Sharm el-Sheikh built its reputation underwater, and even if you have never worn a mask the Red Sea makes it easy to start. This guide sorts the options by experience level so that you can choose the right outing and avoid the wrong one.
If you have never snorkeled
Begin with a calm, supported outing. The Ras Mohammed and White Island boat trip and the Tiran Island trip both supply masks, snorkels and fins, offer life vests and put you in shallow, clear water beside the reef. If you would rather stay dry, the semi-submarine ride lets you watch the coral through large windows, which is a good choice for young children and anyone nervous about open water. Whatever you pick, practise breathing through the snorkel in a pool or shallow water first, and ask the crew to show you how to clear the tube.
If you want to try diving
A Discover Scuba Diving session needs no certificate. You get a briefing, simple skills practice in shallow water and then a guided dive with an instructor beside you. It is short, gentle and an excellent way to find out whether you like breathing underwater. Tell the instructor about any medical issues, ear trouble or anxiety, and listen carefully to the hand signals. If you enjoy the experience, you can build on it with a full course.
If you want to learn properly
The PADI Open Water Diver course takes three to four days and ends with a certification recognised around the world. It combines theory, skills in shallow water and open-water dives. Start the course early in your stay, so that you are not racing your flight home, and complete any online theory before you travel if the school allows it. Remember that you should not fly for the period recommended after your last dive, usually at least eighteen hours.
If you are already certified
You have two main choices. A full day on a dive boat takes you to two dives at the marine park sites, with a guide, lunch and time between dives to rest. Shore diving at bays such as Sharks Bay and El Fanara is shorter, calmer and often cheaper, with two guided dives from the beach in a morning or afternoon. Mix the two over a few days if you can, and leave a rest day in between to reduce fatigue. Carry your certification card and logbook, and check the current and the depth with your guide.
Reading the conditions
The best months for comfortable water are spring and autumn, when the air is pleasant and the sea is warm. Summer is hot, but the water is at its warmest and the visibility is excellent. Winter water is cooler, so a thicker wetsuit helps, and the wind can make the afternoons choppy. Strong currents are common in the straits and at headlands, which makes them exciting for experienced divers and tiring for beginners. Ask the crew about the plan on the day, and trust their decision to change it.
Protecting the reef
The coral here is protected and easily damaged. Do not stand on it, touch it or take anything from it. Use reef-safe sunscreen or a rash vest to reduce chemicals in the water, keep your fins clear of the bottom and do not feed fish. Control your buoyancy before you approach the reef, and ask your guide to show you how. Bring your own water bottle and avoid single-use plastics on the boat.
Health and safety
Drink plenty of water, because the sun and salt dehydrate quickly. Eat lightly before the first dive or snorkel, take a motion-sickness tablet if you are prone to seasickness and wear a hat on deck. If you have ear, sinus, heart or lung conditions, speak to a doctor before you dive. Make sure your travel insurance covers diving and the depth you plan to reach.
Planning the week
A good pattern is one sea day, one lighter day and then another sea day, with a desert evening or a hammam in between. Do your dives before your longer excursions, because tiredness and a sunrise climb of Mount Sinai do not mix well. If you are travelling with a non-diver, they can join the snorkeling boats, relax on the beach or take the semi-submarine, and you can meet for lunch.
Booking tips
Read the inclusions carefully, including equipment, park fees, lunch, drinks and hotel pickup. Ask about group size, because smaller groups give you more attention from the guide. Book in advance in high season, from October to April, when the best boats and instructors fill up. Check the cancellation terms in case the wind stops the boats, and confirm your hotel name with the operator, since pickups are arranged by property.
