Sharm El Sheikh, at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, is one of the best places in the world to snorkel and dive straight from the hotel. Its reefs, the Ras Mohammed National Park and the Strait of Tiran make it the choice for travellers who come for the water, and its bays offer everything from lively promenades to quiet resorts.
The areas, and how they differ
- Naama Bay: the centre of Sharm, with a pedestrian promenade of restaurants, cafés and shops, and a sandy bay. The place to stay if you want to walk out in the evening.
- Sharks Bay: north of Naama, with steep coastlines and some of the best house reefs, reached by jetties and steps.
- Nabq Bay: the northern end, close to the airport and the Nabq protected area. Long resort beaches, with shallow reef flats that are best at high tide.
- Ras Um Sid and Hadaba: south of Naama, on the cliffs above the reef, close to the Old Market and with easy access to some excellent snorkelling.
- The Old Market area: near the old town of Sharm El Maya, with the local market and the marina.
The question that matters most: reef or sand
Most of Sharm’s coast is coral, so many hotels reach the water by a pontoon or jetty over the reef. That is the attraction for snorkellers, but it is harder for small children and weak swimmers. Sandy, sheltered bays are fewer.
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Planning the trip itself? Start here.
View This TripBefore booking, ask: is there a house reef and a jetty, is the beach entry sandy or coral, how far is it to Naama Bay, and does the dive centre run boats to Ras Mohammed and Tiran.
Visa and safety
If you fly directly into Sharm El Sheikh and stay in the South Sinai resorts for up to 15 days, you can enter with the free Sinai-only stamp instead of a visa; for the rest of Egypt you need a full visa. See our Egypt visa guide. The coastal resorts are not covered by official advice against travel; read is Egypt safe? before planning trips inland.
When to go
Sharm is warm all year. October to May is the most comfortable; summer is very hot but the sea is at its best. Winter evenings are cool, so bring a light jacket.
Getting there
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport has direct flights from Europe and from Cairo. Dahab is about an hour north along the coast. To combine the beach with the pyramids and the Nile, ask us for a tailor-made trip.
Help choosing
We book across Sharm El Sheikh and know which properties have a sandy beach and which a reef, which are quiet and which lively, and which suit families, couples or divers. Tell us how you want to spend your stay and we will shortlist against it: talk to us, or browse the hotels we work with.






























