Things to Do in Sharm el-Sheikh

October 31, 2026

Advisory, October 2026. The UK FCDO tells travellers not to go to North Sinai at all, and to make only essential trips to the northern part of South Sinai inland from the coast. It describes the Red Sea tourist areas of the southern peninsula as generally low risk, and Sharm el-Sheikh lies outside the restricted zone. It also says the risk of regional escalation is high. Read the FCDO guidance for Egypt and your own government’s advice before you pay a deposit on any trip.

Most of what people do in Sharm el-Sheikh happens on or under the Red Sea, with a desert evening or two added on. The resort is a long corridor of bays on the southern tip of Sinai, so it helps to know where things are before you pick a tour.

Where things are

The Old Market and harbour (Sharm el-Maya) sit at the south end, close to the Ras Um Sid cliffs and lighthouse reef. Naama Bay is the central hub, with the dive centres, the beachfront promenade and the glass-bottom boat jetty. Sharks Bay and Nabq Bay lie north, near the airport, and Nabq is where the large all-inclusive resorts and the kite and windsurf spots are. Naama Bay is roughly ten minutes by car from both the airport and the Old Market. Taxis have no meters, so settle the fare before you climb in.

On the water

Ras Mohammed by boat. A day boat from the Sharm marinas to the national park at the tip of the peninsula takes about six hours with lunch and snorkel stops. Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef are the best-known walls, and Yolanda also has a scattering of bathroom fixtures from a wreck of 1980. Magic Lake and the mangrove channel are the gentler snorkel and photo stops. Plan on a park fee of roughly USD 5 to 8 per person (about EGP 250 to 400), usually folded into the boat price.

Glass-bottom boats and SeaScope. Glass-bottom boats leave from the Naama Bay jetty near Al-Bostan beach, and the SeaScope semi-submarine sails from the marina on a trip of about 2.5 to 3 hours. Both let you see the reef from a dry seat. Ask the operator for the current sailing times.

Parasailing. Wikivoyage quotes about EGP 1,500 for two people or EGP 1,200 for one, which is roughly USD 30 and USD 24, for a 45 minute boat ride with a flight of five to seven minutes. Prices follow the exchange rate.

Kite and windsurfing. Nabq Bay has the steady wind, so base yourself there if wind sports are the plan.

Under the surface

Wikivoyage lists Camel Dive Club, Sinai Divers, Emperor Divers, Ocean College and Red Sea Diving College among the dive operators. House reefs include Ras Um Sid, Near and Far Gardens at Naama Bay, and the reefs off Sharks Bay. Boats also run to the Strait of Tiran reefs. The FCDO warns that standards on dive boats differ, so use a licensed centre, check that your insurance covers your depth and ask who pays for a rescue.

The rules protect the reef. Do not touch or stand on coral, take shells, spearfish or feed fish. Sharks are rare, but heed the flags, stay out of the water at dawn and dusk and keep away from boats.

In the desert

Quad and jeep outings of two to three hours cost about USD 26 to 45 (roughly EGP 1,300 to 2,250) on 2026 listings, often with Bedouin tea or dinner at sunset. Echo Mountain is a named stop. The FCDO reports several serious quad accidents, so choose a licensed operator, wear a helmet, long sleeves and closed shoes, and stay on the marked route. Landmines remain in some Egyptian deserts, including areas near Sharm.

Paying and arriving

The Egyptian pound trades at about EGP 48 to 50 per US dollar and moves. Dive, boat and safari operators quote in euros or dollars, while taxis, tips and small vendors take cash pounds. Tap water is not drinkable. A visa on arrival costs USD 30 in cash, and the free entry stamp at Sharm airport covers resort stays of under 15 days.

Search boat and safari options at Viator or GetYourGuide . The FCDO safety page covers quads, dive boats and sharks.