What to wear for long snorkeling sessions and which spot in Hurghada is better for beginners: White Beach or Sharm El Naga?
Based on 2 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 3 days ago
TL;DR
For 2-3 hour snorkeling sessions, most recommend a rash guard/wetsuit plus SPF swimwear rather than just sunscreen — your back gets burned badly while floating face-down. Sharm El Naga is considered friendlier for beginners since life vests are provided there; White Beach left several people unimpressed.
What the community said
A traveler planning to arrive September 2 asks what others wear for long 2-3 hour snorkeling sessions: a wetsuit of some thickness, a regular swimsuit with sunscreen, or a special SPF swimsuit. She has fair skin and gets cold easily, but was told the water is very warm in early September.
3 days ago wetsuit / SPF swimsuit
Advice for a beginner snorkeler: first learn to swim confidently in a mask and practice in calm water. At Sharm El Naga, life vests are provided, which helps reduce anxiety for less confident swimmers.
3 days ago Sharm El Naga — life vests
One traveler mentioned visiting White Beach and disliking something about it, though she couldn't pinpoint exactly what. As a beginner snorkeler, she's hesitant to go to Sharm El Naga alone since it requires spending a full day there without an easy way to get out of the water if needed.
3 days ago White Beach vs Sharm El Naga
The same traveler worries about sunburn during long snorkeling — even wearing a rash guard, the lower body (hips, thighs) that stays above the waterline gets heavily exposed to the sun over a full day.
3 days ago rash guard