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Garden Bay, bordered by almost a mile long fringing reef, is one of the most extensive snorkeling locations in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula along the Red Sea coast, Garden Bay offers crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and a diverse array of marine life. The bay’s calm and warm waters make it accessible for snorkelers of all levels, from beginners to experienced enthusiasts. Easily accessed by boat or from various resort’s jetties, the reef can be snorkeled at several spots, each with plenty to see at each location. In addition to reef fish, you may encounter a barracuda or Napoleon on the drop-off. Snorkeling in Garden Bay, Sharm El-Sheikh is a captivating underwater experience in one of Egypt’s premier diving and snorkeling destinations.

Napoleon wrasse in Garden Bay
At this location, you might be lucky enough to spot a Napoleon fish.

How to get to the Garden Bay snorkeling spot

Garden Bay snorkeling spot extends along almost a mile of coastline and includes three locations: Near Garden, Middle Garden and Far Garden. Each was named after their distance from Naama Bay. These sites have different access points:

  1. Near Garden (area 1 on the map below). This is the closest spot to Naama Bay. It is located around the cape that separates Naama Bay from Garden Bay. Designated a natural area, there is no hotel on the cape. It is reached via boat trips.
  2. Middle Garden. This site, located in the center of the bay, is the most popular. The best area (zone 2 on the map) extends to the right of the pontoon which faces the Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort and the Beach House Restaurant (pontoon 1). It is also possible to get to Middle Garden by boat, and several operators offer boat tours to Middle Garden. To the left of the pontoon, the coral reef continues east for over half a mile (area 3 on the map) and this less central, and less crowded, part of the reef can be accessed from the Continental Garden Reef Resort pontoon ( pontoon 3), the Continental Plaza Beach Resort (pontoon 4), or by an intermediate pontoon (pontoon 2).
  3. Far Garden (area 4 on the map). This is the furthest spot from Naama Bay. It is accessible from the pontoons of the Reef Oasis Blue Bay Resort (pontoon A) and the Sharm Plaza Hotel (pontoon B).

Garden Bay snorkeling map

Water entrance for snorkeling Garden Bay

At this location, the water entrance is from pontoons, which allows access to the drop-off without damaging the coral. If you are on a snorkeling tour, you will enter the water from your boat.

Garden Bay snorkeling exploration tips

Garden Bay reef features a pretty linear drop-off, except at Middle Garden, where the reef flat extends in steps towards the open sea. This forms pools in the reef flat as well as several patch reefs.

Coral reef at Garden Bay
Some parts of Garden Bay reefs feature healthy and colorful coral.

The coral varies in condition. It is quite damaged in the most crowded areas, especially in the central part of Middle Garden and next to the pontoons. The coral is healthier in deeper, more  remote areas. The reef features mostly hard corals and fire coral.

Regal angelfish in Garden Bay
A regal angelfish in Garden Bay.

Garden Bay is home to a great diversity of fish, including some very common reef fish such as butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish and surgeonfish. In the blue, you might encounter a barracuda or a Napoleon.  Both of these fish regularly visit the bay.

Barracuda in Garden Bay
A barracuda noted in the blue.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

Several beachfront resorts face the reef and provide direct access to the snorkeling area: Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh Resort, Continental Garden Reef Resort, Continental Plaza Beach Resort, Reef Oasis Blue Bay Resort and Sharm Plaza Hotel.

 

  • Level required Intermediate
  • Maximum depth6ft/2m on the flat, 30ft/10m on the drop off
  • Water entranceFrom jetties or from boat ladder (if you choose the boat tour option)
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersMedium
  • Access costsStay in one of the bay's resorts, or cost of a snorkeling tour
  • Restaurants nearbyYes, in Middle Garden

MAP Spot

These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.