Top 15 Best Beaches to Visit in Egypt

Egypt is blessed with two stunning coastlines: the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. Countless stunning beaches make Egypt far more than a destination to see heritages like pyramids and ancient temples. It is also a paradise for a leisure vacation. So, what are the most recommended beaches in Egypt? Let's discuss it then.

Egypt's Top Beach Destinations: A Coastal Overview

For a clearer picture of where Egypt's top beaches are located, let's group them into three key areas:

Map of Egypt's Coastline & Famous Beaches

The Red Sea Coastline

Well Developed Beaches & Wide Ranges of Beach Resorts

The Red Sea coastline, which includes Hurghada, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay, and El Gouna, is renowned for its luxury resorts, calm turquoise waters, and exceptional diving and snorkeling opportunities. This area has well-developed beach settings, with a wide range of accommodations to suit different budgets.

Coastline of Sinai Peninsula

World-Class Diving & Desert Safari Adventures

The coastline of the Sinai Peninsula, including Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab, shares the Red Sea's stunning underwater landscapes and warm waters. In addition to spectacular coral reefs, this region offers unique opportunities for desert safaris and mountain excursions, blending beach relaxation with adventure.

Mediterranean Coastline

Crystal-Clear Waters & Quieter, Less-Crowded Beaches

From Alexandria to Marsa Matrouh, Egypt's Mediterranean coast features cooler waters, soft white sands, and a more laid-back atmosphere. While less developed for international tourism, it offers a tranquil and authentic local experience. Note that marine biodiversity here is not as rich as the Red Sea, so if diving is a priority, you may want to explore other regions.

Best Beaches to Go in the Red Sea Coastline

Red Sea, Hurghada

1. El Gouna

Location: 27 km north of Hurghada

Recommended for: Couples, families, and active travelers

El Gouna is a meticulously planned resort town renowned for its network of lagoons, upscale accommodations, and vibrant marina life. This upscale seaside town offers a beautiful beach setting along with a wide range of experiences, including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, mountain biking, horseback riding, and even an 18-hole golf course.

The town boasts several pristine beaches, with Zeytuna Beach being a notable highlight. Situated on its own island, Zeytuna Beach is accessible via scenic ferry rides from many hotels and offers a tranquil setting for sunbathing and swimming.

For water sports enthusiasts, Mangroovy Beach is more recommended, since its consistent winds and shallow waters offer some of the best kitesurfing experiences.

In the evenings, El Gouna's lively town center hosts family-friendly entertainment and cultural events, making it a versatile spot for both relaxation and adventure. Besides, many resorts also arrange excursions to iconic sites like the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Luxor.

2. Makadi Bay

Location: 39 km from Hurghada

Recommended for: Family with kids

Makadi Bay, located about 39 kilometers south of Hurghada, is an ideal destination for a family beach vacation. The hotels around the bay are designed with families in mind, offering excellent kids' clubs, multiple swimming pools, nightly entertainment, and water parks.

The beaches in the central part of Makadi Bay feature relatively soft sand, perfect for relaxing and playing. However, in other areas, the beaches are more coral than sand, so it's a good idea to bring beach shoes to protect your feet.

3. Sahl Hasheesh

Location: Approximately 18 km south of Hurghada International Airport

Recommended for: Luxury seekers and adventure enthusiasts

Right between Hurghada and Makabi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh is a luxurious resort town. All along the bay stretch heavenly beaches washed by aqua-blue waters and dotted with palm trees. The sand here is so soft and white.

The town is home to several top-tier resorts in Egypt, such as The Oberoi Beach Resort, Baron Palace, and Tropitel Sahl Hasheesh. Each of them offers private beach access, world-class spa service, and fine dining.

For evening entertainment, its promenade at the Old Town offers plenty of choices like cafes, boutiques, and bars.

Beyond the water's edge, you can also find some adventure activities, like quad biking, camel treks, and jeep safaris through the nearby red sand dunes.

Recommended Tour Itinerary

Egypt Vacation with Hurghada 10 DAYS Explore This Tour

4. Soma Bay

Location: Private peninsula about 45 km south of Hurghada

Recommended for: Luxury seekers, families, and water-sports enthusiasts

Soma Bay feels worlds away from the city's buzz. Its white-sand beach is dotted with upscale resorts, Oberoi, Kempinski, and more, so you're always just steps from the clear, turquoise water.

Despite its remote setting, you'll find plenty to keep you busy: snorkeling and diving trips on the house reef, camel rides and quad-bike safaris through the desert, and even full-day excursions to Luxor's temples.

5. Marsa Abu Dabbab Bay

Location: Just north of Marsa Alam, at the southern tip of Egypt's Red Sea coast

Recommended for: Divers, wildlife lovers, and eco-curious families

Marsa Abu Dabbab is legendary among divers, and for good reason. Its calm, shallow bay shelters a unique "sea cow" resident: the endangered dugong. If you're lucky, you can swim alongside these gentle giants, as well as sea turtles and harmless guitar sharks. Below the surface, rainbow-hued coral gardens teem with life, ideal for both beginner snorkelers and experienced divers.

Onshore, the beach's soft white sand and warm, waist-deep water make it a perfect family spot. Local operators run guided dives, snorkeling tours, and boat trips, while nearby eco-lodges offer relaxed, intimate accommodations. Keep an underwater camera handy, you'll want to capture every colorful reef neighborhood and rare marine encounter.

Beaches in Sinai Peninsula

Sharm El Sheikh

6. Naama Bay

Location: Central Sharm el-Sheikh, Sinai Peninsula

Recommended for: Winter sunseekers, divers, and families

Naama Bay's long stretch of fine white sand and calm, turquoise waters make it one of Egypt's most famous beaches.

It is a popular destination for travelers from Europe and America looking for sunshine during the winter. Its paradisaical landscape seduces bathers who sunbathe on the fine sand swept by calm and soft blue waters every year. Within the distance, you have an extraordinary view of the mountainous coast of Saudi Arabia.

You can swim or snorkel right off the beach, or book a dive trip to explore colorful coral walls. Shorefront resorts, ranging from the upscale Naama Bay Hotel to mid-range options like Jewel Sharm, offer private beach sections, pools, and easy access to the bay's promenade of shops and cafés.

7. Ras Um Sid Beach

Location: Northern tip of Sharm el-Sheikh, adjacent to SOHO Square

Recommended for: Experienced divers, snorkelers, and sunset chasers

Ras Um Sid's golden sands sweep into clear, deeper waters where a vibrant reef teems with soft corals, butterfly fish, and clownfish. It's a favorite launch point for diving excursions - both day and night dives - thanks to its excellent visibility and mellow currents.

After a morning beneath the waves, relax on the beach or head up to Farsha Café, perched on the cliff above. From there, you get one of the Gulf of Aqaba's most spectacular panoramas: endless water, Saudi Arabia's mountains on the horizon, and a sky ablaze at sunset and moonrise.

Recommended Tour Itinerary

Egypt New Year Vacation 2026: Nile Cruise & Red Sea Tour 9 DAYS Explore This Tour

8. Shark's Bay

Location: About 7 km from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport

Recommended for: Diving and snorkeling fans, underwater photographers, and couples

Renowned for its pristine, blue seas and rich coral reefs, Shark's Bay is among Sharm El Sheikh's top diving and snorkeling locations.

Scuba divers laud the area for its great macro-photography prospects. Small reef inhabitants like gobies and blennies are plentiful, and because its very low currents are perfect for both novices and night dives. The bay is calm, very recommended for people seeking a secluded area.

From all-inclusive dive-village to ultra-luxury getaways, a variety of lodgings caters to Shark's Bay tourists. Many resorts provide on-site diving centres, private beaches, and dive-friendly facilities.

9. Dahab Lagoon

Location: Just south of Dahab's rocky town center on the Gulf of Aqaba

Recommended for: Kiteboarders, windsurfers, families, and beginner snorkelers

Dahab Lagoon is a shallow, protected bay renowned for its steady trade winds and calm, waist-deep waters. This makes it one of Egypt's premier spots for kiteboarding and windsurfing lessons. The smooth, flat water is also perfect for stand-up paddleboarding and freestyle kayaking.

Along the lagoon's edge, you'll find a string of laid-back cafés, rental shops, and schools offering gear and instruction. Snorkelers can explore the nearby coral reef just beyond the lagoon's sandy bottom. In the evening, the waterfront promenade comes alive with casual dining spots serving fresh seafood and Bedouin-style grills.

10. Nuweiba

Location: East coast of Sinai Peninsula

Recommended for: Couples, backpackers, and nature lovers

Nuweiba is a laid-back beach town set against a backdrop of rugged mountains and desert plains. Its wide, sandy bay sweeps gently into clear, warm waters. A shallow coral reef lies just offshore, perfect for beginner snorkeling and relaxed swims.

The town retains a rustic charm. You can stay in simple Bedouin-style camps or small boutique hotels right on the sand. Days here are unhurried, enjoy sunbathing, beachcombing, or a glass-bottom boat trip to spot coral and colorful fish.

11. Taba

Location: Northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba in South Sinai

Recommended for: Couples, divers (all levels), and desert adventurers

Taba, its beautiful sandy beaches, oases with palm trees and colorful coral reefs, and water constantly described by travelers as clear and crystal transparent, is the favorite destination of lovers who wish to isolate themselves to enjoy exploring the underwater splendors and enjoy the calm.

This site is suitable for both beginners and experienced divers. Taba is the perfect place to relax on the sand and enjoy the sun. The most popular activities here are diving from the nearby island called "Pharaoh's Island," windsurfing, camel rides in the desert, and golf. In the evening, for a romantic dinner, Castel Zaman opens its doors for slow food around the open-air pool with cocktails.

Beaches to Go in Egypt's Mediterranean Coastline

12. Montaza Beach

Location: Al Mandarah Bahri, Alexandria

Recommended for: Families, history buffs

Montaza Beach sits beside the majestic Montazah Palace gardens, featuring gentle sands and tranquil, protected waters that are perfect for families and those with a passion for history. The waterfront promenade, along with its beautifully maintained gardens, offers numerous shaded areas perfect for a delightful picnic or a leisurely moment of relaxation.

You can also visit the nearby Rose Garden, home to an impressive 50,000 blooms, or take a leisurely stroll past the magnificent palace architecture that harks back to the era of Khedive Abbas II.

Keep in mind that beach access typically closes around sunset, so it's wise to plan your visit accordingly.

Montaza Palace, Alexandria

13. Stanley Beach

Location: Fleming, El Raml 1, Alexandria

Recommended for: Couples and urban explorers

Stanley Beach, hidden under the famous Stanley Bridge, is a little piece of golden sand bordered by three stories of beach cottages and a bustling café scene.

This urban beach offers an ideal spot for a refreshing afternoon swim in the Mediterranean, complemented by a delightful coffee or ice cream as you take in the sights of fishermen and ferries gracefully passing by.

The view becomes much better as the sun dips below the horizon: the bridge's silhouette emerges against the shimmering sea, crafting a scene that could easily grace the front of a postcard. A walk along the Corniche is also a good way to relax.

Recommended Tour Itinerary

Egypt Family Vacation 13 DAYS Explore This Tour

14. Agiba Beach

Location: About 24 km west of Marsa Matrouh

Recommended for: Photographers, adventurers, and solitude seekers

A genuine hidden treasure on Egypt's Mediterranean coast, Agiba Beach (meaning "miracle") is a tiny, cliff-enclosed beach with stunning blue seas and powder-white sand.

The dramatic backdrop of the beach provides stunning photographs, particularly when the late-afternoon light highlights the jagged cliffs, accessible via a winding walk from the clifftop.

To the lengthy stretch of "East Agiba" beach, still pristine but significantly less crowded, 1-2 km east along the coastline for more room. Waves here may be severe, so swimmers should stick within the protected cove and bring robust shoes for descent.

15. Cleopatra's Beach

Location: About 5 km west of Marsa Matrouh's city center

Recommended for: Couples and photographers

A secluded cove, Cleopatra's Beach, local legend has it that Queen Cleopatra and Mark Antony bathed here; remnants of an old palace on the slope across the water still suggest its royal history.

With a rock-protected lagoon and sea caves etched into the cliff, Cleopatra's Beach is considered the most beautiful beach in Marsa Matrouh. Soft white sand and mild waves make it one of the most romantic places along Egypt's Mediterranean coast. Especially as the sun sets, the surrounding cliffs glow pink, perfect for a sunset stroll or just some quiet time with your loved one.