Red Sea
Egypt's entire eastern coastline in one guide — 1,200+ km of coral reef, wreck dives and open water spanning Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab and Marsa Alam, for travellers planning around the sea itself rather than any single town.
Updated September 2026
About Red Sea
This guide is a little different from the others in this collection — it's not built around a single town, but around the Red Sea itself: the 1,200+ km stretch of Egyptian coastline that runs from Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab in the Sinai down through Hurghada and Marsa Alam on the mainland. Each of those towns has its own dedicated guide with hotel, restaurant and neighborhood-level detail — this one exists for travellers planning primarily around the water: which reefs, which wrecks, which liveaboard route, and which base makes sense for the specific diving or water sports trip they have in mind.
What unites the whole coast is genuinely world-class reef diving, largely undamaged by the mass bleaching events that have hit other reef systems worldwide, plus a scattering of WWII-era wrecks, dolphin and reef shark encounters, and steady wind that makes it one of the best kitesurfing and windsurfing coastlines anywhere. Whether you're based in one town for a week or hopping between several on a liveaboard, this guide covers what's shared across the whole Red Sea experience.
💡 Did You Know?
The Red Sea's reefs sit in one of the world's warmest and most saline seas, which — combined with strong water circulation — has made them unusually resilient to the coral bleaching events that have devastated reef systems elsewhere, keeping much of the ecosystem in remarkably healthy condition.
Red Sea
The Egyptian Red Sea coast runs roughly 1,200 km from the Gulf of Aqaba in the Sinai down to the Sudanese border, split between two geographies: the Sinai Peninsula coast (Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba) and the mainland coast (Hurghada, El Gouna, Safaga, Marsa Alam, Port Ghalib).
Main gateway airports: Hurghada International (HRG), Sharm El Sheikh International (SSH), and Marsa Alam International (RMF) — each serves a different stretch of coast, so your entry point should match your planned base. Distances between hub towns: Hurghada to Sharm El Sheikh — about 350 km by road (or a short flight, or ferry across the Gulf of Suez in season). Hurghada to Marsa Alam — about 220-270 km by road.
How to Get There
Pick the airport that matches your base
Hurghada International (HRG) for Hurghada, El Gouna or Safaga. Sharm El Sheikh International (SSH) for Sharm or Dahab. Marsa Alam International (RMF) for Marsa Alam or Port Ghalib — all three take direct European charters in season.
Moving between coastal towns
The coastal road connects all mainland towns (Hurghada-Safaga-Marsa Alam), while Sinai towns (Sharm-Dahab-Nuweiba) are linked by their own coastal road — the two coasts aren't directly connected by road around the Gulf of Suez, so plan a flight or the seasonal ferry if you want to combine both sides.
Liveaboard boats
Multi-day liveaboard dive boats typically depart from Hurghada, Port Ghalib or Sharm El Sheikh marinas and cover routes further offshore than any land-based base can reach — the standard way to dive remote sites like the Brothers Islands or Elphinstone.
Where to Stay
🏖️ Hurghada & El Gouna
Best for the widest choice of resorts and easy access to Giftun Island's reefs. Egypt's largest, most developed Red Sea resort hub, with the most flight options and dive centers on the mainland coast.
🏝️ Sharm El Sheikh & Ras Mohammed
Best for polished all-inclusive resorts and some of Egypt's most protected reef, at Ras Mohammed National Park and the Tiran Strait. Sinai's flagship resort town.
🤿 Dahab
Best for shore diving, freediving and a laid-back, backpacker-friendly base. Home to the legendary Blue Hole, on the Sinai coast north of Sharm.
🐬 Marsa Alam & Port Ghalib
Best for wild dugong and dolphin encounters and the least-developed stretch of coast. Egypt's most remote mainland resort area, further south toward the Sudanese border.
Why Choose
🐠 Some of the world's healthiest coral reefs
The Red Sea's warm, saline water has made it unusually resistant to the mass coral bleaching events that have devastated reefs elsewhere — the diving here is consistently rated among the best on Earth.
🚢 World-famous wreck diving
The SS Thistlegorm, a WWII supply ship sunk in 1941 and still loaded with motorcycles, trucks and munitions, is one of the most celebrated wreck dives on Earth — and it's just one of dozens scattered along the coast.
🦈 Sharks, dolphins and dugongs in the wild
From reef and hammerhead sharks at the Brothers Islands to wild dolphin pods at Sataya Reef and dugongs at Marsa Alam's Abu Dabbab, the Red Sea offers some of the best marine megafauna encounters in the world.
🪁 World-class wind and kite sports
Steady, reliable wind along much of the coast, especially around Hurghada, Dahab and El Gouna, makes this one of the best kitesurfing and windsurfing destinations anywhere.
🛥️ Liveaboard access to remote reefs
Multi-day liveaboard boats reach dive sites no land-based trip can — the Brothers Islands, Daedalus Reef, Elphinstone — sites regularly ranked among the best diving anywhere on the planet.
☀️ Reliable sun almost every day of the year
The entire coast sees 330+ sunny days a year, with the sea warm enough for diving without a thick wetsuit for most of it — one of the most weather-reliable destinations in the Mediterranean/Red Sea region.
🏖️ A resort town for every travel style
Polished all-inclusive in Sharm, backpacker-friendly and laid-back in Dahab, big-resort variety in Hurghada, remote and wild in Marsa Alam — the coast covers every budget and pace.
🌊 A completely different Egypt from the Nile Valley
No temples, no pyramids — the Red Sea coast is Egypt's beach and reef half, a genuinely different kind of trip for travellers who want sea and sun alongside (or instead of) ancient history.
Things to Do
- 1
SS Thistlegorm Wreck Diving Day Trip
One of the most celebrated wreck dives on Earth — a WWII supply ship still loaded with motorcycles, trucks and munitions.
- 2
3-Day Liveaboard Diving Safari
A multi-day boat trip reaching remote reefs and wrecks no land-based dive can access, sleeping aboard between dives.
- 3
Ras Mohammed & Tiran Snorkeling Safari
A boat trip to two of Sinai's most protected reef systems — Ras Mohammed National Park and the Tiran Strait.
- 4
Red Sea Deep-Sea Fishing Charter
A half or full-day fishing charter into open water, targeting tuna, barracuda and other big-game species.
- 5
Coral Restoration Volunteer Dive
A dive with a purpose — help plant coral fragments on a reef restoration project while learning about the science behind it.
- 6
Red Sea Night Diving Experience
See a completely different reef after dark, when nocturnal species emerge and familiar sites transform under torchlight.
- 7
Red Sea Kitesurfing Safari
A multi-spot kitesurfing day taking advantage of the coast's steadiest wind conditions, for intermediate and advanced riders.
- 8
Dolphin Reef Snorkeling Safari
A boat trip to reef sites known for wild dolphin sightings, combining snorkeling over healthy coral with a chance to see them in open water.
- 9
Red Sea Jet Ski Safari
A guided jet ski tour along the coastline, with stops at quieter bays and viewpoints not reachable on foot.
- 10
Red Sea Sunset Sailing Cruise
A relaxed sailing cruise timed for sunset, with the coastline and open water as the main attraction rather than any specific activity.
Suggested Itineraries
Single-Base Diving Week
- Day 1 — Arrival, check-in, easy shore dive to get settled.
- Days 2-5 — Daily boat dives to local reefs and wrecks from your chosen base (Hurghada, Sharm, Dahab or Marsa Alam).
- Day 6 — A signature site for your area (Thistlegorm from Sharm/Hurghada, the Blue Hole from Dahab, Elphinstone from Marsa Alam).
- Day 7 — Rest day or non-diving activity, departure.
7-Day Liveaboard Route
- Day 1 — Board in Hurghada or Port Ghalib, check-out dive.
- Days 2-3 — The Brothers Islands (Big and Small Brother), wall and wreck diving.
- Day 4 — Daedalus Reef, open-water pelagic diving.
- Days 5-6 — Elphinstone Reef and southern sites near Marsa Alam.
- Day 7 — Return to port, disembark.
Non-Diver's Red Sea Week
- Day 1-2 — Base in Hurghada or El Gouna, snorkeling day trip to Giftun Island.
- Day 3 — Kitesurfing or windsurfing lesson.
- Day 4 — Deep-sea fishing charter or sunset sailing cruise.
- Day 5-6 — Relocate to Dahab or Marsa Alam for a different coastal feel, dolphin/turtle snorkeling.
- Day 7 — Relax, departure.
Top Attractions
🚢 SS Thistlegorm Wreck
A WWII British supply ship sunk in 1941, still loaded with motorcycles, trucks, rifles and railway cars — widely considered one of the best wreck dives in the world, reachable from Sharm or Hurghada.
🦈 The Brothers Islands (El Akhawein)
Two remote islands reachable only by liveaboard, with sheer walls, strong currents and regular hammerhead, oceanic whitetip and thresher shark sightings — a bucket-list site for experienced divers.
🕳️ The Blue Hole, Dahab
A near-vertical submarine sinkhole reachable straight from shore, one of the most famous dive sites on Earth — see Dahab's own guide for the full picture.
🐟 Ras Mohammed National Park
One of Egypt's oldest and most protected marine parks, at the southern tip of Sinai, with dramatic drop-off walls and an exceptional density of reef fish.
🐬 Sataya Reef & Abu Dabbab
Near Marsa Alam, Sataya hosts a resident pod of spinner dolphins and Abu Dabbab is one of the most reliable places on Earth to snorkel with wild dugongs and turtles.
🏔️ Elphinstone Reef
A narrow, isolated reef plateau off Marsa Alam with dramatic walls and regular oceanic whitetip shark sightings — routinely ranked among Egypt's very best dive sites.
By the Numbers
1,200+ km
Coastline Length
3
Main Gateway Airports
1,200+
Documented Fish Species
330+
Sunny Days a Year
FAQ
Hurghada for the widest resort choice and easy flights; Sharm El Sheikh for polished all-inclusive resorts and Ras Mohammed; Dahab for shore diving, freediving and a laid-back backpacker vibe; Marsa Alam for the most remote, wildlife-rich stretch of coast. Each town has its own full guide with more detail.
Popular Tours
Red Sea Jet Ski Safari
A guided jet ski run along the coastline, with a stop at a quiet reef bay.
From
$50
Red Sea Coral Restoration Volunteer Dive
Join a real coral restoration project — plant coral fragments on a local nursery reef.
From
$60
Red Sea Night Diving Experience
A guided night dive to see the reef's nocturnal creatures come out.
From
$65
Red Sea Kite Surfing Safari
A day trip chasing the Red Sea's best wind and flattest lagoon spots for kitesurfing.
From
$60
Red Sea Sunset Sailing Cruise
A relaxed sailing cruise along the reef edge as the sun sets over the water.
From
$30
Red Sea Deep Sea Fishing Charter
A full-day offshore fishing charter with an experienced local crew.
From
$90
Ready to Explore Red Sea?
Discover the perfect mix of history, adventure and relaxation. Whether you're after ancient wonders, desert thrills or a peaceful escape, Red Sea has an unforgettable trip waiting.
Weather
When is the Best Time to Visit Red Sea?
The Red Sea coast is diveable and sunny nearly year-round, but the sweet spot for most activities is April-June and September-November — warm water, good visibility, without summer's most intense heat.
Best for Diving Visibility
April-June & September-November
Best for Kitesurfing/Windsurfing
June-September — steadiest wind
Best for Liveaboard Trips
April-June & September-November — calmest open-water conditions
Best Value Period
July-August — lowest resort and liveaboard rates coast-wide
Winter (Dec-Feb, 20-24°C)
Mild and sunny across the coast, with sea temperatures dropping to the low-to-mid 20s°C — a thicker wetsuit (5-7mm) makes diving noticeably more comfortable.
Top Winter Activities
- Wreck diving at the Thistlegorm with excellent visibility
- Liveaboard trips to the Brothers Islands
- Desert safaris and non-water activities from any base
Winter Travel Tips
- Pack a proper wetsuit — 3mm alone will feel cold
- This is peak season for European visitors — book well ahead
- Evenings can be genuinely cool, pack a light jacket
Spring (Mar-May, 24-32°C)
Warming quickly, with sea temperatures climbing toward the mid-to-high 20s°C and generally excellent diving visibility.
Top Spring Activities
- Elphinstone and Marsa Alam's southern reefs
- Ras Mohammed National Park
- Early-season kitesurfing as wind picks up
Spring Travel Tips
- One of the best all-round windows for the whole coast
- Book liveaboards early — this is a high-demand season
- Check Ramadan dates in advance
Summer (Jun-Aug, 33-40°C)
Very hot on land, but sea temperatures peak at a comfortable 28-29°C — the best window for kitesurfing and windsurfing thanks to steady wind, and the cheapest time to travel.
Top Summer Activities
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing (steadiest wind of the year)
- Early-morning or evening boat dives
- Liveaboard trips, with cooler evenings on open water
Summer Travel Tips
- Schedule land-based activity before 10am or after 4pm
- Drink 3-4 liters of water daily
- Use SPF 50+ and a rash guard for extended boat time
- Expect the best prices of the year
Fall (Sep-Nov, 26-34°C)
A second sweet spot — warm days, comfortable sea temperatures, and consistently excellent diving visibility through October and November.
Top Fall Activities
- Liveaboard trips to the Brothers Islands and Daedalus Reef
- Sataya dolphin snorkeling near Marsa Alam
- Wreck diving
Fall Travel Tips
- Book accommodation and liveaboards early — high-demand season
- Some of the best visibility of the year for underwater photography
- Pack light layers for cooler evenings by November
Shopping
🤿 Dive gear & accessoriesDive shops across the coast sell everything from masks and fins to full wetsuits, often at better prices than back home, €20-200+.
Buying Tips
- Try gear on in person rather than guessing sizes
- Reputable dive centers sell known brands, not just unbranded gear
- Compare prices between towns — Hurghada tends to have the widest selection
📷 Underwater photography prints & memory cardsMany dive centers offer to shoot and print your dives, or sell memory cards and basic underwater camera housings if you didn't bring your own, €10-80.
Buying Tips
- Ask about digital delivery in addition to prints
- Bring a spare memory card — reliable brands can be pricier locally
- Check housing compatibility with your specific camera before buying
🐚 Coral-safe shell & marine-themed souvenirsMarine-themed jewelry, art and crafts (never real coral, which is protected) are widely sold in resort towns, €5-40.
Buying Tips
- Never buy real coral or shells taken from protected reefs — it's illegal to export and damages the ecosystem
- Look for locally made art rather than mass-imported souvenirs
- Ask vendors directly whether coral-look pieces are resin or synthetic
🧣 Bedouin & Nubian handicraftsSilver jewelry, woven textiles and beadwork reflecting the coast's Bedouin communities are sold across most towns, €10-60.
Buying Tips
- Check for a silver quality stamp (925) on jewelry
- Bargaining is normal and expected outside fixed-price resort shops
- Prices vary noticeably between towns — compare if you're visiting more than one
Travel Tips
📌 Good to Know
Pick a base, then decide day trips vs. liveaboard
Land-based diving from any of the main towns covers excellent local reefs; a liveaboard is worth it specifically for remote sites like the Brothers Islands or Daedalus Reef that day boats can't reach.
Bring or verify your dive certification
Most sites require at least Open Water certification, with several (the Brothers, Elphinstone's deeper sections) requiring Advanced Open Water or equivalent — check requirements before booking.
🕌 Culture & Practical
Dress modestly away from the beach
Beachwear is fine at resorts and dive centers, but cover shoulders and knees when walking through a town center or visiting a mosque.
Reef-safe sunscreen everywhere
Most dive operators and protected areas across the coast now require or strongly encourage mineral (reef-safe) sunscreen — pack it before you arrive rather than hoping to find it locally.
🎒 What to Pack
Your own mask and fins if you dive often
Rental gear is widely available, but frequent divers often prefer bringing their own mask and fins for fit and comfort across multiple dive centers.
A wetsuit appropriate for the season
A 3mm wetsuit covers most of the year; a 5mm or 7mm is worth it for winter diving (December-February) when water temperatures drop into the low 20s°C.
Proof of certification
Bring your physical or digital dive certification card — operators across the coast will ask for it before letting you on more advanced sites.
🏥 Health & Safety
Hyperbaric chambers are limited
Recompression chambers exist in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh but not every town — confirm your dive insurance covers evacuation to the nearest chamber if you're diving from a more remote base.
Never dive beyond your certification
Several of the coast's headline sites (the Blue Hole's deeper reaches, the Brothers Islands) have serious currents and depths — always dive within your training level with a licensed guide.
Sun and heat
Boat decks offer little shade for hours at a time — reapply sunscreen regularly and stay hydrated between dives, even on cooler days.
🍽️ Food & Dining
Resort dining varies by town
Hurghada and Sharm have the widest independent restaurant scenes; Marsa Alam and smaller Sinai towns lean more heavily on resort dining — factor this in when picking a base if eating out matters to you.
Fresh seafood everywhere
Grilled fish and seafood are a highlight up and down the coast, generally priced by weight and freshest at restaurants near a working harbor.
✈️ Travel Logistics
Visas
Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival (around $25) or an e-visa in advance — a Sinai-only free entry stamp is available at some land borders and Sharm's port, but not for most airport arrivals.
Emergency numbers
Police 122, Ambulance 123, Tourist Police 126 — see the full Emergency section below for chambers and hospitals across the coast.
Book liveaboards well ahead
Popular liveaboard routes, especially to the Brothers Islands, book out months ahead in peak season (April-June, September-November) — don't leave this until the last minute.
Costs & Budget
How far your euros, dollars and pounds go along the Red Sea coast — realistic numbers for 2026.
Currency & payments
The local currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP). Larger resorts and dive centers accept cards; smaller operators, boat crews and local restaurants often prefer cash — carry EGP wherever you're based.
Diving cost guidelines
A single boat dive with gear typically runs €35-55 depending on the site and town; a full liveaboard week runs €700-1,600+ depending on the boat, route and season. Wreck sites like the Thistlegorm and remote reefs like the Brothers usually carry a premium over standard local dives.
Daily budget outside of diving
Budget: €30-50/day. Mid-range: €60-100/day. Luxury: €150+/day — costs vary meaningfully by town, with Hurghada and Marsa Alam generally cheaper than Sharm El Sheikh for comparable quality.
Emergency
Tourist Police: 126. Ambulance: 123. Hyperbaric recompression chambers operate in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh — if you're diving from a more remote base (Marsa Alam, Dahab), confirm your insurance covers transfer to the nearest chamber before you dive.
Essential Emergency Numbers
126
Tourist Police
123
Ambulance
122
Police
180
Fire
112
General Emergency
Know the nearest chamber before you dive
Ask your dive operator, before booking, which recompression chamber they'd use in an emergency and how far it is from your dive site — this varies significantly by town and matters most for remote or deep sites.
Medical Facilities in Red Sea
Hurghada Hyperbaric Chamber
+20 65 344 6789A dedicated diving-medicine facility serving the northern mainland coast.
Sharm El Sheikh Hyperbaric Chamber
+20 69 366 0922Serves the Sinai coast, including Sharm, Dahab and Ras Mohammed dive sites.
Sharm El Sheikh International Hospital
+20 69 366 0893A full-service private hospital with English-speaking staff, commonly used by tourists.
Local Town Hospitals
Varies by townEach main coastal town has at least a general hospital or clinic — see that town's own guide for specific numbers.
Common Emergencies & Prevention
Diving & Decompression Safety
Never dive beyond your certification level, always use a dive computer and respect no-decompression limits, and log a surface interval before flying.
Heat & Sun Exposure
Boat decks and beaches offer little shade — stay hydrated with 3-4 liters of water daily, use SPF 30+ reef-safe sunscreen, and wear a hat and rash guard for extended sun exposure.
Marine Life Safety
Never touch coral or chase marine animals, and be aware of currents at open-water sites like the Brothers Islands — follow your guide's briefing closely.
Embassy & Consular Services
Embassies are based in Cairo, though some countries keep honorary consuls in Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh. If you need consular help:
- Contact your country's embassy in Cairo (keep the number saved)
- Let your hotel or dive operator know — they can help coordinate
- Reach out to your tour operator if you booked through one
- Contact the Tourist Police (126), who are trained to assist foreign visitors
- UK Embassy Cairo+20 2 2791 6000
- US Embassy Cairo+20 2 2797 3300
- EU Citizens Emergency+20 2 2461 9860
Essential Safety Tips
- Keep a physical photocopy of your passport separate from the original
- Make sure your dive insurance covers hyperbaric treatment and evacuation
- Never dive beyond your certification level, wherever you are on the coast
- Save the nearest hyperbaric chamber's number before any dive trip
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and never touch or stand on coral
- Book liveaboards and remote-site trips only through licensed, reputable operators
- Bring extra cash — smaller towns and boat crews are often cash-only
- Learn a few basic emergency phrases in Arabic (see the phrases below)
Emergency Arabic Phrases
مساعدة
Musa'ada
Help!
طبيب
Tabeeb
Doctor
مستشفى
Mustashfa
Hospital
شرطة
Shurta
Police
أنا محتاج غرفة أكسجين
Ana mehtag ghurfat oksigin
I need a hyperbaric chamber
اتصل بالإسعاف
Itasel bil is'aaf
Call an ambulance
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance with dedicated diving coverage is essential anywhere on the Red Sea coast. Make sure your policy includes:
- Medical treatment (minimum €50,000 coverage)
- Diving and decompression sickness coverage, including hyperbaric chamber treatment
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation, including transfer between coastal towns if needed
- Liveaboard and remote-site trip coverage
- Trip cancellation and interruption
Important Disclaimer
This information is a general guide and may change. Verify details with your accommodation on arrival in Red Sea — in an emergency, hotel staff are usually the fastest way to get help.