The hook
Some of the most accessible world-class coral reefs on the planet, where you can step off a Sinai beach straight onto walls of fish and coral in warm, staggeringly clear water.
01Why it's worth it
The Red Sea is a diving and snorkelling destination of the first rank, and unusually easy to reach: warm, clear, salty water teeming with hard and soft corals, reef sharks, turtles, and clouds of fish, along coasts that drop off dramatically close to shore. At Ras Muhammad, at the tip of the Sinai, protected reefs and sheer coral walls rank among the best dive sites anywhere. The laid-back town of Dahab, with its famous Blue Hole (spectacular for experienced divers, but with a sobering safety record for the reckless) and easy shore dives, is a mellow, budget-friendly base, while Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada offer the resort version. Whether you dive, snorkel off the beach, or simply float over a reef, the underwater richness is the draw, paired with sun, desert mountains, and warm water year-round. It is the easygoing coastal counterpoint to Egypt's temples and deserts.
02How to experience it
Base in relaxed Dahab for shore diving and snorkelling, or a resort town for reef trips out to sites like Ras Muhammad. Snorkellers get plenty from the house reefs; divers should prioritise the protected marine parks. Respect the coral and the safety limits, especially at the Blue Hole.