Hi, I have recently returned from the Novotel which is immediately next to the Marriott. The Marriott beach is lovely, sunshades, volleyball net and beach restaurant. The sand is a bit coarse- not as soft and fine as in the med but ok on the most part to walk on. Beach/swim shoes which can be bought cheaply in resort are a good investment for the water. Although no reasonable person would deliberately walk on coral you can accidently stand on it or kick it when snorkelling, though if you trip over a rock like I did they will not protect you from a grazed leg!

At the far right hand side (if facing the sea) of the beach there is a small jetty, sometimes with a couple of boats on the Marriott side dividing the 2 hotels. It is perfectly ok to swim in the sea anywhere although I think hotels charge for non residents to use their loungers etc. I mainly swam in the cordoned off Novotel section. At the Novotel. the coral started in the shallows within a few feet of the shore - although there were many fish, including a massive moray eel lurking under a rock, the coral on the beachside didn't look too healthy. However, if you entered the water from the steps on the jetty, on the other side of the reef, the coral was absolutely superb and I was really impressed by the number and variety of fish. I really regretted not having an underwater digital camera. For most parts of the day this area is shallow enough to stand comfortably so even a non swimmer could appreciate the corals. Between the reef and the cordons it is ideal for just swimming.

Hope this helps allay some of your beach fears, sorry but have lent my camera to someone so can't send photos.
Caro

If you search in the photo galleries under sharm, you will find some pictures of the beaches, i stay neat the Marriot and Novatel and agree with Caro, they are also an abundance of water sports you can venture on and go snorkeling and diving.

Michelle x
Sonesta beach queen

thanks folks!

Hi we love the Marriott. The prom along here is lovely and takes about 15 mins to walk along it into Naama. This stretch of beach is lovely and you can access the water from the beach and you dont have to go along a jetty into deep water. It is ideal for non swimmers and children.