1. Scuba Diving At Sharm el-Sheikh
By far, the most popular activity and main reason people
visit Sharm el Sheikh is for its incredible dive sites.
Due to its far-reaching
position on the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula, the
dive sites around Sharm are
exceptionally good. The primary reason is that this is the point
where the Red Sea splits into two gulfs, the Gulf of Aqaba, and
the Gulf of Suez.
Some
of the best dive sites include:
Yolanda and Shark Reef, (Ras Mohammad Marine Park) -
best site for large pelagics, schooling fish, and sharks
Straits
of Tiran - four sites including Gordon, Thomas,
Woodhouse, and Jackson reefs. Great for healthy corals, big
schools, sharks, and manta rays.
Temple
- local dive site with an awesome pinnacle with plenty
of coral and marine life.
Ras Nasrani
- a local dive site with an amazing coral garden.
2. Boat Trip To Ras Mohammad National Park
Ras Mohammad is Egypt's premier
dive location for marine life. This is a 480 km² (185 mi²)
nature reserve and no-take zone harboring some of the richest
biodiversity in the Red Sea.
Travelers
visiting Sharm el Sheikh have the option of visiting this
underwater paradise on a scuba diving trip or snorkeling boat
trip. If time allows, I also recommend checking out the Shark
Observatory cliff top, which offers excellent views over both
sides of the Red Sea.
3. Sunrise Hike To Mount Sinai
Located deep in the South Sinai
Desert is the famous Mount Sinai (also Mount Moussa or Japel
Moussa). Many scholars believe that this is the biblical Mount
Sinai, where in the old testament, god handed down the ten
commandments to Moses.
One
of the best things to do in Sharm el Sheikh is to climb Mount
Sinai on a sunrise hike! This was one of my favorite travel
experiences in Sinai, and I'd highly recommend it to anybody.
4. Saint Catherine's Monastery
Located at the foot of Mount
Sinai is one of the world's oldest working monasteries, the St.
Catherine's Monastery.
This
is a beautiful religious site and is definitely one of the best
places to visit from Sharm el Sheikh. Not only is the monastery
itself impressive, but the treasures inside are certainly worth
seeing as well.
Visitors
typically tour Saint Catherine's Monastery after the sunrise
hike of Mount Sinai As a result, you can knock off two Sharm el
Sheikh Attractions with one stone.
5. Sunset On A Rooftop Terrace In Naama Bay
After a long day of diving,
snorkeling, or exploring all of the awesome Sharm el Sheikh
attractions, one of the best things to visit Camel Bar &
Rooftop, located in Naama Bay.
From
here, you'll get great 360-degree views, including the palm
trees on the shore of the Red Sea and the sun setting behind the
Sinai Mountains.
6. Swim And Snorkel Off Sharm El Sheikh's Beautiful Beaches
Some of the most beautiful beaches in Sharm include:
• Na'aama Bay
- many beaches with restaurants and resorts.
• Sharm al-Maya
- is one of the main bays with plenty of great places for
swimming.
• El Fanar
- crystal clear water for swimming and also great for sunset.
• Ras Um Sid -
great snorkeling.
•
Sharks Bay Beach - is also excellent for snorkeling.
• Terrazzina Beach
- famous restaurant and bar scene
• Old Quay Beach - easily accessible
vertical reef for snorkeling close to shore.
One important thing to remember is that many of the best beaches in Sharm are owned by restaurants and resorts. Therefore some beaches require a "beach pass" or at least to purchase something at their business.
7. Old Market (Sharm El Sheikh Old Town)
If you're spending a couple of
days on the Red Sea, I highly recommend stopping by the Sharm el
Sheikh Old Town, also known as Old Market.
This is the original coastal
city of Sharm and it retains much of its original charm.
Wander the streets, browse the
market wares, and taste some delicious street food like falafel
and koshari.
Getting to
the Old Market is easy via a short taxi ride on the main
highway.
8. Parasailing, Banana Boat Trips, And Tubing
In fact, Sharm is famous for recreational activities like parasailing, banana boat trips, and tubing! Most tour operators can organize this for you at popular tourist hubs like Na'aama Bay.
9. Star Gazing In The Sinai Desert
One of the best ways to enjoy this experience is on a sunrise hike to Mount Sinai. However, if hiking's not your thing, there's also a stargazing quad bike safari tour which includes a traditional Bedouin dinner.
• Combined Map For All Mentioned Attraction Points