Coast · Egypt

Sharm el-Sheikh: diving and winter sun on the Red Sea

Warm Red Sea water, coral reefs and resort comfort make Sharm el-Sheikh a year-round escape for snorkelling, diving and winter sun.

In brief

Sharm el-Sheikh is a year-round Red Sea destination with coral reefs, dive sites and resorts. October to May is especially pleasant; midsummer can be extremely hot. Beyond the beach, the mangroves of the Nabq protected area, the Thistlegorm wreck near Ras Mohammed and sunrise on Mount Sinai are the standout outings.

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Hidden places

Head north to the Nabq Protected Area, where a 4.5-kilometre fringe of mangroves — the northernmost in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean system — shelters seagrass beds that feed green turtles.

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Best time to visit

Best time to travel

October to May is especially comfortable; midsummer can be extremely hot.

Travel tips

Travel by Ildy tips

Choose your base by the evening you want: Naama Bay is the walkable hub for restaurants and promenades, while Hadaba, a short taxi ride south, is quieter and the Old Market (Sharm el-Maya) is the traditional district.
Order sayadeya at a fish restaurant: the fisherman's dish of spiced white fish over rice browned with fried onions and cumin, a coastal Egyptian classic far from the resort buffet.
For Mount Sinai, leave after midnight to reach the summit for sunrise, or climb in the afternoon for a quieter sunset; a local guide is mandatory, and the 3,750 'steps of penitence' behind the monastery are the steeper, direct route.
In the Strait of Gubal, not far from Ras Mohammed, lies the SS Thistlegorm, a British supply ship sunk by German bombers in 1941; her holds still carry motorcycles, trucks and rifles, and two steam locomotives lie beside the wreck.

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Follow the rhythm of the place first, then shape the journey around the experiences that feel most like your own.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Sharm el-Sheikh?

October to May is especially pleasant; midsummer can be extremely hot.

What is the SS Thistlegorm?

A British supply ship sunk by German bombers off Ras Mohammed in 1941. Its holds still carry motorcycles, trucks and rifles, with two steam locomotives lying beside it.

How should I climb Mount Sinai?

Set off after midnight to reach the top for sunrise, or go in the afternoon for a quieter sunset. A local guide is required; the 3,750 Steps of Repentance behind the monastery are the steeper, direct route.

Location

Sharm el-Sheikh on the map

Egypt

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Where to stay

Stay ideas — Sharm el-Sheikh

Egypt

Sharm el-Sheikh

Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh

Refined resort with strong diving and reef access.

Rixos Premium Seagate

Large all-inclusive resort with extensive facilities.

Steigenberger Alcazar

Spacious polished resort in Nabq Bay.