Egypt's Red Sea offers world-class snorkelling and diving holidays. Luxury resorts line the craggy coast of the Sinai Peninsula, which runs from Sharm el Sheikh at the peninsula's southern tip to Taba at the top of the Gulf of Aqaba, close to the border with Israel and Jordan. In between is the relaxed town of Dahab, famed for the Blue Hole dive site, where sharks can often be seen in large numbers.

Close to Sharm and the adjacent resort of Na'ama Bay is Ras Mohammed National Park, a sanctuary for the many fish and marine species that live in the warm waters of the Red Sea. There are dramatic underwater drop-offs to explore and beautiful coral formations teeming with aquatic life - including large species such as Hawksbill turtles, barracuda and tuna. St Catherine's Monastery, at the base of Mount Sinai, is a popular day-trip from the Red Sea hotel resorts.

On the edge of the Eastern Desert on ‘mainland Egypt' is the Red Sea resort of Hurghada, the country's most visited coastal town and another great diving location.