Siva Golden Bay resort near Hurghada, Egypt - is it good for swimming and snorkeling? What are the drawbacks?

Reports on water access are mixed: according to one account, the pier at Siva Golden Bay is often closed until the afternoon and opens later in the day. This can be inconvenient for guests planning long morning swims, although another visitor swam every day in October, including with a 9-year-old child.

The spot may not suit long-distance swimmers: the swimming area near the hotel is small, and staff actively discourage guests from going beyond it. On the positive side, the reef is praised for its good condition and abundance of fish.

One traveler considered this hotel specifically for its cove and reef, but decided against it — there's a long, steep staircase down to the beach, and the shuttle transport isn't very convenient. Walking back uphill from the beach is tough.

It's important to check the specifics of the particular bay before booking: some spots have pronounced tides, meaning there's no direct beach entry into the sea — you can only swim from a long pontoon/jetty.

Someone who read reviews in the hotel's chat confirmed that opinions are mostly positive (if you know all the nuances beforehand), and the views from the hotel are beautiful. The main downside is the lack of greenery and shade on the property.

For those who want to swim in the sea every single day, Siva Golden Bay hotel is recommended, located a bit further past the Makadi area. There isn't a huge variety of colorful reef fish, but overall it's considered one of the best spots for winter swimming in Egypt.