Sharm el Sheikh Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Sharm el Sheikh tours, the Red Sea resort jewel of the Sinai: world-class snorkelling and diving at the Ras Mohammed marine park, White Island and Tiran, desert quad-bike safaris with camel rides and Bedouin dinners, the Colored Canyon and Blue Hole at Dahab, Mount Sinai and St Catherine’s Monastery, and day trips by air to the pyramids of Cairo and the temples of Luxor. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Red Sea trip.
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Explore Sharm el Sheikh by interest
Whatever brings you to Sharm el Sheikh — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Snorkeling & cruises
Ras Mohammed reefs.
ExploreDesert safari
Quads and Bedouin dinner.
ExploreDiving
World-class Red Sea.
ExploreDahab & Canyon
Blue Hole and rock walls.
ExploreCairo & Pyramids
Wonders by plane.
ExploreLuxor trip
Valley of the Kings.
ExploreMount Sinai
Sunrise and monastery.
ExploreDay trips
Petra and beyond.
ExploreTop attractions in Sharm el Sheikh
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Ras Mohammed
Coral reef park.
Desert Safari
Quads and camels.
Red Sea Diving
Reefs and wrecks.
Colored Canyon
Rainbow rock walls.
Pyramids of Giza
Cairo by plane.
Luxor
Valley of the Kings.
Tiran Island
Drift reefs.
Petra
Jordan by ferry.
Sharm el Sheikh in 1 day
- 1Ras Mohammed snorkel
- 2White Island
- 3Desert quad safari
- 4Bedouin dinner
Sharm el Sheikh in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Reefs & desert
- 2Day 2: Dahab & Canyon
- 3Blue Hole
- 4Colored Canyon
Sharm el Sheikh in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Reefs & desert
- 2Day 2: Dahab & Canyon
- 3Day 3: Cairo by plane
- 4Sea, Sinai & Pyramids
Sharm el Sheikh with kids
- 1Glass-bottom boat
- 2Snorkel the reef
- 3Camel ride
- 4Beach time
Boat trip awayRas Mohammed
Coral reef park.
Near the city awayDesert Safari
Quads and Bedouin.
1.5 hrs awayDahab & Canyon
Blue Hole and rocks.
By plane awayCairo & Pyramids
Giza and the Sphinx.
By plane awayLuxor
Valley of the Kings.
Ferry/flight awayPetra
Jordan’s rose city.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Sharm el Sheikh visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
October to April brings warm, sunny days and comfortable temperatures — the prime time to visit Sharm el Sheikh for diving, snorkelling and sightseeing.
Peak season (Oct–Apr)
Warm and pleasant, ideal for the reefs, desert and day trips; the busiest and priciest season — book ahead.
Warm sea year-round
The Red Sea stays warm all year, so snorkelling and diving are excellent in every season.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Very hot, often over 40°C; great for the water but tough for desert and Cairo trips, with lower prices.
Shoulder (May, Sep)
Hot but a little quieter, with warm seas and good value, ideal for diving.
Sunshine guaranteed
With sun almost every day, Sharm el Sheikh is a reliable year-round beach and diving destination.
One day
Snorkelling and a desert safari.
Two days
Add Dahab and the Colored Canyon.
Three days
The sweet spot: reefs, desert and Cairo by plane.
A week
Add Luxor, Mount Sinai and plenty of beach time.
Longer trips
Combine with a Nile cruise or Petra in Jordan.
Travelling with kids
Mix boat trips, camels and beaches.
Tour transfers
Most tours — snorkelling cruises, desert safaris and day trips — include hotel pickup, the easiest way to get around.
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful between resorts, Naama Bay and the Old Market; agree the fare before setting off.
Naama Bay & Old Market
The promenades of Naama Bay and the Old Market (Sharm El Maya) are walkable, with shops, cafés and restaurants.
By boat
The reefs of Ras Mohammed and Tiran are reached by boat cruises from the marina, included on snorkelling and diving trips.
Day trips by air
Cairo and Luxor day trips fly from Sharm el Sheikh International Airport, saving the long overland drive.
From the airport
Sharm el Sheikh Airport is about 15–30 minutes from most resorts by transfer or taxi.
Money & currency
Egypt uses the pound; carry cash for tips, taxis and markets, though resorts and bigger venues accept cards and often euros or dollars.
Reef-safe snorkelling
Bring reef-safe sunscreen and don’t touch or stand on the coral — Ras Mohammed is a protected national park.
Sun protection
The sun is strong year-round; bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and water for boat and desert trips.
Fly for far trips
For Cairo and Luxor, choose the flight day trips — the overland drives are very long.
Tipping (baksheesh)
Small tips for guides, drivers, boat crews and hotel staff are customary and appreciated — carry small notes.
Pre-book popular trips
Snorkelling cruises and Cairo and Luxor flights fill up — book ahead.
Snorkelling cruises
Ras Mohammed and Tiran trips sell out — book ahead.
Cairo & Luxor flights
Day trips by plane have limited seats — reserve early.
Desert safaris
Quad and Bedouin dinner tours are popular — pre-book.
Diving trips
Liveaboards and wreck dives fill up — book ahead.
Petra & Mount Sinai
Cross-border and overnight trips need early booking.
Winter high season
October–April is busy — plan ahead.
Snorkelling cruises
Around €25–70 for a Ras Mohammed or Tiran snorkelling cruise.
Desert safari
About €25–60 for a quad and Bedouin dinner safari.
Cairo by plane
Roughly €250–400 for a Cairo Pyramids flight day trip.
Luxor by plane
Around €280–450 for a Luxor flight day trip.
Dahab & Canyon
About €35–70 for a Dahab and Colored Canyon day trip.
How to save
Join group tours, combine reef and desert trips, and travel in the shoulder months.
Sharm el Sheikh through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Warm, sunny days.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal; book ahead.
- Best for
- Warm seas, value.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hot but quieter.
- Best for
- Diving, low prices.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Very hot on land.
- Best for
- Warm Red Sea reefs.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great any season.