Ras Mohammed National Park
Egypt's best-known marine park, with vertical coral walls, schools of fish and clear water. Most visitors come by boat for a full day of snorkelling or diving.
Sinai, Egypt · Coral reefs, desert mountains & sunshine
Sharm El Sheikh hotels between the Sinai mountains and the Red Sea: world-class reefs, sunny beaches and all-inclusive resorts. Pick dates and compare live prices.
Overview
Sharm El Sheikh sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, where desert mountains meet the Red Sea. Hotels in Sharm El Sheikh stretch along a coastline of bays and cliffs, from lively Naama Bay to the quieter resorts of Nabq and Sharks Bay, and many of them have their own reef and pier right in front of the beach.
This is one of the best places in the world for snorkelling and diving. Ras Mohammed National Park, at the very tip of Sinai, protects coral walls full of fish, while the reefs of the Strait of Tiran are famous for clear water and strong colours. You do not need to be a diver to enjoy it: put on a mask and step off a hotel jetty, or join a boat trip with a guide, and the reef begins a few metres from the shore.
Away from the water, Sinai has a dramatic landscape and deep history. Night climbs up Mount Sinai to watch the sunrise, Saint Catherine's Monastery at its foot, quad-bike trips into the desert and Bedouin dinners are all popular excursions. In the evening, Naama Bay's promenade, SOHO Square and the Old Market offer cafés, shisha, shops and fresh seafood. With sunshine almost all year and resorts for every budget, Sharm El Sheikh is a reliable choice for a beach holiday in any season, including winter.
Top experiences
Egypt's best-known marine park, with vertical coral walls, schools of fish and clear water. Most visitors come by boat for a full day of snorkelling or diving.
Boat trips to the Strait of Tiran visit a chain of shallow reefs with excellent visibility, ideal for snorkellers and beginners.
A night climb with a Bedouin guide brings you to the summit for sunrise over the Sinai mountains. Bring warm layers: it is cold at the top.
One of the oldest working Christian monasteries in the world, at the foot of Mount Sinai. Usually combined with the sunrise climb.
Naama Bay's promenade is the heart of Sharm's nightlife, while SOHO Square adds fountains, restaurants and shows in the evening.
Quad bikes, jeeps or camels take you into the Sinai desert for sunset, Bedouin tea and dinner under a sky full of stars.
Live prices
Where to stay
First trip · Nightlife
The lively centre of Sharm with a sandy bay, a long promenade, restaurants and bars. Best for travellers who want to walk out of the hotel straight into the action.
See hotelsFamilies · All-inclusive
A newer resort area north of the airport with large all-inclusive hotels, aqua parks and long beaches. Great value for families who plan to stay mostly at the resort.
See hotelsSnorkelling · Couples
Resorts built on terraces above some of the best house reefs in Sharm, often with pontoons straight onto the coral. Ideal for snorkellers who want the reef on their doorstep.
See hotelsBudget · Old Market
A cliff-top area south of Naama Bay, close to the Old Market, with good reefs and many mid-range hotels. Note that some beaches here are reached by stairs or lifts down the cliff.
See hotelsWhen to go
Sharm El Sheikh is warm all year. The most comfortable months are October to November and March to May, with hot sunny days and a pleasant sea. December to February is milder and very popular for winter sun, although evenings can be cool and windy. June to September brings intense heat, so plan excursions for early morning. Prices are highest around the New Year and holiday periods, so it pays to book early for those dates.
Best monthsOct – May
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daytime air, °C | ||||||||||||
| Sea, °C | 23° | 22° | 22° | 23° | 25° | 26° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 27° | 25° | 24° |
Good to know
Keep small cash in Egyptian pounds or US dollars for tips, taxis and the Old Market; cards are accepted in hotels and larger shops.
Water shoes are useful on reef beaches and pontoons, and reef-safe sunscreen helps protect the coral.
For the Mount Sinai sunrise trip, take warm clothes, a headlamp and comfortable shoes, even in summer.
Bargaining is normal in markets and with taxis: agree the price before you start, or ask the UTours team to arrange transfers.
Book Ras Mohammed and Tiran boat trips a day or two ahead, especially in high season.
Help
Still deciding? Our team in Yerevan answers by phone, email and chat.
Contact our teamOctober to November and March to May are the best months, with warm water and hot but comfortable days. Winter is mild and sunny, perfect for escaping the cold, though evenings can be cool. Summer is very hot, so it suits travellers who spend most of the day in the sea or by the pool.
Naama Bay is best for a first trip and nightlife. Families often choose the all-inclusive resorts of Nabq Bay, snorkellers love Sharks Bay with its house reefs, and Ras Um Sid and Hadaba offer good-value hotels close to the Old Market. Check whether the beach is sandy or reached by a pontoon over the reef.
Entry rules for Armenian citizens can change, so please check our Visa page or ask the UTours team before booking your flights. We will explain the current requirements for Sharm El Sheikh and which documents to prepare. The same applies to travellers with other passports.
Seven to ten nights is ideal. You will have time for a boat trip to Ras Mohammed or Tiran, a Mount Sinai sunrise excursion and a desert safari, plus plenty of slow beach days. A shorter stay of five nights works if you mainly want sun and snorkelling.
Resorts in Sharks Bay and Ras Um Sid are known for coral reefs right in front of the hotel, often reached by a pontoon. They are perfect for daily snorkelling. If you travel with small children, a resort with a sandy beach and gentle entry, for example in Naama Bay or Nabq, may be more comfortable.
Pick your dates in the search above and compare live prices for hotels in Sharm El Sheikh. Choose your room, pay securely online and receive your confirmation. Our team in Yerevan will gladly help with transfers, excursions, changes and any questions about your trip.
Pick your dates and see live prices for hotels in Sharm El Sheikh, from reef-front resorts to all-inclusive family hotels.
Sign in to your personal account
Referral login
Register