The Red Sea Governorate is Egypt's premier coastal destination, stretching over 1,200km along the Red Sea coast and offering world-class diving, pristine coral reefs, and luxury beach resorts. From the bustling resort hub of Hurghada to the unspoiled shores of Marsa Alam, this governorate combines natural wonders with modern amenities. The region attracts millions of visitors annually seeking underwater adventures, desert safaris, and sun-soaked relaxation.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Red Sea.
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1
Giftun Island National Park
Giftun Island National Park is the crown jewel of the Red Sea's marine protected areas, located just 8km offshore from Hurghada. The park encompasses two islands — Big Giftun and Small Giftun — surrounded by some of Egypt's most spectacular coral reefs. The crystal-clear turquoise waters host hundreds of fish species, sea turtles, dolphins, and vibrant coral gardens. The islands' white sand beaches are among the most beautiful in Egypt, and the snorkeling directly off the beach is world-class.
Tip: Book through your hotel or a licensed tour operator the day before · Bring reef-safe sunscreen — regular sunscreen is prohibited in the park · The southern tip of Big Giftun has exceptional diving with walls dropping to 40m+
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2
Mahmya Island (Giftun)
Mahmya is the most famous beach on Giftun Island, managed as a premium day-trip destination with pristine white sand, turquoise shallows, and excellent snorkeling infrastructure. The island has sun loungers, beach restaurants, water sports, and a glass-bottom boat for non-swimmers to observe the reef. It is one of the most photogenic beaches in Egypt and often features in travel magazines.
Tip: Premium sunbed areas sell out — book the day before through your hotel · The snorkeling straight off the beach is excellent — no boat needed to see the reef · Arrive with the first boats for the best beach spots
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3
Elphinstone Reef
Elphinstone Reef is one of the Red Sea's most legendary dive sites, a long tabletop reef 10km offshore from Marsa Alam rising from depths of 50m-plus to just below the surface. Famous for regular sightings of oceanic whitetip sharks, grey reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, and huge schools of barracuda, it is considered one of the top ten dive sites in the world. The sheer walls adorned with pristine soft corals and gorgonian fans are breathtaking.
Tip: Advanced open water certification required — minimum 50 logged dives recommended · Strong currents require drift diving experience · Oceanic whitetip sharks are present year-round at the northern plateau
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4
St. Anthony's Monastery (Deir Anba Antounius)
The Monastery of St. Anthony is the oldest functioning Christian monastery in the world, established in the 4th century AD on the site where St. Anthony the Great (251-356 AD) — father of all monks — lived as a hermit. Nestled dramatically against the Red Sea Mountains 155km south of Suez, the fortress-like monastery is home to around 120 Coptic monks. Its ancient churches are decorated with extraordinary Byzantine and medieval frescoes, and the spring of St. Anthony provides fresh water from the mountain.
Tip: Dress very modestly — women must cover hair, arms, and legs; men must cover legs · Hire a guide in Hurghada for a day trip combining both monasteries · The cave of St. Anthony high on the cliff requires a 2km hike — worth every step
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5
St. Paul's Monastery (Deir Anba Bola)
The Monastery of St. Paul the Anchorite lies in a hidden valley in the Red Sea Mountains, built over the cave where St. Paul of Thebes (227-341 AD) lived as a hermit for 91 years. The monastery predates St. Anthony's and is even more dramatically situated, with its buildings seemingly growing from the rock face. The cave church of St. Paul contains extraordinary 13th-century frescoes including a remarkable ceiling covered in stars. The monastery is home to around 130 Coptic monks.
Tip: Usually combined with St. Anthony's Monastery on the same day trip · The church inside the cave of St. Paul is one of Egypt's most atmospheric spaces · Photography inside the churches requires prior permission from the monks
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6
Dolphin House (Shaab el Erg)
Shaab el Erg — known as Dolphin House — is a magical coral reef 25km north of Hurghada where a resident pod of 50-100 spinner dolphins makes their home year-round. Visitors can snorkel alongside these wild dolphins in their natural habitat, an experience that consistently ranks among travelers' most memorable encounters. The dolphins rest in the shallow lagoon in the morning before heading out to sea, so early morning visits offer the best and most relaxed encounters.
Tip: Never chase or touch the dolphins — let them approach you · Morning trips have the highest success rate for encounters · Combine with Giftun Island for a full day trip
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7
El Gouna
El Gouna is a private, purpose-built resort town 25km north of Hurghada, often called 'Egypt's Venice' for its network of artificial lagoons, canals, and islands connected by bridges. Developed since 1989 by businessman Samih Sawiris, El Gouna is a meticulously planned community with upscale hotels, a marina, golf course, hospital, and airport. The town has a beautiful Arabesque architectural style, excellent international restaurants, a famous annual film festival, and some of the best kitesurfing conditions in the world.
Tip: Rent a buggy or golf cart to explore the lagoons at sunset · The Abu Tig Marina has excellent restaurants and a lively evening atmosphere · Kitesurfing school Abu Tig is world-class — lessons available for beginners
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8
Marsa Alam National Park
Marsa Alam National Park is one of Egypt's largest and most important marine protected areas, encompassing a vast section of coastline south of Marsa Alam city with pristine coral reefs, mangroves, and desert wadis. The park protects critical habitats for dugongs, sea turtles, dolphins, and rare seabirds. It includes spectacular dive sites such as Elphinstone Reef and Abu Dabbab, as well as onshore areas of remarkable geological and archaeological significance.
Tip: Hire local diving guides familiar with the park's dive sites · Wetsuits recommended even in summer for extended snorkeling sessions · The mangrove channels near the park entrance are excellent for kayaking
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9
Wadi El Gemal National Park
Wadi El Gemal (Valley of the Camels) National Park is one of Egypt's most biodiverse protected areas, covering 7,450 km2 of land and sea south of Marsa Alam. The park encompasses pristine coral reefs, mangrove forests, ancient emerald mines, Bedouin heritage sites, and magnificent desert wadis. It protects dugongs, hawksbill turtles, Egyptian vultures, and rare Barbary falcons. The Hamata Mangroves within the park are among the most significant in the Red Sea.
Tip: A 4WD vehicle is essential for accessing the inland wadi areas · Hire a Bedouin guide who knows the ancient emerald mining sites · The mangrove channels can be explored by kayak or small motorboat
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10
Abu Dabbab Bay
Abu Dabbab Bay is one of the world's most reliable sites for encountering dugongs — gentle sea mammals related to manatees that can reach 3 meters in length. The shallow seagrass beds of Abu Dabbab provide year-round feeding grounds for these rare creatures. The bay also hosts sea turtles, which are regularly seen feeding on the seagrass. The snorkeling here is excellent for wildlife encounters, with calm, shallow, crystal-clear water.
Tip: Keep distance from dugongs — observe from at least 2 meters · Sea turtles are often seen feeding in the seagrass — they are more approachable than dugongs · The beach café serves excellent fresh fish lunch
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Diving
Elphinstone Reef
World-famous shark dive with oceanic whitetips near Marsa Alam
Brother Islands
Remote liveaboard destination with pristine walls and pelagic sharks
Zabargad Island
Remote island with excellent diving and historical peridot mines
Daedalus Reef
Isolated atoll with resident shark population in open Red Sea
Rocky Island
Spectacular walls and turtle cleaning station in southern Red Sea
Beaches
Mahmya Island (Giftun)
Egypt's most beautiful beach island with world-class snorkeling
Sahl Hasheesh
Luxury crescent bay with pristine sand and five-star resorts
Orange Beach (Shaab Abu Ramada)
Pristine reef beach with stunning coral gardens
Makadi Bay
Family-friendly calm bay with large resort hotels
Moon Beach
Natural crescent beach popular with locals in northern Hurghada
Historical
St. Anthony's Monastery
World's oldest functioning Christian monastery in the Red Sea Mountains
St. Paul's Monastery
Ancient Coptic monastery built over the hermit cave of St. Paul
Quseir Ottoman Fortress
16th-century fortress in a well-preserved ancient port city
Berenice (Ancient Berenike)
Ptolemaic Roman port city near the Sudanese border
Wadi Hammamat
Ancient desert road with 5,000 years of inscriptions and petroglyphs
Nature
Giftun Island National Park
Premier marine protected area with pristine reefs
Dolphin House (Shaab el Erg)
Resident spinner dolphin pod accessible by snorkeling
Abu Dabbab Bay
Rare dugong and sea turtle encounters in shallow seagrass
Marsa Alam National Park
Vast marine and desert protected area
Wadi El Gemal National Park
Biodiverse wilderness with mangroves and ancient mines
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most dive centers operate 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Beach resorts open 24 hours. National parks 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
- Fees
- Day trips to Giftun Island $35-55. Diving courses from $350 PADI Open Water. Monastery visits free (donations welcome).
- Best Times
- 7:00 AM departure for dive boats gives best conditions. Early morning for dolphin encounters. Late afternoon for beach photography.
- Booking
- Book diving excursions 24 hours in advance during peak season (December-February). Island day trips can be booked through hotel tour desks.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Use only PADI or SSI-certified dive centers — check certification plaques at the dive shop
Never touch or stand on coral — even gentle contact kills decades of coral growth
Use reef-safe, biodegradable sunscreen only — traditional chemical sunscreens are killing Red Sea coral reefs
Bring a reusable water bottle — staying hydrated is essential in the desert heat
The best snorkeling and diving is almost always in the morning when light penetrates deepest and fish are most active
Book monastery day trips through licensed operators who know which days access is permitted
A 4WD vehicle is needed for most inland desert and national park visits
The Red Sea is warm enough to snorkel without a wetsuit most of the year but a wetsuit is recommended for dives below 15m
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season to visit attractions in Red Sea?
October to May offers perfect conditions. Winter (December-February) is peak season. The hot summer (June-September) is manageable at beach resorts but dive visibility can be reduced.
Are guided tours available for Red Sea's attractions?
Licensed dive guides are available at all PADI dive centers. Desert safari guides bookable through hotel concierges. Monastery tours best arranged through reputable Hurghada tour operators.
Can I take photos at attractions in Red Sea?
Underwater photography is excellent throughout the year. Surface photography is best in the golden hours of morning and late afternoon. Drone photography requires permits.
How much time do I need for Red Sea's main attractions?
Plan a minimum of 5 days for a quality Red Sea diving and beach experience. 7-10 days allows for a day trip to the monasteries, a snorkeling island trip, and several dive excursions.