Why Visit Sharm El Sheikh?
Sharm El Sheikh commands the southern tip of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Red Sea, creating diving conditions rivaling the world's best—vertical walls plunging to abyssal depths, swirling schools of barracuda, cruising sharks, and kaleidoscopic coral gardens mere minutes by boat from luxury resorts. This purpose-built resort city (pop. 73,000) exists almost entirely for tourism, drawing over 2 million annual visitors (especially Europeans seeking winter sun) with budget-friendly all-inclusive packages, world-class diving at bargain prices, and that intoxicating Red Sea combination of desert mountains meeting turquoise waters.
Ras Mohamed National Park (20km south, entry $5) protects the region's crown jewels: Shark & Yolanda Reef where ocean currents attract pelagic species, the vertical drop-off at The Wall, and pristine hard and soft corals that make veteran divers weep. Even snorkelers witness magic at the park's shallow bays. Beyond Ras Mohamed, dive sites read like underwater folklore—The Alternatives, Jackson Reef, Tiran Island straits, the legendary SS Thistlegorm wreck in the Strait of Gubal near Ras Mohammed, and Shark Bay's house reefs accessible from shore.
PADI courses cost $270–$346 (identical value to Hurghada), while experienced divers pay $43–$65 for 2-tank boat dives to legendary sites. The city itself splits into distinct zones: Naama Bay forms the bustling tourist center with shops, restaurants, bars, and pedestrian promenade (most developed, touristy, noisy); Sharks Bay offers upscale resorts and excellent house reefs; Nabq Bay (north) features newer luxury mega-resorts in quieter settings; while Old Sharm and Hadaba preserve local Egyptian character (fish market, cheaper eateries). Day trips transport visitors beyond beach: Mount Sinai (2,285m, 4-hour climb) where Moses allegedly received the Ten Commandments, topped by predawn hikes to catch sunrise ($32–$49 tours departing 11pm, arriving summit 5am—exhausting but spiritual); St.
Catherine's Monastery at the mountain's base (UNESCO site, burning bush legend); and Colored Canyon's surreal striped rock formations ($43–$59). Quad bike desert safaris, camel rides, and Bedouin dinners under stars mirror Hurghada offerings ($32–$49). The resort experience emphasizes beach clubs, water sports, and nightlife—Pacha Sharm draws clubbers, casino boats sail nightly, and shisha cafés buzz until dawn.
Old Market in Sharm offers haggling practice for souvenirs, spices, and knockoff designer goods. Weather delivers reliable sunshine year-round: winter (October-April) offers perfect 22-28°C conditions though water cools to 22-24°C (wetsuit recommended), while summer (May-September) bakes at 35-45°C but keeps prices low. Sharm's rebound from 2010s tourism slumps (revolution, plane crash, pandemic) means excellent value—all-inclusive weeks from $540–$1,080 depending on season.
With visa-on-arrival ($$25 for most nationalities), English widely spoken, charter flights from Central/Eastern Europe, and diving that rivals Indonesia or Maldives at fraction of cost, Sharm El Sheikh delivers affordable Red Sea paradise where budget constraints needn't compromise underwater spectacle.
What to Do
Diving & Snorkeling
Ras Mohamed National Park
Egypt's first national park (1983) and diving Mecca—underwater cathedral of coral walls, sharks, and oceanic drama. Day trips from Sharm ($43–$65 2-3 dives) visit legendary sites: Shark & Yolanda Reef (strong currents attract barracuda schools, jackfish, reef sharks; shipwreck toilet seats litter seabed from Yolanda cargo ship), The Wall (vertical drop-off from 10m to 800m, pelagic species cruise blue water), Ras Za'atar. Park entry $5 Best diving October-May with calmest seas. Advanced sites require experience. Snorkeling boats also visit shallower areas ($27–$38). Visibility 25-40 meters. Expect to see: Napoleon wrasse, eagle rays, white-tip reef sharks, turtles, and walls of anthias. World-class diving.
Tiran Island & Straits
Four famous reefs in Straits of Tiran between Sinai and Saudi Arabia—Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, Gordon (named after British cartographers). Day trips ($38–$54 2 snorkel/dive stops) explore shallow coral gardens with clownfish, parrotfish, moray eels, and occasional dolphins. Strong currents make some sites advanced diving only. Gordon Reef has wreck of Loullia freighter beached on reef. Snorkeling excellent at protected bays. 40km north of Sharm. Egyptian-Saudi maritime border means military presence—bring passport. Crowded (every operator goes here) but stunning reefs. Visibility 20-30 meters. Full-day trips 8am-4pm with lunch.
PADI Diving Courses
Sharm rivals Hurghada for dive course value. PADI Open Water certification $270–$346 (3-4 days, includes theory, confined water, 4 open water dives, equipment, certification). Ideal learning conditions: warm water (22-28°C), calm seas (protected bays), incredible visibility, abundant fish. Advanced courses, specialties, and Divemaster training also available. Reputable centers: Camel Dive Club (longest-established), Oonas Dive Club, Sinai Divers. Sharks Bay area has excellent house reefs for training. Book before trip or first day—courses fill up. Equipment generally good quality but check. Theory can be completed online before arrival.
Spiritual & Desert
Mount Sinai Sunrise Hike
Climb the mountain where Moses received Ten Commandments—overnight tours ($32–$49 depart 11pm-midnight, return 9am) bus 3 hours to trailhead, hike 2-3 hours in darkness (bring headlamp), reach summit (2,285m) for sunrise 5-6am, descend via Steps of Repentance (3,750 stone steps, harder on knees). Cold at summit (5-10°C in winter)—bring warm layers. Spiritual experience for many, stunning panoramic views. Camel rides available partway up ($30 optional). Moderately strenuous—elderly and kids can struggle. St. Catherine's Monastery visit after descent (burning bush, ancient manuscripts, chapel). Overnight tours exhausting but unforgettable. Book reputable operators. Some do afternoon climbs for sunset.
St. Catherine's Monastery
UNESCO World Heritage Orthodox monastery at base of Mount Sinai—one of world's oldest working Christian monasteries (founded 6th century). Houses alleged burning bush from Moses story, priceless icon collection, ancient manuscripts, and fortified walls. Opening hours limited (9am-noon, closed Sun/Fri/religious holidays)—visits often combined with Mount Sinai hikes. Entry free but donations expected. Modest dress required (cover shoulders/knees, headscarves for women). Small museum. Desert setting dramatic. 3 hours from Sharm. Historical and religious significance immense. Combine with Colored Canyon for full-day tour ($54–$76).
Desert Safari & Bedouin Culture
Half-day quad bike or jeep safaris ($32–$49 3-4 hours) explore Sinai Desert—sand dunes, rocky wadis, mountains. Visit Bedouin villages for tea and bread-making demonstrations (touristy but informative). Camel rides, sunset views, stargazing (Milky Way visible). Some include traditional dinner with grilled meats, rice, salads, and entertainment. Quad biking can be wild—specify if you want tame or adventurous. Bring scarf for dust, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen. Departures usually 2-3pm for sunset timing. Alternative: morning safaris catching sunrise. Colored Canyon ($43–$59) adds geological wonder—narrow gorge with striped red/yellow/white rock layers, moderate hiking required.
Beaches & Resort Life
Naama Bay
Sharm's tourist center—pedestrian promenade lined with restaurants, shops, bars, Hard Rock Café, diving centers. Beach has calm shallow water protected by headlands. Most central area—walking distance to everything. Gets crowded and touristy but most convenient. Nightlife concentrates here—Little Buddha lounge, Camel Bar, numerous clubs. Evening atmosphere lively with touts, music, shisha cafés. Families and young tourists. Beach okay but not pristine—better beaches at resorts. Free to walk promenade. Good for dining out and nightlife. Resorts here tend toward mid-range.
Sharks Bay & Ras Um Sid
Northern bay with excellent house reefs—many resorts have jetties extending over coral so you snorkel directly from property seeing tropical fish, rays, occasional reef sharks. Umbi Diving Village area particularly good for shore diving/snorkeling. More upscale than Naama Bay. Quieter, resort-focused. Famous dive site The Tower (underwater pinnacle) nearby. Best snorkeling in Sharm accessible from shore. Reef protection zones—don't touch or stand on coral. Water shoes essential (coral sharp, sea urchins present). Reef drop-offs dramatic—stay aware of depth.
All-Inclusive Experience
Sharm perfected budget all-inclusive—hotels from 3-star to 5-star-deluxe offer unlimited food, drinks, pools, beach access, entertainment for $43–$108 per person per night depending on season and property quality. Read reviews carefully—budget places can disappoint with mediocre food and worn rooms. Best areas: Nabq Bay (luxury, newer), Sharks Bay (house reefs), Naama Bay (location, nightlife). Tipping culture strong—$1–$2 per drink earns better pours, $3–$5 per day housekeeping, $5–$10 for dive guides. Resort animation teams run activities—beach volleyball, aqua aerobics, evening shows. Alcohol included but quality varies (local spirits vs. imports). Kids clubs, water parks, spa treatments. Private sandy beaches maintained daily.
Gallery
Travel Information
Getting There
- Airports: SSH
Best Time to Visit
October, November, December, January, February, March, April
Climate: Warm
Budget
Excludes flights
Visa Requirements
Visa required
💡 🌍 Traveler Tip (November 2025): November 2025 is perfect for visiting Sharm El Sheikh!
Practical Information
Getting There
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) has charter and scheduled flights from Europe (4-5 hours), Middle East, Egypt domestic. Heavy charter traffic from UK, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Eastern Europe. Resort transfers usually included in packages ($10–$$20 if not). Taxis to resort areas cost $15–$$35 depending on distance and haggling skills (negotiate before entering—no meters). Most visitors book all-inclusive packages with flights from home country.
Getting Around
Resort-based—most guests never leave property except for diving and tours. Taxis ubiquitous but no meters—negotiate hard (offer 50% initial quote). Naama Bay to Sharks Bay typically $5–$$10. Uber/Careem not available. Minibuses run between areas ($1–$1) but confusing for tourists. Rental cars available ($25–$40/day) but unnecessary—chaotic driving, poor signage, everything accessible by tour or taxi. Dive centers and excursion operators provide hotel pickup. Walking outside resorts impractical—distances large, heat intense, no sidewalks.
Money & Payments
Egyptian Pound (EGP, LE or E£) but US Dollar and Euro widely accepted at resorts and tourist areas (often preferred by vendors). Exchange rate volatile—check XE.com (roughly LE 48-51 per USD, LE 50-54 per EUR late 2024/2025). ATMs at resorts dispense pounds. Credit cards accepted at resorts, less so locally. Bring cash for tips and local purchases. Tipping essential: $1–$2 per drink, $3–$5 per day housekeeping, $5–$10 for dive guides, $1–$2 for toilet attendants. Small bills critical—change scarce.
Language
Arabic official but English widely spoken in all tourist areas—resort staff, dive instructors, tour guides mostly fluent. Russian and German also common. Communication effortless in resorts, challenging in non-tourist areas. Basic Arabic phrases appreciated: shukran (thank you), min fadlak (please), ma'a salama (goodbye). Haggling part of culture—expected at markets and with taxi drivers.
Cultural Tips
Muslim-majority country—respect customs: dress modestly outside resorts (cover shoulders/knees, especially women), no public displays of affection, no alcohol outside licensed venues, remove shoes in mosques. Ramadan (dates vary): daytime eating/drinking in public discouraged, respect fasting locals. Friday is holy day—some businesses close. Tipping culture: service workers rely on tips (low base wages). Haggling expected at markets and taxis (offer 50% asking price, settle around 60-70%). Coral protection: NEVER touch or stand on coral (illegal, damages reef, sharp), use only reef-safe sunscreen, don't feed fish. Photography: ask permission for locals (especially women), no military/police facilities. Sinai-only visa vs. full Egypt visa: check which you need if planning Cairo/Luxor trips. Persistent vendors at Old Market—firm "la shukran" (no thank you) needed. Resort all-inclusive: tipping improves service quality. Dive safety: follow guides, check equipment, dive insurance recommended. Desert trips: bring warm layers (cold at night/altitude), scarf for dust, closed shoes.
Perfect 5-Day Sharm El Sheikh Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Beach
Day 2: Ras Mohamed Diving/Snorkeling
Day 3: Mount Sinai Sunrise
Day 4: Tiran Island & Sharks Bay
Day 5: Desert Safari or Beach Day
Where to Stay in Sharm El Sheikh
Naama Bay
Best for: Tourist center, nightlife, shops, restaurants, pedestrian promenade, convenient, mid-range
Sharks Bay
Best for: Best house reefs, upscale resorts, shore diving/snorkeling, quieter, reef access
Nabq Bay
Best for: Newer luxury resorts, north of center, spacious properties, family-friendly, quieter
Hadaba & Old Sharm
Best for: Local Egyptian area, fish market, budget restaurants, less developed, authentic
Ras Um Sid
Best for: Southern headland, dive sites, reef walls, quieter, some resorts, locals
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