Sunken City Sahl Hasheesh
A man-made 'ruin' in shallow waters, perfect for snorkeling with vibrant corals and diverse marine life.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Walk out to ruins
Sunken City Sahl Hasheesh
Best Time
Walk out to ruins

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A man-made 'ruin' in shallow waters, perfect for snorkeling with vibrant corals and diverse marine life.
"Awesome place for snorkeling, with pretty corals and a variety of fish."
Snorkel Gear Recommended
Bring your own mask and snorkel for the best experience exploring the underwater ruins and marine life. :diving_mask:
Respect Marine Life
Do not touch the corals or structures. Observe marine life from a distance to help preserve this unique ecosystem. :ocean:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Faux Ancient Ruins
Shallow waters off the beach
Explore concrete structures designed to look ancient, now adorned with corals and marine life. A unique snorkeling and swimming spot.

Vibrant Marine Life
Around the ruins and pier
Discover a variety of fish like blue-spotted stingrays, butterflyfish, and parrotfish amidst colorful corals.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Accessing the Sunken City
Respecting the Ruins
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Snorkel Gear Recommended
Bring your own mask and snorkel for the best experience exploring the underwater ruins and marine life. :diving_mask:
Respect Marine Life
Do not touch the corals or structures. Observe marine life from a distance to help preserve this unique ecosystem. :ocean:
Check Access Before You Go
Recent construction may affect direct beach access. Walk along the sea edge if needed. :walking:
Not for Young Children
The site is best suited for confident swimmers and snorkelers due to water depth and potential currents. :warning:
Tips
from all over the internet
Snorkel Gear Recommended
Bring your own mask and snorkel for the best experience exploring the underwater ruins and marine life. :diving_mask:
Respect Marine Life
Do not touch the corals or structures. Observe marine life from a distance to help preserve this unique ecosystem. :ocean:
Check Access Before You Go
Recent construction may affect direct beach access. Walk along the sea edge if needed. :walking:
Not for Young Children
The site is best suited for confident swimmers and snorkelers due to water depth and potential currents. :warning:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise the Sunken City for its unique snorkeling experience and abundant marine life, calling it an 'awesome place'. While not an ancient site, its man-made ruins offer a novel underwater landscape. Some note potential access changes due to new hotel construction, and advise against bringing young children.
"UPDATE: with the completed construction of the hotel directly up from the sunken city, the beach will soon become part of that hotels land. Access will probably cost a day fee for use of the beach. Please know the actual sea edge is open for anyone to walk along so you will still be able to walk in by following the sea edge from an area one way or the other to either side of the numerous hotel beach areas, until you reach the sunken city allowing you to swim out to it. Original post:A faux ancient ruin in the shallow waters off the beach by the pier in Sahl Hasheesh. Easily accessible and free. If you go at low tide you can pretty much just walk out to the first columns in waist deep water. It has many pretty corals and a variety of fish both in the “ruins” and the nearby pier area. It is slowly deteriorating which adds to the sense of abandoned city but also shows the modern construction foundations. A lovely place to snorkel but please do not touch the columns or the corals. Not for children or idiot teenagers. No tickets to buy, no lines, no worries."
SJ Strawn
"The best beautiful hotel and great service I enjoyed diving The different dive sites are full of marine life, coral reefs and a variety of fishes"
hamada scuba diving
"Beautiful snorkeling spot, easily accessible from the beach. Blue spotted stingray, butterfly fish, parrot fish always spotted in this place"
mostafa mokhles
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Sunken City is located in the shallow waters off the beach in Sahl Hasheesh. While previously accessible directly from the beach, recent hotel construction might alter direct access. Visitors may need to walk along the sea edge from nearby hotel beaches to reach the ruins. It's advisable to check current access conditions upon arrival.
Parking availability can vary depending on which hotel beach you access the area from. It's best to inquire at the hotel or local information points about the most convenient parking options.
While not the primary method, some local boat tours might offer snorkeling excursions that include the Sunken City. However, shore access is generally more common and easier for independent visits.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, typically there are no tickets to buy for the Sunken City itself. It's a natural attraction accessible from the public beach areas, though access might be indirectly affected by hotel developments.
The Sunken City is an open-water attraction and does not have set opening hours. It's best visited during daylight hours for optimal visibility and safety.
Direct beach access might be subject to day-use fees if you are not a guest of the adjacent hotels, especially with ongoing construction. Walking along the sea edge may offer alternative access points.
🎫 🐠 Onsite Experience
The Sunken City is a man-made attraction featuring concrete structures designed to resemble ancient ruins, located in shallow waters. It has become a popular spot for snorkeling due to the marine life that has colonized it.
Visitors frequently spot blue-spotted stingrays, butterflyfish, and parrotfish. The corals growing on the structures also attract a variety of other colorful fish.
Yes, it's considered an awesome place for snorkeling. The shallow, clear waters around the ruins are teeming with marine life and corals, making it a highlight for many visitors.
Yes, you can swim to the Sunken City. At low tide, you can even walk out to the first columns in waist-deep water.
It's generally not recommended for young children or inexperienced swimmers. The site is best enjoyed by confident swimmers and snorkelers who can navigate the water safely.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the unique juxtaposition of man-made 'ruins' with vibrant marine life. Underwater photography is particularly rewarding here, showcasing the corals and fish. The shallow water allows for interesting shots, especially during low tide.
A waterproof camera or a good underwater housing for your smartphone is ideal for capturing the marine life and submerged structures. A wide-angle lens can be useful for capturing the scale of the 'city'.
Mid-morning to early afternoon offers the best natural light for underwater photography, providing good visibility. Golden hour can also offer beautiful light on the surface structures if accessible.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🐠 Snorkelers and Divers
📸 Photographers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Understanding the Sunken City's Origins
The structures are slowly deteriorating, which adds a certain atmosphere to the site, but it also highlights their modern construction foundations. This ongoing decay means the 'city' is constantly evolving, with corals and marine life gradually colonizing the surfaces. Visitors are reminded that this is a contemporary creation and should be treated with respect to preserve its current state.
Marine Life and Conservation
It is crucial for visitors to practice responsible tourism. Do not touch the corals or the concrete structures, as this can damage the delicate ecosystem and harm the marine life. By observing from a distance and refraining from touching anything, visitors help ensure the Sunken City remains a vibrant underwater sanctuary for years to come.
Navigating Access and Current Conditions
Despite potential changes in direct beach access, visitors can often still reach the Sunken City by walking along the sea edge from adjacent areas. This might involve navigating around hotel property lines until you find a suitable point to enter the water. At low tide, it's even possible to walk out to the first columns in waist-deep water, making it accessible for many. Always be aware of your surroundings and any posted signs regarding access.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit