Water Activities in Egypt
Egypt's Red Sea is one of the world's great underwater destinations, and it sits just a few hours from the pharaonic sights.
Warm, clear water year round, coral reefs a short boat ride offshore, and some of the cheapest diving anywhere make the Red Sea the reason many travellers pair a beach week with the temples. Snorkellers, first-time divers and certified divers all find their level on the same day boats.
Where to go
The action concentrates on the Red Sea coast. Hurghada is the busiest and best-value base, with three-island snorkel trips, Orange Bay cruises and dry submarine rides for non-swimmers. Sharm El Sheikh is Egypt's diving capital, home to Ras Mohammed National Park and world-class reef walls. Marsa Alam is quieter and wilder, known for wild dolphins at Sataya and dugongs at Abu Dabbab, while Dahab offers legendary shore diving at the Blue Hole.
What it costs and how to choose
Prices start low: a submarine or semi-submarine trip is the cheapest way onto the water and suits families and non-swimmers, while full-day yacht and dive trips cost more but reach the best reefs. Book a smaller boat where you can, since a twenty-person vessel is a very different day from a hundred-and-fifty-person one for a similar price, and always compare the same trip across booking platforms before you pay.
Water Activities by destination
Top-rated across Egypt
Hurghada: jachttocht langs 3 eilanden met dolfijnen, snorkelen en lunch
Hurghada: luxe boottocht naar Orange Bay met lunch
Hurghada: Orange Bay met snorkelen, lokaal ontbijt en visgerechtenlunch
Hurghada: Royal Seascope onderzeebootcruise met snorkelstop
Hurghada: speedboot, dolfijnen, snorkelen en 2 eilanden
Vanuit Sharm: snorkeltocht naar White Island en Ras Mohammed
Hurghada: quadtour door de woestijn en langs de Rode Zee
Sharm-el-Sheikh: duiken en snorkelen bij Ras Mohammed en White Island
Vanuit Sharm: snorkelen en duiken bij Ras Mohammed en White Island met lunch
Hurghada: Hula Hula Cruise with Lunch, Massage, & Snorkeling
Hurghada: Hula Hula-speedboot met optioneel snorkelen en lunch
Rode Zee: paardrijtour over strand en door woestijn met transfer
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best diving and snorkelling in Egypt?
The Red Sea coast: Sharm El Sheikh (Ras Mohammed and reef walls) is the diving capital, Hurghada offers the best-value island and snorkel trips, Marsa Alam has wild dolphins and dugongs, and Dahab has the famous Blue Hole shore dive.
Can non-swimmers do Red Sea water activities?
Yes. Submarine and semi-submarine trips let you view coral and fish through hull windows while staying dry, from a low price, which makes them ideal for non-swimmers, young children and older travellers.