10 Best Things to Do in Sharm El Sheikh in 2026

10 Best Things to Do in Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh is Egypt's Red Sea playground — the beach half of many a Cairo-and-coast itinerary — and the best of it happens in and just beyond the water. World-class coral, desert canyons, a monastery under a sacred mountain, and easy beach days — you'll want to plan around a mix of sea and sand. Here are the ten experiences that make the trip, with the practical details to book them right.

1. Dive or Snorkel Ras Muhammad National Park

Start with the best. Ras Muhammad, about 30 km south, is Egypt's premier marine reserve — sheer coral walls dropping into deep blue, the famous Shark & Yolanda reefs, and mangroves. Entry runs about $5–10 per person plus a vehicle fee (open ~8AM–5PM), and the smart move is to book a snorkel or dive boat trip to reach the standout sites. Give it a full day. Remember: you'll need the full Egypt visa, not the free Sinai permit, to enter.

2. Boat Out to the Tiran Reefs

In the strait between Sinai and Saudi Arabia sit four legendary reefs — Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, and Gordon. Reach them on a boat day-trip (~$35–60 including lunch), usually running 9AM to 4PM. The colors and marine life are extraordinary, but strong currents make Tiran best for confident swimmers and divers. A full day well spent.

3. Snorkel a House Reef Straight From the Beach

No boat, no problem. Sharks Bay and other near-shore house reefs give you a shallow drop-off you can swim to right off the sand — perfect for intro dives and casual snorkeling. It's free from public beaches (resort beaches may charge a day fee of ~$10–20), about 10 km north of Naama Bay. Go early, when the water is calmest and clearest.

4. Stroll Naama Bay After Dark

When the sun drops, Naama Bay comes alive. The seafront promenade is lined with dive centers, restaurants, bazaars, and cafes, and most venues stay open late. It's free to wander, and the calm sandy bay is a gentle spot for first-time snorkelers by day. Haggle in the shops — prices start high on purpose.

5. Eat and Shop in the Old Market (Sharm El Maya)

For a more local evening, head about 7 km from Naama Bay to the Old Market, Sharm's original old town. It's a warren of spice stalls, cafes, and the Al Sahaba Mosque, liveliest after sunset (~6–11PM). This is the place for shisha and grilled seafood at prices well below the resort strip. Budget a couple of hours and come hungry.

6. Climb Mount Sinai for Sunrise

One of the great experiences in the region. About 230 km inland (3+ hours), Mount Sinai rises above the 6th-century St. Catherine's Monastery, home to the Burning Bush site. Many travelers climb overnight to reach the summit for sunrise — a cold, starlit hike rewarded by first light over the Sinai peaks. Go with a licensed guide, and note the monastery's limited hours (Mon–Thu & Sat, ~9AM–noon).

7. Explore the Colored Canyon

Inland near Nuweiba, about 2.5 hours north, the Colored Canyon is a narrow desert gorge of wind-sculpted sandstone streaked in reds, purples, and gold. You reach it only on a 4x4 Bedouin safari (~$50–80), best in the cooler morning hours. Wear sturdy shoes, and give it a full day — it's the finest off-the-beach adventure Sharm offers. If its wind-carved rock leaves you wanting more, the canyons of AlUla across the Red Sea are the region's grandest take on exactly this landscape.

8. Take a Bedouin Desert Safari & Dinner

Trade the reef for the dunes on a quad-bike or 4x4 desert safari, typically ending at a Bedouin camp for dinner under the stars. Expect grilled food, sweet tea, and a sky thick with stars far from the resort lights. It's the classic Sinai evening — book through your hotel or a reputable operator, and the same desert-camp-and-dinner ritual that fills the dunes outside Abu Dhabi.

9. Try a Glass-Bottom Boat or Semi-Submarine

Not a swimmer? You can still see the reef. Glass-bottom boats and semi-submarine trips run from Naama Bay and let you watch the coral and fish through the hull — ideal for families, non-divers, and anyone who wants the Red Sea's colors without getting wet. A relaxed half-day option.

10. Learn to Dive (or Level Up Your Certification)

Sharm is one of the best — and most affordable — places on earth to earn a diving certification. The calm, warm, clear water and dense concentration of dive centers around Naama Bay and Sharks Bay make it ideal for a first open-water course or an advanced upgrade. Even a single "try dive" off a house reef can turn a beach holiday into the start of a lifelong hobby.

Pro Tips

• Protect the reef. Never touch, stand on, or collect coral — it's illegal, carries fines, and some corals sting. Wear a rash guard and keep your fins clear.

• Buy the full visa if any excursion leaves the resort strip; the free Sinai permit won't cover Ras Muhammad or Mount Sinai.

• Agree taxi fares first — cabs aren't metered, so settle the price before you get in.

• Go spring or autumn (March–May, September–November) for warm seas and comfortable 25–32°C days.

• Drink only sealed bottled water, and carry small EGP notes for tips.

• Book excursions through your hotel or a licensed operator, not street touts, and confirm exactly what's included — park fees, lunch, and gear add up fast.

• Bring your own mask if you can. A good seal makes every snorkel better, and rental quality varies wildly.

• Start early. The best reef light and the calmest water are in the morning, before the wind and the day-boats arrive.

• Keep a light layer handy for cool desert evenings and boat spray, even when the day was scorching.

• Guard against "Pharaoh's revenge." Drink only sealed bottled water, even for brushing teeth, and your stomach stays happy the whole trip.

• Save a slow day. Between big excursions, a lazy afternoon on a house reef or by the pool keeps the sun and salt from wearing you out.

One more thing worth knowing: several of these experiences need the full Egypt visa rather than the free Sinai-only permit, so sort that out before you commit to a boat or a desert dawn. Mix two or three reef days with one desert adventure and a sunrise on Mount Sinai, and you've got a Sharm trip that's far more than a beach — it's the Red Sea and the Sinai at their best.