Snorkel Site
HURGHADA TOP THREE
One of the Egypt’s oldest and most established diving destinations, Hurghada is well known for its excellent vari-
ety of wrecks and reef sites to explore. The underwater treats here are not exclusive to those with scuba; it also has
some fantastic spots for snorkellers, all within easy reach of its 0km of beaches. We don our masks and snorkels
and take a look at the pick of Hurghada’s best.
image: Google Earth
Small Giftun
Shaab Eshta
The Aquarium
Small Giftun The Aquarium Shaab Eshta
The Giftun islands in the National Marine Also reached by boat and covered as a full- Translated as ‘cream of the reefs’ in Arabic,
Park are a must-visit for both divers and day excursion, the Aquarium is an excellent Shaab Eshta is a reef split by a narrow channel
snorkellers. Best done as a full day trip, site for snorkellers as it is covered in reef and and offers fantastic diversity in life and
it takes around one hour to reach the fish life and has visibility ranging from 20m to typography. Reaching depths of between 6m
shore, where you can lunch and relax at up to 5m. Ranging from depths of between and 1m, the visibility is generally around
the stunning Mahmya Beach between 5m and 16m, you will find yellowfish, banner 10m to 20m range. In the turtle grass look for
snorkels. Mahmya Beach is one of the only fish, blue cheek butterflyfish, masked schools of lionfish and bluelined emperorfish,
constructions allowed on Giftun and has a butterflyfish, yellow snapper, goatfish, as well as stingrays, turtles and even sea
famous seafood restaurant, bar and beach crocodilefish and sweet lips. Some of the horses. Venture between the narrow gullies in
lounging area. larger visitors to the Aquarium include giant the reef and you are likely to find a school of
The Small Giftun snorkelling area is of depths morays, jackfish, turtles and eagle rays. In goatfish, sweetlips and snappers. Go south to
of between 6m and 18m and, as it is the September, watch out for the titan triggerfish find a resident school of hatchetfish. On the
protected area of the south, is exposed to carefully guarding their nests. rubble slope you are likely to spot stonefish,
very little or no current. Visibility is generally The area around the Aquarium is exposed to humpback scorpionfish and crocodilefish.
excellent, with a range of between 10m and very little current. Keep one eye out around the reef for a
20m. If you venture on the plateau, you are Malabar grouper often seen patrolling Shaab
virtually guaranteed to see napoleons and Eshta.
moray eels. All over you are likely to find a
variety of life, including blue spotted rays,
Special thanks to Ilios Dive Club in Hurghada (www.iliosdiveclub.de)
painted triggerfish and crocodilefish.
for its help with this feature.
Issue 1 June 2009 www.cdws.travel 27
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