Sharm El-Sheikh: Night Snorkeling in the Red Sea

When daylight fades, the Red Sea transforms into an entirely different universe. This after-dark snorkeling experience is one of the most memorable ways to explore the reefs of Sharm El-Sheikh — and it is far more accessible than a night dive. Each participant receives a high-powered underwater flashlight and a glow stick, turning what can seem like a dark ocean into a kaleidoscope of colour. By night, creatures that hide during the day emerge in spectacular fashion. Coral polyps open fully, glowing a vivid fluorescent orange and green under UV light. Octopuses hunt in the open, changing colours in real time. Hunting lionfish cruise the reef wall, flaring their venomous fins. Lobsters back-pedal out of crevices. Sea urchins patrol the sandy bottom. Bioluminescent plankton swirls around your fins if you are lucky, creating trails of blue-green light. The boat departs from Na'ama Bay at sunset, allowing guests to witness the transition from dusk to darkness before entering the water. A fully qualified night-snorkeling guide accompanies the group throughout, and a second safety marshal remains on the surface at all times. Wetsuits are available for cooler evenings. This experience is rated suitable for confident swimmers and intermediate snorkelers, as it is conducted in open, moderately shallow water (3–8 metres).