Level: Resort nearby
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Last updated on June 4, 2024
Temple Reef is one of the busiest snorkeling spots in Sharm el-Sheikh. Although the corals are in poor health in some areas, it is a pleasant site, where there are many reef fish, including bluespotted ribbontail rays. Sheltered and shallow, Temple Reef is also a good option if you want to try night snorkeling in Sharm.
Temple Reef is part of a series of 4 very close spots, which follow one another along the southern coast of Hadaba, the southernmost district of Sharm el-Sheikh. This area is considered the best for shore snorkeling in Sharm. These 4 spots are, from West to East: Ras Katy, Faraana Reef, Temple Reef and Ras Um Sid. Due to their proximity, if you are a good swimmer you can consider exploring several spots during the same session, following the reef.
The easiest way to get to this spot is via the Reef Oasis Beach Resort jetty, but only hotel guests can access it. This allows you to enter the water directly on the outer reef, without having to swim over the very shallow reef flat.
You can also get in the water from the various private beaches located to the west of the pontoon: Faraana Reef Beach (Faraana Reef Resort’s private beach), Gold Beach (private beach, paying) or Temple Cafe & Beach (private beach, also paying).
Depending on the access chosen, you will enter the water either from a jetty equipped with a ladder or from a sandy beach. If you enter the water from the beach, you will have to swim a hundred meters over the flat to reach the outer reef.
Temple Reef is 80-100m wide. After crossing the reef flat (↕0.5m), you’ll reach the outer reef, falling to the open sea. This area offers varied underwater landscapes, between small drop-offs, pinnacles and reef slopes. The coral cover, generally in good condition, is however damaged in places.
A wide variety of fish can be seen on the reef. Several species of butterflyfish and surgeonfish, regal angelfish, damselfish, in particular, inhabit the seabed. Small bluespotted ribbontail rays are regularly seen in the area, both in the sandy bottoms at the foot of the reef and on the reef.
Two resorts, the Reef Oasis Beach Resort and the Faraana Reef Resort, and two private beaches, Gold Beach and Temple Cafe & Beach, offer direct access to the spot.
These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
