Discover the Best Beaches in Egypt

After more than a decade of leading tours across Egypt, one thing still surprises our guests: just how spectacular the beaches are. Most visitors come for the pyramids and temples, but end up extending their trip just to spend a few extra days by the water.

Egypt sits at the crossroads of two very different seas. The Red Sea along the eastern coast is famous worldwide for warm, crystal-clear water and some of the best coral reefs on the planet. The Mediterranean along the north offers a completely different vibe—cooler water, European-style resort towns, and sea breezes that make summer bearable.

We have put together this guide based on years of first-hand experience, guest feedback, and countless personal visits to every beach on this list. Whether you are looking for world-class diving, a family-friendly resort, a romantic getaway, or a quick escape from Cairo, you will find the right beach below.

Quick Comparison: Egypt’s Best Beaches at a Glance

Beach / Resort	Best For	Water Temp (Winter/Summer)	From Cairo	Budget Level
Sharm El-Sheikh	Diving, nightlife, all-inclusive	22°C / 28°C	1hr flight	€€–€€€
Hurghada	Families, water sports, budget-friendly	21°C / 28°C	5hr drive / 1hr flight	€–€€
El Gouna	Luxury, couples, kitesurfing	21°C / 28°C	5.5hr drive / 1hr flight	€€€
Dahab	Budget travelers, freediving, backpackers	22°C / 27°C	7hr drive	€
Marsa Alam	Diving with dugongs and dolphins, quiet	22°C / 29°C	7hr drive / 1.5hr flight	€€
Ain Sokhna	Weekend getaway from Cairo	18°C / 27°C	2hr drive	€–€€
Ras Sudr	Kitesurfing, camping	20°C / 27°C	3hr drive	€
North Coast (Sahel)	Summer scene, white sand	17°C / 26°C	2–3hr drive	€€–€€€
Alexandria	City beaches, seafood, history	16°C / 26°C	2.5hr drive / train	€

1. Sharm El-Sheikh — The Red Sea’s Most Famous Resort Town

Sharm El-Sheikh sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Red Sea. It has been Egypt’s flagship beach destination since the 1980s, and for good reason: the reef systems here are among the healthiest in the world, the infrastructure is mature, and the sheer variety of things to do keeps visitors busy for a week or more.

What sets Sharm apart is how close the coral is to shore. At Ras Um Sid, you can walk off the beach and be floating over a wall of soft coral within minutes. Naama Bay is livelier—think beachfront cafes, glass-bottom boat tours, and families splashing in the shallows—but the real magic happens at the dive sites further out.

Top Beaches and Dive Sites in Sharm El-Sheikh

• Ras Mohammed National Park — About 20 minutes by boat from the marina. The Shark and Yolanda reefs here are consistently rated among the world’s top 10 dive sites. Even snorkelers can see barracuda, giant trevally, and the occasional reef shark in the shallows. Entry fee is around 100 EGP (roughly $3 USD).
• Naama Bay — The main tourist strip. The beach itself is sandy with a gentle slope, making it ideal for families with small children. The bay is sheltered from currents. At night, the promenade fills up with shisha cafes and live music.
• Shark’s Bay — A quieter residential area north of Naama. The house reef here is superb—stingrays are common, and we have seen octopus on nearly every snorkel. The Four Seasons and Savoy hotels share this bay.
• The Thistlegorm Wreck — A WWII British supply ship sunk in 1941, now one of the most famous wreck dives on Earth. You will see motorcycles, trucks, and railway carriages still in the cargo holds. Requires a full-day boat trip (expect to pay $70–$90 for a two-dive trip).

Insider Tips for Sharm El-Sheikh

Skip the hotel buffets at least once and eat at Farsha Café in Hadaba—a cliffside spot with cushions, lanterns, and views of the Red Sea that are genuinely stunning at sunset. For fresh seafood, Fares on the main road is where locals go (order the grilled calamari and the fish tagine). Diving prices are competitive so do not book the first shop you find. PADI Open Water courses typically run $300–$350 including equipment. If you want to combine beach time with desert, a Sharm El-Sheikh excursion to Mount Sinai for the sunrise hike makes for an unforgettable overnight trip.

2. Hurghada — Egypt’s Most Accessible Beach Town

Hurghada was a small fishing village until the 1980s. Today it stretches for about 40 km along the Red Sea coast and draws more charter flights than any other Egyptian resort. What makes it different from Sharm is the value—all-inclusive resorts here cost significantly less, and the beach options range from lively party strips to completely quiet stretches near Makadi Bay.

The snorkeling is excellent right off the beach at most hotels on the southern stretch (Sahl Hasheesh and Makadi Bay in particular). For divers, the main draw is Giftun Island, a protected marine park about 45 minutes by boat, where the coral gardens are pristine and dolphins frequently appear on the crossing.

Best Areas in Hurghada

• El Dahar (Downtown) — The old town. This is where you find the authentic side of Hurghada: fish markets, local restaurants serving £E30 ($1) koshary, and the kind of street life you won’t see in the resort strip. Not a beach area, but worth an evening visit.
• Sigala — The middle ground between old town and resort strip. The public beach here is decent and the marina has good seafood restaurants. Moby Dick is a longtime favorite for grilled fish—ask for whatever was caught that morning.
• Sahl Hasheesh — A newer development about 20 km south of the airport. The beach here is genuinely beautiful: white sand, turquoise water, and a submerged sculpture garden you can snorkel over. Resorts tend to be upscale (Baron Palace, Tropitel).
• Makadi Bay — Even further south and the quietest option. The house reefs at Stella Makadi and Jaz Makadi are some of the best hotel reefs in all of Egypt. Perfect for families who want to snorkel straight from the beach without a boat trip.

If you are staying in Hurghada, day trips are a major plus. A Hurghada day tour to Luxor gets you to the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple in about 3.5 hours by road (or 40 minutes by optional flight). The Giftun Island snorkeling trip is probably the most popular excursion—expect turquoise lagoons and dolphins if you go between June and September.

3. El Gouna — The Upscale Alternative

El Gouna is 25 km north of Hurghada but feels like a different country. Built by Egyptian billionaire Samih Sawiris in the 1990s, the whole town is essentially a private development of islands and lagoons connected by bridges. It is clean, walkable, and has a European feel that appeals to couples and travelers who prefer boutique hotels over mega-resorts.

The town revolves around three hubs: Downtown (restaurants and bars around Abu Tig Marina), Tamr Henna Square (the cultural heart with galleries and cafes), and Kafr El Gouna (a Nubian-style village area with handicraft shops). The main beach is Mangroovy Beach on the north side—a wide lagoon that is also one of Egypt’s best kitesurfing spots thanks to consistent side-onshore winds from April through October.

For dining, Moods at the marina does excellent sushi with Red Sea fish, and Kitchen in Downtown is great for a casual dinner with Mediterranean-Egyptian fusion. El Gouna also hosts the annual El Gouna Film Festival in October, which brings in Egyptian and international celebrities.

4. Dahab — The Backpacker’s Paradise That Grew Up

Dahab started as a Bedouin fishing village and became a hippie hangout in the 1970s. That laid-back energy never left. Today it attracts a mix of freedivers, digital nomads, yoga retreaters, and budget travelers who prefer beanbags on the beach over all-inclusive wristbands.

The town hugs a single waterfront promenade lined with restaurants and dive shops. Prices here are roughly half what you’d pay in Sharm—a full seafood dinner with drinks rarely tops $15, and you can find decent guesthouses for $20–$30 a night. The vibe is relaxed to the point where shoes feel optional.

What Makes Dahab Special

• The Blue Hole — One of the world’s most famous dive sites, a 100-meter-deep sinkhole in the reef about 10 km north of town. Freedivers come from everywhere to train here. Snorkelers can safely enjoy the rim and the saddle (a shallow coral bridge). The restaurants right next to the Blue Hole serve tea and grilled fish while you watch divers disappear into the deep.
• The Lighthouse — A shore dive site right in town. Enter from the beach and drift along a sandy slope covered in garden eels, lionfish, and blue-spotted stingrays. It is one of the best night dives in the Red Sea—Spanish dancer nudibranchs are a highlight.
• Three Pools — A series of natural rock pools south of town, perfect for snorkeling in calm, shallow water. The reef here has enormous table corals and is especially good for beginners.
• Ras Abu Galum — A protected area north of the Blue Hole, reachable by camel or on foot. The combination of desert mountains meeting clear turquoise water is spectacular. Some operators run overnight camping trips here.

For food, Ralph’s German Bakery is a Dahab institution for breakfast. Everyday Café and Shark Restaurant on the waterfront are good for dinner. If you want the best Bedouin tea in town, sit at any of the cushioned spots along the boardwalk at sunset.

5. Marsa Alam — Where the Wild Things Swim

Marsa Alam is the answer to a specific question: where can I see large marine life in Egypt without crowds? Located about 270 km south of Hurghada, it is remote enough that the reefs have been spared the heavy traffic of the more popular resorts. The payoff is extraordinary—this is one of the few places in Egypt where you can reliably swim with dugongs (sea cows), spinner dolphins, and even oceanic whitetip sharks at certain sites.

Best Dive and Snorkel Sites Near Marsa Alam

• Abu Dabbab Bay — The most famous spot for dugong encounters. A resident population feeds on the seagrass beds in the shallow bay. You can snorkel right from the beach (entry fee around 250 EGP). Green sea turtles are also extremely common here—we see them on nearly every visit.
• Elphinstone Reef — An offshore reef about 30 minutes by boat, considered one of the best wall dives in the Red Sea. The north and south plateaus attract hammerhead sharks, especially in the cooler months (November–February). This is an advanced dive site due to currents.
• Sataya Reef (Dolphin House) — A horseshoe-shaped reef where pods of 50–100 spinner dolphins rest in the sheltered lagoon. Most liveaboard boats stop here. Day trips from Marsa Alam are also available.
• Marsa Mubarak — Another reliable dugong and turtle spot, slightly less crowded than Abu Dabbab.

Resorts in Marsa Alam tend to be mid-range all-inclusive properties. The Three Corners Fayrouz Plaza and Brayka Bay Resort both have good house reefs. The town itself is very small, so nightlife is limited—but that is exactly the point. If you want quiet beaches and serious marine encounters, Marsa Alam delivers like nowhere else in Egypt.

6. Ain Sokhna — Cairo’s Closest Beach

Ask any Cairene where they go for a weekend beach escape and the answer is almost always Ain Sokhna. At just 120 km east of Cairo (about two hours by car via the Ain Sokhna highway), it is by far the most accessible coastal destination from the capital.

The name means “hot springs” in Arabic, and natural sulfur springs still bubble up along parts of the coast. The beaches range from public stretches (basic but cheap) to private resort beaches managed by compounds like Porto Sokhna, La Vista, and Telal Ain Sokhna. Day-use fees at most resorts run 300–800 EGP per person and include pool and beach access.

Be honest about expectations here: Ain Sokhna is not the Red Sea’s prettiest coastline, and the water does not compare to Sharm or Marsa Alam for snorkeling. But it does exactly what it needs to—gives Cairo residents a quick, affordable beach fix without airports or long drives. Weekdays are calm; weekends and holidays get packed.

7. Ras Sudr — Egypt’s Kitesurfing Capital

Ras Sudr flies under the tourist radar, but among kitesurfers, it is legendary. Situated on the western coast of the Sinai, about three hours from Cairo, it gets strong, consistent thermal winds almost year-round. The flat, shallow lagoons are ideal for beginners, while the open-water sections challenge advanced riders.

Accommodation is basic but improving—eco-camps and small hotels line the coast, and several kitesurfing schools (like Ras Sudr Kite Village) offer equipment rental and IKO-certified lessons. A week-long kite camp with accommodation can cost as little as $300–$500. The beach itself is wide and sandy, and the sunsets over the Gulf of Suez with the Eastern Desert mountains as a backdrop are genuinely beautiful.

8. North Coast (Sahel) — Egypt’s Summer Playground

The North Coast—locally called “Sahel”—stretches along the Mediterranean west of Alexandria. This is where wealthy Cairenes spend their summers, and during July and August the area transforms into Egypt’s social scene, with beach clubs, poolside DJs, and celebrity sightings.

The beaches themselves are genuinely stunning: fine white sand and turquoise Mediterranean water that looks more like the Caribbean than North Africa. The best-known developments include Hacienda Bay, Marassi, Almaza Bay (by EMAAR), and the newer Ras El Hekma mega-development. Most are gated communities where you need a property owner’s invitation or a day-use pass.

The season is short—basically June through September—and the rest of the year most of these compounds are ghost towns. Water temperature is noticeably cooler than the Red Sea (around 24–26°C in peak summer). For international visitors, Sahel is fascinating as a cultural experience, but unless you have a local connection, the Red Sea resorts are more practical.

9. Alexandria — City Beaches with Character

Alexandria’s beaches are not the prettiest on this list, but they have something the resort towns don’t: soul. The Corniche stretches for about 20 km along the Mediterranean, and in summer the entire city seems to migrate to the waterfront.

Stanley Beach and Miami Beach (yes, that is its real name) are the most popular public beaches. They get very crowded on weekends, but the energy is infectious—families picnicking, kids playing in the waves, vendors selling corn and sweet potatoes. Montazah Beach, inside the Montazah Royal Gardens on the eastern end, is much calmer and arguably the prettiest stretch in the city (small entrance fee for the gardens).

The real reason to visit Alexandria is the combination of beach time with the city’s incredible food scene and history. Eat at Balbaa Village for the best grilled seafood of your life (no exaggeration—pick your fish from the display, pay by the kilo), then walk it off at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina or the Citadel of Qaitbay. A day trip or overnight from Cairo is highly recommended.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Egypt’s Beaches?

The short answer: it depends on which coast.

Red Sea (Sharm, Hurghada, El Gouna, Marsa Alam, Dahab): Swimmable year-round. The best months are March through May and September through November—warm water (24–28°C), comfortable air temperatures (25–35°C), and thinner crowds. Summer (June–August) is scorching on land (40°C+) but the water is perfect and hotel prices drop significantly. Winter (December–February) is mild and pleasant, with water around 21–23°C—fine for diving with a 3mm wetsuit.

Mediterranean (Alexandria, North Coast): Strictly a summer destination. The water is too cold for swimming from November through April (15–18°C). Peak season is June through September, with July and August being the busiest.

Ain Sokhna: Comfortable from October through May. Avoid July–August unless you enjoy extreme heat.

Frequently Asked Questions About Egypt’s Beaches

Are Egypt’s beaches safe for tourists?

Yes. Egypt’s Red Sea resort towns (Sharm El-Sheikh, Hurghada, El Gouna, Marsa Alam) are among the safest places in the country. Tourism is the economic backbone of these areas, and security is tight. Lifeguards are present at most resort beaches, and the diving industry follows international safety standards (PADI, SSI). Standard travel precautions apply: stay hydrated, use reef-safe sunscreen, and do not touch marine life.

Can you wear a swimsuit on Egyptian beaches?

At resort beaches and hotel pools, swimsuits and bikinis are completely normal and accepted. On public beaches in cities like Alexandria, you will see more modest swimwear. Some Egyptian women swim fully clothed, which is a cultural norm—no one will be bothered by tourists in swimsuits at resort beaches, but covering up when walking through town is respectful.

Which Egyptian beach is best for snorkeling?

For snorkeling directly from the beach without a boat, Makadi Bay (Hurghada) and Shark’s Bay (Sharm El-Sheikh) have the best house reefs. For a boat trip, Giftun Island near Hurghada and Ras Mohammed near Sharm are outstanding. For large marine life (turtles and dugongs), Abu Dabbab Bay near Marsa Alam is unmatched.

How much does a beach holiday in Egypt cost?

Egypt offers excellent value compared to similar destinations. A week in a 4-star all-inclusive resort in Hurghada costs $400–$700 per person. Sharm El-Sheikh is slightly more expensive at $500–$900. El Gouna’s boutique hotels run $800–$1,500 for a week. Dahab is the budget champion—$150–$250 per week for guesthouse accommodation, eating out every meal. Flights from Europe start around €150–€300 return on charter airlines.

Is the Red Sea good for beginner divers?

The Red Sea is one of the best places in the world to learn to dive. Warm water, excellent visibility (often 20–30 meters), and calm conditions at most training sites make it ideal for beginners. PADI Open Water courses typically cost $300–$400 and take 3–4 days. Almost every resort town has multiple accredited dive centers.

Plan Your Egypt Beach Trip

Egypt’s coastline offers something for every type of traveler. Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada deliver the classic Red Sea resort experience. El Gouna adds a layer of sophistication. Dahab keeps things raw and affordable. Marsa Alam rewards those willing to go further with marine encounters you will not find anywhere else. And for Cairenes and visitors already in the capital, Ain Sokhna provides an easy coastal escape.

Many of our guests combine a beach stay with a cultural tour—a few days at the pyramids and temples followed by a week of relaxation by the sea. It is the best of both worlds, and we can help you put the whole thing together.

Ready to add a beach extension to your Egypt trip? Browse our Egypt travel packages or customize your own itinerary. For Red Sea day trips, check our Hurghada excursions and Sharm El-Sheikh tours. You can also explore our Dahabiya Nile Cruise for a unique way to see Egypt before hitting the beach.