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Giftun Island National Park - The ultimate snorkeling destination
Giftun Island National Park is a very popular snorkeling location near Hurghada and one that has a special place in the heart of every Snorkeler on their visit to Hurghada. The Marine Park is very rich in the Red Sea marine life. It has lovely blue clear water and pure white beaches. The island is normally accessed by boat trip from Hurghada Marina and most trips include various snorkeling locations off the reefs surrounding the island. When you put your face in the water the colorful fish including clownfish, parrotfish, angels and sometimes even rays and turtles surround you immediately. What makes Giftun Island great is that it offers snorkeling with good visibility at relatively shallow depths making it suitable for all snorkeling levels.
Best for: Any level / family trips / first time snorkeler
Highlight: Marine Park / good visibility.
Mahmya Island - Eco-friendly destination on Red Sea
MaHmya is an island within the Giftun archipelago and is known for being very environmentally protected and offers an eco-friendly snorkeling location with pristine coral reefs. The waters in Mahmya are extremely clear and tranquil making it an ideal location for beginner and non swimmers alike to snorkel. The shallow waters gently slope down creating a gradual depth change and beautiful reefs start at the shoreline containing all sorts of vibrant fish life. Mahmya is also very popular for its white sand beaches and chic wooden beach cabanas and offers the perfect day out if your searching for somewhere to unwind and relax away from large tourist crowds.
Best for: Couples / beginners / relaxation
Highlight: Eco-Tourism / Shallow reefs / tranquil atmosphere.
Abu Ramada Reef - 'The Aquarium' of Hurghada
This famous site near Hurghada is sometimes known as the 'natural aquarium of the Red Sea', and is packed with marine life and coral formations towering out from the seabed. It is located slightly deeper than some of the other sites though so is perhaps for the more experienced snorkeler. As you look into the depths there are many colorful schools of fish swimming with ease among the vibrant red, purple, orange and blue corals. You may encounter larger species here like Barracudas, Grouper and Butterfly fish making Abu Ramada a favorite with divers and underwater photographers alike due to its remarkable density of marine life and vibrant corals.
Best for: Photographers / experienced snorkeler
Highlight: Vibrant corals / dense marine life.
Shaab El Erg (Dolphin house) - Swim with wild dolphins
Shaab El Erg is famous as 'Dolphin house' due to the population of Spinner Dolphins that reside and often cruise the site on a regular basis. Boat trips heading here for snorkeling hope that you will be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of these wonderful marine mammals and although it cannot be guaranteed, your boat trip will certainly try hard to deliver and there are certainly schools of dolphin present nearly every day though whether they will decide to swim with you is entirely their own choice!. This is the ultimate snorkeling experience if your looking to combine beautiful coral reefs with a chance to swim with wild dolphins.
Best for: Adventure / wildlife lovers
Highlight: Possibility of swimming with wild dolphins.
Orange Bay - Maldives style getaway for snorkeling
With pristine white sand and turquoise water it’s easy to see why Orange Bay has been nicknamed the Maldives of Hurghada! This stunning destination with extremely shallow waters has fantastic snorkeling around its natural reef structure which gently slopes away from the shore. There are abundant amounts of colorful tropical fish for you to see as they swim through the shallow crystal clear waters at the perfect depth for the majority of snorkelers. Alongside the fabulous snorkeling the island is also famous for its fun social scene and boasts overwater hammocks to lounge in. Orange Bay is a very popular day destination for all ages and perfect for keen photographers and beginners alike.
Best for: Beginners / photographers / beach lovers
Highlight: Pristine beach / very shallow waters.
Carless Reef - For serious snorkelers and photographers
This lesser-known but beautiful reef close to Hurghada often appears on full-day snorkeling excursions to the outer Red Sea. It boasts large quantities of corals growing over its walls which are teeming with all types of marine life. You may find yourselves swimming amongst large schools of fish along the reefs steeper drops and if your very lucky you may even catch sight of reef sharks who are commonly seen. The large currents flowing over the reef make it perfect for carrying larger numbers of plankton which attracts larger fish, so this is a fantastic reef for photography and experienced snorkelers to visit.
Best for: Experienced snorkeler / photographers
Highlight: Off the track diving spot.
