Top Water Activities to Experience in Egypt

Egypt is undeniably a dry land, with about 95% of its territory being harsh desert. Located between the Sahara and the Arabian Peninsula, the vast majority of the country remains a barren expanse.

However, Egypt is also rich in water resources. Once called the gift of the Nile by the ancients, it’s not just the iconic river that defines Egypt's waterways. With the Mediterranean to the north and the Red Sea to the east, Egypt boasts an expansive coastline that stretches across both Africa and the Middle East.

The river and seas together offer an endless array of water-based activities, from serene Nile sailing and swimming in oasis pools to thrilling aquatic sports and exciting marine safaris.

Since the 1950s, when diving pioneers Jacques Cousteau and Hans Haas uncovered the underwater treasures off Egypt's coast, the country has earned its reputation as one of the world’s premier scuba diving and snorkeling destinations.

Extreme heat and a harsh environment keep human settlement along much of Egypt’s coastline to a minimum. This has helped preserve the pristine nature of its waters, free from the impacts of industry or agriculture. As a result, Egypt's coral reefs and marine life have flourished for centuries and continue to thrive.

"While many popular dive spots around the world are struggling with the effects of climate change and pollution, the reefs of Egypt remain largely healthy," says Ornella Ditel, a PADI Rescue Diver and manager at Camel Dive Club & Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh.

"Thanks to the incredible biodiversity and the wide variety of dive sites, including famous wrecks, drop-offs, and vibrant reefs, there’s something for everyone. Whether you're chasing legendary wrecks, megafauna, or macro species, Egypt caters to divers of all levels—from certified enthusiasts to total beginners, young or old."

The Red Sea is home to over 220 species of coral, both hard and soft, creating an ecosystem that shelters and nourishes more than 1,100 species of fish. Remarkably, nearly 20% of these fish species are found only in these local waters.

Continue reading to explore a dozen exciting ways to dive into the waters of Egypt and discover its aquatic wonders.

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

"Stretching from Sinai to the Sudanese border, the Red Sea offers a seemingly endless array of diving opportunities," says Dive Magazine, which ranks Egypt as #6 among the world’s top 10 scuba destinations.

Divers can experience pristine coral reefs, encounter large marine creatures, and explore historic wrecks like the SS Thistlegorm (sunk by German bombers during WWII), as well as ancient submerged ruins off Alexandria in the Mediterranean.

Thistlegorm is one of nine Egyptian dive sites featured in Scuba Travel’s list of the world’s top 100 underwater exploration destinations.

Camel Dive Club & Hotel offers guided diving trips to the legendary SS Thistlegorm wreck.

Beaches

With 2,450 kilometers (1,522 miles) of coastline—more than Florida—Egypt offers an abundance of spots to enjoy the sun, sea, and sand.

While Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada have been favorite beach destinations since the 1980s, newer spots like Marsa Alam, Dahab, and El Gouna are quickly gaining popularity among both locals and international travelers.

With its powdery white sand and crystal-clear blue-green waters, Mahmya Beach on Giftun Island (near Hurghada) is often ranked among Egypt's top beach destinations.

Wildlife

The Red Sea is often compared to Africa’s Serengeti for its stunning underwater diversity, offering both an abundance and variety of wildlife that make it a premier marine destination.

Sharks, dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, and the rare Indian Ocean dugong are just some of the impressive marine creatures that inhabit Egypt’s waters, alongside over a thousand species of fish.

While diving provides the most immersive way to encounter marine life, it's also possible to observe much of Egypt's wildlife through snorkeling, glass-bottom boat tours, and sightseeing submarines.

Waterparks

Just like in many other parts of the world, Egypt's waterparks offer an exciting alternative to spending a day on the beach.

With thrilling giant water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools, Egypt’s waterparks are a perfect choice for families with kids or teens seeking adventure and fun.

Makadi Water World and Sinbad Aqua Park are just two of the half-dozen aquatic theme parks in Hurghada.

Sharm el Sheikh and Marsa Alam also have their own impressive waterparks, offering plenty of fun for visitors.

Boating

Whether it's luxury motor yachts in Hurghada, speedboats in Sharm el Sheikh, or a glass-bottom boat in Marsa Alam, Egypt provides a wide range of boating experiences.

Boating charters in Egypt are usually crewed or skippered, though bareboat options are available for activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing, private coastal picnics, romantic sunset cruises, or simply sightseeing.

Egyptboats offers a variety of boating experiences, ranging from a two-hour snorkeling excursion to a full 24-hour private charter boat safari.

Windsurfing

Located just an hour’s drive north of Sharm el Sheikh along the Gulf of Aqaba, Dahab is renowned as the top windsurfing spot in Egypt.

The conditions are nearly perfect for windsurfing, with over 300 windy days each year, including many that reach a powerful four on the Beaufort Scale.

Dahab boasts two windsurfing centers, offering professional lessons, the latest gear, and three dedicated windsurfing areas, including a 'speedway' for experienced surfers and a nearly enclosed lagoon that’s perfect for beginners. Dahab Stars offers windsurfing courses.

Kayaking

Channel your inner ancient Egyptian by paddling down the River Nile. Not in a reed boat, but in a modern kayak, of course.

Nile Kayak Club provides short paddling trips in Cairo, as well as five-day guided kayak expeditions along the river between Aswan and Luxor.

Other kayaking companies offer guided fishing and bird-watching tours, as well as paddling adventures along the Nile in Luxor.

Desert Oases

Egypt’s desert oases, far from the rivers and seas, provide a unique water experience – a chance to cool off from the searing desert heat by relaxing in a refreshing swimming hole. The most famous of these is Cleopatra’s Pool at Siwa Oasis in the Western Desert.

While Cleopatra herself may never have visited this far, it’s believed that Alexander the Great could have taken a dip at Siwa during his visit to consult the oracle.

Other notable desert swimming spots include Wadi el Weshwash in Sinai and Wadi el Rayan in the Fayoum.

Submarines

Why bother getting wet and struggling with diving gear when you can enjoy the underwater wonders of the Red Sea in a bright yellow submarine?

Panorama Submarines in Hurghada offers two- and three-hour excursions in a 75-meter (250-foot) semi-submersible vessel with panoramic windows, taking you down to depths of up to 22 meters (72 feet).

Royal Seascope offers a similar underwater experience with its sea-bottom voyage from Sharm el Sheikh.

Kitesurfing

While there are several places with great conditions for kitesurfing, Hurghada and nearby El Gouna are the main hotspots along Egypt’s coast.

With steady winds of 20 knots coming from the desert mountains and funneled up the Red Sea, the kitesurfing season runs from March to November, peaking in autumn when winds can reach between 30-35 knots.

The Hurghada-El Gouna region is home to numerous kite schools, rental shops, and hotels that cater specifically to kitesurfers.

Osmosis Kiteboarding Club, located inside Hotel Club Paradisio by the Red Sea, offers kiteboarding lessons and equipment rental services.

Sailing on the Nile

Egypt’s iconic feluccas have been a staple for over 2,000 years, dating back to Roman times when the unique lateen (triangular) sail was first introduced.

Originally used for cargo and fishing, feluccas now predominantly serve the tourism industry.

Nile cruises vary from day sails through the islands of Aswan and simple ferries across the river at Luxor, to luxury lunches on the water in Cairo and multi-day voyages where passengers sleep on the wooden decks under the stars.

Viator offers a two-hour felucca ride along the Nile River from Cairo, with an Egyptologist guide onboard to provide insights.

Wakeboarding

The saying 'Build it and they will come' certainly applies here. Wakeboarding was virtually unknown in Egypt until Sliders Cable Park opened in El Gouna in 2014, surrounded by artificial lakes and islands.

Since its opening, the park has become a prime winter training destination for professional wakeboarders and a regular stop on the IWWF wakeboard grand prix circuit.

The park features Olympic-standard cables as well as ‘easy ride’ cables designed for beginners.