Sharm el Sheikh is the most popular Red Sea resort in Egypt and one of the most famous deep sea diving spots in the world. The sandy bays of Sharm el Maya and the neighbouring Na'ama Bay are perfect for snorkelling and diving, whist the resort itself has plenty of luxury hotels, shopping malls, facilities and nightlife. In Sharm el Sheikh, the shimmering blue waters contrast against an arid desert landscape, providing a dramatic setting for your holiday. If you can tear yourself away from the beach and put down your snorkel for just a second, Sharm el Sheikh also has some great land- based activities in the Sinai Mountains and the desert. Sharm el Sheikh was once just a little fishing village, but has developed into a cosmopolitan, buzzing tourist resort attracting hoards of visitors each year.
Holidays in Sharm el Sheikh aren't just for divers, they're for anyone who loves sunshine, beaches and adventure. If you're staying in Sharm el Sheikh, there are a number of 5 star resorts to choose from, including the Ghazala Beach Hotel Sharm.
Glass bottom boat cruise- Don't want to get your hair wet? If you'd like to see the colourful fish without even dipping a toe in the water, you can take a glass bottom boat ride to the coral reefs to see the underwater world of the
Red Sea . The boat will take you from Na'ama Bay to the Near Garden and Far Garden. As you cruise over the coral reefs, you'll be able to view the colourful coral and exotic fish beneath your feet. This is the perfect trip for those who aren't so into snorkelling and diving.
Camel Safari and Bedouin Dinner- It's almost impossible to say you've been to Egypt without riding in the desert on a camel. Go on an organised safari into the Sinai desert where you'll be hoisted onto a Dromedary Camel. Known as the “ship of the desert”, camels have been used by humans as vehicles in hot arid conditions for thousands of years. Although camels don't feel like the most stable of creatures to ride around on, it's a lot of fun and certainly a different way to see the desert landscape. After your camel ride you will have a cup of Bedouin tea and the option for a traditional Bedouin meal with Bedouin bread.
Climbing Moses' Mountain- Moses' Mountain is where Moses received the 10 Commandments in the Bible. If you choose to take a tour, you'll be accompanied by an Egyptologist guide as you hike up to the top of the mountain at sunrise. As the sun comes up over the Sinai landscape, you'll walk in the path that Moses took to the summit. There are steps up to the top as well as a walking path, and while the climb takes around 3 hours, it is worth it for the incredible views from the top. If you feel like you don't have the strength in you for the climb, you can opt to ride to the top on the back of a camel.
St.Catherine's Monastery- On your descent from Moses' Mountain, you'll come across St. Catherine's Monastery, which was built in the 6th century and is believed to be built at the site of the Burning Bush. In the Bible, Moses sees a bush that is on fire but doesn't burn up. As he walks over to it, God speaks to him from the Bush. At St. Catherine's Monastery you can see and touch what is believed to be the original Burning Bush, although it is thought that it was transplanted from another spot. St. Catherine's is one of the two oldest surviving Christian monasteries and is a special place for Jews, Christians and Muslims.
Ras Mohammed National Park- Ras Mohammed National Park is a very popular site for snorkelling and diving which lies off the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula. You can access it by road or sea, and many tourists choose to take a snorkelling cruise to spend the day on the water, with soft drinks, lunch and the opportunity to hire snorkelling equipment. You can spend a day swimming with the fish, exploring the coral reefs and topping up your tan on the boat deck. There is an abundance of exotic fish, colourful coral and even sharks, so this is a great spot to experience the underwater world of the Red Sea.
Mangroves- Ras Mohammed is also protected because of its Mangrove trees which live in the salt water and are very important for the area's ecosystem. You can travel to Ras Mohammed by land and see the mangroves up close. The black mangrove trees are a peculiar occurrence here since you would usually see them in tropical countries, not somewhere like Egypt. You can also see Mangroves in the Nabq protected area which is the most northerly point on the Earth that Mangroves grow.
Tiran Island Cruise- Spend a lazy day basking in the Egyptian sun and snorkelling in the warm waters of the Red Sea on a boat cruise to Tiran Island, which lies North West of
Sharm el Sheikh in the Gulf of Aqaba. This white sandy island is protected and its shores are teeming with coral reefs and sea creatures. You can bring your own snorkel or hire one, and soft drinks plus lunch are included. In the centre of the Straight of Tiran there are four coral reefs named Gordon, Woodhouse, Thomas and Jackson, which are named after British Cartographers. Gordon Reef can be recognized because of the Loulia shipwreck that lies on the reef. If you go diving here you'll find barracudas, snappers and sharks.
Quad biking in the desert- Quad biking is an exhilarating, thrilling way to explore the Sinai Desert. Take a 2 hour quad biking adventure into the desert and ride along the sands, dunes and plains with the wind in your hair. You'll have a choice of going in the morning or evening, and either time is perfect to see the changing colours of the desert as the sun rises or sets. Don't worry if you haven't ridden a quad bike before, they're rather easy to ride and you'll be given full instructions.
Hiking in the Coloured Canyon- 4 Wheel Drive vehicles will take you 240 kilometres outside Sharm el Sheikh into the desert to Abu Galum. Here you will hike in the Coloured Canyon which gets its name from the spectacular colours of the rocks, caused by the sunlight reflecting off the oxidised surfaces of the rocks. The strange rock formations and canyon walls are fascinating, with colours ranging from white to yellow to red. The hike can be quite arduous at times, but it is rewarding to see the dramatic rocks and appreciate the silence inside the canyon.
Shopping in Dahab- The Bedouin village and diving resort of Dahab is a great place to find a bargain since the prices in the shops are much cheaper than Sharm el Sheikh. If you want to hunt for a souvenir, then stroll around the old town of Assalah, where you'll find a wide range of items including papyrus prints, jewellery, leather bags and inlaid boxes. Dahab lies around 100 km outside Sharm el Sheikh and has a nice beach plus plenty of restaurants where you can have a spot of lunch. This Egyptian village, packed with bazaars and street sellers, is less commercialised than other areas and is popular with backpackers and beach bums. With a laid-back vibe, Dahab's name means “gold” in Arabic, and is said to get its name because of its gold shimmering sands. It is one of the best diving spots on the Sinai Peninsula, and the ‘Blue Hole', about an hour's drive out of Dahab, is considered one of the most dangerous in the world.
