Egyptβs best beaches are not one thing. The Red Sea gives you clear water and coral a few steps from the sand, Sinai adds mountain backdrops and wind, and the Mediterranean offers soft white sand and a short summer season. This guide groups the beaches we rate by coast, so you can match the sand to the kind of trip you want. For city-level detail, see our Hurghada beaches guide and Sharm el-Sheikh beaches guide.
Quick picks
| Beach | Coast | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Sharm El Luli | Red Sea, Marsa Alam | Snorkelling, quiet, turtles |
| Blue Lagoon, Dahab | Sinai | Shallow water, kitesurfing, backpackers |
| Naama Bay | Sinai, Sharm | Resort convenience, water sports |
| Mahmya, Giftun Islands | Red Sea, Hurghada | Boat-trip day at sea |
| El Gouna lagoons | Red Sea | Calm water, families, kitesurf |
| Agiba | Mediterranean | Sheltered cove, white sand |
| Almaza Bay and the North Coast | Mediterranean | Summer beach holidays |
Red Sea beaches
Sharm El Luli, Marsa Alam
Sharm El Luli is the beach we would send a snorkeller to first. It sits on the Marsa Alam coast roughly an hourβs drive south of the town, inside a protected area, and there are no shops or hotels on the beach itself. The reef begins close to shore, and visitors regularly report butterflyfish, clownfish and the occasional sea turtle. Bring water, snacks and sun shade, because facilities are minimal. Marsa Alam as a base is quieter than Hurghada, a trade-off we cover in Hurghada vs Marsa Alam. Browse Marsa Alam tours for boat and reef trips, or Marsa Alam hotels on Booking.com to compare the resort strip.
Mahmya and the Giftun Islands, Hurghada
Giftun is Hurghadaβs classic boat-trip beach: powder-pale sand, shallow turquoise water and snorkelling stops on the way. Mahmya is a private beach club on the island with sunbeds, food and a day-pass model, so you reach it by organised boat from the marina. Our Mahmya Island guide covers the logistics, and the Red Sea snorkelling guide helps you choose reefs. Compare Hurghada boat trips before booking, as inclusions and prices vary by operator. On the mainland, Hurghadaβs town beaches are functional rather than special, so base yourself with beach access in mind and see Hurghada hotels on Booking.com.
El Gouna lagoons
El Gouna is built around shallow lagoons, so water is calm and warm, which suits young children and beginners. The wider beaches are open water, and the area is also a kitesurfing centre because of steady northerly winds. It feels more planned and quieter than Hurghada, with a higher price level. See El Gouna hotels on Booking.com and the El Gouna things to do page.
Sinai beaches
Naama Bay, Sharm El Sheikh
Naama Bay is Sharmβs manicured crescent: sunbeds, parasols, water sports and a promenade of cafes right behind the sand. Entry to the reef is typically via a pontoon or jetty rather than a natural shore step, and hotels run most of the frontage, so access rules vary. Calmer, less lively stretches exist elsewhere in Sharm, and the full picture is in the Sharm beaches guide. Book Sharm el-Sheikh hotels on Booking.com near the bay if you want to walk to the sand, or browse Sharm tours for Ras Mohammed and island trips.
Blue Lagoon and the Dahab coast
Dahabβs beaches are more about atmosphere than resort sand. The Blue Lagoon, south of town, is a shallow, wind-friendly bay popular with kitesurfers and day visitors, with the Sinai mountains as the backdrop. Dahab itself has a laid-back seafront of cafes and dive centres, and Ras Abu Galum to the north is reached by boat, camel or hike. For snorkelling and dive spots see Dahab diving and snorkelling, and for rooms try Dahab hotels on Booking.com. Book Dahab tours for Blue Hole and desert trips. Dahab beaches are also a good mix for backpackers who want cheaper rooms than Sharm.
Mediterranean beaches
Agiba Beach, Marsa Matruh
Agiba is a small cove roughly 24 km west of Marsa Matruh, reached on foot down to the sand, with sheltered, very clear water and pale sand. It is a public beach, so there is no resort gate. Go in summer, take shade and water, and expect it to be busiest at weekends. Compare stays at Marsa Matruh hotels on Booking.com.
Almaza Bay and the North Coast
Almaza Bay and the wider North Coast are Egyptβs domestic summer playground, with gated resorts and long white-sand stretches along the Mediterranean. The season is short, roughly June to September, and prices and crowds peak in July and August, when Egyptian families arrive. It is a beach holiday rather than a sightseeing one, so most foreign visitors combine it with Alexandria. Search North Coast stays on Booking.com early for summer dates.
Which beach should you pick?
- Best for snorkelling: Sharm El Luli, then Giftun.
- Best for families: El Gouna lagoons or an all-inclusive Red Sea resort with a gently shelving beach.
- Best for a lively resort week: Naama Bay.
- Best for budget and backpackers: Dahab.
- Best Mediterranean: Agiba for a quiet cove, the North Coast for a full resort stay.
If you want a package-style stay, our best all-inclusive resorts in Egypt compares Hurghada, Sharm, El Gouna and Marsa Alam. To combine beaches with diving and a Cairo detour, follow the Red Sea and Sinai itinerary. The official Egypt Tourism Authority site lists destinations and visitor information.
Practical tips
- Dress: swimwear is normal at resorts and beach clubs, but cover up in towns and on public beaches. Our what to wear in Egypt page has details.
- Reef safety: wear reef shoes, never stand on coral, and respect red-flag warnings. Keep an eye on current local conditions before entering the water.
- Timing: the Red Sea is swimmable all year, with midsummer very hot. The Mediterranean season is June to September.
- Costs: day passes, boat trips and entry fees change often, so confirm current prices locally as of 2026.