Snorkeling from the beach in Hurghada: house reefs in El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh and Soma Bay

The reefs you can reach on foot are mainly south of Hurghada, in Makadi Bay and Soma Bay, plus the bay at Sahl Hasheesh. In Hurghada town and El Gouna, beach snorkeling is mostly over sand, seagrass or lagoon, with fish rather than a full reef.

Every resort is different, even within one area. Before you book a hotel for its reef, ask whether it has a jetty or pontoon to the reef edge, and whether the beach in front is sand or reef flat.

A typical house reef has three parts: a shallow lagoon or reef flat near the beach, the reef top, and the reef edge, where the bottom drops away to deeper water.

• The lagoon: shallow, with sand, rock and scattered coral. This is where people stand, and where you are most likely to tread on a sea urchin or a stonefish. Swim across it if it's deep enough; walk only on sand, in water shoes.
• The jetty or pontoon: many resorts build one over the reef flat so you can start right at the edge. Use the ladder, and come back to it. At Makadi Bay Reef, a 2010 visitor report says resorts had roped off no-entry areas to protect the coral; rules may have changed, so follow the signs.
• The reef edge: at Makadi Bay Reef the reef top sits 1–2 m under you, with deeper spots to about 18 m; current is usually under 1 knot and visibility 10–30 m. At Soma Bay a current sometimes runs, often from north to south. Swim against it first, so it carries you back to the ladder.

Egypt's Chamber of Diving and Water Sports (CDWS) tells guides to brief snorkelers to enter and leave the water only at the designated area, and never to step on or touch coral while getting in or out.

Beach snorkeling is safe for most people if you stay in calm water, keep to the swimming area and wear something that keeps you afloat. On your own there is no guide watching you, so the precautions are yours to take.

The CDWS standard also advises snorkeling with a fit companion, telling someone about heart or lung conditions, and stopping before you get tired, cold or stressed. More in snorkeling safety for first-timers.

From a good house reef you'll see reef fish along the edge, hard corals and, with luck, something bigger. From a sandy beach or lagoon, expect fewer fish.

• At the jetty: fish gather around the pillars and at the end of the pier; visitors to El Gouna's jetties report many colourful fish visible from the boardwalk.
• On the reef top: at Soma Bay, a dive guide describes a hard coral garden of Porites and other corals in blue, green, yellow and brown, and graceful gobies near the rope line.
• Now and then: a great barracuda hanging still near the surface, a turtle or a torpedo ray (all reported on Soma Bay's house reefs).
• Not every reef is healthy: Hurghada's Wikipedia article cites a study that found the area's reefs declined by 50% in three decades, with dredging and pollution among the causes. That is one reason the offshore reefs usually look better.

Taking shells, coral or any living or dead marine life is forbidden by Egyptian law, the CDWS reminds guides. To know what you're looking at, see our Red Sea endemic fish guide.

Beach snorkeling is enough if your hotel has a jetty to a living reef and you're happy to swim on your own for an hour or two. A boat trip is worth it if your beach is sandy, if you want a guide in the water, or if you want to see the offshore reefs.

We pick up from Hurghada, El Gouna, Makadi Bay, Sahl Hasheesh, Soma Bay and Safaga. You pay cash on the day, nothing in advance, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before.

• Want a half day? Snorkel your house reef in the morning while the water is calm. Our shortest boat trip is the private dolphin speedboat: about 3 hours, €200 per boat for up to 6 people, with pickup in Hurghada.
• Travelling with divers? Snorkelers can join our 2-dive day boat for the same €35, mask and fins included.
• Curious about going under? A try dive is €45, one-to-one with an instructor.

To choose between the island trips, see Orange Bay, Paradise Island, Mahmya or Giftun; for every snorkeling option, see best snorkeling in Hurghada. All prices are on our price list.

Bring water shoes, a well-fitting mask, a snorkel, fins, a vest if you're not a strong swimmer, and cover from the sun.

• Water shoes: recommended for the rocky beach and lagoon at Makadi Bay Reef, and useful on any entry over rock. Take them off only if you're swimming from a jetty ladder.
• Mask, snorkel and fins: bring your own, or rent at the beach where it is offered. Test the mask fit before you swim out.
• Snorkelling vest or life jacket: lets you rest afloat anywhere instead of looking for somewhere to stand.
• Rash vest and hat: plus sunscreen without oxybenzone or octinoxate, put on well before you get in.
• Something warm for winter: the water is cooler from January to April. See which wetsuit you need and the water temperature by month.
• A buddy: snorkel in pairs and tell someone on the beach when you'll be back.