weather 365 days of the year under the warm sunshine.
No wonder it has quickly become popular with European travelers looking to escape the cold winter under the sun on the Red Sea.
The area has developed rapidly in Soma Bay, the area brims with luxury and money and is crammed with exclusive resorts and expensive restaurants, and it is an ideal location for brave divers and water sports enthusiasts.
There are coral reefs right off the shore and the best in the world, it's no wonder that the peninsula, which was once part of the desert, is undergoing such rapid development in tourist facilities.
10 Mahmya Island
If you are looking for a scuba diving paradise, Mahmya Reserve Island in Giftun Island National Park is the place for you.
It is an adventure a 45-minute boat ride from Hurghada, where you spend the day snorkeling among the coral reefs and the underwater garden in the most amazing part of the Red Sea.
A visit to the national park and the magnificence of the reserve is like an adventure in a wonderland. You can delve into the depths of the water and experience swimming in the midst of a world of rainbow fish and dolphins.
The area may get more crowded with tourist groups during the high season, but the focus is on ecotourism and the support of the delicate aquatic ecosystem of the Red Sea. Visiting this island is an unforgettable experience.