Hurghada, Marsa Alam or Sharm el-Sheikh? How to Choose Your Red Sea Resort

Egypt's Red Sea coast offers three very different holidays. Hurghada is busy and varied, Marsa Alam is quiet and wild, and Sharm el-Sheikh mixes world-class reefs with resort life on the Sinai Peninsula. All three have sunshine almost all year, warm clear water and some of the best snorkelling and diving in the world – but the atmosphere, the beaches, the transfer times and the day trips are very different.

This guide compares them side by side, then looks at each one in detail: who it suits, what the beaches and reefs are like, how long transfers take and what you can see on day trips. At the end you'll find quick recommendations for families, divers, couples and first-time visitors.

At a glance

Hurghada: best all-rounder

1. Choose Hurghada if you want variety

Hurghada and its neighbouring bays – El Gouna to the north, Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay and Soma Bay to the south – have the widest choice of hotels, restaurants and excursions on the Egyptian Red Sea. The airport is minutes from most hotels, flights arrive from all over Europe, and there's something for every budget, from simple city hotels to five-star all-inclusive resorts.

Beaches and reefs: central Hurghada mostly has sandy or man-made beaches, so the best snorkelling is on boat trips to the Giftun Islands and offshore reefs. The bays further south, especially Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay and Soma Bay, have hotels with house reefs and jetties.

Things to do: island boat trips, dolphin trips, diving courses, kitesurfing in El Gouna and Soma Bay, desert safaris, the Marina and the old town of El Dahar.

Day trips: Hurghada is the closest Red Sea resort to Luxor (about four hours by road), and Cairo is about an hour away by plane.

Who it suits: families, first-timers, groups with different interests and anyone who wants both beach time and things to do. Read our Hurghada travel guide and our guide to where to stay in Hurghada.

Marsa Alam: best for nature

2. Choose Marsa Alam for marine life and peace

Marsa Alam, around 270 km south of Hurghada, is the place for snorkellers and divers who want turtles, dolphins and healthy reefs right off the hotel jetty. The coast here is much less developed, with hotels spread out along the shore and long stretches of empty desert between them.

Beaches and reefs: many hotels sit on natural bays with their own reefs. Abu Dabbab is famous for green sea turtles grazing on seagrass, and a few dugongs live in the area, though sightings are never guaranteed. Offshore reefs such as Elphinstone and Samadai are world-class dive sites.

Things to do: snorkelling, diving, dolphin trips to Samadai, Wadi El Gemal National Park, stargazing in the desert and quiet evenings at Port Ghalib marina.

Transfers: Marsa Alam International Airport is close to Port Ghalib, but some hotels are an hour or more away – check the distance before you book. Many travellers also fly into Hurghada and take a three- to four-hour transfer south.

Who it suits: nature lovers, divers, couples and anyone looking for real peace and quiet. The trade-offs are fewer restaurants and shops and long transfers between hotels. Read our Marsa Alam guide.

Sharm el-Sheikh: best reefs plus resort life

3. Choose Sharm for Ras Mohammed and Sinai

Sharm el-Sheikh, at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, sits beside two of the world's great reef areas: Ras Mohammed National Park and the Straits of Tiran. Many hotels are built on cliffs above coral reefs, with jetties or steps leading straight into deep water.

Beaches and reefs: most of the coastline is coral rather than sand, so snorkelling from the hotel is often excellent, but young children may prefer hotels in Naama Bay or with sandy lagoons.

Things to do: boat trips to Ras Mohammed and Tiran, diving (including the SS Thistlegorm wreck), the lively Naama Bay promenade and Soho Square, desert trips and the Old Market.

Day trips: a night climb of Mount Sinai to watch the sunrise and visit St Catherine's Monastery, and the laid-back town of Dahab, about an hour's drive north.

Who it suits: divers, snorkellers who want spectacular reefs, couples and families who want resort life with some evening entertainment. Read our Sharm el-Sheikh guide.

Snorkelling and diving compared

Hurghada has the most dive centres and the easiest conditions for beginners. Reefs around the Giftun Islands are a short boat ride away, and the wrecks of Abu Nuhas and the SS Thistlegorm can be reached on longer day trips or liveaboards. From the shore, the best snorkelling is at hotels in Sahl Hasheesh, Makadi Bay and Soma Bay.

Marsa Alam is the best of the three for snorkelling straight from the beach. Many hotels have healthy house reefs, Abu Dabbab is famous for turtles, and Samadai Reef is home to a resident pod of spinner dolphins. For experienced divers, Elphinstone is known for oceanic whitetip sharks, and liveaboards head south to St John's and the Fury Shoals.

Sharm el-Sheikh has the most dramatic reefs. Ras Mohammed's walls and the four reefs of the Straits of Tiran are among the most famous dive sites in the world, with strong currents and big schools of fish. Hotel reefs are often excellent, but entries can be via jetties into deep water – good for confident swimmers.

Food, nightlife and shopping

Hurghada has the widest choice: the Marina, the old town of El Dahar and the bars along Village Road. Sharm el-Sheikh has Naama Bay, Soho Square and the Old Market, with plenty going on in the evening. Marsa Alam is the quietest – most guests eat in their hotels, with Port Ghalib marina as the main place to go out.

Budget

All three offer good-value all-inclusive holidays, especially outside the school holidays. Hurghada has the widest range of prices, from simple town hotels to luxury resorts. Marsa Alam tends to have fewer budget options, and excursions can cost more because of the longer distances. In Sharm, prices vary widely between Naama Bay and the more exclusive bays.

Weather compared

All three resorts are sunny almost every day. In winter, the south is slightly warmer: Marsa Alam usually has warmer days and water than Hurghada, and Sharm el-Sheikh is sheltered and mild. Hurghada and El Gouna are windier, which is great for kitesurfing but can make boat trips choppy. In summer, all three are hot, often above 35°C, with sea temperatures of 28–30°C.

Transfers compared

Long transfers are where a pre-booked private car makes the biggest difference: the price is fixed, the driver waits if your flight is delayed and you can stop on the way if needed.

How to decide

• First time in Egypt, with young children: Hurghada or one of its bays – short transfers, sandy beaches and the most choice.
• Snorkelling with turtles and total relaxation: Marsa Alam.
• Diving and spectacular reefs with some nightlife: Sharm el-Sheikh.
• You want to see Luxor too: Hurghada is closest; Marsa Alam is also possible via Edfu.
• Kitesurfing: El Gouna or Soma Bay near Hurghada.
• A mix of everything over two weeks: combine Hurghada with a few nights in Marsa Alam – they are connected by road.

Still deciding? Our Red Sea family holiday guide compares the bays around Hurghada in more detail, and our Red Sea liveaboard guide covers diving trips from all three resorts.