The Red Sea Riviera (Hurghada, El Gouna, Marsa Alam, Sharm el-Sheikh)
After days among the temples and the dust of the Nile valley, the Red Sea comes as a revelation. The water here is warm, clear and an almost unreal shade of blue, and just below the surface lies one of the richest reef systems on earth. Egypt has a second coast that most travelers never picture, and for many it becomes the unexpected highlight of the whole trip: a few easy, sun-warmed days of reefs, fish and downtime to round off a journey through the ancient world.
What makes the Red Sea so special is the coral. Vivid gardens of soft and hard coral fall away into walls and drop-offs that plunge into deep, clear blue, alive with clouds of orange anthias, parrotfish and the occasional gliding turtle. Visibility often runs to a hundred feet or more, and the reefs begin so close to shore that snorkelers float over the same color and life that divers descend to find. This is also some of the finest wreck diving anywhere, above all the SS Thistlegorm, a World War II cargo ship resting on the seabed with her holds still full.
Best of all, the Red Sea is for everyone. Certified divers can chase walls, wrecks and the protected reefs of Ras Mohammed, while complete beginners can try a guided Discover Scuba dive or simply snorkel straight off the beach. The water is warm enough to swim year round, and the resort towns along the coast make an easy, comfortable base. We love to set the Red Sea at the end of an Egypt itinerary, a relaxed beach finale after the temples, when all that is asked of you is to float in the warm water and watch the reef drift by.
