[Sharm El Sheikh] Recommended Beaches for Snorkeling
Sharm El Sheikh is a resort town facing the Red Sea, located at the southernmost tip of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.
It is a beach resort that attracts tourists from all over the world due to its year-round warm climate, high water clarity, colorful coral reefs, diverse marine life, and shipwreck diving spots.
For information on famous spots in Sharm El Sheikh like Farsha Cafe and how to get around the city, please see this article ↓
In this post, I will introduce recommended beaches in Sharm El Sheikh that you can access on your own, rather than through a tour ✳︎
El Fanar Beach
This is a popular spot for snorkeling and diving, where you can see colorful coral reefs spreading along the drop-off and a wide variety of marine life in high-clarity water!
※This is not a beach for playing with inflatable rings
A drop-off is an underwater terrain where the seabed drops vertically or sharply from a shallow area into the deep sea, making it a popular spot for diving. It is often seen where the edge of a coral reef (reef edge) drops into the deep sea.
you can enter the water easily.
The entrance fee is 200 EGP (approx. 600 yen), which includes a sunbed and umbrella for the day, as well as one 500ml bottle of water.
There are toilets, showers, and a restaurant on-site, so you can spend the whole day here.
This beach does not have swimming areas marked off by buoys, so you can basically swim freely. However, there are lifeguards, and if you try to go to the left of the entry point or too far offshore, they will blow a whistle to call you back.
There don't seem to be any restrictions to the right of the entry point, so if you swim along the reef, you can access areas like the Farsha Cafe beach.
The depth is enough for freedivers to enjoy, so I recommend bringing your own set of fins, a mask, and a snorkel.
As for access, taking a taxi is the easiest way, but you can also take a microbus to the nearest main road and walk from there.
Shark's Bay Beach
This beach is located on the north side of Sharm El Sheikh, near the airport.
*Shark Bay is a private beach exclusively for hotel guests, so the general public cannot enter.
I made the mistake of going there myself and had to walk for about 40 minutes to get to the right place, so please be careful.
Shark Bay -> Exclusive to hotel guests
Shark's Bay Beach -> Hotel guests + general public can use it by purchasing a ticket
The entrance fee is 200 EGP (600 yen), which includes a sunbed and umbrella for the day.
At this beach, buoys are set up to define the swimming area, and the water is not very deep.
Because boats used for marine activities frequently come and go, you will be warned if you try to go beyond the buoys into the open water.
The water is very clear and you can see fish, but I felt it was a bit underwhelming due to the lack of freedom and the shallow depth.
Regarding access, if you use a microbus, you have to walk a considerable distance after getting off, so a taxi is recommended.
By the way, it is near a famous spot called SOHO Square, so I think it's a good idea to stop by there as well.*It is quiet during the day, and shops open and it gets lively from the evening onwards
Private Beach
A hidden gem for snorkeling.
However, this is a private beach, and only those staying at the accommodation facing this beach can access it.
The beach is at the bottom of a cliff, and you can find a path or stairs that look like they can be descended to get down.
The water is clear, deep enough to swim freely, but it is difficult to manage valuables, and since boats frequently pass through this area as well, please swim at your own risk and be careful.
In Sharm El Sheikh, snorkeling tours and diving by boat with round-trip hotel transfers are popular, but you can fully enjoy beautiful coral reefs and marine life even from the beach.
In particular, Fanar Beach, which I introduced first, is a highly recommended spot, so please be sure to visit it when you come to Sharm El Sheikh✳︎