Things to Do in Sharm El Sheikh

World-famous coral reefs, wreck diving, fantastic snorkeling and a rich array of marine life are protected by Egypt's Ras Mohammed Marine National Park, attracting avid scuba divers from around the planet.

Plunge into the park's waters and you have the chance to spot more than 220 species of coral, over 1,000 species of fish, dozens of varieties of star fish and sea urchins, and several kinds of sea turtles.

Popular diving sites include Sha'ab Mahmoud, Beacon Rock, Jackfish Alley, Yolanda Reef, Old Quay and the wreck of the SS Thistlegorm.

The Red Sea separates Egypt and Saudi Arabia, flowing from the Indian Ocean through the Gulf of Aden. In Egypt if surrounds the Sinai Peninsula and Gulf of Aqaba. 

Dotted with cruise and fishing boats, this historic stretch of sea is one of the world’s most popular diving sites. The protected coral reefs, good visibility, dive wrecks and rich variety of marine life attract snorkelers and divers from around the globe.

There are a number of popular dive sites in the Red Sea, including the Abu Talha huts, the islands south of Dahab, and the Light and the Point off Sharm el Sheikh. More than 20 sites are protected within Ras Mohammed Marine Park.

Look out for white-tip reef sharks, hard and soft corals, sea turtles, eels and angel fish.

The focus of the Sharm el Sheikh resort action is Na’ama Bay, a collection of glittering seaside resorts fronting the water.

Stroll the beachfront promenade lined with restaurants and hotels, or organize a camel or horse ride to the desert Bedouin villages.

Na’ama Bay’s clubs party hard from midnight to dawn, and cafes overlooking the water are an atmospheric setting to try a sheesha water pipe.

Of course, Na’ama Bay’s other raison d’être is as a jumping-off point to hit that crystal-clear water, filled with fluttering fish, lying offshore in Ras Mohamed National Park.

Wreck diving is popular off Tiran Island, surrounded by coral reefs and snorkeling lagoons in the Red Sea.

The wreck of the Sangria can be clearly seen here, its doomed hull rising above the surface of the sea.

The lagoons surrounding Tiran are ideal for swimming, snorkeling and diving, and the island is a popular destination for Red Sea excursions and diving tours.

Sharm el Sheikh lies on the tip of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulfs of Aqaba and Suez meet the Red Sea. Rapidly growing in popularity with tourists, it is one of the most extraordinary diving destinations in the world. In addition to cruise ships, the port welcomes private yachts and sailboats and regular ferries to and from Aqaba and Hurghada.

How to get to Sharm el Sheikh

The port is located on the southern side of town, about 4 kilometers from Old Sharm and 10 kilometers from the tourist hotspot Na'ama Bay. No public transportation connects the port with the city and taxis may not always be available, so the best option to get into town may be a shore excursion or other transportation offered by your cruise ship.

One Day in Sharm el Sheikh

Diving is the primary attraction in Sharm el Sheikh, but there is plenty to occupy the non-diver. Possible activities include snorkeling, horseback riding, quad bike riding, parasailing and camel trekking.  Just south of the city you will find the Ras Mohammed National Park, which is a wildlife haven known to have some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world.

You might also consider a day trip to Mount Sinai and the Monastery of St. Catherine.  The mountain is thought to be where Moses received the Ten Commandments and hiking to the top (about 2-3 hours) will reward you with incredible views across Sinai.

For a more relaxing experience in Sharm el Sheikh, you might just spend the day around town, checking out the Bedouin handicraft markets or relaxing on the beach.

The swirls of candy-colored rock at Colored Canyon are a popular day trip destination from Sharm el Sheikh, forming some of the most impressive natural features in the world.