Ras Mohamed reefs, a sunrise on Mount Sinai, Dahab's Blue Hole and desert nights. Our local team's honest guide to Sharm El Sheikh, with real prices.
Sharm El Sheikh has a reputation as a place you go to lie down. Fly in, find the all-inclusive, don't move for a week. Plenty of people do exactly that, and nobody's judging.
But Sharm sits at the tip of the Sinai, between some of the best reefs in the Red Sea and a desert full of mountains. Within a day you can snorkel in a national park, climb the mountain where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments, or fly to Luxor and back.
We're a local team running trips out of Sharm every day. Here's what we'd tell a friend: what's worth doing, what it really costs, and which days start in the dark. Prices are "from" prices per person, with hotel pickup in Sharm unless we say otherwise.
Ras Mohamed: the reason people come back
Ras Mohamed National Park is the southern tip of the Sinai, and its reefs are the real thing: steep coral walls, clear water and more fish than you can count. If you do one thing in Sharm, make it this. The only question is how you get there.
1. By boat, with White Island
Our Ras Mohamed and White Island boat trip is a 7-hour day from $30, and the national park fee is included. You snorkel a Ras Mohamed reef with a guide, then stop at White Island, a bright sandbank in the middle of the sea. Lunch is cooked on board. In the afternoon there's a second reef stop, or you can stay on deck and do nothing at all.
This is the one we'd pick for most people. The boat gets you to reefs you can't reach from the shore.
2. By bus, if you get seasick
The Ras Mohamed snorkelling tour by bus is from $25 for about 7 hours, park entry included. It's a road trip through the park: the mangroves, the earthquake crack, the salty Magic Lake, then snorkelling straight off the beach.
Two things to know. Lunch isn't included, so bring food and water. And snorkel gear isn't included either, so pack your own or ask us to arrange rental when you book.
Get out of Sharm for a day
3. Dahab, the Blue Hole and the Coloured Canyon
Dahab is Sharm's laid-back cousin up the coast: low buildings, cushions on the beach, people in no hurry. Our Dahab day trip packs a lot into about 8 hours, from $25.
You start with a walk through the Coloured Canyon, where the rock walls turn red, orange and purple. Then a short camel ride along the coast, snorkelling at the Blue Hole, lunch by the sea and free time in town. Minibuses carry no more than 10 people.
Bring your passport. Snorkel gear and the Blue Hole park fee aren't included on the basic tour, but the park fee is included if you book it private.
4. Sunrise on Mount Sinai
This is the big one, and it isn't easy. The Mount Sinai sunrise hike starts from $30 and lasts about 16 hours. We pick you up in the evening and drive you to St Catherine. You hike through the night with a local mountain guide and reach the top, about 2,285 metres up, in time for dawn.
The last stretch is around 750 stone steps. You can take a camel for part of the way up, but not for the steps. After sunrise you come down and visit the public areas of St Catherine's Monastery, one of the oldest working monasteries in the world.
Be honest with yourself about this one:
You need good walking fitness. If you're not sure, message us before you book.
The summit is properly cold before sunrise, even in summer. Bring warm layers, gloves and a hat.
Bring a head torch, sturdy shoes, water and snacks. Meals aren't included.
Cover your shoulders and knees for the monastery. It's usually closed to visitors on Fridays, Sundays and religious holidays, so check your date.
Sunrise depends on the weather. We can't promise a clear sky.
Is it worth it? If you're fit enough, yes. Watching the sun come up over the Sinai mountains is hard to beat.
Into the desert
Sharm's desert is a short drive from the hotels. Rocky mountains, wide sandy valleys and, after dark, more stars than you've seen in years. There are three ways to do it, depending on how long you want to be out.
5. A quick quad ride
The ATV quad desert safari is about 2 hours in total from $20, with one hour of guided riding. You stop at a Bedouin village for fresh tea. A camel ride is $5 extra if you want one.
6. Quads, camels and a BBQ dinner
The ATV, camel ride, BBQ dinner and show is 5 hours from $45. Pickup is around 15:30. You ride quads into the desert, take a camel, visit a Bedouin village, then sit down to a BBQ dinner with live music and dancing. A small safari entry fee is collected on the night.
7. Sunset and stargazing
If the stars are what you're after, the Sharm sunset safari is the one. It's about 6 hours: a quad ride, a camel ride between the mountains, the sunset, a BBQ buffet with a vegetarian option, and then telescopes for the night sky. Bring $1 in cash for the national park ticket.
For all three: wear closed shoes and bring a scarf or buy one at the quad station. The dust gets everywhere.
Fly to Luxor or Cairo for the day
From Sharm, the pharaohs are a short flight away rather than a long drive. These trips cost more because the flights are included, but you get there fresh instead of after hours on a coach.
8. Luxor by plane
Our Luxor day trip by flight is from $290, flights included. After an early pickup and a domestic flight, you visit Karnak Temple, have lunch at a local restaurant, then cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon. You fly back in the evening.
9. Cairo and the Pyramids by plane
The Cairo day trip by flight is from $330. You see the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx and the Valley Temple, have lunch in Cairo, then visit the Grand Egyptian Museum and its Tutankhamun galleries. Going inside a pyramid and the museum's Mummies Room need extra tickets. A 1-hour Nile boat ride is $20 extra if your flight times allow it.
Both flying trips are non-refundable once booked, so be sure of your date. If you can only pick one, choose Luxor for temples and tombs, and Cairo if the Pyramids are the one thing you came for.
Sharm itself
10. The Old Market and El Mustafa Mosque
The Sharm city tour is a relaxed 3 hours from $20, private, with a driver. You see El Mustafa Mosque, one of the most striking buildings in town, and wander the Old Market for spices and souvenirs. Haggling is expected, and smiling helps.
11. An evening in Naama Bay
Naama Bay is Sharm's busy seafront: a promenade of restaurants, cafés and shops that comes alive after dark. You don't need a tour. Get a taxi, walk the front and pick somewhere for dinner by the water.
A few things we'd tell a friend
When to go. October to April is the best time for Mount Sinai, Luxor and Cairo. Summer is very hot in the day, which is fine for the sea but hard on a hike. Winter nights in the desert and on Sinai get cold, so pack a warm layer.
Book the sea early in your week. Boats sometimes stay in when the wind picks up. An early boat day leaves room to move it.
Check the cancellation rules. Most of our Sharm trips can be cancelled free up to 24 hours before. The Luxor and Cairo flight trips can't be refunded.
Bring your passport on day trips. You'll need it for Dahab, Mount Sinai and the flights, because there are checkpoints on the road and at the airport.
Tipping. Tips aren't in our prices. A little for a guide or crew who looked after you is normal and appreciated, never compulsory.
Don't stack the big days. Mount Sinai gets you back in the morning after a night without sleep. Give yourself a pool day after it.
Questions people ask us
What is the best thing to do in Sharm El Sheikh?
Snorkelling at Ras Mohamed National Park. The boat trip with White Island is the easiest way to see the best reefs in a day.
Is Mount Sinai hard to climb?
It's a long night of uphill walking, with about 750 stone steps at the end. You need good walking fitness, warm clothes and a torch.
Can you visit Luxor or Cairo from Sharm El Sheikh in a day?
Yes. Both our day trips fly you there and back, so you don't spend the day on a coach.
Do I need to be a good swimmer to snorkel at Ras Mohamed?
No. Wear a life jacket and stay close to the guide. If you'd rather keep your feet on the ground, the bus tour lets you snorkel from the beach.
How much spending money do I need for excursions?
Most boat, desert and day trips start from $20 to $45. The flying trips to Luxor and Cairo start from $290 and $330. Add tips and any extra tickets.
Ready to plan your days? See every Sharm El Sheikh excursion in one place, or message us and we'll help you build your week.
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