Sharm el-Sheikh: coral reefs, Ras Mohammed and Mount Sinai

Sharm el-Sheikh: desert on land, life in the sea

You step off the end of the hotel jetty and the bottom drops away into deep blue. Just below the surface, parrotfish and clownfish dart between the corals. That is what Sharm el-Sheikh is about: desert mountains on land and one of the richest coral reefs in the world, a few metres from your sunlounger.

The town sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Red Sea. It grew up around diving from the 1970s and is now one of Egypt's largest resorts. For the rest of the country, see our Egypt travel guide.

Things to do in Sharm el-Sheikh

• Snorkel from the hotel. Many hotels along the coast have their own jetties straight out to the reef. It is the easiest snorkelling you will find, and often the best.

• A boat trip to Ras Mohammed. The national park at the tip of Sinai has sheer coral walls, big shoals of fish and some of the Red Sea's best-known dive sites.

• The Tiran reefs. Four reefs in the Strait of Tiran with strong currents, great visibility and plenty of fish. Best for confident snorkellers and divers.

• Dive the SS Thistlegorm. A British supply ship sunk in 1941, with motorbikes and lorries still in its holds. It is considered one of the world's best wreck dives.

• Naama Bay and the Old Market. The seafront promenade with restaurants and bars, and the old market street with spices and coffee.

• Sunrise on Mount Sinai. The trip leaves around midnight for St Catherine's Monastery, then climbs in the dark to the summit, over 2,000 metres up. It is cold at the top, even in summer.

Where to stay

• Naama Bay: the centre for restaurants and nightlife, with a beach and everything close by.

• Sharks Bay and Nabq: north of town, with long reefs and large resorts. Quieter, but further from the centre.

• Ras Um Sid and Hadaba: south of Naama, with some of the best reefs right outside the hotels.

If you are weighing up Hurghada instead, read our Red Sea holidays guide, where we compare the two.

When to go to Sharm el-Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh has sunshine all year. October, November, March and April are often best, with around 25 to 30°C and a warm sea. December to February brings pleasant days of 22 to 24°C, but cool evenings and a sea of around 22°C. From June to September it often climbs above 35°C.

Good to know

• Check the current visa rules before you travel. The rules for stays only in South Sinai can differ from those for the rest of Egypt.

• Wear reef shoes or sandals, and never stand on the coral.

• It is often windy in the afternoon. Snorkel in the morning, when the water is calmest.

• To reach the pyramids or Luxor, you usually fly via Cairo. Read our guide to Luxor.

Frequently asked questions about Sharm el-Sheikh

Is Sharm el-Sheikh good for snorkelling?

Yes, it is one of the best places in the world to snorkel. Many hotels have jetties straight out to the reef, and boat trips go to Ras Mohammed and Tiran.

Is Sharm el-Sheikh warm in winter?

Yes, days are around 22 to 24°C from December to February, and the sea stays at about 22°C. Evenings can be cool, so pack a jumper.

What is the difference between Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada?

Sharm has better reefs right outside the hotels and the mountains of Sinai. Hurghada is a bigger town with more hotels and a shorter trip to Luxor.

Can you visit Mount Sinai from Sharm el-Sheikh?

Yes, but it is a long night. Trips leave around midnight and you climb in the dark to see the sunrise from the summit.