Sharm el-Sheikh Holidays With Children

October 31, 2026

Sharm el-Sheikh is a resort of long bays and short evenings out, and the family options sort themselves by whether a child swims. The UK FCDO calls the Red Sea tourist areas of southern Sinai generally low risk, and the family activities below all stay in the resort area, so you can check the FCDO advice for Egypt once and plan from there.

If your child does not swim yet

Glass-bottom boat. Boats leave from the Naama Bay jetty by Al-Bostan beach, and the reef passes under the floor. It is the simplest way to show small children fish and coral.

SeaScope. This semi-submarine sails from the marina on a trip of about 2.5 to 3 hours. It is longer than the glass-bottom boat, so it suits children who can sit still for a while. Confirm sailing times with the operator, because both boats change their schedules.

If your child swims

Snorkelling on a house reef. The shallow Near and Far Gardens at Naama Bay are the easy place to start, with a guide beside you. Teach the reef rules first: look but do not touch coral, never stand on it, and never feed the fish, since both are against Egyptian law.

Water parks. Cleo Park has an ancient Egypt theme, and Aqua Blue Water Park is in Hadaba. A third park is billed as the largest in Sharm. Opening dates and day-pass prices change, so ask your hotel before you plan a day around one. Child tickets are often set by height, which is worth asking about at the gate.

Evenings

Soho Square, in north Sharm near the airport, has an ice rink, ten-pin bowling, a kids’ zone, an evening dancing fountain and the Culturama panoramic cinema show. The square itself is free to enter, and each attraction sells its own tickets. One listing gives its hours as 18:30 to 02:00.

Animals

The Nabq mangroves are a calm way to meet the wild side of South Sinai, and a Bedouin camel ride is a normal outing arranged by local guides. Captive dolphin shows are a different matter, and conservation groups campaign against dolphin shows in Egypt, so skip them. There is no aquarium in town, which makes the reef itself the main animal attraction.

Sun, sea and safety

Tap water is not drinkable, so use bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth, and mild stomach upsets are a common complaint. Sharks are rare but real: obey the lifeguard and operator flags, keep children out of the sea at dawn and dusk and away from boats. Quad bike trips have caused serious accidents among visitors, as the FCDO notes, so they are a poor family option. Landmines remain in some desert areas near Sharm, so stay on marked tracks.

Money and arrival

Prices for boats and tours are often quoted in euros or US dollars, while taxis and tips are paid in Egyptian pounds at about EGP 48 to 50 per dollar. Taxi cars carry no meters, so settle the price before the ride starts. A visa on arrival costs USD 30 in cash, and families staying in the resort get a free entry stamp for stays under 15 days.

Compare family boat trips on GetYourGuide or Viator . The FCDO safety and security page lists sea and road hazards.