Sharm el-Sheikh
Section of Populated Place Red Sea resort city famed for diving and reefs
On Egypt’s Sinai coast, Sharm el‑Sheikh serves as a Red Sea diving base with coral reefs at Ras Mohammed, hotel promenades around Naama Bay, and guided desert excursions into surrounding mountains.
Sharm el-Sheikh is a resort city on the southern tip of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, located on the Gulf of Aqaba. It is a major international destination for beach tourism and diving on the Red Sea.
The area is known for coral reefs, sheltered dive sites and clear water; notable marine areas include Ras Mohammed National Park and dive sites around Tiran Island. Shorefront areas such as Naama Bay host hotels, restaurants and nightlife catering to international visitors.
Originally a small fishing and Bedouin community, the town expanded rapidly from the late 20th century as tourism infrastructure was developed. It has hosted international conferences and now functions as one of Egypt’s principal Red Sea resorts.
Sharm el-Sheikh sits at the southern tip of Sinai on the Gulf of Aqaba, overlooking the Straits of Tiran and providing coastal access to the Red Sea’s southern reefs.
- Diving: The city's reefs and protected areas offer year-round diving in warm Red Sea waters and some of Egypt's best coral sites.
- Ras Mohammed proximity: Ras Mohammed lies at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula and is a short boat trip from Sharm for day diving excursions.
What to See #
- Naama Bay: A sheltered bay and the heart of the city's hotel and nightlife district, popular with tourists for beaches and promenades.
- Ras Mohammed National Park: A protected marine area at the southern tip of Sinai with coral reefs, cliffs and well-known dive sites.
- Tiran Island: An island at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba with reefs, diving sites and waters frequented by liveaboard trips.
How to Get to Sharm el-Sheikh #
Fly into Sharm el‑Sheikh International Airport (SSH), which has regular domestic flights from Cairo and many international charter and scheduled flights. From the airport take a hotel transfer, taxi or local shuttle to resort areas such as Naama Bay, Hadaba or Ras Umm Sid (transfers typically take under an hour depending on your resort).
Alternatively Sharm is reachable by long-distance road transfer from Cairo and other Egyptian cities; road journeys are long (roughly 400-500 km from Cairo) so most visitors prefer the short domestic flight or organized coach transfers.
Tips for Visiting Sharm el-Sheikh #
- Visit outside the hottest months-October through April and especially October-April see the most comfortable temperatures for diving and excursions; the busiest tourist season is winter holidays, so plan shoulder-season dives for fewer crowds.
- For Red Sea day trips, book early-morning boat trips from Naama Bay or the marina at Sharm to reach sites in Ras Mohammed and Tiran Island before dive-boat traffic builds up.
- Choose Nabq Bay or Ras Nasrani shorelines if you prefer quieter beaches than Naama Bay's hotel strip; also consider a sunrise visit to the Colored Canyon to avoid the midday tour buses that crowd the trailhead.
Best Time to Visit Sharm el-Sheikh #
Aim for the cooler months (October-April) when temperatures are milder for diving and sightseeing.
Weather & Climate near Sharm el-Sheikh #
Sharm el-Sheikh's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in August) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 13°C to 37°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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February
February is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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April
April is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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May
May is hot with highs of 33°C and lows of 23°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.
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June
June is hot with highs of 36°C and lows of 26°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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July
July is hot with highs of 36°C and lows of 27°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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August
August is the hottest month with highs of 37°C and lows of 27°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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September
September is hot with highs of 35°C and lows of 26°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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October
October is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
