Are there swimming restrictions at hotel beaches in Sharm el Sheikh (lifeguards whistling, no free swimming)?

A swimmer noted the swim zone is marked with buoys, and at one point the wide pontoon exit was temporarily closed, forcing a swim to the narrow exit, where they got a leg cramp from being in the water too long. On a second occasion, lifeguards and other guests noticed the trouble and threw a life ring even before help was requested.

In one area, free swimming beyond the marked zone used to be allowed, but now lifeguards whistle and stop swimmers immediately. A stingray was also spotted there, adding another reason to avoid it.

At the Palace hotel, kids aren't allowed to swim in the pool alone even if they're strong swimmers — they must stay within an arm's reach of an adult. At Montemare it's much more relaxed, and the lifeguard even demonstrates proper swimming technique.

Restrictions differ by pier: swimming toward the Paroteir hotel pier and beyond was fine, and swimming left toward the Rixos piers was also unproblematic. A lifeguard at the Tamra pier tried to block swimming toward an abandoned hotel's pier, but insisting got the swimmer through.