Red Sea Resorts in Egypt: Hurghada, Marsa Alam and the Best Coastal Destinations
1,000 km of coastline · 8 destinations · Coral reefs · Dugongs · Dolphins · Sharks · Wrecks · Desert
Some seas are simply beautiful. The Red Sea is a world of its own. More than 1,000 kilometres of Egyptian coastline, resorts with very different personalities and an extraordinary variety of marine life have attracted divers, snorkellers and travellers from around the world for decades. Hurghada is just the beginning: as you travel south through Safaga and El Quseir to Marsa Alam, the landscapes change and new sides of the Red Sea appear. In this guide, Sharara Tours helps you compare the best Red Sea resorts in Egypt and choose the right one for your holiday.
The best Red Sea resorts in Egypt at a glance
Egypt's Red Sea coast stretches for more than 1,000 kilometres. From lively resort towns to quiet, almost untouched natural areas, every region has its own atmosphere, landscapes and attractions. Discover the most popular Red Sea holiday destinations and choose the one that matches your travel style.
The Red Sea in Egypt – a unique coral reef ecosystem
Before looking at the individual resorts, it is worth understanding what makes the Red Sea so special. It is home to more than 1,200 fish species, many of them endemic – found nowhere else in the world.
The water temperature usually ranges from 20 to 30 °C during the year, and in good conditions underwater visibility can reach 40 metres. The coast enjoys over 340 sunny days a year. That is why the Red Sea is not only a summer destination: you can visit all year round, and October to March is especially attractive if you prefer milder air temperatures.
Hurghada – your gateway to the Red Sea
For many travellers, Hurghada is their first taste of the Red Sea. Once a small fishing village, it has become one of Egypt's main resort destinations. An international airport, a wide choice of hotels and easy access to coral reefs and islands make it especially popular with European visitors. With the Giftun Islands, snorkelling, diving, boat trips, desert safaris and lively nightlife, Hurghada is one of the most popular Red Sea resorts in Egypt.
A Hurghada holiday can look very different depending on your interests. Families appreciate the large hotels and extensive facilities, divers can choose from many dive centres, and the Marina and tourist districts offer restaurants, cafés and places to spend the evening.
The Giftun Islands are among the most popular boat trip destinations from Hurghada. White beaches, turquoise water and snorkelling stops draw visitors to places such as Mahmya Island and Orange Bay.
Shaab El Erg is known for its spinner dolphins. On boat trips such as our Dolphin House excursion from Hurghada you can sometimes see them in their natural habitat, but as with all wild animals, sightings can never be guaranteed.
If you are curious about local life, visit the El Dahar district, with its traditional markets, shops, cafés and busy streets, far from the atmosphere of the big hotels. See all our Hurghada excursions.
El Gouna – lagoons, elegant hotels and kitesurfing
About 20 kilometres north of Hurghada, El Gouna stands out with its picturesque lagoons, marina, boutique hotels and well-kept town. The resort was designed as a self-contained holiday town with restaurants, services and plenty of attractions.
El Gouna is particularly famous for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Shallow waters and favourable winds attract both beginners and experienced water-sports fans. Explore our El Gouna excursions.
Makadi Bay and Soma Bay – luxury hotels and coral reefs
Makadi Bay, south of Hurghada, is valued for its high-standard hotels, relatively calm bay and snorkelling straight from the beach. It is a good choice for couples and travellers looking for a relaxing break (see our Makadi Bay excursions).
Soma Bay is a peninsula known for elegant hotels, water sports, beautiful beaches and a golf course. The atmosphere here is more exclusive and peaceful than in central Hurghada (see our Soma Bay excursions).
Marsa Alam – a paradise for nature lovers and divers
About 220 kilometres south of Hurghada, Marsa Alam attracts visitors with its tranquillity and natural beauty. The town itself is small, but the tourist zone stretches along a long section of coast, and the region's greatest treasures lie in the sea, on the coral reefs and in the desert. It is the ideal destination if you want to discover Egypt's wilder side.
South of Marsa Alam lies Wadi El Gemal National Park, which protects mangrove forests, wild beaches, coral reefs and exceptional biodiversity. This combination of sea and desert gives Marsa Alam its unique character.
Elphinstone Reef – a legendary dive site
Elphinstone Reef, north of Marsa Alam, is one of the region's most famous dive sites. Its steep walls drop into deep blue water, and strong currents, beautiful corals and the chance to meet large pelagic animals attract experienced divers. Depending on the season and conditions, you may see oceanic whitetip sharks and sometimes hammerhead sharks.
Other well-known dive sites around Marsa Alam include Shaab Samadai (Dolphin House), Abu Dabbab and Shaab Marsa Alam. Sharks, corals, dolphins, dugongs and sea turtles make the region one of Egypt's top diving and snorkelling destinations.
Abu Dabbab – the bay of dugongs and sea turtles
One of the symbols of Marsa Alam is the dugong, also known as the sea cow. Abu Dabbab Bay, north of the town, is famous for its seagrass meadows, a natural habitat for these marine mammals. Dugongs move freely, so a sighting can never be guaranteed – but seeing one in the wild is one of the most extraordinary experiences in the region.
The same seagrass meadows are regularly visited by sea turtles, especially green and loggerhead turtles. You can watch them while snorkelling or diving, as long as you keep a safe distance. Never touch the animals or follow them in a way that disturbs their natural behaviour.
Shaab Samadai – the Dolphin House of Marsa Alam
Shaab Samadai, also known as Dolphin House, is a horseshoe-shaped reef visited by spinner dolphins, which use the area to rest. Tourist activities here are regulated to limit disturbance. Snorkelling trips to the reef are among the most popular sea excursions in Marsa Alam – for example our Sataya Dolphin Reef trip.
Whale sharks in Marsa Alam
Whale sharks are occasionally spotted around Marsa Alam. Their presence depends on natural conditions and the season, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Still, meeting this huge filter-feeding shark is one of the most remarkable experiences for divers and snorkellers.
Safaga – windsurfing, wreck diving and relaxation
About 60 kilometres south of Hurghada, Safaga has long been known to divers and windsurfers, though it is less popular with travellers looking for classic all-inclusive holidays. Regular winds, clear water and beautiful coral reefs make it an appealing alternative to busier resorts, and local centres offer lessons and equipment hire for all levels.
Underwater, Safaga is just as fascinating. It is home to one of the best-known wrecks on Egypt's Red Sea coast, the Salem Express. This Egyptian ferry sank on the night of 14–15 December 1991 after striking a reef, and hundreds of people lost their lives. The wreck lies at a depth of about 15–30 metres. Diving here requires proper preparation and deep respect for the victims of the tragedy.
Panorama Reef and Abu Kafan are among the most highly regarded dive sites around Safaga, with impressive formations, corals and often fewer visitors.
Safaga is also sometimes associated with wellness tourism because of its dry climate and the dark sand found in some places. However, claims about its healing properties should be treated with caution and discussed with a medical professional.
El Quseir – history, tranquillity and beautiful coral reefs
About 140 kilometres south of Hurghada lies El Quseir, one of the historic port towns of the Red Sea. For centuries, its harbour took part in trade between the Nile Valley, the Arabian Peninsula and pilgrimage routes. Its Ottoman fortress still towers over the historic centre, and narrow streets, old houses and local cafés give El Quseir an atmosphere very different from modern resorts.
Underwater, El Quseir is a paradise for divers who value high-quality sites and a calmer atmosphere. In many places, the reefs right along the coast are in good condition. You may meet sea turtles and Napoleon wrasse, and at deeper sites, in the right conditions, even hammerhead sharks.
West of El Quseir lies Wadi Hammamat, linked to the ancient routes connecting the Nile Valley with the Red Sea. Its rock inscriptions and historic remains are an important source of knowledge about trade and travel in ancient Egypt.
The Red Sea underwater world – fish, corals and marine life
Parrotfish, clownfish, lionfish, moray eels, barracudas, eagle rays, Napoleon wrasse, sharks, dugongs, sea turtles and dolphins – the biodiversity of the Red Sea is remarkable. Beautiful coral reefs and good underwater visibility, together with many dive sites reachable from the shore or by boat, make the region one of the world's leading destinations for diving and snorkelling. Beginners can learn with an English-speaking instructor at dive centres along the coast, or join our Hurghada snorkelling tours.
The Red Sea is also famous for wreck diving. The best-known wrecks include the Salem Express near Safaga and the wrecks of Shaab Abu Nuhas, such as the Carnatic and the Giannis D.
What to do on Egypt's Red Sea coast
Hurghada: snorkelling, boat trips, island excursions, nightlife and all-inclusive relaxation.
El Gouna: kitesurfing, picturesque lagoons, boutique hotels and golf.
Safaga: windsurfing, wreck diving and desert trips.
El Quseir: the old town, coral reefs, Wadi Hammamat and peaceful relaxation.
Marsa Alam: dugongs, dolphins and sea turtles, diving and Elphinstone Reef.
Hurghada or Marsa Alam? Choosing the right Red Sea resort
Family holidays and a first trip to Egypt → Hurghada · Elegance and relaxation → El Gouna · Windsurfing and diving → Safaga · History and an authentic atmosphere → El Quseir · Nature, snorkelling and diving → Marsa Alam · Nightlife and diving → Sharm El Sheikh.
Red Sea hotels – where is the best place to stay?
In Hurghada, accommodation ranges from large all-inclusive hotels to properties that specialise in divers. El Gouna offers villas, boutique hotels and lagoon-side properties. Safaga attracts visitors with its dive centres and water sports. El Quseir offers intimate stays in a more historic setting. In Marsa Alam you will find both eco-lodges and luxury resorts with direct access to the coral reefs.
Combine the Red Sea with Egypt's great monuments
Many travellers combine a Red Sea holiday with a trip to Egypt's ancient wonders. From Hurghada, Makadi Bay, Soma Bay or Safaga, you can join our Luxor tours from Hurghada or Cairo tours from Hurghada with a professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide. Adventure seekers can also head inland on our Hurghada desert safari tours with an English-speaking safari guide.
Over 1,000 kilometres of Red Sea coastline to discover
The Red Sea in Egypt is not one destination but a whole collection of extraordinary experiences. Hurghada is lively and easy to reach, Safaga draws water-sports enthusiasts, El Quseir tells the story of the coast, and Marsa Alam captivates with its natural beauty. Each resort has its own character, and visiting several of them reveals the true diversity of Egypt's Red Sea.
Red Sea resorts in Egypt – frequently asked questions
Which is better, Hurghada or Marsa Alam?
Hurghada is best for families, first-time visitors and travellers who want lots of activities and nightlife. Marsa Alam is quieter and better for nature lovers, snorkellers and divers hoping to see dugongs, turtles and dolphins.
When is the best time to visit the Red Sea in Egypt?
The Red Sea can be visited all year round. October to March offers milder air temperatures, while the water usually ranges from 20 to 30 °C during the year.
Where can you see dugongs in Egypt?
Abu Dabbab Bay near Marsa Alam is the best-known place, thanks to its seagrass meadows. Dugongs are wild animals, so sightings can never be guaranteed.
Which Red Sea resort is best for kitesurfing?
El Gouna and Soma Bay are popular for kitesurfing, while Safaga is especially well known for windsurfing thanks to its regular winds.
Can I visit Luxor or Cairo from the Red Sea?
Yes. Sharara Tours organises day trips and multi-day tours from Hurghada and the nearby resorts to Luxor and Cairo with a professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide.
Plan your Red Sea adventure with Sharara Tours
Snorkelling trips, island excursions, desert safaris and day tours to Luxor and Cairo – our team organises them all from the Red Sea resorts. Tell us where you are staying and we will suggest the best options.
Book now Hurghada excursions