Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt: Red Sea Travel Guide

• Snorkel and dive among Red Sea coral reefs and marine life.

• Visit Ras Mohammed National Park at the southern tip of Sinai.

• Spend time around Naama Bay's beach and pedestrian areas.

• Explore Nabq Protectorate north of the city.

• Browse shops and local products at the Old Market.

• Take boat trips to offshore snorkeling and diving locations.

• Combine beach days with desert and mountain excursions.

• Use Sharm El Sheikh as a base for exploring more of South Sinai.

The underwater landscape is one of the strongest reasons to choose Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. Coral reefs, clear Red Sea water, reef fish, and established dive sites have shaped tourism here since the city began attracting international diving visitors in the 1980s.
You do not need to be an experienced diver to appreciate the coast. Snorkeling is available in several parts of Sharm El Sheikh, while introductory and certified diving activities provide different ways to reach deeper reef systems. The exact conditions and skill requirements vary by site, so travelers should check the description of each activity before booking.

Naama Bay

Naama Bay is one of the city's best-known visitor areas and was among the first parts of Sharm El Sheikh to develop around tourism. The bay combines a beach with hotels, restaurants, cafés, and a promenade, making it useful for travelers who prefer to have dining and leisure facilities close together.
Its central setting also makes it different from the more nature-focused parts of the destination. A stay here can combine time by the water with evenings spent walking around the surrounding commercial area.

Nabq Bay

Nabq lies farther north and has a different coastal character. Egypt's official tourism information describes shallow water extending toward a drop-off and coral formations, with the area used by both families and experienced divers.
The nearby Nabq Protectorate extends the landscape beyond the resort coast into a protected environment of desert, beaches, mangroves, mountains, and marine habitats.

Ras Mohammed National Park

Ras Mohammed lies southwest of Sharm El Sheikh at the meeting point of the Gulf of Suez and Gulf of Aqaba. Declared a protected area in 1983, it includes both terrestrial and marine environments, with coral reefs, marine species, desert habitats, birds, and coastal features.
Snorkeling and diving excursions are among the main ways travelers experience the marine side of the park. Reef walls and coral formations support diverse marine life, while land-based visits provide a different view of the peninsula's desert and coastal geography.
Protection rules matter here. Visitors should follow instructions from park authorities and licensed excursion providers, avoid touching coral, and respect regulations designed to protect the marine environment.

One of the most useful facts about Sharm El Sheikh is that nature reserves frame much of the destination. Ras Mohammed lies to the southwest, while Nabq Protectorate extends north of the city, creating access to marine, desert, mountain, and mangrove ecosystems within the wider South Sinai region.

Nabq Protectorate

Nabq Protectorate covers more than 600 square kilometers and includes mountains, sand dunes, coastal areas, offshore reefs, and mangrove habitat. Egypt's tourism authority identifies it as the country's largest coastal protectorate and notes the presence of wildlife including birds, gazelles, and Nubian ibexes.
Activities here can extend beyond snorkeling. Depending on current access and the excursion selected, visitors may encounter opportunities for hiking, cycling, kayaking, paddle boarding, and nature-focused trips.

The Sinai Desert

Move inland from the coast and the scenery changes quickly. Dry valleys and mountain landscapes replace beaches and coral reefs, giving travelers another way to understand South Sinai.
Guided desert trips may include hiking or other outdoor activities, while longer excursions can reach mountain regions farther into the peninsula. Egypt's official tourism guidance recommends checking access with tour operators, hotels, or licensed guides before undertaking desert and mountain routes.
Travelers combining Sharm with other Egyptian destinations can also use OFT Travel's Cairo city travel guide to compare the Red Sea coast with the capital's archaeological and cultural attractions.

Beach and reef activities dominate many itineraries, but Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt has several places where travelers can spend time away from the sea.

Old Market

The Old Market is one of the city's established shopping areas. Travelers come here for local products, spices, souvenirs, shops, cafés, and a more urban setting than the beachfront resort districts. Egypt's official tourism website specifically recommends the area for shopping during a Sharm El Sheikh stay.
The market fits easily into an evening rather than requiring a full sightseeing day. It also provides a useful contrast after several days centered on boats, beaches, and resort facilities.

Naama Bay After the Beach

Naama Bay changes character as beach activities wind down. Restaurants, cafés, shops, and the promenade make it one of the easiest places to continue the day without arranging another excursion.
For travelers deciding between Egypt's Red Sea destinations, the Hurghada city Egypt travel guide offers useful context on another major coastal base with diving, snorkeling, islands, and desert activities.

South Sinai Excursions

Sharm El Sheikh can also serve as a base for trips beyond the immediate city. South Sinai contains mountain trails, protected environments, and St Catherine's Monastery farther inland. The official tourism authority identifies the St Catherine area and its religious and mountain sites among the wider excursions accessible from Sharm.
These trips involve significantly more travel than a local beach or snorkeling excursion, so they are best treated as separate itinerary days rather than additions to an already full schedule.

The geography of Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt makes location an important part of hotel selection. Naama Bay, Nabq, and other coastal districts have different surroundings, distances, beach conditions, and access to dining or entertainment.
Before booking accommodation or an activity, check exactly where it takes place. A hotel may be in the wider Sharm El Sheikh area without being within walking distance of Naama Bay or another place you plan to visit.
For boat excursions, review the departure arrangement, transfers, equipment, meals, activity level, and any swimming or diving requirements shown on the product page. Certified divers should also check which documentation an operator requires.
Sun protection, lightweight clothing, swimwear, and comfortable footwear are useful for most coastal itineraries. Reef-safe behavior is equally important: coral should not be touched, stood on, removed, or damaged during swimming and snorkeling.
If your Egypt itinerary continues beyond Sinai, consider the contrast between Sharm's marine environment and the archaeological focus of Upper Egypt. The Luxor city Egypt travel guide and Aswan city Egypt travel guide can help structure the next stage of a longer trip.

What is Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt known for?

Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt is known for Red Sea beaches, coral reefs, snorkeling, scuba diving, and its location between Ras Mohammed National Park and Nabq Protectorate. Naama Bay and the Old Market are also established visitor areas.

What are useful facts about Sharm El Sheikh for first-time visitors?

Useful facts about Sharm El Sheikh include its long coastal layout and the differences between areas such as Naama Bay and Nabq. Choosing accommodation according to the activities and districts you plan to visit can reduce unnecessary transfers.

Is Ras Mohammed close to Sharm El Sheikh?

Yes. Ras Mohammed National Park lies at the southern tip of Sinai, around 20 kilometers west of Sharm El Sheikh according to Egypt's official tourism authority. It is commonly visited on snorkeling, diving, and nature excursions.

Can beginners snorkel or dive in Sharm El Sheikh?

Sharm El Sheikh offers marine activities for different experience levels, but individual sites have different conditions. Beginners should select activities specifically designed for their ability and follow the requirements of the licensed operator.

What can you do in Sharm El Sheikh besides swimming?

Travelers can visit the Old Market, walk around Naama Bay, explore Nabq or Ras Mohammed, and arrange desert or mountain excursions in South Sinai. Available activities depend on access conditions and the specific tour selected.