El Fanar Beach is worth visiting for two main reasons:
- It is widely considered to have the most beautiful snorkeling in Sharm El-Sheikh.
- This beach is sheltered from waves and wind—even when other nearby beaches have a red flag (swimming prohibited), you can usually swim here.
El Fanar Beach is located in the Hadaba district; you can find the exact coordinates at this link.
To be more precise, there are actually two El Fanar beaches. They are located right next to each other but have significant fundamental differences. They are marked with numbers on the map below.
El Fanar Beach №1
The entrance to this beach is located at the bend of the road. You need to turn right and head down the stairs.
The beach is paid, but there is no fixed entry fee.
Some people are charged $3.50, others $1.50. You really need to haggle here.
Children around 4 years old are definitely free. I am not sure at what age they start charging for children.
For this price, you get a sun lounger and can stay on the beach for an unlimited amount of time; you can even leave for lunch and come back. Although it is officially stated that you cannot bring your own food and drinks, we didn’t find a proper restaurant on the beach. Therefore, it is better to bring your own snacks. Drinks can be purchased on-site. For example, a beer costs $4, but since this is Egypt, you can easily negotiate it down to $3.
Of course, guests of certain hotels use this beach for free. This section is located right next to the beach belonging to the Jaz Hotel. Naturally, the hotel area has better loungers and constant animation.
We stayed in a more budget-friendly hotel that provided a shuttle to this beach, but we often preferred the 15-minute walk instead.
Beach Description
The beach is quite small. Entry into the water is over a stone slab, though the beach itself is sandy. There are many sea urchins, so it is best to wear water shoes (aqua shoes).
Space is limited and loungers are packed close together, but it is worth noting that the area is clean. There is a changing room on the beach, but no shower.
Massages and sports equipment rentals are also available on-site.
You can rent a SUP for $10 per hour or $5 for 30 minutes. Fin rentals are approximately $3 (250 rubles) for the whole day.
The corals and fish here are stunningly beautiful. They even say sharks have been spotted here in the past. It was here that I swam with a stingray, very close to the shore.
El Fanar Beach №2
The second El Fanar is located a bit further down the road; the entrance is right next to the memorial for the victims of the 2004 plane crash.
There is a fixed entrance fee here: $3.50. If you manage to negotiate a lower price, please let us know in the comments!
Unlike the first beach, you are strictly not allowed to bring your own food or drinks, as there is a proper Italian restaurant and bar on-site.
This beach is very large compared to the first one. Since it is built into the cliffside, the loungers are positioned on different levels, making it easy for even a “sociophobe” to find a secluded spot.
The main difference is the water access: entry into the sea is via a pier or a ladder. There is no shallow, sloped entry like at the previous beach. Because of this, you probably won’t spot stingrays right at the shore. On the bright side, there are proper changing rooms, showers, and toilets.
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