Short answer: The best snorkeling from a boat in Hurghada is at the Giftun Islands and Orange Bay, Abu Ramada, El Fanous, Umm Gamar, Abu Nugar and Dolphin House (Shaab El Erg). Sheltered spots like Abu Ramada and the El Fanous lagoon suit beginners and children; Umm Gamar, in open sea, suits strong swimmers. On a private boat the captain picks the reefs for your group and the wind that day.
Spot by spot
| Spot | What you find | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Giftun Islands and Orange Bay | Reefs around Giftun Kebir and Giftun Soraya, inside the Northern Red Sea Islands protected area | A full day with beach time |
| Abu Ramada | Sheltered coral gardens off a small island south of Giftun | Beginners, families |
| El Fanous | A shallow lagoon and reefs about 30 minutes from central Hurghada | Children, a short trip |
| Umm Gamar | A reef wall and coral towers around a crescent-shaped island | Confident snorkellers |
| Abu Nugar | A shallow reef top north of Hurghada, near El Gouna | Calm days, all levels |
| Dolphin House | Shaab El Erg, where dolphins rest; strict rules on the water | Calm seas, good swimmers |
For all the trips from Hurghada, see Hurghada sea excursions.
Private snorkeling boats in Hurghada
- LYT-200: a 16 m motor yacht from the Tourist Port for up to 13 guests, half or full day. Snorkelling gear, life jackets, lunch and national park fees are included.
- LYT-102: a 17 m motor yacht from the Marine Sports Club for up to 12 guests, half day, full day or sunset. Life jackets come with the boat; snorkelling gear, lunch and park fees can be added per person.
Both sail to Orange Bay, Giftun, Dolphin House, Abu Ramada, Abu Nugar, El Fanous and Umm Gamar. The boat is only yours, so beginners and children can take their time, and the price is per boat, not per person.
Reef rules and safety
- Do not touch, stand on or break coral, and do not feed the fish.
- Never chase or touch dolphins; follow the crew at Dolphin House.
- Tell the crew honestly how well each person swims, and wear a vest if you are not a strong swimmer.
- Stay close to the boat and protect yourself from the sun.
The full list is in snorkeling in the Red Sea. Wind and water change with the season: see Hurghada weather by month and Red Sea water temperature.
Questions
Where is the easiest snorkeling for children in Hurghada?
Sheltered, shallow spots such as Abu Ramada and the El Fanous lagoon are usually the easiest, on a calm day and with a life jacket.
Is El Gouna snorkeling different?
Boats from El Gouna reach the northern reefs such as Abu Nugar faster. See snorkelling in El Gouna.
Yachts you can book in Hurghada
Real yachts, checked with their operators. Send your date and group for a written quote. Nothing to pay until you accept.
Sails from Hurghada
12 m Motor Yacht · Hurghada · Giftun Islands & Dolphin House
- Motor yacht
- 12 m
- Up to 10 guests
From EGP 6,500 per trip
