I design Egypt itineraries for a living, and Sharm El Sheikh is the place my clients misunderstand most often. It’s not a hard destination, but many people treat it like a typical beach holiday. In reality, it’s three destinations in one: a reef, a desert, and a peninsula packed with day trips that each need their own planning. Here’s the list I’d actually send a client, including costs, paperwork pitfalls, and what I’d skip.
Before You Book Anything: The Sinai-Only Stamp Problem
This detail causes more problems for Sharm travelers than bad weather, so it’s worth mentioning first.
Most travelers, including those from the UK, EU, and US, receive a free 15-day “Sinai-only” entry stamp upon arrival at Sharm El Sheik International Airport (SSH). This stamp covers Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba, and St. Catherine. Passport control issues it automatically, free of charge. The important thing to know is what it does not include.
Ras Mohammed National Park sits right at the edge of this zone, and the rules for entering it aren’t always clear. Even dive operators disagree on how strictly they enforce the rules. Some sources say you can enter Ras Mohammed by land with just the Sinai-only stamp, while others say that boat trips and technical dive sites like the SS Thistlegorm always require the full visa, no matter how you get there. Egyptian visa services and several dive centers recommend buying the full tourist visa ($25, purchased at the airport bank counter before immigration) if you plan to dive at Ras Mohammed or the Thistlegorm. Enforcement has become stricter, and being turned away from a dive boat with no refund is worse than paying the $25.
Here is my advice for clients: If you plan to visit Ras Mohammed, Tiran Island, or the Thistlegorm, buy the full visa at the airport counter. It only takes two minutes and removes any risk. If you are only staying in Naama Bay, the Old Market, and Dahab, you only need the free stamp.
If you plan to visit Cairo, Luxor, or Aswan, you will need the full visa. The Sinai-only stamp is no longer valid as soon as you leave the peninsula.
The 15 Best Things to Do in Sharm El Sheikh
Ranked by what actually justifies the time and cost, not by what’s easiest to book.
1- Dive or snorkel Ras Mohammed, National Park
Egypt’s first national marine park, established in 1983, is about 25 km south of Sharm where the Gulf of Suez meets the Gulf of Aqaba. This meeting point creates strong currents that support an unusually dense reef system. When people talk about “Ras Mohammed,” they usually mean Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef. On calm days, you can see more than 30 meters underwater.
Boat trips from Sharm marina cost about €40 to €45 (around $45 to $50) for a half-day snorkel and dive combo, and this usually includes park entry. If you enter by land, fees can range from about 10 EGP (about $0.20) to $5 USD per person. One recent visitor paid 620 EGP for two people and a car in October 2025, so budget for the higher end and be happy if it’s less. Bring cash for entrance fees because card readers often don’t work at the gate.
Bring reef-safe sunscreen. The park checks this more strictly than most Red Sea sites.
2- Snorkel and sail to Tiran Island
A full-day boat trip across the Straits of Tiran stops at four reefs: Jackson, Thomas, Woodhouse, and Gordon. Each one has its own character, from shallow coral gardens to steep drop-offs where you might see reef sharks. You don’t need a diving certification for the snorkeling stops. Prices start at about €35 (around $38) for a full day with lunch included.
3- Dive the SS Thistlegorm wreck
The SS Thistlegorm is a British cargo ship from WWII that sank in 1941. It still has motorcycles, trucks, and rifles on deck, and is often listed as one of the world’s best wreck dives. Only certified divers can visit, and most operators require an advanced ticket. Be ready for a very early 4:30 am departure from Sharm. Expect to pay from €95 (about $103) for the two-dive trip. Visa checks are strict here, so make sure your paperwork is in order before booking.
4- Hike the Colored Canyon
About ninety minutes north of Sharm, you’ll find a narrow sandstone gorge with red, yellow, purple, and gold stripes. Some parts are so tight you can touch both walls at once. The main hike is an easy 800-meter walk that you can do in trainers. It’s a great trip to combine with a visit to the Blue Hole or Nuweiba on the same day. Prices start at €40 (about $44).
5- Climb Mount Sinai for sunrise
Many travelers I’ve met say this was their favorite experience in Egypt, though it’s also the most physically challenging activity here. You usually leave Sharm around 11 pm and reach St Catherine at about 1:30 am. From there, you climb 3,750 steps or take the easier Camel Path to the 2,285-meter summit in time for sunrise. It gets cold at the top, even in summer, so bring a warm layer, not just a cardigan. Prices start at €35 (about $38).
6- Visit St Catherine’s Monastery
Located right below Mount Sinai, this is the world’s oldest continuously inhabited Christian monastery. By order of Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, it was built in the 6th century. UNESCO named the monastery and its surroundings a World Heritage Site in 2002 because of its importance to Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Inside, you’ll find the Chapel of the Burning Bush, a manuscript collection said to be second only to the Vatican’s, and early Byzantine icons. It’s easy to combine a visit here with the Mount Sinai climb as a single overnight trip. Prices start at €45 (about $49).
7- Quad-bike the Sinai desert
This 2- to 3-hour ride takes you across the open desert to a Bedouin camp, where you can enjoy tea, a camel ride, and a sunset that’s more photogenic than almost anything else here. Evening trips offer the best value, and you’ll be back in Sharm by 9 pm with time for dinner. At €19 (about $21), it’s the most affordable excursion on this list and one of the best for the price.
8- Stroll Naama Bay promenade
This is the original resort strip and still the most atmospheric part of Sharm. You’ll find a palm-lined seafront with dive centers, open-air cafés, and shisha lounges. It’s free to explore, easy to walk, and the best spot to catch a taxi to anywhere else on this list. Most major hotels are within a ten-minute walk.
9- Watch the SOHO Square fountain show
SOHO Square is Sharm’s modern entertainment plaza, with an ice rink, cigar lounge, many restaurants, and a nightly dancing-fountain show. Entry is free, and it’s one of the few places in the city where families of all ages can spend an entire evening together.
10- Shop the Old Market (El Souq)
This is the authentic side of Sharm, with spice stalls, papyrus shops, hand-painted ceramics, and grill restaurants tucked into narrow lanes. Here, you’ll do most of your bargaining—expect to negotiate 30–40% off the first price, sometimes even more. Visit in the evening when it’s cooler, and the lanes are lively.
11- Visit Al Sahaba Mosque
Next to the Old Market, you’ll find twin minarets, Ottoman-style domes, and detailed geometric patterns that look especially beautiful at blue hour. The courtyard welcomes respectful non-Muslim visitors outside of prayer times. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered. If you need a scarf, you can borrow one at the entrance.
12- Boat trip to White Island and Ras Mohammed combo
White Island is a bare sandbar that shows up at low tide and disappears at high tide. It’s one of the most surreal photo spots in the Red Sea. Most tours include snorkeling at Shark and Yolanda reefs, making it a full day out on the water. Prices start from €40 (about $44).
13- Glass-bottom boat or family Red Sea cruise
This is the easiest way for young children or non-swimmers to see the reef. You’ll spend an hour gliding over live coral, no wetsuit needed. Some boats even have a semi-submarine section with big glass windows below the waterline. Prices start at €13 (~$14), making it the most affordable reef experience here.
14- Bedouin dinner under the stars
Enjoy camel rides, drumming, a barbecue under the open sky, and stargazing. The Sinai has almost no light pollution, so you can see the Milky Way much more clearly than in most tourist spots. Most tours pick you up from your hotel around 4 pm. Prices start at €25 (~$27).
15- Snorkel the Blue Hole (Dahab day trip)
About two hours north, Dahab’s Blue Hole is a 130-meter-deep shaft of bright blue water. It’s famous among freedivers, but diving beyond your certification here is risky and has led to past accidents. The shallow Saddle area is safe and stunning for snorkelers and beginners. Most day trips also include time in Dahab’s laid-back old town and lunch at a beachside café. Prices start at €35 (~$38).
What Does It Cost to Do Things in Sharm El Sheikh?
| Item | Price range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ras Mohammed boat trip | €40–€45 (~$45–$50) | Entrance fee usually included |
| Ras Mohammed land entry (independent) | 10 EGP–$5 USD, reported as high as ~620 EGP for two people + car | Wide range across sources; bring cash |
| Tiran Island boat day | From €35 (~$38) | Includes lunch, no certification needed |
| SS Thistlegorm two-dive trip | From €95 (~$103) | Advanced certification required |
| Colored Canyon hike | From €40 (~$44) | Easy 800m walk |
| Mount Sinai sunrise climb | From €35 (~$38) | Overnight departure |
| Quad-bike desert safari | From €19 (~$21) | Best value on this list |
| White Island + Ras Mohammed combo | From €40 (~$44) | Full day |
| Glass-bottom boat | From €13 (~$14) | Best for children/non-swimmers |
| Bedouin dinner & stargazing | From €25 (~$27) | Hotel pickup included |
| Airport transfer (pre-booked) | €10–€25 per person | Metered taxis run €8–€25 depending on distance |
| Full Egypt tourist visa | $25 USD | Purchased in cash at the airport bank counter |
Prices are based on starting rates quoted by operators from several sources in September 2026, not from a single confirmed quote. Consider these “from” prices as the minimum, and plan to pay more for private tours, premium boats, or during peak season.
How Many Days Do You Need in Sharm El Sheikh?
Three days is enough for the basics: a beach afternoon, a boat trip, and a desert evening. With five days, you can also visit Tiran Island and spend more time at the Old Market without feeling rushed. If you want to see both Mount Sinai and the Colored Canyon, I suggest staying a full week, since the Mount Sinai trip takes up an entire night.
For 3 days: arrive at Naama Bay, take a boat trip to Ras Mohammed, and enjoy a desert quad-bike ride with a Bedouin dinner. For 5 days: add a day at Tiran Island and an evening at the Old Market. For 7 days: include the overnight climb of Mount Sinai with St. Catherine’s, and combine the Colored Canyon and Blue Hole into a day trip to Dahab.
Free Things to Do in Sharm El Sheikh
- Take a walk along the Naama Bay promenade at sunset
- Stroll through the Old Market. You can look around for free, and if you decide to buy something, that’s when the bargaining begins.
- Take some time to admire the exterior and courtyard of Al Sahaba Mosque
- Catch the fountain show at SOHO Square
- Most public beaches are free to enjoy, but a few areas in front of hotels may ask for a small entry fee.
Sharm El Sheikh With Kids: What Actually Works
Glass-bottom boats and semi-submarines are better than snorkeling trips for kids under eight. There’s no need for gear or swimming skills, and you’ll still see plenty of coral. SOHO Square’s ice rink and Kids’ Zone are great for an evening out, especially when you want to avoid the heat.
Camel rides at the Bedouin camps offer a safe, easy way to experience the desert without needing the energy for Mount Sinai. It’s best to skip the Thistlegorm and Blue Hole trips with young children, since both are focused on advanced diving rather than family sightseeing.
Sharm El Sheikh at Night
Naama Bay’s promenade is the simplest choice for an evening out, with cafés, shisha lounges, and relaxed walks that don’t need a reservation. SOHO Square has fountain shows most evenings at set times, and it’s a good option if you want restaurants and air conditioning in one place.
The Old Market gets lively after dark, when it cools down, and the grill restaurants fill up. The atmosphere is completely different from what you’ll find there during the day. If you prefer a quieter night, the rooftop bars around Naama Bay usually have better cocktails than most all-inclusive hotel bars.
What’s Overrated in Sharm El Sheikh and What to Do Instead
Tour desks often push Hollywood Sharm El Sheikh because they earn good commissions, but it’s really just a generic theme park with a dinosaur exhibit and a 7D cinema. There’s nothing uniquely Egyptian about it, and many families say it feels overpriced for what you get. For a family evening, SOHO Square offers the same air-conditioned comfort, better food, and you don’t have to pay a separate admission fee.
Camel rides sold as a standalone activity, instead of a quick add-on at a desert camp, are usually the most overpriced and least memorable thing tourists book in Sharm. You get about ten minutes of walking in a circle for the price of most of a quad-bike safari. It’s better to skip the standalone version and choose a camel ride that’s included in a Bedouin evening. That way, you get more value for your money.
Parasailing off the main tourist beaches looks great in photos, but it’s one of the least unique activities in Sharm. You can do the same thing at almost any beach resort in the world. If you want watersports, spend your money on a glass-bottom boat trip or a real snorkel day. Both of these let you see things you won’t find anywhere else.
How to Tell a Legitimate Operator From a Hustle
Licensed dive centers in Sharm clearly show their PADI or SSI affiliation. If you don’t see it, ask to check—real operators won’t mind. For land tours and Old Market shopping, the biggest scam risk isn’t from market vendors, but from taxis. Airport taxis often quote foreign visitors two to three times the local rate. That’s why it’s important to pre-book a transfer or agree on a fare in writing before you get in the car. In the Old Market, bargaining is normal and not a warning sign.
It’s common for the first price to be 40–50% higher than what you’ll actually pay. What should raise a red flag: any “certificate of authenticity” for papyrus or alabaster that the seller can’t explain, and any dive operator who skips the pre-dive safety briefing.
Best Time of Year to Visit
October to April is peak season, with comfortable temperatures between 22 and 28°C, calm seas, and the highest hotel rates. From March to May, you’ll find the best underwater visibility of the year, often over 30 meters. Summer, from June to August, is very hot (35 to 45°C on land), but hotel prices are lowest, and the water is still warm for swimming.
If you’re deciding between the two shoulder seasons, mid-April to early June and September to mid-November, both offer a better balance of price, comfort, and crowd levels than the full peak season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit Sharm El Sheikh?
Most visitors get a free 15-day Sinai-only entry stamp when they arrive at SSH airport. This covers Sharm, Dahab, Nuweiba, Taba, and St Catherine’s. If you want to dive at Ras Mohammed or the Thistlegorm, or visit Cairo, Luxor, or Aswan, you’ll need the full $25 tourist visa.
What is the best month to visit Sharm El Sheikh for diving?
The water is clearest from March to May, with visibility often over 30 meters at places like Ras Mohammed. If diving isn’t your main goal, October to April is generally more comfortable for visiting.
Is Sharm El Sheikh safe for tourists?
Yes, Sharm El Sheikh is safe for tourists. Tourist police are present, and hotels and main attractions have good security. Most visitors find that the main issues are high taxi fares and expensive activities, not safety problems.
How much does a day trip to Ras Mohammed cost?
Boat trips that include park entry usually start at about €40–€45 (around $45–$50) per person. If you enter by land, fees can vary a lot depending on your activity and vehicle. It’s a good idea to bring extra cash, preferably in Egyptian pounds.
Can I visit Cairo or Luxor from Sharm El Sheikh?
Yes, you can visit Cairo or Luxor from Sharm El Sheikh, but you’ll need the full Egypt tourist visa instead of the free Sinai-only stamp because both cities are outside the Sinai free zone. Most day trips use a short domestic flight, since Cairo is about 500 km away.
Is the Blue Hole in Dahab dangerous?
The main dive site is known among technical divers for its risks, mostly when people go beyond their certification level. The shallow “Saddle” area is safe and good for snorkelers and beginner divers with a guide.
What should I pack for a Sinai desert safari?
A warm layer for the evening — desert temperatures drop sharply after sunset even in summer — closed shoes rather than sandals, and a scarf or buff for dust. If the trip includes Mount Sinai, pack for genuinely cold conditions at the 2,285-meter summit.
Final Note From Nada
The most common mistake I see when clients plan their own trips to Sharm is treating it as just one destination instead of three: the reef, the desert, and the wider area for day trips. Try to choose one activity from each group instead of booking five boat trips in a week.
Check your visa status before booking anything that includes Ras Mohammed, and leave one evening free to explore the Old Market after dark. That’s usually the part people remember most.
