Sharm El Luli Trip from Marsa Alam: Beach Day in Wadi El Gemal

Sharm El Luli is often called one of the most beautiful beaches on the Red Sea. The sand is fine and white, the lagoon is shallow and bright turquoise, and the mountains of the Eastern Desert rise behind the beach.

The beach lies inside Wadi El Gemal National Park, where building is not allowed. That keeps it simple and natural, and it also means you should bring what you need for the day.

The lagoon has a seagrass meadow where green sea turtles come to graze, and hawksbill turtles feed on the corals nearby. Turtles are wild, so you may see one or you may not, but the reef fish and the shallow water make it an easy place to snorkel.

On windy days, or when many people are in the water, the sandy bottom can cloud the water. Swim slowly, keep your fins off the seagrass and coral, and give turtles plenty of space.

Everything inside the national park is protected. Take all your rubbish back with you, don’t feed the fish, and leave shells, coral and stones where you find them, so the beach stays as beautiful for the next visitors.

A Sharm El Luli day starts with a pickup from your hotel and a drive of about an hour south along the coast. Then you have time on the beach to swim, snorkel and relax before the drive back.

The national park charges an entry fee, and the exact plan for the day depends on the date and the size of your group. We confirm the pickup time, the time on the beach and what is included before you book.

Bring swimwear, a towel, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and enough water for the day. Water shoes help when you walk in over the sand and seagrass, and your own mask and snorkel are useful — ask us whether they are included. Shade on the beach can be limited, so a light long-sleeved top is a good idea. See our packing list for Marsa Alam for more.

If you want to snorkel with turtles straight from the beach and book today, try the Abu Dabbab snorkeling trip, a half day north of Marsa Alam. For remote sandbars further south, the Hamata Islands boat trip is a full day at sea. Our guide to snorkeling in Marsa Alam compares the best spots.