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Temple Reef is one of the busiest snorkeling spots in Sharm el-Sheikh. Although the corals are in poor health in some areas, it is a pleasant site, where there are many reef fish, including bluespotted ribbontail rays. Sheltered and shallow, Temple Reef is also a good option if you want to try night snorkeling in Sharm.

Temple Reef beach
Temple Reef seen from the beach.

How to get to Temple Reef snorkeling spot?

Temple Reef is part of a series of 4 very close spots, which follow one another along the southern coast of Hadaba, the southernmost district of Sharm el-Sheikh. This area is considered the best for shore snorkeling in Sharm. These 4 spots are, from West to East: Ras Katy, Faraana Reef, Temple Reef and Ras Um Sid. Due to their proximity, if you are a good swimmer you can consider exploring several spots during the same session, following the reef.

The easiest way to get to this spot is via the Reef Oasis Beach Resort jetty, but only hotel guests can access it. This allows you to enter the water directly on the outer reef, without having to swim over the very shallow reef flat.

You can also get in the water from the various private beaches located to the west of the pontoon: Faraana Reef Beach (Faraana Reef Resort’s private beach), Gold Beach (private beach, paying) or Temple Cafe & Beach (private beach, also paying).

Temple Reef snorkeling map, Sharm el-Sheikh
Links to nearby spots: Ras Um Sid, Faraana Reef, Ras Katy.

Water entrance for snorkeling Temple Reef

Depending on the access chosen, you will enter the water either from a jetty equipped with a ladder or from a sandy beach. If you enter the water from the beach, you will have to swim a hundred meters over the flat to reach the outer reef.

Temple Reef snorkeling exploration tips

Temple Reef is 80-100m wide. After crossing the reef flat (↕0.5m), you’ll reach the outer reef, falling to the open sea. This area offers varied underwater landscapes, between small drop-offs, pinnacles and reef slopes. The coral cover, generally in good condition, is however damaged in places.

Two banded anemonefish in Temple Reef
A pair of Red Sea anemonefish in their sea anemone in Temple Reef.

A wide variety of fish can be seen on the reef. Several species of butterflyfish and surgeonfish, regal angelfish, damselfish, in particular, inhabit the seabed. Small bluespotted ribbontail rays are regularly seen in the area, both in the sandy bottoms at the foot of the reef and on the reef.

Bluespotted ribbontail ray in Temple Reef
The bluespotted ribbontail ray is the most commonly encountered ray in the Red Sea.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

Two resorts, the Reef Oasis Beach Resort and the Faraana Reef Resort, and two private beaches, Gold Beach and Temple Cafe & Beach, offer direct access to the spot.

 

  • Level required Intermediate
  • Maximum depth30ft/10m
  • Water entranceFrom a jetty or a beach
  • Visitor numbersNo
  • Access costsPrivate beaches entrance fees or stay at Reef Oasis Beach Resort
  • Restaurants nearbyYes

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.