How risky are the coral reefs for swimming/snorkeling in Sharm El Sheikh and how to avoid injuries?
From messages by 3 participants in 1 source · Last activity: 56 days ago
Another case with an expensive full-face snorkel mask: during a long swim, CO2 started building up, made worse by long hair getting in the way, felt like she barely survived, and had heart palpitations for about three weeks afterward. She then bought a regular tube snorkel mask and now only uses the full-face mask for short swims right by the pier.
full-face mask — risk with long hair, symptoms lasted weeks
One traveler scraped her knee on the reef while swimming right of the pontoon and started avoiding that buoy area afterward. Lime juice helped disinfect the small wound.
buoy area right of the pontoon
On the very first swim from the high pontoon, hit the reef with a foot and cut a toe deeply even while wearing reef shoes — the shoes prevented a worse injury. New reef shoes cost about $2.5 at a local Fix Price-style store.
reef shoes $2.5, Fix Price-style store
During a long swim in a full-face snorkel mask from Jaz Fanara hotel to Fanar beach, breathing became difficult due to CO2 buildup — had to climb onto a coral ledge and remove the mask. Short swims near the reef by the hotel were fine.
Jaz Fanara hotel to Fanar beach route