Activities & Experiences
Snorkeling For Beginners
Your First Breath Under the Red Sea
There's a moment during your first snorkel — usually about thirty seconds after you put your face in the water — when everything goes quiet except the sound of your own breathing. And then you see it. A flash of blue and yellow. A school of fish moving like one single creature. Coral that looks painted by someone with an impossibly bright palette. The Red Sea doesn't just welcome beginners; it spoils them.
Sharm El Sheikh sits on some of the most accessible coral reefs on the planet. You don't need a boat. You don't need a scuba certification. You don't even need to be a strong swimmer. What you need is a mask that fits, a pair of fins, and a willingness to float. This guide covers everything else — from the best beginner spots to the mistakes most people make on their first outing.
Best Snorkeling Spots for Beginners
Shallow, sandy entry with patches of coral near the edges. No waves, no current to speak of. Walk in from the beach and you'll find fish within minutes. Perfect for your very first time putting on a mask. Go early before the boats stir up the sand.
A step up from Naama Bay. Enter from the small beach near the lighthouse. The reef drops off gently, and you'll see coral gardens teeming with parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish. Stay within the calm bay — don't drift around the point where currents pick up.
Ignore the name. Shark's Bay is calm, shallow, and full of life. The coral here is close to the surface, which makes for spectacular viewing without needing to dive down. Several resorts back onto this bay, but the beach is accessible to non-guests too.
Once you've done a couple of shore snorkels, treat yourself to a boat trip. The water clarity at Ras Mohammed is unreal. You'll snorkel off the boat in deeper water, but with a life jacket and a guide nearby, even beginners can handle it. The coral walls here are unforgettable.
Gear: What You Actually Need
You can rent snorkeling gear at any beach or dive center in Sharm, but quality varies wildly. A well-fitting mask is the single most important thing. If your mask leaks, your entire experience is ruined. If you're going to buy one piece of gear, make it a mask. Try it on before buying — press it to your face without the strap, inhale gently through your nose, and see if it stays in place. If it does, it fits.
Fins make swimming effortless. Without them, you'll tire quickly and spend more energy than you need to. With them, a gentle kick propels you forward. Make sure they're snug but not tight — blisters from ill-fitting fins are a common beginner complaint.
A snorkel (the tube you breathe through) is the simplest piece. A basic dry-top snorkel with a purge valve at the bottom is worth the small extra cost — it stops water from splashing in when waves roll over. For beginners, a flotation vest or life jacket is not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of intelligence. It keeps you effortlessly on the surface so you can focus entirely on the view below.
| 🤿 Mask | Buy your own if possible. Rental masks often have worn seals that leak. A decent mask costs 200–400 EGP. Test the fit before buying. |
| 🦶 Fins | Rentable, but sizes can be limited. If you have large or small feet, consider bringing your own. Full-foot fins for warm water are fine. |
| 🫁 Snorkel | Rental snorkels are fine — just rinse before use. A dry-top design is best for beginners. |
| 🦺 Flotation Vest | Strongly recommended for anyone not fully confident in the water. Available at every dive center and beach rental hut. |
| 🧴 Reef-Safe Sunscreen | Your back will be exposed for hours. Regular sunscreen damages coral — use mineral-based reef-safe sunscreen. Apply 20 minutes before entering the water. |
Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Foggy mask. New masks have a factory coating that fogs instantly. Scrub the inside with toothpaste (yes, toothpaste) and rinse thoroughly. Before each snorkel, spit in the mask, rub it around, and rinse. Sounds gross. Works perfectly.
Mistake #2: Touching the coral. It's tempting to reach out. Don't. Coral is a living animal, and touching it damages it. Some corals also sting. Keep your hands to yourself and just float. The same goes for standing on the reef — use sandy entry points and swim to the coral, don't walk on it.
Mistake #3: Going too far. It's easy to get absorbed and realize you've drifted much further than intended. Pick a landmark on the shore before you start, and glance up occasionally to check your position. If you're snorkeling from a boat, stay within sight of the ladder.
Mistake #4: Overexertion. Snorkeling isn't a race. Float. Breathe. Kick gently. If you're breathing hard or your heart is pounding, you're working too hard. Roll onto your back and rest. The fish will still be there when you're ready.
Mistake #5: Going alone. Even strong swimmers should use the buddy system. It's safer, and sharing the experience makes it better. Point out things to each other — "look at that blue one!" — half the joy is seeing someone else's eyes widen through their mask.
Don't hold your breath and dive down repeatedly if you're new to this. It's dangerous and exhausting. The best snorkeling is at the surface, breathing normally, looking down at a world that doesn't know you're there. Leave the freediving for later.
What You're Likely to See
The Red Sea doesn't make you work for it. Within five minutes of entering the water at any of the spots above, you'll be surrounded. Parrotfish — big, colorful, and completely unbothered by your presence — are everywhere. You'll hear them crunching on coral before you see them. Angelfish and butterflyfish flit around in pairs. Lionfish fan their venomous spines near rocky overhangs — beautiful, but don't touch. If you're lucky, a turtle might glide past, or an eagle ray might sweep along the sandy bottom.
The coral itself is worth the trip. Brain corals the size of small cars. Delicate sea fans waving in the current. Table corals that look like giant underwater mushrooms. The colors are real — no filter needed.
Ready to Take the Plunge?
Grab a mask, find a buddy, and walk into the warmest, clearest water you've ever seen. The Red Sea is waiting.
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