Beaches of Egypt – the Other Reason I Want to Visit!

Guest Post with Sahar Bayoumi & Mahmoud Elbeh

1. Hurghada

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Hurghada is one of the best-known resort towns on the Red Sea, and easily reached from Cairo. Hurghada has 40 kilometers of beaches with warm water, many hotels along the seafront, and an excellent, relaxing atmosphere. SCUBA, snorkeling, windsurfing, and jet-skiing attracts people for the magical marine life; glass-bottomed boats and submarines are available for more relaxed viewing opportunities of the vibrant, colorful coral reefs. Find lots of activity guides here.

2. Sharm el-Sheikh

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Sharm el-Sheikh is one of the most popular beach resort towns in Egypt. It is located at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, and has warm deep blue water and golden beaches. Sharm el-Sheikh is one of the best SCUBA spots in the world, with extraordinary reefs around Tiran Island and Ras Mohammed national parks, and many protected areas with marvelous marine life. Ras Um Sid beach is quiet and laid back. The coral formations and rare fish can be seen simply by snorkeling, so this is a great area for children to learn about the ocean.

Sharm also has easy access into the desert if visitors want a break from the beach. Visiting Bedouin camps and climbing Mount Sinai are nearby opportunities. There are many hotels, motels, cafes, shops, markets, restaurants, an attractive night life, and it is a very safe place to stay. Here is where to find activities you can book.

3. Dahab

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Dahab is a small town on the south east coast of the Sinai peninsula in the Gulf of Aqaba. The word “Dahab” means gold, named for its mountains, which have a golden color. It is a Bedouin fishing village and may be the most amazing diving destination in the world, with unique beaches and protected spots like the blue hole, Abu Galuom. Dahab attracts visitors for SCUBA and wind surfing, as it has flat water.

Besides water sports, there’s rock climbing, camel and horse rides along the beach, cycling, mountain camping, and jeep or quad trips into the desert. You can book some of these activities here. Many Europeans have been attracted to Dahab, to live the simple, easy life.

4. Ras Abu Galoum – the Blue Hole

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Fifteen km from Dahab is Ras Abu Galoum, a brilliant choice for diving and snorkeling. This desert diving paradise is a feast for the eyes; the stunning seascape contrasts brilliantly with the arid rocky land. You might arrive across the desert on camel-back before diving into the depths of the Red Sea, and experience this perfect environment for angelfish, parrotfish and Picasso fish, amongst others; be sure to bring your underwater camera! Here’s how you can get there from Sharm.

5. Marsa Alam

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Marsa Alam is in the south of Egypt on the Red Sea. It is getting famous as a tourist destination with fabulous beaches. There are many protected areas there, similar to Dahab, where you can see turtles, dolphins, rare reefs and crocodile fish. Marsa Alam is known for kite-surfing, safaris, and the Emerald mines. This is a calm, relaxing area with very clear water and thousands of colorful fish. And, there’s plenty to do!

6. El Gouna

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El Gouna is a chic and stylish beach on the northern Red Sea. El Gouna has been attracting wealthy Egyptian holidaymakers and jet-setting Europeans with its high-end shopping, diverse dining scene, 5-star resorts, and, of course, a very attractive beach. El Gouna is well-known for its watersports – higher winds mean good conditions for kite-surfing, water-skiing and paragliding, to name just a few. Staying in El Gouna means days spent relaxing on white sandy beaches or playing its famous golf course, and enjoying cocktails in the evening. Here are lots of other ideas!

7. Taba, and Fjord Bay

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Located about 15 kilometers away from the small Egyptian town of Taba, near the border with neighboring Eilat in Israel, is a piece of picture-perfect paradise. Fjord Bay is the ideal location for diving, whether you have hundreds of hours of diving experience under your belt or you’re giving it a go for the first time. The massive bed of coral that lies at the bottom of the fjord is an impressive 24 meters in depth, resulting in a huge number of fish and marine life living among the reef. The fjord itself is a deep blue cove that is protected on three sides by a mountain range, which is great for hiking and taking in the panoramic views.

8. Nuweiba

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Nuweiba was a thriving beach resort in the 1970’s, until tense relations with Israel resulted in a declining infrastructure. It is now a simple, low-key place, and home to a Bedouin village located on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. The seven-kilometer long stretch of sand translates as ‘bubbling springs’ in Arabic.

In the area between Nuweiba and Taba lies Ras Shitan, where you will find modest beach camps along the shore. These camps provide the ultimate experience if you want to relax on the beach with a book, live an underwater diving fantasy in the Red Sea, or explore a hiking trail with breath-taking views. It’s a popular stop-off on the Egyptian backpacking trail; a perfect fit for budget travelers. Treks to the beautiful Coloured Canyon can be arranged through the Bedouin village.

Introducing Sahar & Mahmoud:

My friend Sahar is a warm, welcoming woman who is supremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about her country. Her friendly, fun personality enhanced my time in Egypt with her amazing knowledge of the Pyramids, the Five Pillars of Islam, the overwhelming amount of information in Cairo’s Egyptian Museum, the history and culture of Egypt, and much more.

Egypt in February-March 2020 was part of my last travels before the pandemic emerged; I arrived back in the States on March 14! I loved Egypt, and I love beaches; how did I not include them in my travels?!! I asked Sahar about the Egyptian beaches, and from this info she sent me, I am inspired to return.

I’m sure there’s more than can be added to this list. Please let me know about any other beaches I missed in this part of the world.

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