Top 9 Egypt Beaches
Egypt's lengthy coastline pulls up to two different seas - the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. And while the waters along the country's edge may be different, the beaches remain pretty consistent. Expect to find soft golden or ice-white sands all along the coast, regardless of which resort you go to.
The best-known of the bunch is arguably Sharm El Sheikh. This 60km stretch of shoreline is a haven for snorkellers and divers, with some of the most impressive dive sites on the planet found here. In fact, you'll find more than 1000 species of tropical fish at the coral reefs along this stretch. And as far as Sharm's beaches go, families are repeatedly drawn to them for the Red Sea's shallow, warm waters. You'll typically find that the water's around knee-high for the first 20 feet, so it's ideal if you're paddling with kids.
While Sharm El Sheikh is perhaps the most established of Egypt's seaside spots with tourists, Marsa Alam is the up and comer that's starting to turn a few heads. Being the most southern of Egypt's resorts means that it also benefits from the most year-round sun too. As with Sharm, diving and snorkelling are big draws here, with plenty of picturesque reefs off the coast. As for beaches, Abu Dabbab is the main one, with pearl white sands and plenty of watersports on offer.
And if you're after somewhere off the beaten track, then it's worth taking the hour-long journey south to the Wadi el Gemal National Park. Honkorab and Golaan are two of the standout beaches there - you can sit by the still waters for hours without seeing a soul.
The Best Egyptian Beaches...
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1. Fjord Bay, Taba // Red Sea
Mohammed Moussa Fjord Bay is located roughly ten miles south of Taba on the Sinai Peninsula, close to the northernmost tip of the Gulf of Aqaba and the border crossing with Eilat, Israel. Largely unknown to those outside of the region, the bay is formed from a narrow inlet of the Red Sea reminiscent of a fjord. Its shallows end with a band of richly-coloured sands.
Facing southeast, Fjord Bay has warm… read more »
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2. Agiba Beach // Mediterranean
Roland Unger Agiba Beach gets its name from the Arabic for "miracle". It lies on Egypt's Mediterranean Sea coast just west of the town of Marsa Matrouh. Set back in a small cove, the near white sands are trapped between cliffs on all sides. In fact, access to the beach is via a footpath down from the clifftop, making it unsuitable for very young children and those with movement issues. A small… read more »
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3. Naama Bay // Red Sea
Mohamed kamal 1984 Sharm el Sheikh'sNa'ama Bay area is set back slightly from the rest of this area of coastline, meaning its gleaming waters tend to be even more tranquil than elsewhere. It's long arc of sun-bleached sand faces roughly southeast, and is surrounded by some of the area's best hotels, restaurants, and nightlife.
One of the main tourist spots in the region, Na'ama Bay is popular with package tours. Much of the… read more »
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4. Dahab // Red Sea
Davidlohr Bueso Lying on the eastern coast of the Sinai Peninsula, Dahab Lagoon has made a name for itself in the scuba diving world. The lagoon is formed by thin fingers of land that together create a natural harbour and protect it from the Gulf of Aqaba. It gets its name from the Arabic for gold, a colour which perfectly defines the desert landscape of bare hills that surround it. Its main… read more »
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5. El Gouna // Red Sea
Maarten Visser El Gouna is a modern resort town on Egypt's Red Sea coast. Not far from the better-known beaches of Hurghada, El Gouna has roughly six miles of well-maintained sand split into several distinct beaches. Their sands lie across 20 different islands separated by lagoons and connected by bridges. It's from the Arabic for lagoon that El Gouna gets its name.
Part of the Red Sea Riviera, El Gouna attracts style conscious… read more »
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6. Soma Bay // Red Sea
www.somabay.com Soma Bay has a commanding position on Egypt's Red Sea Riviera coast less than 30 miles from Hurghada's international airport. It sits on a peninsula surrounded by the Red Sea on three sides. Three miles long by 1.2 miles wide, there's plenty of choice when it comes to the bay's off-white sandy beaches, while as a gated community the security is second to none, making it excellent for families… read more »
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7. Stanley Beach // Mediterranean
© Ayman Zaid Stanley Beach is a private beach located just a few hundred metres east of downtown Alexandria. Wrapping around a small cove on the city's extensive Mediterranean waterfront, it's easy to reach thanks to the tram and taxi network. There are also plenty of places to refill empty stomachs nearby.
Stanley Beach is backed by a long three storey building facing the Med and containing beach cabins. This is in turn surrounded… read more »
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8. Marsa Alam // Red Sea
Mohammad Chawki Marsa Alam is the most southerly resort town on Egypt's Red Sea Riviera. This means it has excellent year-round weather, and some of the most consistent temperatures of any of Egypt's beaches.
When it comes to beaches, Marsa Alam has somewhere in the region of 30 miles of largely untouched sand. Beside it you'll find a crop of high-end hotels, while well-regarded restaurants can be found at the Port Ghalib marina… read more »
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9. Sahl Hasheesh // Red Sea
Marc Ryckaert Situated on Egypt's celebrated Red Sea coast, Sahl Hasheesh Beach is a short distance south of Hurghada International Airport, which can be reached in about 15 minutes by road. The beach is surrounded by several large hotel resort complexes, spread out along its 12 kilometre length.
Comprising soft sand, the resorts ensure that Sahl Hasheesh Beach is well-maintained right throughout the year. Individual hotels have blocks of sun loungers and parasols,… read more »
