Once you have bumped along on the back of a camel over endless sand dunes, gawked at incredible ancient pyramids and tombs, meandered the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, and slowly cruised down the magnificent Nile, it’s time to head to the Red Sea to splash around underneath the water, frolicking with endless marine creatures.
The Red Sea is a paradise for underwater enthusiasts. The region stretches between northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, including countries like Egypt, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen, each offering unique diving spots. The Red Sea’s warm waters, which rarely drop below 20°C (68°F), provide ideal conditions for year-round diving and snorkeling.
One of the most famous destinations is Egypt's Sharm El Sheikh, known for its stunning coral gardens and abundant marine species. Nearby, Ras Mohammed National Park is a protected area that showcases pristine coral reefs teeming with colorful fish, sharks, rays, and even dolphins. The wreck of the SS Thistlegorm, a World War II cargo ship, is a popular dive site that offers a fascinating glimpse into history. Another notable location is Hurghada, which offers numerous dive centers, liveaboard tours that explore reef systems and deeper sites, and access to both inhabited and uninhabited islands.
Ozirea Island
Definitely inhabited, Ozirea Island is a luxury resort with a wow factor for its guests. Sitting within the Giftun Islands archipelago adjacent to the coastline of Hurghada, Ozirea Island is the stuff of dreams for snorkelers and divers. With a pristine private beach, exclusive and private retreats that boggle the mind set against a barren sand backdrop, and the Red Sea’s first infinity pool to wallow in when you’ve had enough of the salt. Beach huts topped with date palm fronds for shade dot the shoreline like an enclave of beehives. The resort oozes barefoot luxury, with designated areas that are perfect pictures of open-air, sun-drenched structures where breezes whisper over wooden walkways and natural, organic textures blend seamlessly like grains of sand. Rooms and suites open to the vast panoramic vision of endless blue and far-off coastal mountains.
The underwater landscape around Ozira Island features vibrant coral formations, caves, and overhangs that create captivating underwater scenery. Water visibility often exceeds 30 meters, offering spectacular views beneath the surface. The island's location provides a relatively calm sea environment, which enhances the snorkeling and diving experience.
Tawila Island
Another Red Sea resort that will take your breath away. Tawila Island is where even the rare birds such as the Brown Booby, the Black-winged Stilt, the Sooty Falcon, and the Spoonbill like to call home. Sometimes referred to as the ‘Egyptian Maldives’, this resort is a luxurious space perched on a 5,000-acre island that’s a private boat ride or quick helicopter transfer from Hurghada. Remote and exclusive, the Tawila Island retreat offers only 30 decadent guest retreats, some over the turquoise water and others nestled along the sandy shoreline—think private pools, king-size beds, panoramic Red Sea vistas, and breezy terraces. If food is your next love after being under the water’s surface, there is an international restaurant and beach bar. From beach yoga and a fitness center to a full-service spa, your time on land is nearly as good as your time spent in the blue water.
Tawila Island is a dive and snorkeling hub that will leave you gaping at the dynamic, vibrant marine life in crystal-clear waters, revealing colorful coral reefs teeming with clownfish, parrotfish, and sea turtles. Shallow reefs suit beginners, while more exhilarating sites for experienced divers include caves and wrecks.
From ultra-luxurious to nothing but nature, the uninhabited islands not to overlook include Zabargad Island and Hamata Islands:
Zabargad Island
Also known as St. John’s Island, sits in the largest group of islands in Foul Bay. Zabargad Island is uninhabited and not a private domain—it’s remote and part of a protected marine park. Unless you have your own boat or own a bank, you will have to join a dive/snorkel charter to explore this extraordinary island where the water teems with colorful fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, as well as larger species like rays and sometimes even sharks. The coral formations are spectacular, featuring intricate structures that provide shelter for a multitude of marine creatures. There are shallow reefs close to the shoreline for the snorkelers, while divers can venture deeper into the vibrant underwater landscapes, discovering caves, drop-offs, and wrecks that tell stories of the island’s maritime history. The island’s remote location means the waters are less crowded than other popular Red Sea destinations, offering a peaceful, pristine environment for underwater exploration.
Hamata (Qulaan) Islands
These islands are part of the Marsa Alam region, which is famous for its unspoiled natural beauty and excellent underwater visibility, often exceeding 30 meters. The calm, clear waters make Hamata an ideal destination for snorkelers and divers of all skill levels. Here, you can peek at graceful turtles swimming over rainbow-colored coral, or, for the experienced diver, explore dramatic coral walls and submerged pinnacles. The rich biodiversity includes species such as lionfish, moray eels, parrotfish, and occasionally reef sharks, providing a mesmerizing underwater panorama. The area is also known for its relatively uncrowded dive sites, allowing water babies to immerse themselves in the Red Sea's serene beauty.
Many local dive centers and tour operators offer guided excursions, equipment rental, and safety briefings, along with environmental rules to protect the reefs and the local mangrove ecosystem.
The Red Sea’s coral reefs are among the most beautiful and diverse in the world, supporting over 1,200 species of fish, including clownfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, and the iconic Napoleon wrasse. The region is also famous for its shark encounters, with reef sharks, hammerheads, and occasional sightings of whale sharks. Rays, including manta and eagle rays, glide gracefully through the waters, adding to the mesmerizing underwater scenery.
Gail Palethorpe, a self proclaimed Australian gypsy, is a freelance writer, photographer and eternal traveller. Check out her website Gail Palethorpe Photography and her Shutterstock profile.
