Hotel/resort in Red Sea with reef and snorkelling suggestions

[Otherunichoices]

Hello

I am a woman in my 50s I am planning a resort holiday with my 20 year-old son in Egypt in late March.

I am struggling to find a hotel in Hurghada, Sharm-el-Sheikh or similar resort where you can snorkel directly from the hotel and the reef is decent. I am not bothered about night entertainment, pool bars or similar but more about a nice beach and the snorkel.

Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a lot

Have a look again at sharm, especially sharks bay. We did snorkeling there from the hotel. Although personally I would not do so again, as shark attacks seem to be happening more and more.

Fort arabesque, sunrise royal makadi and sunrise Tucana in hurghada.

Coral sea Sensatori in Sharm.

We went to The Coral Sea resort last year and honestly the snorkelling off the pier wasn’t great. The reef has sadly been destroyed by tourists walking on it. There are a few lion fish hiding under the steps.
we went on boat trips and saw some amazing reefs but I wouldn’t stay there for the snorkelling. The area where the Four Seasons hotel is had a good reef.
I found the lack of Egyptian women really disconcerting in sharm. I can’t see myself returning, it felt like being in prison!

Breakers hotel Hurghada. No beach though. Cos it's on a reef.

I agree. I counted 4 Egyptian women in total while we stayed in Sharm for a week. Men everywhere, no women and it’s very disconcerting.

I wouldn’t go back for various reasons. We had a lovely week diving, but the men are predatory and I was with my husband. It didn’t feel safe.

Thank you very much for the suggestions.., and the warning. Definitely food for thiught.

We went to the TUI Blu Sensatori and snorkelling was really good straight off the pier. Hotel was lovely too, tho there’s nothing away from the hotel, so it’s only good for a pool/beach/snorkelling holiday.

I'm really surprised you didn't see more fish! We stayed at the Coral Beach Montazah 3 years ago and the sea was absolutely alive with so many species of fish straight off the pier outside the hotel. My kids couldn't believe it. I saw more fish here than in Thailand, Bali etc and was really surprised. We went in November (I don't know if the time of year has anything to do with it). Hotel was a bit crap but the ones further up the beach looked nicer

I’ve just looked them up and they’re different places which makes sense.

We stayed at Rohanou Resort about 2 hours from Hurghada. Brilliant house reef and diving facilities. Lovely staff and rooms. About £100 a night for 2 of us but that includes all food and drinks (wine, beer etc, not spirits).

Would recommend. Food good but not amazing.

In Sharm, Reef Oasis Blue Bay (ROBB), best snorkelling I’ve had. The Tui Blue Sensatori mentioned above is also decent, the roped off snorkelling area is quite small though. Both hotels are decent, ROBB is smaller and my favourite.
in Hurghada, Sunrise Makadi and Fort Arabesque (next door to each other) have fairly good snorkelling but its clumps of coral on sand rather than continuous coral reef so its ok but not the best.

That is exactly the kind of information I was hoping for, thank you for answering. We are after beach, snorkelling and reading so the lack of a town or entertainment is not an issue. We had a relaxing resort holiday last year in Cape Verde last year and it was surprisingly nice, this year I hope to add the Red Sea snorkelling.

If you can head further south to Marsa Alam, Port Ghalib it’s much quieter & resort based. The reefs are fantastic, lots more fish & direct from the jetty or beach. The Hilton or any of the Jaz hotels along there are great.

DH and I stayed here 15ys ago- so obviously some things will have changed. I recall several restaurants, multiple pools, and beach at the bottom. The hotel was set on a slight hill, but there was a funicular lift up and down if the stairs are too much.

DH and I are advanced scuba divers, and despite having 100+ dives each, their onsite dive school wanted everyone that went on a boat dive, to re-test their skills. This was done off the pier on their beach. I was more concentrating on breathing, removing mask, etc, but I do recall plenty of fish and things to see just off the beach. Nothing like the Barrier Reef in terms of coral, but a reef right on the door step. Would you consider a snorkeling trip via a boat?

1 absolute highlight was walking up Mt Sinai. The bus picked us up about 3am- but it was worth it! At the bottom of the mountain, the locals told us to buy hats/gloves because people were skiing at the top! I though they were taking the piss. There was a clear, wide path to walk to the top, or the option of riding a camel! At the top, it was still dark and incredibly cold. To my great surprise, as the sun came up, it revealed we were indeed surrounded my snow and ice covered mountains! It was actually a very moving experience with several Coptic priests at the top and a random couple sharing bread around. Back at the bottom, we walked around St Catherines monastery, the burning bush etc.

www.safirhotels.com/en/hotel/safir-sharm-waterfalls-resort

Hi another recommendation to look at the Marsa Alam area instead. Although you more limited with direct flights, we've used Tui from Gatwick. Having visited this resort 4 times now, I would say it's sounds ideal for what you are looking for. All the hotels around the Marsa Alam bay are high quality and good access to the reef. Look at the adult only Steningenberg Coraya and you can easily walk into the water from the beach and are snorkelling within minutes.

Thank you! I had not heard of Marsa Alam. Good tip on the resort!

Hands down the best snorkelling house reef is the Temple Reef located at Sentido Oasis in Sharm. Magical snorkelling and I'd highly recommend the Sentido part as it gives you adult only areas to sit, relax and read your books. The life guards and waiters are amazing and will regularly bring you cocktails or cold beverages and crisps to your four poster loungers. The food is excellent and very varied and the staff are incredibly friendly and attentive. Other we have considered in the past have been the Four Seasons and Savoy, but we always go back to Sendio Oasis in the end.

Thank you everybody for your tips. In the end we came to the Reef Oasis Blue Bay in Sharm and are loving it. Even better, I have a list of other resorts and hotels to tick off. Mumsnetters are so nice and helpful!

Hello.... I am a 50 year old woman with a 20 year old son.... often traveled to Hurgada.