The Red Sea is one of the world’s most incredible places where you can enjoy water in all its variations: you can do any water activity that comes to mind, take a relaxing swim along a coastline full of contrasts or put on a snorkel mask or a scuba diving suit and explore a unique world among the coral reefs in the various natural areas teeming with colourful tropical fish.
Sharm El Sheikh
This is the best known area along the Red Sea thanks to its incredible coastline full of unique beaches, which have been a favourite destination for many tourists looking for excellent hotels, with superb services so that you can enjoy the benefits of this magical place.
One of the most popular beaches for having a great time is clearly Na’ama Bay, where there is a large range of bars, restaurants and entertainment venues with shows even after dark. You can also enjoy a beach that is accessible for families and children and packed with water activity stalls ranging from boat trips to paddleboarding and kayaking.
However, if you want something quieter and surrounded by coral reefs, you can choose Sharks Bay, where you can even see the bay sharks that give the beach its name.
Among the most natural areas with stunning views over the Red Sea is Ras Um Sid, where wooden walkways will take you almost directly to the coral reefs, which you can see almost without having to go in the water.
For diving enthusiasts, the Blue Hole in Dahab is one of the most impressive places for scuba divers because of its tunnels that connect to the open sea but it is also one of the most dangerous.
Ras Abu Galoum
Ras Abu Galum is one of the few remaining unspoilt beaches on the Red Sea. It is near Dahab and is known for its natural beauty and marine life which is ideal for a leisurely swim with a good pair of snorkel goggles.
Ras Abu Galum is part of the Ras Mohamed Nature Reserve, which means it is a protected area. In fact, the most common way to get there is by Jeep, on foot or on a camel, making this beach an adventure in itself.
We could say that it is the counterpoint to the beaches at Sharm el-Sheikh since it has a more secluded and relaxed atmosphere.
Hurghada beach
This is one of the top destinations for organised groups after visiting Luxor and Aswan since it has many resorts offering beach, excellent food, sun and water sports almost without leaving your sun lounger.
In fact, Hurghada is famous for its diving and kitesurfing schools that take advantage of the area’s beauty to foster activities in the sea, where the seabed is still impressive and the water is crystal clear.
There is also a lively atmosphere with many bars and restaurants with live music, and some hotels even have private areas.
Marsa Alam beach
Very close to Hurghada is another of the Red Sea’s famous beaches, Marsa Alam. It is quieter and the accommodation is simpler so there is less of a resort atmosphere, but the natural beauty of this coast is even greater as it is very close to the famous Elphinstone Reef.
Among its waters you will easily see all sorts of fish, including exotic species, turtles and even dolphins, which is why it is also a popular destination for snorkellers and scuba divers.
This region is next to a nature reserve and, on its coastline, there are also impressive mountains and a desert area with some fine white sandy bathing areas.
If you are in Marsa Alam, you must visit the rare Al Nayzak natural pool, which originated from a meteorite that fell in this area of the planet.
El Gouna beach
El Gouna is a beach about 30 minutes from Hurghada that has been developed in a desert area as a haven for more upmarket tourism, something you can feel just by walking around its Abu Tig marina and observing the numerous boats moored overnight.
In fact, many hotel chains have resorts there with private beaches and giant swimming pools, and the greatest beauty of this area is still diving into the sea to be amazed by an incredible marine biodiversity in deep turquoise blue waters. El Gouna even organises night diving tours.
Beaches outside Egypt
One of the most famous beaches in the area outside Egypt is Aqaba, which is in Jordan. It is a famous diving spot for its crystal clear waters and seabed full of corals and tropical life. Aqaba has numerous hotels and resorts providing all the services that tourists may need.
Eilat beach is another popular beach, in this case in Israel, with only a 10-kilometre stretch of sea, right where Eilat is located. It is a white sandy bathing area with palm trees and corals near the shore that attracts many scuba divers and snorkellers.
The country with the most kilometres of Red Sea coastline is Saudi Arabia and it too has its own special holiday resort, Yanbu Al-Bahr. It is the largest city in this area, with almost 300,000 inhabitants, and its port is a popular resting place for many of the cruise ships that cross this sea. It has a white sandy beach of several kilometres and some luxury hotels where you can enjoy the sea.
