Is It Safe to Snorkel in the Red Sea in Egypt?

Serious shark incidents in the Egyptian Red Sea are rare, but they are real, and nobody honest can promise you will not see a shark. The UK Foreign Office says it plainly: "Shark attacks are rare, but there have been attacks on tourists in the Red Sea region." Egypt-specific injury statistics are not available, so we cannot put a percentage on your risk. Some of the events on record involved deep water outside a designated swimming area (2024), a reportedly prohibited area (2020) or unusual local conditions (floating carcasses, 2022). What you can do is cut your own risk, mostly by choosing a good operator, picking a site that suits your swimming level, and following the briefing. Below you will find the dated record, what the main snorkel sites are like, the everyday hazards, public emergency numbers, and a checklist of questions for any operator.

The record, dated

These are incidents confirmed in at least one named news source. Details such as species and ages differ between reports, so we give only what the sources agree on. The list is not complete: it covers only incidents we could confirm, and other incidents have been reported that are not listed here.

• 5 Dec 2010, Sharm El Sheikh. A 70-year-old German tourist swimming near the shore was killed; her body washed ashore, per Egyptian health officials. This followed injuries to four swimmers days earlier (Al Jazeera, RTE).
• 2 Dec 2010, Sharm El Sheikh (Naama Bay / Ras Nasrani area). Three to four snorkelers were injured and an oceanic whitetip shark was identified. The Chamber of Diving and Water Sports looked at "possible indications of illegal fishing or feeding" in the area (Divernet).
• Reported 27 Oct 2020, Ras Mohammed National Park, near Sharm El Sheikh. Two Ukrainian tourists and their guide were injured while snorkeling; a 2 m oceanic whitetip with "abnormal behavior" was identified. Three more people were injured in a second attack as the group returned to the boat, and the Environment Minister ordered all human activity near the attack suspended (Egyptian Streets). Dive Magazine adds that the group was snorkeling in a prohibited area; Egyptian Streets does not say so, so we do not state it as fact.
• 1 May 2022 (reported 2 May), Ras Mohammed National Park. No bite reported. Water sports were suspended for a day (reopened the next morning) after sheep carcasses were found floating and attracting sharks; at least one tiger shark was seen feeding (Dive Magazine).
• Early July 2022, Hurghada / Sahl Hasheesh. Two women swimming at the surface were killed (Egypt Independent; Reuters via ABS-CBN reports one Austrian and one Romanian tourist killed). The ministry formed an investigation committee and the Red Sea governor halted nearby activities (Egypt Independent).
• Reported 9 Jun 2023, Hurghada. A Russian man was killed; reported as a tiger shark. The ministry closed about 74 km of coast until the following Sunday (Euronews, NBC).
• 29 Dec 2024, northern Marsa Alam area. One Italian man was killed and another injured in "deep waters outside the designated swimming area". The area was closed to swimmers for two days (CBS, Gulf News).

We found no confirmed 2025-2026 incident in the sources we checked. That is a limit of our search, not proof that none occurred.

Context for scale. The International Shark Attack File counted 57 unprovoked bites worldwide in 2022, five of them fatal, and the Florida Museum's summary notes two fatal attacks in Egypt less than a mile apart. Euronews, citing the same file, put the risk of dying from a shark attack at roughly 1 in 4 million. A shark incident is a real event for the people involved, and this list is not a reason to stop reading about the other hazards below.

What has been reported about official rules

Rules have changed after incidents, and the reports are patchy. Two examples:

• 9 July 2022 (Egypt Independent): after the Sahl Hasheesh attacks, authorities closed a stretch of coast from north of Dasht al-Dabaa to Ras Abu Soma and banned unqualified diving and fishing until 15 July. Separately, snorkeling was restricted to supervised groups of 1 guide per 10 people in lagoons only. This was a time-limited response to one incident, not a standing national rule.
• 10 May 2025 (Egypt Independent): the Environment Ministry issued safety guidelines. As reported, they include marking the start of deep water at 2 m depth, watchtowers at least 5 m high, no individual swimming, fast rescue boats with first aid. For visitors: no swimming in fishing areas, at dawn or sunset, with shiny accessories or with a wound. For sea-trip operators: guides must explain the risks, no snorkeling at drift-dive sites, no swimming in unfavorable weather, no fishing gear on board and no feeding fish.

We found the 2025 list in one outlet only and have not seen the ministry's own text, so treat it as a report, not as confirmed law. On 23 April 2026 the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities said Egypt is reviewing its diving regulations, operational rules, staff training and oversight of the diving sector; the report we found does not mention snorkeling (ATTA). Rules are enforced differently from place to place. Ask your operator what applies at your site. Check before you travel (rules last checked 12 Oct 2026).

Snorkel sites by risk character

This is compiled from public sources only: snorkeling-report.com spot pages (dates shown), dive-site guides and tour guides. It is a general picture, not a live condition report. Currents change with wind, tide and season. Depths for shore spots are as reported by the source, not measured by us. Most spot pages date from 2023-2024, so check current conditions with your operator.

• Ras Mohammed: Seven Pools (Sharm day trips). Entry from a boat onto shallow patch reefs. Reported depth: 2 m on the reef top, 10 m around (snorkeling-report, page dated 6 Sep 2023). Current not stated; the source says "almost no waves" and usually perfect visibility. Visitors "medium to high". Rated intermediate by the source.
• Ras Mohammed: Shark and Yolanda reefs. Boat access; this is mainly a dive site with a sheer drop of 800 m+ (PADI). PADI describes "a roller coaster ride of currents, which turn every which way". It is a drift-dive site, and the 2025 report above says no snorkeling at drift-dive sites. The 2020 incident was reported here (Egyptian Streets). Ask your operator whether snorkelers are taken to this site at all.
• Tiran Island reefs (Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, Gordon). Boat access. Gordon: 6 m max (snorkeling-report, 26 Feb 2024); the other reefs have steep drop-offs and walls to 30-40 m for divers (Liveaboard.com). The straits overall have "very strong even whirling currents in some areas" (Liveaboard.com) and "can become crowded with dive operators, liveaboards as well as day trips". Gordon has high visitor numbers, no lifeguard and is rated intermediate. Liveaboard.com's dive guide says some reefs have fire coral, which stings, and advises protection on body and hands: a rash guard is sensible, and keep off the reef.
• Ras Um Sid / El Fanar Beach (Sharm). Entry by the pier ladder at El Fanar Beach (the source's best option), from the public beach (about 250 m swim to the main area) or by boat. Reported depth: 1 m on the reef flat, 20 m at the drop-off, which the source places about 20 yards (about 18 m) from the beach (snorkeling-report, 3 Jun 2024). The source reports strong current to the left of the pontoon. Visitors "medium"; no lifeguard. Sudden reef edge close to the shore. The source notes lionfish. Treat conditions as variable.
• Giftun Island / Orange Bay (Hurghada). Boat day trips, with beach entry at the island. Tour guides describe shallow reefs near the shore; we found no measured depth. Sources conflict: a tour operator (Pure Nile Tours, a commercial source) says "relatively low current" at snorkel stops, while a dive guide (Duikersgids) rates the Giftun drift dive current as medium to strong. The tour operator says boats carry 20-40 passengers on morning departures. Very little independent snorkeling data was found, so ask your operator for the current stop by stop.
• Sataya "Dolphin Reef" (Marsa Alam). From a zodiac or boat. 20 m max (snorkeling-report, 8 Jun 2024). "Moderate currents can occur ... even when the sea conditions are good". Visitors "medium to high". Protected area. Dolphin-watching rules: swim gently, no touching, no feeding. Sightings are not guaranteed.
• Abu Dabbab (Marsa Alam). Walk in from a sandy beach. 6 m max (snorkeling-report, 23 Jun 2024). Under good conditions the source reports almost no waves or currents. Visitors "high". The source notes moray eels, lionfish and stingrays on the reef. It is one of Egypt's better-known spots for green turtles, but sightings are not guaranteed, and dugong sightings "remain rare". Shallow, so a gentler choice for beginners, but crowded.

How to read it. Sheltered shore sites such as Abu Dabbab and the reef flat at Ras Um Sid suit beginners. Boat-only sites near open water or drop-offs (Tiran, Ras Mohammed walls) are better for confident swimmers with a guide, and a life vest is sensible there. The one exception to that split is Ras Um Sid, where the source warns about strong current to the left of the pontoon.

What actually goes wrong

We have no Egypt-specific injury statistics, so we cannot rank these by frequency for the Red Sea. What we can cite is general snorkeling data from the Divers Alert Network (DAN, blog post of 2013, covering 1994-2006): about 5 deaths per million snorkelers, with cardiac events (60 deaths) and drowning at the surface (33 deaths) the leading causes in an Australian study of 140 deaths. DAN also notes that people with known heart disease or a family history of sudden cardiac death are at much higher risk. In practice, that points to an unglamorous list:

1. Your own health. Known heart conditions, or a first long swim in a mask. Talk to your doctor before booking if this applies to you. 2. Fatigue, cramp and current. Weak swimmers who leave the group or the boat's line. 3. Sun and dehydration on deck and at the surface. Wear a rash guard and a hat; the NHS says sunscreen should be reapplied straight after being in water, even if water resistant, and advises at least factor 30 with 4-star UVA protection. (NHS guidance is written for the UK; Red Sea sun is stronger, so treat it as a minimum.) 4. Boats and propellers. Surface near the boat, not far from it. Busy sites such as Tiran see dive operators, liveaboards and day trips side by side (Liveaboard.com), so watch for boats when you surface. 5. Cuts and stings from coral and sea urchins. The NHS advice for urchin spines is to rinse with seawater, remove spines with tweezers or the edge of a bank card, then soak in water as hot as can be tolerated for at least 30 minutes. Call emergency services for difficulty breathing, chest pain or severe swelling. This is general information, not a medical promise.

How to lower your risk

This is general advice with sources where we have them, not an official rule.

• Swim with the group, within sight of the guide and the boat.
• Wear a flotation vest if you are a weak swimmer, tire easily or are snorkeling at a site with current or a drop-off. The American Academy of Pediatrics says children should wear life jackets at all times on boats or near water, that Type 1 jackets suit open water and oceans, that the jacket should not be loose, and that water wings, toys and air mattresses must never be used as life jackets (HealthyChildren.org). In our view, a vest helps but does not replace supervision.
• Timing: sources pull in two directions. The Egypt Independent report of the 2025 instructions and World Nomads both advise against swimming at dawn and dusk. World Nomads' midday remark is about diving, so it does not settle snorkeling timing. The NHS advises shade between 11am and 3pm for sun safety (UK guidance). The practical middle: avoid dawn and dusk in the water, and in the middle of the day use a rash guard, hat and plenty of water on deck.
• Take off shiny jewelry; stay out with an open wound.
• Do not feed fish and do not touch the reef or marine life.
• Stay out of the water if the guide says conditions are wrong, even when others are going in. High wind or recent rain can mean choppy water and poor visibility (World Nomads).
• Tell the guide about heart, ear, asthma or epilepsy problems before you enter.
• Keep children within arm's reach. For babies under 6 months the NHS says to keep them out of direct strong sunlight, so a Red Sea boat day is a poor fit.

If you see a shark

Euronews' safety summary for a bad encounter was: stay in groups, minimize splashing, and if attacked target the nose, gills or eyes. Sharks are present in the Red Sea and sightings are not predictable. Signal the guide and follow their instructions, and do not chase, touch or feed anything.

Emergency contacts (check before you travel)

Numbers change. Save them before you go and confirm with your hotel. Numbers as checked on 12 Oct 2026.

• Ambulance: 123. UK FCDO Egypt travel advice, "Getting help"; the FCDO health page says "Call 123 and ask for an ambulance"; Egypt's Health Ministry spokesperson said on 8 Jul 2025 that ambulance services via 123 are operational.
• Police: 122. UK FCDO, "Getting help".
• Fire: 180. UK FCDO, "Getting help".
• Tourist police (to report a crime): 126. UK FCDO, "Getting help".
• Sharm International Hospital (government hospital, Sharm El Sheikh): 069 3660894 to 069 3660898 (from outside Egypt: +20 69 3660894...). FCDO list of medical facilities, updated 18 July 2022. FCDO states its lists are not recommendations.
• Hurghada hospitals (examples): Red Sea Hospital 065 3544850 (government); General Hospital Hurghada 065 3546740 (government). FCDO list of medical facilities, 18 July 2022.

The hospital numbers come from a list dated 2022, so confirm them before you rely on them. For decompression illness, a hyperbaric chamber has historically been reported in Sharm el-Maya by the Travco Jetty (a 2019 magazine article). We give no phone number because we could not confirm a current one: ask your dive operator or your insurer's emergency line for the current chamber contact. We do not list a Marsa Alam hospital number. Your first call is the boat crew, who can radio for help; your travel insurance should include emergency evacuation (FCDO advises "appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation").

Choosing an operator: 15 questions to ask before you pay

This list is our own editorial checklist, built from general good practice and the reports above. It is not an official standard, and no item is stated as a legal requirement. The UK Foreign Office warns that "Safety standards of Red Sea resort diving operators and boats vary considerably." One travel-safety source also suggests checking that the company is not on the Egyptian Chamber of Diving and Water Sports blacklist of companies not operating legally (World Nomads).

1. Do you give a safety briefing before anyone enters the water? 2. Does the briefing cover shiny items, wounds, staying in the group and signals? 3. Are life vests offered, or required, for non-swimmers and children? 4. Does a guide enter the water with guests, and how many guests per guide? 5. How do you count heads leaving and returning to the boat? 6. Is there a first-aid kit and oxygen on board? 7. Does the boat have a radio or other way to call for help? 8. Do you avoid snorkeling at drift-dive sites? 9. Who decides to cancel in poor weather, and have you done so before? 10. Do you allow feeding fish or using bait? (The right answer is no.) 11. Which reef or site will we snorkel, and what is the current like there today? 12. Do you operate a licensed boat, and can you show the licence? 13. Is there insurance for guests, and what does it cover? 14. What is the plan for a guest who is cramped, tired or panicking? 15. Can I speak to your guide before booking?

Who this is not for

• Non-swimmers who want to snorkel without a life vest or a guide.
• Anyone who plans to ignore the briefing or swim off alone.
• People with untreated heart conditions who have not asked their doctor.
• Anyone expecting a guarantee. The sea has wild animals in it.

FAQ

Is it safe to snorkel in Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada? Serious shark incidents are rare (see the dated record), but Egypt-specific injury statistics are not available, so we cannot promise a level of risk. Stay with a guided group, listen to the briefing and use a flotation vest if you are unsure.

Are there sharks in the Red Sea? Yes. The Red Sea has many shark species. Sightings are not predictable.

Is it safe to snorkel with kids? Many families do. The AAP advises life jackets for children on boats and near water. In our view a jacket does not replace adult supervision. Choose a sheltered shore spot such as Abu Dabbab over a drop-off site, keep children within arm's reach, and ask whether a guide enters the water.

Can I snorkel if I cannot swim? Only with a flotation vest and a guide who knows. Tell the crew before you board.

Which time of day is safest? We cannot rank times of day with data. Sources advise against dawn and dusk, and the NHS advises shade at midday for sun safety. See the timing note above and ask your operator about timing at your site.

What should I do about sea urchins? Avoid touching the reef. For treatment steps see the NHS advice above, and tell the crew at once.

Who do I call in an emergency? Tell the boat crew first. Then ambulance 123, police 122, fire 180, tourist police 126 (check the list above and confirm before you travel).

Which site is best for beginners? Sheltered shore spots such as Abu Dabbab and the reef flat at Ras Um Sid are gentler than boat-only drop-off sites, but Abu Dabbab is crowded and Ras Um Sid has strong current to the left of the pontoon.

Related guides and trips

Related reading on Sunny Egypt: Ras Mohammed National Park: A Visitor's Guide; The Straits of Tiran: Reefs, Currents and What to Expect; A First-Timer's Guide to Red Sea Diving; Is Egypt Safe to Visit? An Honest Answer. If you want to snorkel with a guide, see our trips Sharm El Sheikh: Ras Mohammed Snorkeling and Hurghada Giftun Island Snorkeling & BBQ.

Last updated: 12 October 2026. Rules, emergency numbers and site conditions change; check before you travel.

Sources

All sources were fetched on 12 October 2026 unless noted. Time-sensitive items (rules, emergency numbers, hospital list, site conditions) must be checked again before you travel.

Incidents and rules

• Egypt Independent, Environment Ministry instructions, 10 May 2025: https://egyptindependent.com/egypt-issues-strict-warnings-and-instructions-to-protect-vacationers-from-shark-attacks/
• Egypt Independent, 2022 investigation committee: https://egyptindependent.com/environment-ministry-forms-committee-to-investigate-hurghada-shark-attack/
• Egypt Independent, 9 Jul 2022 measures: https://egyptindependent.com/urgent-measures-in-place-to-confront-shark-attacks-in-hurghada/
• Reuters via ABS-CBN, 4 Jul 2022: https://abs-cbn.com/overseas/07/04/22/shark-kills-1-austrian-1-romanian-tourist-in-egypts-red-sea
• Euronews, 9 Jun 2023: https://www.euronews.com/travel/2023/06/09/egypt-shark-attack-how-rare-are-fatal-maulings-at-red-sea-resorts
• NBC, 2023 Hurghada: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/man-mauled-death-tiger-shark-egypt-red-sea-coast-rcna88511
• Divernet, 2 Dec 2010: https://divernet.com/scuba-news/health-safety/snorkellers-seriously-injured-by-shark/
• Egyptian Streets, 27 Oct 2020, Ras Mohammed: https://egyptianstreets.com/2020/10/27/water-sports-in-egypts-ras-muhammad-reserve-suspended-after-shark-attack/
• Dive Magazine, 2 May 2022 suspension (also mentions the 2020 incident): https://divemagazine.com/scuba-diving-news/ras-mohammed-diving-suspended-due-to-shark-attack-risk
• Florida Museum, ISAF 2022 summary: https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/science/shark-bites-tied-for-10-year-low-in-2022-but-spiked-in-regional-hotspots/
• CBS News, 29 Dec 2024: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/shark-attack-tourist-killed-egypt-red-sea
• Gulf News, same incident: https://gulfnews.com/world/mena/tourist-killed-in-egypt-red-sea-shark-attack-environment-ministry-1.500008505
• ATTA, 23 Apr 2026, diving regulation review: https://atta.travel/resource/egypt-moves-to-update-diving-regulations-for-safety-and-marine-conservation.html
• UK FCDO safety and security: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/safety-and-security

Snorkel sites

• snorkeling-report.com, Ras Um Sid / El Fanar (updated 3 Jun 2024): https://www.snorkeling-report.com/spot/snorkeling-ras-um-sid-sharm-el-sheikh/
• snorkeling-report.com, Sataya (updated 8 Jun 2024): https://snorkeling-report.com/spot/snorkeling-sataya-reef-dolphin-house/
• snorkeling-report.com, Abu Dabbab (updated 23 Jun 2024): https://snorkeling-report.com/spot/snorkeling-abu-dabbab-marsa-alam/
• snorkeling-report.com, Gordon Reef (updated 26 Feb 2024): https://snorkeling-report.com/fr/spot/snorkeling-gordon-reef-sharm-el-sheikh/
• snorkeling-report.com, Seven Pools, Ras Mohammed (page dated 6 Sep 2023): https://www.snorkeling-report.com/spot/snorkeling-seven-pools-ras-mohammed/
• PADI, Shark and Yolanda Reef: https://www.padi.com/dive-site/egypt/shark-yolanda-reef-ras-mohammed/
• Liveaboard.com, Straits of Tiran: https://www.liveaboard.com/diving/egypt/straits-of-tiran
• Duikersgids, Giftun Drift: https://www.duikersgids.nl/en/giftun-drift
• Pure Nile Tours, Giftun: https://pureniletours.com/giftun-island-hurghada
• World Nomads, sharks and snorkelling in Egypt: https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/north-africa/egypt/sharks-and-snorkelling-egypt

Health and emergency (numbers checked 12 Oct 2026; check before you travel)

• UK FCDO Egypt, Getting help (123/122/180/126): https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/getting-help
• UK FCDO Egypt, Health: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/health
• Egypt Health Ministry spokesperson on 123, 8 Jul 2025 (Amwal Al Ghad): https://en.amwalalghad.com/?p=208399
• Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (tourist police 126, emergency 122): https://mfa.bg/bg/situationcenter/23910
• UK FCDO list of medical facilities, updated 18 Jul 2022: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/egypt-list-of-medical-facilities-practitioners/egypt-doctors-and-medical-facilities
• X-Ray Magazine, 24 Jan 2019 (hyperbaric chamber location only): https://old.xray-mag.com/content/dr-adel-be-inducted-international-scuba-diving-hall-fame
• AAP HealthyChildren.org, life jackets: https://healthychildren.org/english/safety-prevention/at-play/pages/life-jackets-and-life-preservers.aspx
• NHS sunscreen and sun safety: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/
• NHS, sea creature stings: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/jellyfish-and-other-sea-creature-stings/treatment/
• DAN, snorkeling deaths (8 Oct 2013): https://dan.org/safety-prevention/diver-safety/divers-blog/snorkeling-deaths/