Shalateen Travel Guide

City Coastal city in Egypt with tourism potential

A remote Red Sea coastal town near the Sudanese border where Bedouin culture and fishing boats set the pace. Travelers visit for desert drives, coral snorkeling off less-trodden reefs, and to meet local shepherds and market vendors.

Main image
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Coucher du soleil à Shalateen - panoramio.jpg
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La valée de Humaythra - panoramio.jpg
Les maison des bédoins de a valée de Humaythra - panoramio.jpg
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Mohamed Abdelzaher - Wiki Loves Africa (13).jpg
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Costs
Modest remote-town budget
Expect $40-$80 daily; services are limited but affordable compared with tourist centres.
Safety
Restricted area - secure but controlled
Border-area restrictions and military presence; travel with permits and expect checkpoints.
Best Time
October-April (cooler months)
Cooler months are far more comfortable than the hot Red Sea summer.
Local Time
10:36 AM
GMT+3
Weather
Clear 90°F
Clear
Population
12,443
Infrastructure & Convenience
Very limited services, military checkpoints, few hotels; travel often requires permits and arrangements.
Popularity
Almost no mainstream tourism; visited by adventurous travelers and researchers only.
Known For
Red Sea coast, Beja culture, coral reefs nearby, camel herding, desert landscapes, border security presence, traditional crafts, remote coastal fishing
Shalateen lies inside the Hala'ib Triangle, a territory disputed between Egypt and Sudan and administered by Egypt.

Why Visit Shalateen? #

Shalateen occupies Egypt’s Red Sea littoral and attracts travelers for its remote marine life, coral reefs and Bedouin culture. Diving and snorkeling reveal colorful reef habitats, while local markets and camel traditions offer insight into desert life and crafts. Its location near mountain-and-sea landscapes makes Shalateen appealing to visitors wanting both underwater exploration and encounters with Bedouin hospitality and seasonal festivals.

Best Things to Do in Shalateen

All Attractions ›

Shalateen Bucket List

Don't Miss
  • Gebel Elba Protected Area - Explore high-elevation wadis and rare vegetation on Gebel Elba's mountain slopes.
  • Shalateen Market - Visit the Shalateen market for Bedouin crafts, fresh fish, and local produce.
  • Hala'ib Triangle coral reefs - Snorkel Hala'ib Triangle reefs off Shalateen for colorful fish and coral gardens.
Hidden Gems
  • Wadi coastal pools - Find secluded rock pools along wadis where local families picnic and freshwater collects.
  • Bedouin-guided desert walks - Join a Bedouin guide for short hikes explaining plants, geology, and local stories.
  • Remote fishing coves - Walk to tiny coves near town to watch traditional fishing and boat repairs.
Day Trips
  • El-Halaib/Hala'ib Triangle coastal route - Drive along the Hala'ib coastal area to see remote fishing villages and coral bays.
  • Toshka/Red Sea bays excursion - Half-day boat trips to nearby bays for shallow snorkeling and seaside relaxation.

Best Time to Visit Shalateen #

Shalateen is best visited in the cooler months from November to February when temperatures are tolerable for exploring the coastal and desert landscapes. Summers are extremely hot and best avoided for outdoor exertion.

Winter
November - February · 18 - 28 °C (64 - 82 °F)
Mild, pleasant days and comfortable nights - the easiest time for exploration without extreme heat.
Spring
March - May · 25 - 37 °C (77 - 99 °F)
Rapidly warming weather with very hot afternoons; mornings good for excursions but midday becomes intense.
Summer
June - October · 30 - 45 °C (86 - 113 °F)
Brutal heat and minimal shade - avoid strenuous outdoor activity midday and prioritize coastal breezes or evening plans.

Best Time to Visit Shalateen #

Climate

Shalateen's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in August) and warm winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 14°C to 39°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
MarchNovemberApril
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
45°
Warmest Month
10°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 26°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
10.7h daylight

February

February is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 26°
58%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
11.3h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
16° 29°
54%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.0
UV Index
Very High
11.9h daylight

April

April is warm with highs of 33°C and lows of 19°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

26°
Feels Like Warm
26°C
Temperature
19° 33°
49%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

1 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.3
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

May

May is hot, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

90 Ideal

Comfort

29°
Feels Like Hot
29°C
Temperature
22° 35°
43%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.1h daylight

June

June is hot with highs of 38°C and lows of 24°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
31°C
Temperature
24° 38°
38%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
13.4h daylight

July

July is hot with highs of 39°C and lows of 25°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

32°
Feels Like Hot
32°C
Temperature
25° 39°
39%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
13.3h daylight

August

August is the hottest month, feeling like 33°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

33°
Feels Like Hot
32°C
Temperature
26° 39°
42%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.8h daylight

September

September is hot, feeling like 31°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

31°
Feels Like Hot
30°C
Temperature
24° 36°
48%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
12.2h daylight

October

October is hot, feeling like 30°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

30°
Feels Like Hot
28°C
Temperature
23° 34°
59%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
3.4 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.5h daylight

November

November is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 19°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
19° 30°
61%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
10.9h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.

96 Ideal

Comfort

21°
Feels Like Mild
21°C
Temperature
16° 26°
60%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

2 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
10.6h daylight

How to Get to Shalateen

Shalateen is a remote town in Egypt's southern Red Sea Governorate on the Red Sea coast; there are no scheduled commercial flights into town and overland travel across desert routes from Hurghada or Marsa Alam is the standard approach. Travel here is logistic-heavy and is best done via pre-arranged transfers or tours.

By Air

Hurghada International Airport (HRG): Hurghada is the nearest major commercial airport on Egypt’s Red Sea coast with road connections to southern Red Sea towns; driving from Hurghada to Shalateen is a long desert route taking many hours and typically undertaken with a prepared vehicle or arranged transfer.

Regional military/airstrips: Shalateen is in a remote part of Egypt’s southern Red Sea Governorate; there are no regular commercial flights directly into Shalateen-access is almost always by road from Hurghada, Marsa Alam or via overland expeditions arranged by tour operators.

By Train & Bus

Train: There are no rail services for reaching Shalateen.

Bus / Road transport: Road travel is the only practical option for Shalateen. Long-distance buses or arranged 4x4 transfers from Hurghada, Marsa Alam or Aswan are used by travellers, but journeys are lengthy and travel conditions can be challenging due to desert terrain-book transfers with experienced operators who handle permits and fuel logistics.

How to Get Around Shalateen #

Shalateen is a remote Red Sea town with limited public transport; access is mainly by road from Egyptian coastal routes and occasionally by regional flights or boats depending on season and permits. Within town you’ll walk or use local taxis; services are sparse so plan logistics ahead and allow time for travel.

Where to Stay in Shalateen #

Budget
Town centre - $10-30/night
Shalateen has very few budget lodgings - mostly basic guesthouses and simple rooms. Bring supplies; expect basic facilities and intermittent services.
Mid-Range
Near the coast / outskirts - $30-70/night
Mid-range options are scarce inside Shalateen. Most visitors stay in modest guesthouses or use slightly better hotels in Marsa Alam (several hours away).
Luxury
Marsa Alam area (nearest resorts) - $80+/night
No true luxury hotels in Shalateen - upscale resorts are only at Marsa Alam and farther along the Red Sea coast.

Where to Eat in Shalateen #

Nightlife in Shalateen #

Nightlife is very limited and informal in Shalateen, consisting mostly of small cafés and hotel restaurants. Don’t expect a tourist-oriented nightlife; evenings are quiet and practical.

Shopping in Shalateen #

Shopping options in Shalateen are minimal - small shops and stalls serve locals and visiting workers with basic supplies and necessities. Expect limited choice; bring any specialist items or medications before travelling to the area.