Sun, Reef, and Desert: The Best Sharm El Sheikh Activities for Every Type of Traveller

I have been to a lot of beach destinations over the years, and I can honestly say that Sharm El Sheikh is in a category of its own. It is not just the colour of the water — although that alone is enough to stop you in your tracks the first time you see it. It is the combination of things you can do here that makes it so special. You can spend your morning diving a coral wall with reef sharks, your afternoon riding a quad bike across the Sinai desert, and your evening watching the sun drop behind the mountains from a sailing boat on the Gulf of Aqaba. Very few places on earth give you that range.

In this guide, I want to share everything I know about the best things to do in Sharm El Sheikh — from the most popular water sports and beaches to the day trips and nearby experiences that most visitors never even discover. Whether you are coming for a week or two, travelling solo, as a couple, or with children, there is something here that will make your trip exceptional.

The Red Sea is the reason most people come here, and the range of water-based things to do in Sharm El Sheikh is genuinely remarkable. The water is warm, clear, and calm for most of the year, and the reef systems are among the healthiest and most diverse on the planet.

1- Scuba Diving

Diving in Sharm El Sheikh is world-class. The Red Sea regularly offers visibility of 25 to 30 metres, and the marine life is extraordinary — parrotfish, lionfish, moray eels, sea turtles, and reef sharks are common sightings on almost any dive. The most celebrated sites include Ras Mohammed National Park, where sheer coral walls drop to more than 80 metres, the Shark and Yolanda Reefs, and the Tower at Ras Um Sid — a vertical coral shaft covered in soft corals and schooling anthias that is one of the most visually stunning dives I have ever done. For those who have never dived before, Discover Scuba sessions are available at almost every dive centre in the city. PADI certification courses are also widely offered, with full details at padi.com.

2- Snorkelling

You do not need to be a diver to experience the reef here. Snorkelling at Coral Bay, Naama Bay, and Sharks Bay puts you face to face with healthy coral gardens, colourful fish, and the occasional sea turtle, all in water shallow enough to stand up in near the shore. It is one of the most accessible and rewarding things to do in Sharm El Sheikh for visitors of any age or fitness level, and it costs almost nothing if you bring your own mask and fins.

3- SS Thistlegorm Wreck Diving

If you are a diver and you only do one thing in Sharm El Sheikh, make it the Thistlegorm. This British Armed Merchant Navy ship was sunk by German bombers in October 1941 and now rests in 30 metres of water in the Red Sea, its hold still packed with wartime cargo — motorcycles, trucks, jeeps, aircraft wings, rifles, and even two locomotives. Jacques Cousteau discovered the wreck in the 1950s and called it the greatest dive site in the world. I have done it twice and I would go back tomorrow. Full-day boat trips depart regularly from the Sharm El Sheikh marina.

4- Windsurfing and Kitesurfing

The consistent northerly winds and flat, shallow water at Sharks Bay create near-perfect conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Several well-equipped centres along the bay offer equipment hire and tuition at all levels. If you want to push further, Dahab — about an hour north by road — is internationally recognised as one of the top windsurfing and kitesurfing locations in the world.

5- Glass-Bottom Boat Tours and Submarine Excursions

For non-swimmers, or for days when you simply want a relaxed way to see the reef, glass-bottom boat tours from Naama Bay are excellent. Boats glide over the coral while passengers watch the marine life below through transparent hull panels. Semi-submarine and full submarine excursions are also available and descend to reef level for a more immersive underwater viewing experience without getting wet.

6- Sunset Sailing Cruises

An evening sailing cruise along the Gulf of Aqaba is one of my favourite things to do anywhere in Egypt. Traditional wooden boats carry small groups along the coast as the Sinai Mountains turn red and gold in the fading light. Dolphins are regularly spotted, especially in spring and autumn. It is the perfect way to end a day in Sharm El Sheikh.

7- Parasailing, Jet Skiing, and Banana Boats

Naama Bay's beach operators offer a full menu of high-energy water fun — parasailing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, banana boat rides, and sea kayaking. These are brilliant for groups, families with older children, and anyone who wants a fast, fun, affordable way to enjoy the sea without any technical knowledge.

The beaches here are genuinely beautiful, and each one has its own personality. I have spent time on all of them and they each offer something different.

1- Naama Bay Beach is the heart of the city — long, busy, backed by hotels and restaurants, and buzzing with energy at all hours. The water is calm and shallow close to shore, and the snorkelling is excellent just a short swim from the beach. It is the best all-round beach in Sharm El Sheikh for first-time visitors.

2- Sharks Bay Beach is quieter and more relaxed than Naama Bay, with a shallow turquoise lagoon that is ideal for families and beginner water sports. The coral garden just beyond the swimming area is one of the most accessible reef snorkel spots in the city.

3- Coral Bay Beach does exactly what its name promises. The reef systems immediately offshore are some of the healthiest and most colourful in the area, and you can snorkel over them in water that barely reaches your waist near the shore. It is a snorkeller's paradise and one of my personal favourites.

4- Ras Um Sid Beach is the go-to for serious divers. It sits directly next to the famous Ras Um Sid dive site and is lined with reputable dive centres. The beach itself is quieter and less commercial than Naama Bay, which suits me perfectly.

5- Nabq Bay Beach is in the newer, more upscale northern district of the city, adjacent to the Nabq Protected Area — the northernmost mangrove forest on the Sinai coast. The beach is longer, quieter, and less crowded than the central beaches, with several large five-star resorts along its length.
Soho Square Beach is part of the popular Soho Square entertainment complex and offers a curated, resort-style beach experience with sun loungers, beach bars, and access to the complex's shops, restaurants, and evening entertainment.

Sharm El Sheikh is not just a beach destination — the Sinai desert and mountain landscape behind the city offers its own extraordinary set of experiences.

ATV and Quad Bike Desert Safaris across the Sinai at sunset are among the most exhilarating land-based sharm el sheikh activities available. The terrain shifts from golden sand to ancient volcanic rock, and the scale of the landscape under a desert sky is humbling.

Bedouin Village Evenings offer something completely different — a visit to a traditional tent in the desert for tea, food, traditional music, and stargazing. I found this experience genuinely moving, and it added a layer of cultural depth to my trip that I did not expect.

The Old Market Souk in the Old Town is a must for anyone interested in Egyptian culture. Spices, handmade jewellery, papyrus art, and Egyptian cotton textiles fill the shops along narrow lanes, and the art of bargaining is alive and well. Go in the early evening when it is cooler and livelier.

Some of the most spectacular experiences available to visitors staying in Sharm El Sheikh are not actually in the city itself — they are within two hours by road or a short flight away, and they are absolutely worth the journey.

Mount Sinai Sunrise Hike is one of the most powerful experiences Egypt offers. The pre-dawn ascent of the 2,285-metre mountain through the Sinai darkness, followed by a sunrise that paints the surrounding desert in every shade of orange and gold, is something I will remember for the rest of my life. At the base, St Catherine's Monastery — a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to the 6th century — houses a priceless collection of Byzantine icons and ancient manuscripts. More information is available at whc.unesco.org.

Ras Mohammed National Park, approximately 20 kilometres south of the city, is a must-visit for divers and snorkellers. Egypt's first national park protects sheer coral walls, mangrove forests, and nesting beaches for sea turtles. A day trip by boat or road is one of the most rewarding things to do near Sharm El Sheikh.

The Coloured Canyon is a natural rock formation in the Sinai desert where millions of years of geological history have layered the sandstone walls in extraordinary bands of red, orange, yellow, and purple. A guided jeep tour from Sharm El Sheikh takes approximately two hours each way and the canyon walk itself lasts about an hour. It is visually unlike anything I have seen anywhere else.

Dahab is a laid-back, bohemian beach town about 85 kilometres north of Sharm El Sheikh, accessible in about one hour by road. Its famous Blue Hole — a 130-metre underwater sinkhole in the reef — is one of the most iconic dive sites in the world. Dahab also has excellent windsurfing, a relaxed café culture, and a very different energy from the resort polish of Sharm El Sheikh. It makes a perfect day or overnight trip.

Day Trips to Cairo and Luxor via short domestic flights of approximately one hour are widely available through local tour operators. Cairo offers the Giza Pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum. Luxor offers the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and the Temple of Luxor. Egypt's official tourism authority has comprehensive information at egypt.travel.

Egypt's e-visa system makes entry straightforward for most nationalities. Applications can be submitted in advance at visa2egypt.gov.eg. The best time to visit for outdoor activities is October through April, when temperatures are warm but not extreme and the sea is at its most inviting for extended water sports.
Whatever combination of activities you choose, Sharm El Sheikh and its surroundings will give you more than you bargained for — in the very best possible way.

Q1: What are the best Sharm El Sheikh activities for first-time visitors? 

For first-time visitors, the most recommended Sharm El Sheikh activities are snorkelling at Naama Bay or Coral Bay, a glass-bottom boat tour over the reef, a sunset sailing cruise on the Gulf of Aqaba, a quad bike desert safari at dusk, and a day trip to Mount Sinai for the sunrise. These five experiences together give a complete picture of what makes Sharm El Sheikh so special — the sea, the desert, and the mountains — without requiring any specialist skills or equipment.

Q2: What are the things to do in Sharm El Sheikh for non-swimmers?

There are plenty of things to do in Sharm El Sheikh for non-swimmers. Glass-bottom boat tours and semi-submarine excursions allow visitors to see the reef without entering the water. Desert ATV and quad bike safaris, camel rides, Bedouin village evenings, Old Market souk visits, and sunset sailing cruises (where swimming is entirely optional) are all excellent land-based or boat-based options. Day trips to Mount Sinai, the Coloured Canyon, and Cairo are also completely independent of any water activity.

Q3: Is scuba diving good in Sharm El Sheikh?

Yes, scuba diving in Sharm El Sheikh is world-class and consistently ranked among the top five diving experiences on earth. The Red Sea offers visibility of up to 30 metres, water temperatures that stay warm year-round, and extraordinary biodiversity including over 1,000 fish species and more than 200 coral species. Iconic dive sites include Ras Mohammed National Park, the Shark and Yolanda Reefs, the SS Thistlegorm wreck, and the Tower at Ras Um Sid. Every level from complete beginner to technical diver is well catered for.

Q4: What are the most famous beaches in Sharm El Sheikh?

The most famous beaches in Sharm El Sheikh are Naama Bay Beach, Sharks Bay Beach, Coral Bay Beach, Ras Um Sid Beach, Nabq Bay Beach, and Soho Square Beach. Each has its own character — Naama Bay is the liveliest and most accessible, Coral Bay is the best for reef snorkelling directly from shore, Sharks Bay is ideal for families and water sports, and Nabq Bay offers a quieter, more upscale beach experience adjacent to a protected mangrove forest.

Q5: What water sports are available in Sharm El Sheikh?

Sharm El Sheikh offers a wide range of water sports including scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, kitesurfing, parasailing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, banana boat rides, sea kayaking, glass-bottom boat tours, and submarine excursions. Naama Bay is the main hub for casual beach water sports, while Sharks Bay is the preferred location for windsurfing and kitesurfing due to its consistent winds and sheltered flat-water conditions.

Q6: What is the best beach in Sharm El Sheikh for snorkelling? 

Coral Bay is generally considered the best beach in Sharm El Sheikh for snorkelling directly from shore, as its reef systems are accessible in very shallow water just metres from the beach. Naama Bay and Sharks Bay are also excellent for shore snorkelling. For those willing to take a boat, organised snorkelling trips to Ras Mohammed National Park and the Shark and Yolanda Reefs offer some of the richest and most biodiverse reef snorkelling experiences in the world.

Q7: What is Ras Mohammed National Park and is it worth visiting? 

Ras Mohammed National Park is Egypt's first and most celebrated marine protected area, located approximately 20 kilometres south of central Sharm El Sheikh at the very tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Established in 1983, the park is renowned for its sheer coral walls, dramatic underwater drop-offs, and extraordinary marine biodiversity including reef sharks, sea turtles, barracuda, and manta rays. It is absolutely worth visiting and is considered one of the world's premier diving and snorkelling destinations.