Naama Bay
Main tourist hub with hotels, restaurants, shops, and beach clubs; lively but crowded
← Home
Why visit
Sharm El Sheikh is Egypt's premier Red Sea resort destination, offering world-class diving and snorkeling in coral reefs teeming with marine life. The town combines beach relaxation with adventure sports, Egyptian culture, and surprisingly good dining—all within easy reach of the airport.
Best time: October to April offers warm days (75-85°F), calm seas, and excellent visibility for diving. May to September brings intense heat and occasional rough waters, though prices drop significantly.
Things to do
- ▸Dive or snorkel at Ras Muhammad National Park to see hard corals, reef sharks, and grouper in pristine waters
- ▸Take a guided dive at the SS Thistlegorm wreck, a WWII cargo ship at 70 feet with ammunition and motorbikes still aboard
- ▸Hike or jeep to Mount Sinai from nearby Dahab (45 minutes) for pre-dawn sunrise and desert views
- ▸Quad bike through the Eastern Desert to Bedouin camps and experience traditional hospitality with tea and meals
- ▸Parasail or wakeboard at Shark's Bay for adrenaline-focused water sports
- ▸Visit Colored Canyon near Nuweiba for hiking through sandstone formations with natural rainbow striations
- ▸Take a glass-bottom boat tour if you want reef views without getting wet or certified
- ▸Kiteboard or windsurf at Dahab's Lagoon, 1 hour north, which has consistent winds and shallow launch zones
Food & flavour
- ★Grilled hammour (grouper) caught fresh daily, simply prepared with lemon and garlic at waterfront restaurants
- ★Koshari—layered rice, lentils, chickpeas, and tomato sauce with crispy fried onions (Egyptian street food staple)
- ★Mezze platter with hummus, baba ganoush, feta, and fresh pita at casual local spots or upscale venues
- ★Ful medames—slow-cooked fava beans with olive oil and cumin, eaten for breakfast with eggs and bread
- ★Shrimp or fish tagine with preserved lemon and olives, a Moroccan-influenced dish common in Red Sea resorts
Where to stay
Neighbourhoods, vibe, who they suit.
Sharm Old Town (Sharm El Maya)
Authentic Egyptian atmosphere with local bazaar, mosques, and smaller guesthouses; less touristy than Naama
Hadaba
Upscale beachfront neighborhood with resort compounds and private beaches; quieter and more exclusive
Shark's Bay
Water-sports focused beach area popular with kitesurfers and windsurfers; casual daytime vibe
Dahab
Laid-back Bedouin town 1 hour north with backpacker vibes, cheap eats, and excellent diving; far from resort crowds
3-day itinerary
A cheat-sheet you can run with.
Day 1
Arrival and Reef Exploration
- Morning
- Arrive at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport; transfer to hotel in Naama Bay. Rest and acclimate. Grab lunch at a local cafe.
- Afternoon
- Do an introductory dive or snorkel trip at Ras Muhammad National Park if certified; otherwise, take a glass-bottom boat tour or guided snorkel with an operator from your hotel.
- Evening
- Dinner at a waterfront restaurant in Naama Bay. Walk through the promenade and visit small shops or grab coffee at a casual spot.
Day 2
Deep Dive and Desert Experience
- Morning
- Full-day excursion to the SS Thistlegorm wreck (requires diving certification). Depart early; expect 2-3 dives with surface intervals.
- Afternoon
- Return to shore mid-afternoon. Rest at hotel or beach club.
- Evening
- Dinner in Sharm Old Town at a local Egyptian restaurant. Explore the bazaar for spice shopping and people-watching.
Day 3
Desert and Culture
- Morning
- Quad bike excursion into the Eastern Desert with Bedouin guide; visit a Bedouin camp and have traditional breakfast with tea.
- Afternoon
- Return to town by early afternoon. Lunch and shopping at Naama Bay or rest at beach club.
- Evening
- Final dinner at a favorite spot from previous days or a new recommendation. Pack for departure if flying out next day.
Practical tips
- ✦Book diving and snorkeling trips through established operators at your hotel or verified agencies—don't accept street offers. Verify certification requirements and insurance.
- ✦Bring reef-safe sunscreen (SPF 50+) and a rash guard; sun exposure is intense and burns happen fast, especially on boats and in water.
- ✦Exchange cash at the airport or your hotel; many local spots and Bedouin guides don't accept cards. ATMs work but can be unreliable.
- ✦Respect prayer times when visiting mosques or Sharm Old Town; avoid eating or being loud during prayer hours (dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset, night).
- ✦Hiring a private driver or booking organized tours is safer and easier than renting a car; road conditions outside town are rough and navigation is confusing for unfamiliar visitors.
✈️ Real flights to Sharm El Sheikh
Showing CAI → SSH. Click any to book via our partner network.
🏨 Real hotels in Sharm El Sheikh
Live inventory from our partner network — change dates and guests in the widget.
Things to do
🌟 Top tours & activities in Sharm El Sheikh
Day trips, attractions, food tours — booked via our Klook partnership.
Browse Sharm El Sheikh activities on Klook →🚘 Airport transfers in Sharm El Sheikh
Pre-booked fixed-price transfers — no surge, no surprises.
Ready to go?