El Fanous by private yacht

El Fanous, also written Fanus, is the closest of these reefs to Hurghada, so it suits a half day or a first stop on a longer trip. A narrow channel leads into a lagoon, and a coral garden with large table corals slopes away from a shallow reef wall.

Turtles feed in the coral garden, giant moray eels move between the coral blocks and dolphins sometimes pass along the reef wall. Napoleon wrasse and large groupers are seen on the northern wall.

Triggerfish nest here in August and September. Keep your distance from them in the water, and follow your crew’s briefing.

1. You send a request with your date, your group and your swimming level. El Fanous is already filled in.
2. The LYT Concierge Team replies within 2 hours, 9:00 to 22:00 Cairo time, and sends a written quote: the yacht, the harbour, the departure time, the hours at sea and what is included.
3. You accept the quote and pay the 25% deposit through a secure payment link from your concierge. The operator confirms in writing.
4. On the day, you meet the crew at the harbour named on your quote, with your passport or a copy. The crew gives a short safety briefing.
5. The yacht sails out to the reef. The captain chooses the mooring for the wind and the sea.
6. You swim, snorkel or rest on deck. Drinks and food are on board if your quote includes them.
7. You sail back at the time on your quote. The 75% balance goes to the operator before boarding.

Every yacht we list carries a licensed crew and a life jacket for every guest, including children’s sizes. Everything else is written on your quote, line by line: snorkelling gear, food and drinks, towels, any fee and a hotel transfer. If it is not on the quote, it is not included.

Boats tie up to mooring buoys instead of dropping anchor on the coral. Do not touch or stand on coral, do not feed the fish, and take nothing from the sea, not even shells. Leave no rubbish in the water.

Boats sail all year. The wind blows from the north all year and is strongest from late May to early October. If the port authority or your captain stops sailing, you choose a new date or a full refund.

A speedboat suits a small group for a half day at El Fanous. A motor yacht or a catamaran gives more shade and space if you add the Giftun Islands the same day. More places are on our Hurghada yacht charter page.