Which beaches in Sharm el-Sheikh are safe for non-swimmers and beginners?

On West Beach, the water-level lounger at the end nearest the dive center is a landmark for corals, which begin immediately beside it. Beginners should use caution there and wear reef shoes.

One beach (referred to as "Blue") drops off sharply to about 20 meters right from the entry — there is a reef but no gentle shore access, so it suits only strong swimmers and has no proper entry for children. The commenter notes a general rule: beaches with easy shore entry usually lack a nearby reef, and beaches combining both are expensive in Sharm — for that combo, Hurghada may be a better option. Despite the steep drop, the beach was liked enough to plan a return visit.

The Wild Beach is better for snorkeling than relaxed beginner swimming: it is about a 15-minute walk along the shore, has a large reef, and reef shoes are essential. Near the large rock, there is a shore-visible cut passage leading from the beach to the corals.

At West Beach (Naama Bay) there is a good buoy-free entry point near the bar — you can see where the coral crust starts and a path has been cut through it, with an ideal entry right by the bar. Watch out for turtles near the entry. Children aren't allowed on this section, but adults can relax there.

One beach is described as similar to the 'Jasmine' beach — a gradual, gentle water entry. Beyond the reef, about a 7-10 minute swim toward the Novotel, there are also small reef patches.

This year at Sunrise beach, lifeguards started pushing swimmers back from the old pontoon toward shore; past the pontoon the water gets deeper with a small coral patch, though better coral can be found elsewhere.

El Fanar Beach is better for swimming alongside the reef than for easy beginner bathing: shore entry is possible, but coral starts almost immediately, and staff actively prevent people from stepping on it. It is not the best choice for small children or for anyone who needs a long, gentle sandy entry.

The beach near the fish sculpture monument may be inaccessible at night — worth checking opening hours before visiting.

Pyramisa area has two beaches: one sandy with mild tides suitable for casual swimming, and a second wilder reef beach best explored with a mask and reef shoes.

The West zone (Naama Bay area) offers sandy entry points away from corals and a wide sandy beach strip with no sharp depth drop — ideal for non-swimmers and those who just want to float. Reef shoes are still strongly recommended due to stonefish, cone shells, and coral fragments.

The Red Sea's high salt concentration provides extra buoyancy, making it much easier to stay afloat even for weak swimmers — a natural advantage for beginners.

West of Reef Beach lies Holiday Beach with a broken pontoon. The wild beach is even further — you need to swim around the corner past the prosecutor's staircase.