Sharm El Sheikh: Red Sea reefs and Sinai desert guide
Sharm El Sheikh sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Red Sea and some of the most accessible coral reef diving on the planet begins just offshore. Behind the beaches, the jagged Sinai mountains give the resort a dramatic desert backdrop. It is a place where you can be underwater among reef fish in the morning and watching the sun set over the peaks by evening.
Key facts
- Country: Egypt (Africa)
- Language: Arabic
- Currency: Egyptian pound (EGP)
- Driving side: right
What makes Sharm El Sheikh special
The draw is the water. The reefs of the Gulf of Aqaba are famous for their clarity and biodiversity, and many of the best sites are reachable on short boat trips or even straight from shore. Divers and snorkellers come for the coral walls and the abundance of marine life, while non-divers enjoy calm, warm swimming for much of the year. Above the waterline, the resort grew around a string of bays, each with its own beaches and waterfront promenades.
If you are weighing Sharm against other Egyptian destinations, our Egypt entry page is a good hub for planning the wider trip.
Getting there
Sharm El Sheikh has its own international airport, which makes it one of the easier Red Sea resorts to reach directly. Many visitors fly straight in, while others combine it with time in Cairo or Luxor and connect by domestic flight. Transfers from the airport to the bay hotels are short, and the resort area is compact enough that getting around locally is simple.
When to visit
The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are widely considered the most comfortable, with warm days and pleasant water temperatures. Summer is hot, particularly in the middle of the day, though the sea stays inviting and early mornings and evenings are still enjoyable. Winter is milder and remains a popular escape from colder European weather, with diving possible year round thanks to the warm Red Sea.
What to see
Beyond the reefs, the Sinai interior is the headline attraction. A classic excursion climbs toward Mount Sinai and the historic monastery at its foot, a striking contrast to the coastal resort. Boat trips out to the marine sites in the Gulf of Aqaba are the other essential, whether you dive, snorkel, or simply ride out to swim in clear water.
Nearby attractions
- Saint Catherine's Monastery: nestled at the foot of Mount Sinai, it is among the world's oldest continuously inhabited Christian monasteries, founded in the sixth century and home to priceless icons and manuscripts.
- The wider Sinai mountains, reached on guided trips, reward early risers with memorable sunrise views.
- For a bucket-list day farther afield, the Pyramids of Giza near Cairo are within reach by domestic flight for travellers building a longer Egypt itinerary.
Visa and entry
Most visitors to Egypt need a tourist visa, and for many nationalities it is available as a visa on arrival or an e-Visa, typically allowing a stay of up to 30 days. The process is the same whether you fly into Sharm El Sheikh or Cairo. For a full walk-through, see our Egypt tourist visa guide, and confirm the rule for your passport on the Egypt entry page.
Getting online in Sharm El Sheikh
Egypt is covered by Saily, so you can set up an eSIM before you travel and land with a working data connection. That makes it easy to coordinate dive trips, find restaurants along the bay, and share photos without waiting for hotel Wi-Fi.
Get your Egypt eSIM with Saily
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The dive and snorkel sites
Most trips out of Sharm El Sheikh work a small number of well-known sites, and knowing the names helps when comparing operators.
Ras Mohammed National Park occupies the southern tip of the Sinai peninsula, where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Gulf of Suez. Declared in 1983 as Egypt's first national park, it protects the reef walls that draw most divers south from the resort, among them Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef.
The Straits of Tiran lie in the channel between Sinai and Tiran Island, where four reefs, Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, and Gordon, sit in open water. Currents here can be strong, which is exactly why the sites attract larger pelagic species, and why they suit divers with some experience.
The SS Thistlegorm, a British cargo ship sunk in the Gulf of Suez during the Second World War, is among the best-known wreck dives anywhere and is reached on longer day trips or liveaboards from Sharm.
Snorkellers are not shut out of any of this. Several of the bays around the resort have reef accessible from shore, and most boat itineraries carry snorkellers alongside divers.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Sharm El Sheikh?
Sharm El Sheikh is at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, on the coast where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Red Sea.
What is Sharm El Sheikh best known for?
It is best known for world-class coral reef diving and snorkelling in the clear, biodiverse waters of the Gulf of Aqaba, along with year-round warm sea temperatures.
When is the best time to visit Sharm El Sheikh?
Spring and autumn are generally the most comfortable, with warm days and pleasant water. Winter is mild and popular with travellers escaping colder climates, and diving is possible all year.
Do I need a visa to visit Sharm El Sheikh?
Most visitors to Egypt need a tourist visa, available for many nationalities as a visa on arrival or an e-Visa. See our Egypt tourist visa guide and check the Egypt entry page for your passport.
Can you dive in Sharm El Sheikh as a beginner?
Yes. The area is popular with divers of all levels, and many sites are accessible on short boat trips or from shore. Operators cater to first-timers as well as experienced divers.
How do I get to Saint Catherine's Monastery from Sharm El Sheikh?
The monastery sits inland at the foot of Mount Sinai and is commonly visited on a guided excursion from the coast. Trips are often timed around a sunrise climb of the surrounding peaks.
Is Sharm El Sheikh good for non-divers?
Yes. Calm, warm bays make for easy swimming, and the desert and mountain scenery, boat trips, and waterfront promenades give non-divers plenty to enjoy.
Can I get online as soon as I arrive in Sharm El Sheikh?
Yes. Installing a Saily eSIM before you fly means your phone can connect to a local network the moment you land, so you are online before leaving the airport.
Can I combine Sharm El Sheikh with Cairo or Luxor?
Many travellers do. Domestic flights connect Sharm El Sheikh with Cairo and other Egyptian cities, making it easy to pair Red Sea diving with the pyramids or the temples of the Nile.