Egypt captivates travelers with its ancient pyramids, majestic Nile River, and vibrant culture spanning over 5,000 years. From the iconic Sphinx and Valley of the Kings to bustling Cairo bazaars and Red Sea coral reefs, Egypt offers an unforgettable journey through history and natural beauty.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Egypt.
-
- Lively resort beach with water sports and diving
- sunbeds
- restaurants
- showers
- dive centers
- water sports
- parasols
Naama Bay Beach
Naama Bay is Sharm El Sheikh's most famous beach strip, lined with hotels, dive centers, and restaurants. The calm, crystal-clear Red Sea waters with excellent reef access make it a world-class diving and snorkeling destination.
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 9 a.m. to secure a front-row sun lounger — the bay fills quickly from mid-morning in peak season
-
- Pristine wild beach with world-class snorkeling
- facilities at park entrance
- toilets
- entrance fees apply
- snorkeling gear rental nearby
Ras Mohammed National Park Beach
Egypt's oldest national park protects some of the world's finest coral reefs at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef attract serious divers while the white sand beaches offer spectacular undeveloped scenery.
Editor’s tip. Purchase park entrance permits through an organized tour to avoid queuing at the gatehouse, especially in peak season (December–February)
-
- Family beach resort with calm waters
- sunbeds
- restaurants
- showers
- water sports
- kids clubs
- diving centers
Hurghada Corniche Beach
Hurghada's public and resort beaches along the Red Sea coast offer calm, warm water ideal for families. The resort strip at Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay features some of Egypt's most luxurious beachfront hotels.
Editor’s tip. Book Giftun Island boat trips in advance during peak months (December–February, July–August) — excursions depart at 9 a.m. and sell out early
-
- Chilled backpacker beach with kitesurfing
- beach cafes
- dive shops
- kitesurf schools
- simple restaurants
- budget accommodation nearby
Blue Lagoon Beach, Dahab
Dahab's lagoon area offers turquoise shallow water ideal for beginners in kitesurfing and windsurfing. The nearby Blue Hole is a world-famous diving site. The Bedouin-style beach cafes and reggae soundtrack give Dahab its legendary laid-back vibe.
Editor’s tip. Afternoon thermal winds at the lagoon peak between 1 and 5 p.m. — ideal for kite lessons; mornings are calmer for swimming
-
- Upscale resort town with pristine lagoon beaches
- sunbeds
- beach clubs
- restaurants
- water sports
- sailing
- kitesurf school
El Gouna Private Beaches
El Gouna is an entirely planned resort town built on lagoons, offering some of Egypt's most refined beach experiences. The main beach and Zeytouna Island host well-maintained stretches with excellent facilities and calm, shallow water.
Editor’s tip. Zeytouna Beach fills quickly on Egyptian public holidays and weekends; arrive before 10 a.m. to secure a lounger
-
- Remote beach with 4-country views
- hotel beaches
- dive centers
- restaurants
- limited facilities on public stretches
Taba Beach
The remote Gulf of Aqaba beach at Taba offers one of the world's most dramatic coastal settings — on a clear day you can see Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia from the shore. Excellent fringing reefs accessible directly from the beach.
Editor’s tip. Visit the beach at sunrise for the clearest cross-gulf views to Eilat and Aqaba — the light on the mountains is exceptional and the water is at its calmest
-
- Unspoiled eco-beaches with dugong and turtle sightings
- dive eco-lodges
- snorkeling equipment rental
- limited facilities at remote sites
- organized tours from resort hotels
Marsa Alam Beaches
Marsa Alam offers Egypt's most pristine and uncrowded Red Sea beaches, beloved by serious divers and eco-travelers. Dugongs graze in the seagrass beds, sea turtles nest on the beaches, and the coral reefs are among the healthiest in the Red Sea.
Editor’s tip. The best time to see dugongs at Marsa Mubarak is early morning before tour groups arrive — aim to be in the water by 7 a.m.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Marsa Alam, Taba, and remote stretches of Ras Mohammed offer serene beaches far from resort crowds, ideal for those seeking undeveloped coastline and raw nature
Family
Family-friendly
Hurghada and El Gouna resort beaches with shallow calm water, all-inclusive hotel packages, kids clubs, and animation teams make them Egypt's top family beach destinations
Sport
Active & sporty
Dahab's lagoon and El Gouna attract kitesurfers, windsurfers, and divers, while Ras Mohammed suits serious snorkelers and underwater photographers
Social
Lively scene
Naama Bay in Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada's hotel strip host beach clubs with DJs, beach bars, and regular events that draw the party crowd
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Egypt memorable.
Scuba Diving
Egypt's Red Sea is one of the world's top dive destinations with over 1,000 species of fish and spectacular coral walls. The SS Thistlegorm wreck near Sharm El Sheikh is a legendary dive among WWII wrecks. Most dive centers offer PADI courses from beginner to dive master.
Naama Bay, Ras Mohammed, Dahab Blue Hole, Marsa Alam
Snorkeling
The shallow reef gardens accessible directly from Egypt's Red Sea beaches offer world-class snorkeling even for non-swimmers. The clarity of the water and density of marine life rival anywhere in the world. Equipment rented from all beach hotels from $5-10/day.
Hurghada house reefs, Taba, Ras Mohammed, Dahab
Kitesurfing and Windsurfing
Dahab's lagoon and El Gouna's lagoon system offer consistent winds and shallow water that make them two of the Red Sea's premier kitesurfing spots. VDWS and IKO certified schools operate year-round with equipment rental and courses.
Dahab Blue Lagoon, El Gouna, Hurghada
Glass-Bottom Boat Tours
Hourly glass-bottom boat tours from Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh marina allow non-swimmers to view the spectacular coral reefs and marine life without getting wet. Tours typically last 2-3 hours and cost $10-20 per person.
Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab
Submarine and Semi-Submarine Tours
Sindbad Submarine in Hurghada offers real submarine dives to 22 meters depth for a truly immersive reef experience without diving certification. Seascope semi-submarines offer similar views from partially submerged passenger vessels.
Hurghada
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Year-round swimming possible. Peak beach season October-April with comfortable air temperatures 18-28°C. Summer (June-September) very hot (35-40°C) but sea temperatures warm and favorable for divers
Getting there
Resort hotel beaches are private and included with hotel stays. Public beaches require small entry fees (EGP 10-30). Ras Mohammed National Park charges EGP 100 entry
On-beach facilities
Resort beaches are fully serviced with sunbeds, showers, restaurants, and water sports equipment. National park and public beaches have minimal facilities
Costs to budget
Sunbeds at resort beaches free with hotel; day use passes $20-50 at resort hotels. Snorkel equipment $5-10/day, dive trips $50-100 for two dives
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Egypt’s coast.
Is there a public beach at Naama Bay accessible without a hotel stay?
Yes — several beach clubs along the promenade sell day passes to non-guests, typically EGP 200–400 with a food or drinks credit included. Availability is limited during peak months (December–February and July–August).
From the Naama Bay Beach editorial.
What is the snorkelling like directly from the beach?
The southern end of Naama Bay has coral patches accessible from the shore. Visibility is excellent at 15–25 metres, and colourful reef fish are common. Renting a mask and fins from a beachside dive shop costs around EGP 80–120 per day.
From the Naama Bay Beach editorial.
Do visitors need a special permit to enter Ras Mohammed National Park?
Yes. A National Parks Authority entrance permit is required and purchased at the main gatehouse. The current fee is EGP 75 for adults and EGP 35 for children. Most organized day tours from Sharm El Sheikh include this cost.
From the Ras Mohammed National Park Beach editorial.
Can independent visitors snorkel without joining a tour?
Yes. Independent visitors can snorkel from the designated beach areas within the park. Snorkelling gear is not available for rent inside the park, so visitors should bring their own or rent from a dive shop in Sharm El Sheikh before arrival.
From the Ras Mohammed National Park Beach editorial.
Is the beach in Hurghada suitable for young children?
Yes. The Red Sea waters along the Hurghada corniche are shallow, calm, and warm, with a gently sloping sandy bottom that makes them ideal for young children and non-swimmers.
From the Hurghada Corniche Beach editorial.
Can non-hotel guests access the beaches in Hurghada?
Several resort hotels sell beach day passes to non-guests, typically for EGP 300–600 with a food or drinks credit. The public corniche beach in central Hurghada (El Dahar) is free to access.
From the Hurghada Corniche Beach editorial.
Is the Blue Lagoon suitable for non-swimmers and beginner water-sports enthusiasts?
Yes. The lagoon is shallow (1–3 m at its deepest), wave-free, and current-free within the protected inlet. Kitesurf schools at the lagoon specifically cater to first-time students, and the calm water is safe for casual swimming.
From the Blue Lagoon Beach, Dahab editorial.
Is there an entry fee to access the beach at the Blue Lagoon?
No formal entry fee applies. Visitors are expected to purchase food or drinks from the beach cafés as a courtesy, but there are no gates or ticketing systems.
From the Blue Lagoon Beach, Dahab editorial.