Quick answer
Sahl Hasheesh is a planned, upmarket resort bay about 20 km south of Hurghada, with a 12 km curve of coast, luxury hotels, a piazza-style promenade and coral reefs close to shore. Its best-known snorkel site is the Sunken City, where columns and staircases from a demolished building lie in shallow water off the old pier.
What makes Sahl Hasheesh different?
Sahl Hasheesh is the most polished of the bays south of Hurghada: lower density, larger plots, more five-star hotels and a planned seafront promenade rather than a strip of resorts along a highway. The bay is broad and sheltered, with clear water and reefs close to shore along much of its length.
It was master-planned from the 1990s, and building has continued in phases, so you will still see empty plots and half-finished villa projects between the hotels. That gives it a spacious, slightly unfinished feel. The upside is space: beaches are rarely crowded, and the larger resorts have long frontages with private jetties. It is our usual Red Sea choice for couples, and the Egypt honeymoon journey ends here.
The Sunken City: what you actually see
The Sunken City is not ancient: it is the remains of a building project that was demolished or abandoned near the bay's old pier, leaving columns, arches and staircases lying in roughly 3–10 metres of water. Over the years coral has begun to grow on the stonework, and reef fish use it as shelter, so it makes an unusual, photogenic snorkel and an easy dive.
The stories about exactly what was being built, and why it ended up in the sea, vary; treat any confident tale you hear as local legend. What matters is the scene: pale columns standing on sand, a staircase leading nowhere, and schools of fusiliers and sergeant majors around them. Visibility is usually good, and the site is shallow enough to see clearly from the surface.
The site is typically reached from the old pier or by short boat ride, and many hotel dive centres include it as a first dive or a snorkel stop. Go with a guide the first time, as boats use the area.
Other reefs in and around the bay
Beyond the Sunken City, Sahl Hasheesh has good fringing reefs off several hotel jetties and offshore reefs a short boat ride away. Many dive centres run two-dive mornings to reefs between Sahl Hasheesh and the Giftun Islands, about 45 minutes by boat.
House reefs here are generally healthier than in central Hurghada because there are fewer boats and swimmers. Ask your hotel how long its jetty is and what depth the reef edge sits at: the best ones reach coral within a few metres of the ladder. Our Red Sea snorkelling guide compares spots along the whole coast.
The Old Town promenade
Sahl Hasheesh's promenade and Old Town are a pedestrian waterfront with arcades, a piazza, fountains, cafes and restaurants, built to give the bay the evening life that standalone resorts lack. Walk it at sunset, when the heat goes out of the day and the mountains behind the bay turn pink.
It is pleasant rather than lively: some units are still empty, and it is quieter than Hurghada Marina or El Gouna's Abu Tig Marina. But it is the one place in the southern bays where you can stroll to dinner outside your hotel. If you want more choice, Hurghada's marina is about 30 minutes north by car.
Getting there and how long to stay
Sahl Hasheesh is about 20–25 minutes by road from Hurghada International Airport and about four hours from Luxor. A private transfer from Luxor crosses the Eastern Desert via Safaga and turns north along the coast; the bay sits between Hurghada and Makadi Bay.
Three nights gives you a reef morning, a spa afternoon and a day on a boat; four or five nights is the sweet spot after a Nile cruise. If you want a Luxor day trip, Sahl Hasheesh is one of the closest resort areas to the Luxor road.
Tips for a Sahl Hasheesh stay
Book a sea-view room facing the bay, plan your snorkelling for the morning, and use your hotel's dive centre to visit the Sunken City with a guide.
- March to May and September to November bring warm water around 24–28°C; winter water is about 22°C, so bring a rash vest or thin wetsuit.
- Hotels are spread out along the bay; check the distance to the promenade if you want to walk to dinner.
- Book a private boat rather than a shared one for a honeymoon or special occasion day at sea.
- Use reef shoes and the jetties; never walk across the reef flat.
For the area-by-area picture, read where to stay in Hurghada.
Sahl Hasheesh: FAQs
Is the Sunken City in Sahl Hasheesh ancient?
No. It is the remains of a modern building project near the old pier, now partly colonised by coral. It is an interesting snorkel, but not an archaeological site.
How deep is the Sunken City?
Roughly 3–10 metres, shallow enough to see from the surface on a calm day and an easy first dive.
Is Sahl Hasheesh better than Hurghada?
For a quiet, upmarket stay with good house reefs, yes. For restaurants, nightlife and value, central Hurghada has more choice.
Is Sahl Hasheesh good for a honeymoon?
It is one of the best Red Sea choices for couples. Our Egypt honeymoon journey finishes here, and our honeymoon planning guide has more ideas.
Can you walk anywhere from Sahl Hasheesh hotels?
Some hotels are within walking distance of the Old Town promenade; others rely on taxis or shuttles. Check before you book if walking to dinner matters to you.
