Can you swim in Hurghada during a red flag, and are you allowed beyond the buoys?

You can generally still swim in lagoons during a red flag. The restriction usually applies to deep water at the end of the jetty, where the reef begins.

Do not swim beyond the buoys: beach staff may whistle at swimmers and require them to return. Enforcement is typically stricter during a red flag.

Check the tide: at times the water recedes so far that reaching the reef from shore is impractical. Conditions vary by day and by beach.

When waves are up and a red flag is flying, visitors are usually not allowed to enter the water toward the reef; beach staff and lifeguards monitor this.