Huge whale reported near Umm Qamar Island, Hurghada: the captain’s account and what is still unconfirmed

Hurghada boat captain Mahmoud Shazly says a huge whale surfaced near Umm Qamar Island on 3 November 2026 at about 2 pm, while he was taking foreign tourists snorkelling to the Arq area. Local media, including Sada El Balad and Egypt Telegraph, published stills from his footage. A marine-activities worker who saw them suggested a blue whale or a fin whale.

The Red Sea protectorates have not confirmed it. A source there told Cairo24 that no official report of a blue or fin whale near the island had been received and that the video’s filming date and location were not verified, so the species is still unconfirmed. Whales are rare visitors to the Red Sea, so treat this as an unverified sighting. If you meet a large marine animal on a snorkelling or diving trip, keep your distance, never chase it and follow your guide.