Egypt - Sharm el-Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh considers itself and indeed is the seaside resort in Sinai. Large numbers of visitors holiday here every year.

The small town has grown rapidly and there are more and more tourists enjoying the charms of the place.

Sharm el-Sheikh considers itself and indeed is the seaside resort in Sinai. Large numbers of visitors holiday here every year. Sharm el-Sheikh Bay, Naama Bay and Shark Bay are about 6 km apart but the development of the resort is such that they will soon form one settlement. The long beaches of fine sand already attract visitors and since the small town has grown rapidly, there are more and more tourists enjoying the charms of the place.

Visitors love to lie and roast in the sun but beware of too much exposure, as it is very fierce. They also love to swim in the extraordinarily clear waters and to hire windsurfing boards, ideal for making the most of the ever-present breeze. The seabed close to the coast is like some gigantic coral aquarium, home to coral grouper (red fish with blue spots), Napoleon wrasse, parrotfish, butterfly fish (always in pairs), map angelfish (blue and yellow), threadfins and scorpion fish with long, elegant fins.

Luxury hotels with swimming pools have flourished along the coast. They offer all the facilities, including plenty of sports and leisure activities, demanded by an international clientele who make for the resort summer and winter. Highly qualified instructors offer an introduction to scuba diving for those wishing to swap the snorkel for a tank. Those already familiar with the sport can make the most of the wonderful “drop-offs” and night dives.

After sunset, visitors have the choice of touring the shops, which open quite late and offer the usual souvenirs or of frequenting the café terraces strung out along the main road running parallel with the beach. Those not worn out by their day of sun and sand can head off to one of the numerous hotel discos.

One advantage of the resort’s well-deserved success has been that the airlines now provide not just one daily scheduled service between Sharm el-Sheikh and Cairo but also direct charter flights from Europe. Sharm el-Sheikh is now therefore about five hours from London.

Imagine yourself in one of the most beautiful and famous deep-sea diving paradises in the world. Your dreams of crystal clear water, magnificent corals, exotic under water flora and rare tropical fish all come true when you visit Sharm El Sheikh on the Southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula.


Let your eyes be tantalized by the white sandy beaches and endless desert landscape, which contrast with the crystal clear blue water of the Sinai peninsula.
Sharm El Sheikh has been heralded as "The City of Peace"
It is also noted for its sulphur springs, which are considered cures for those suffering from rheumatic and skin diseases.
The morphology of Sharm El Sheikh's coastline is unique.
It is the cosmopolitan capital of the peninsula of Sinai for its small, intimate hotels with modern designs, as well as larger hotel complexes belonging to International chains.

Plus about all the amenities one could expect of a tourist center, including casinos, discos and nightclubs, golf courses and health facilities. In fact, with diving and snorkeling, windsurfing and other water sports, horses and camel riding, desert safaris, and great nearby antiquities attractions, it is almost impossible for a visitor to ever suffer from boredom.
Sharm El Sheikh is basically divided into three main regions:
Na'ama Bay
This long sandy bay was where the first hotel appeared in the early eighties. The development of the shore-line on this bay is now complete and the seafront boasts a beautiful paved walkway, lined with bougainvillaea and oleander, following the full sweep of the bay. Na'ama Bay is the target for tourists in the evenings. This is where you will find many shops, restaurants, bars and 'Sheesha' cafes.
Ras Um Sid Cliff:
This is the cliff top area that links Na'ama Bay and the bay of Sharm El Maya. Ras Um Sid is centrally situated about 5 minutes drive from Sharm in one direction and Na'ama in the other. Ras Om El Seed also is famous for its coral reefs, has a very high cliff where many hotels are situated.

Sharm El Maya
This is the name given to the bay area old town of Sharm El Sheikh. The picturesque bay is a natural harbour and home to many small boats. The beautiful sandy beach has a profusion of palm trees providing natural shade for the sun loungers. This beach area of Sharm El Maya has only recently been developed with 5* hotels, and the old town is only a short walk away.

As you might expect in such a prime diving location, there is a large selection of private companies offering diving courses at all levels and it is one of the cheapest places in the world to pick up a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) qualification.
Sharm El Sheikh has turned out to be one of the finest places for people to enjoy the best sun, sea, sand, and hospitality of its residents.
It is surrounded by three protected areas: