13 Best Beaches in Egypt

Does Egypt have beaches? Absolutely—and they’re spectacular. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Egypt a few times throughout my life: first as a wide-eyed kid, later as a teenager fascinated by the country’s colors and chaos, and most recently on a scuba diving trip with a friend exploring the Red Sea’s incredible reefs.

Each time, I’ve fallen a little more in love with the beaches here. There’s a kind of magic to Egypt’s coastline that’s hard to describe. But just imagine Golden sands backed by rugged desert mountains, turquoise water so clear it feels unreal, and an easy rhythm that slows everything down.

From the family-friendly bays of Sharm El Sheikh to the wild beauty of Marsa Matruh, Egypt’s beaches are as diverse as they are unforgettable.

Whether you’re here to dive, kite surf, sip mint tea by the water, or simply soak in the sun, you’ll find a stretch of sand that feels like it was made for you.

Naama Bay was one of the first Egyptian beaches I ever visited, and it’s still one of my favorites. It’s the heart of Sharm El Sheikh – the place where the Red Sea’s energy feels most alive. The beach curves around a calm, sheltered bay lined with palm trees, dive shops, and cafés spilling onto the sand. 

When I returned recently, I stayed nearby and loved that I could step straight from breakfast onto a dive boat. The snorkeling here is perfect for beginners, with colorful reefs just offshore, while the promenade behind the beach buzzes with life after dark. It’s lively, warm, and welcoming—the ultimate introduction to Egypt’s coastal magic.

Ras Um Sid has a quieter, more grown-up feel than Naama Bay, which is probably why I fell in love with it on my most recent trip. The beach sits at the tip of a rocky headland, with steep cliffs that give way to some of the most beautiful coral gardens I’ve ever seen. 

I spent entire afternoons snorkeling here, drifting over fields of hard coral and watching parrotfish flash beneath me. The vibe is calm: a few boutique resorts, shaded loungers, and a handful of restaurants serving grilled seafood with panoramic sea views. If you want Red Sea beauty without the bustle, Ras Um Sid is pure perfection.

Shark’s Bay feels like the best of both worlds—lively enough to keep things interesting, but with the same crystalline water that makes this part of Egypt so special. I stayed at a small resort here once, and loved how close everything felt: dive centers, beach bars, and even the ferry to Tiran Island, which makes for an unforgettable day trip. 

The beach itself is narrow but beautiful, with wooden decks leading into deep, reef-filled water. It’s ideal for snorkeling, swimming, or just lounging with an iced hibiscus tea as boats glide past in the distance. Shark’s Bay is where the Red Sea really shows off.

The first time I saw the Blue Hole, I finally understood why divers talk about it with such awe. This deep, circular sinkhole just north of Dahab is one of the most famous dive sites in the world—and for good reason. 

I came here with a friend on my most recent trip, and even snorkeling along the rim felt like floating above an endless sapphire drop. The surrounding beach is rugged and raw, with Bedouin-style cafés serving mint tea and fresh flatbread right by the water. There’s no resort polish here, just pure Red Sea energy: wild, humbling, and impossibly beautiful.

Getting to Ras Abu Galum feels like an adventure in itself—a bumpy camel ride or boat trip along the coast from Dahab—but the reward is a beach that feels untouched by time. I spent a day here snorkeling the coral walls that drop straight into the sea, surrounded by nothing but desert mountains and silence. 

Simple bamboo huts line the shore, offering a shaded spot to sip coffee or eat freshly grilled fish. There’s no Wi-Fi, no crowds, just that feeling of being completely off-grid. Ras Abu Galum is Egypt at its most peaceful—raw, remote, and unforgettable.

Nuweiba is the kind of place that gets under your skin. I first came here as a teenager on a family trip, and I still remember the soft, pale sand stretching endlessly along the coast, framed by the Sinai Mountains in the distance. 

When I returned years later, it felt like time had barely moved. The beach is simple—clusters of eco-lodges, hammocks strung between palm trees, and quiet beach cafés where you can linger for hours. It’s perfect for slowing down completely, whether you’re swimming in the shallows or watching the sunset paint the mountains pink. If you crave stillness, Nuweiba is where you’ll find it.

El Gouna feels like a different world: sleek, colorful, and effortlessly stylish. I stayed here for a few nights between dive trips and loved how easy it was to balance relaxation with adventure. Zeytuna Beach sits on a private island, with calm lagoons for paddleboarding and floating pontoons leading into the open sea. 

Mangroovy, on the other hand, is all about kitesurfing—the wind, the speed, and that incredible Red Sea horizon. The town itself is filled with waterfront cafés and boutique hotels that make it hard to leave. El Gouna is Egypt’s answer to the Mediterranean Riviera, with a Red Sea soul.

Makadi Bay is one of those beaches that feels perfectly balanced—luxurious without being pretentious, relaxed yet full of life. I stayed here on a dive trip and loved waking up to that endless stretch of golden sand framed by turquoise water. 

The coral reef just offshore is teeming with life, making it ideal for snorkelers and divers alike. Between dives, I’d wander along the beach to small cafés serving iced coffee and falafel wraps or retreat to my resort’s shaded pool deck when the afternoon heat kicked in. Makadi Bay is easygoing, elegant, and ideal for travelers who want it all in one place.

Sahl Hasheesh surprised me. Just south of Hurghada, it’s one of Egypt’s newest resort areas: all whitewashed buildings, manicured promenades, and crystal-clear lagoons. I spent a few days here lounging on soft sands that seemed to stretch forever and swimming through water so clear it almost looked photoshopped. 

The underwater world here is incredible too—there’s even a sunken “city” designed for divers and snorkelers to explore. In the evenings, I’d walk along the pier as the sky turned orange, stopping for grilled prawns and local wine at one of the waterfront restaurants. It’s polished but soulful, a modern twist on Red Sea charm.

Soma Bay is where I go when I want luxury and nature in perfect harmony. The beach here feels almost impossibly pristine: powdery white sand, calm turquoise water, and a light breeze that makes even the hottest days feel gentle. I stayed at a resort with its own dive center and spa, and the mix of adrenaline and relaxation was just what I needed. 

The bay is known for world-class kitesurfing, but even if you never touch a board, just watching the colorful kites dance across the horizon is mesmerising. After sunset, Soma Bay’s quiet elegance takes over—all soft lights, good wine, and the sound of waves.

Marsa Abu Dabbab might be my favorite beach in all of Egypt. It’s one of the few places where you can swim with wild sea turtles and, if you’re lucky, spot a dugong grazing in the seagrass. I came here on a diving trip and ended up staying longer than planned—that’s how magical it is. 

The water is warm and shallow, perfect for snorkelers, while the dive sites just offshore rival some of the best in the Red Sea. There are a few relaxed beach cafés and eco-lodges nearby, but the real luxury here is the connection to nature. It’s pure underwater paradise.

Almaza Bay feels worlds apart from the Red Sea resorts—it’s where the Mediterranean shows off its softer side. I came here during summer and couldn’t believe how clear and calm the water was, a gentle turquoise that looked almost painted. 

The beach is beautifully maintained, with fine white sand and high-end resorts lining the shore. I loved starting my mornings with coffee at a beachfront café before swimming in the calm bay or trying paddleboarding across the glassy water. By evening, the air turns golden and the restaurants come alive with music and mezze. It’s chic, family-friendly, and effortlessly relaxing—a true Mediterranean escape.

Agiba Beach—whose name means “miracle” in Arabic—is exactly that. It’s small and tucked between limestone cliffs, but the view from above is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen anywhere in Egypt. 

I remember standing on the headland, watching the sunlight shimmer across a dozen shades of blue, before climbing down to swim in the sheltered cove below. There aren’t any big resorts here, just a few simple cafés and a laid-back vibe that feels untouched by time. Agiba is Egypt at its most natural and awe-inspiring, a little pocket of paradise that truly lives up to its name.