Snorkelling in the Red Sea – Facing My Fears 12 Years Later!

Fast forward 12 years, and there I was in Hurghada, Egypt, finally plucking up the courage to give it another go. And WOW. All I can say is, I am so annoyed with myself for missing out on this incredible experience for so many years!

Taking the Plunge (and Nearly Giving Up Again!)

I booked myself onto a guided snorkelling tour in the Red Sea, determined to give it another chance.

Now, I'd love to tell you that I jumped straight in, completely confident and ready to explore the underwater world, but that would be a lie!

As soon as I got into the water, those familiar feelings came flooding back. I was struggling to get my breathing right again, and for a moment, I genuinely thought about giving up.

But something in me told me to persevere. I'd waited 12 years to give this another go, and I wasn't about to let my nerves get the better of me again.

So, I carried on. And then came hurdle number two... THE FISH!

Now, for someone who absolutely loves being in the sea, I've always had a bit of a thing about fish swimming near me. I know, it sounds ridiculous considering I was voluntarily going snorkelling!

But suddenly, there were what felt like THOUSANDS of fish swimming directly towards me. And no, I am not exaggerating!

Everywhere I looked, there were fish. Big ones, little ones, colourful ones, and they were all just casually swimming around as though I wasn't having a mini meltdown!

I won't lie, it freaked me out. But once again, I put on my big girl pants, reminded myself why I was there and carried on. 

And Then Something Just Clicked...

Within about 10 minutes, everything changed. My breathing settled, I started to relax, and suddenly I wasn't thinking about being nervous anymore.

I was completely immersed in what was happening around me. And honestly? I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

The Red Sea is absolutely breathtaking beneath the surface.

There were so many different types of fish, all swimming around me, and the colours were just incredible. I found myself really looking at them, noticing all their little details, their patterns and the way they moved.

One fish even looked like it was wearing purple eyeshadow, which genuinely made me laugh! Who knew fish could have a better makeup routine than me?!

It was one of those moments where you almost forget where you are because you're so fascinated by everything happening around you.

Exploring the Coral Reefs of the Red Sea 

One of the most incredible parts of the experience was swimming through the beautiful protected coral reefs.

I'd seen pictures and videos of the Red Sea's underwater world before, but nothing quite prepares you for seeing it with your own eyes.

The colours, the marine life, the sheer amount of activity happening beneath the surface... it was absolutely fascinating. Our guide was brilliant too.

He pointed out different species of fish, including some of the more unusual ones, and made sure everyone in the group was comfortable and enjoying themselves throughout.

For someone who had started the experience feeling quite nervous, having that reassurance made such a difference.

And being able to explore the reefs with someone who knew what we were looking at made the whole experience even more special.

Why Did I Wait So Long?!

By the time we finished, I genuinely didn't want it to end. To think I'd spent 12 years avoiding something that turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip!

It just goes to show how much we can miss out on when we let one bad experience put us off trying something again.

And believe me, I'm not saying I suddenly became some fearless underwater explorer. I was still a little nervous at times! But I'm so glad I pushed through it.

Sometimes the experiences that scare us a little turn out to be the ones we remember the most.

And now?.. Well, I've gone from being terrified of snorkelling to seriously considering heading back to complete a scuba diving course! Who would have thought?! 

Would I Recommend Snorkelling in Hurghada? One hundred percent YES!

Whether you're a confident swimmer who loves exploring the ocean or someone like me who needs a little encouragement, the Red Sea is an incredible place to experience marine life.

My biggest recommendation would be to book a guided experience, especially if you're a little nervous or haven't snorkelled before.

Having someone there to explain everything, help you feel comfortable and show you what you're looking at really can make all the difference.

And please, respect the beautiful marine environment. Look, admire and enjoy, but never touch or stand on the coral or disturb the marine life.

A Little Reminder From Me 

If there's something you've been putting off because of a bad experience or because it makes you nervous, maybe this is your sign to give it another chance.

I'm certainly glad I did. 12 years of avoiding snorkelling, and now I can't wait to get back into the water!