Beach safety hazards in Hurghada: stingrays, water quality, and swimming rules

A new hazard has emerged — crows attacking guests. They were not present a few years ago (as of 2021), but after apparently being fed, they started gathering at the beach and now defecate on people's clothes while they are swimming in the sea.

Other guests clarified that at one hotel the stingrays form a resident group already used to being fed by people; none have been seen dead (belly-up), and for those simply swimming close to shore they aren't seen as a serious threat — they tend to react aggressively mainly toward divers who venture farther out. However, some guests reportedly still feed them bread or boiled eggs right while others are swimming nearby, which locals consider inappropriate.

Advice on handling unsafe behavior near the water: if someone is feeding fish from a pontoon or acting in a way that's risky or harmful to marine life, report it to lifeguards immediately; if they don't act, escalate to the tourist police and the hotel's general manager.

On a shoreline stretch toward Mövenpick, surgeonfish can gather around rocks and defend their nests, potentially causing painful cuts. If a fish becomes aggressive, move away from the rocks; it will usually stop following once you are away from the nesting area.

During the season when sharks may be pregnant/with young, they've been spotted right beyond the buoy line — technically no longer hotel beach territory, so nothing stops them from being there. Turtles have also been seen in the same spot, which may be what draws yachts to the area.

According to a guest review: buoys are set very close to the pontoon and swimming beyond them is normally forbidden. To swim in Naga Bay on the outer reef, the guest had to sign a waiver releasing the hotel from liability — only then was he allowed.

Another hazard: kitesurfers. The hotel placed their buoys only about 100m from shore, in ankle-to-knee-deep water, so surfers effectively ride among swimmers without technically breaking any rule. Many are beginners who may lose control, and the taut kite line poses a real injury risk.

At some hotels, swimmers still cross the buoy line — enforcement depends entirely on which lifeguard shift is on duty. Reportedly, cameras have been installed and lifeguards are now being held more accountable.

At one hotel, a drainage pipe — possibly sewage — discharges directly into the sea from the left side of the beach. Many guests are unaware of this and don't flag it as a significant issue.

A stingray was spotted right at the shoreline during a swim — nearly stepped on. Hotels don't warn guests or take any measures to deter them. Stingrays are genuinely dangerous: a tail strike can cause a serious wound.