 Sharm el-Sheikh considers itself and indeed is the seaside resort in Sinai. Large numbers of visitors holiday here every year. Sharm el-Sheikh Bay, Naama Bay and Shark Bay are about 6 km apart but the development of the resort is such that they will soon form one settlement. The long beaches of fine sand already attract visitors and since the small town has grown rapidly, there are more and more tourists enjoying the charms of the place.
Visitors love to lie and roast in the sun but beware of too much exposure, as it is very fierce. They also love to swim in the extraordinarily clear waters and to hire windsurfing boards, ideal for making the most of the ever-present breeze. The seabed close to the coast is like some gigantic coral aquarium, home to coral grouper (red fish with blue spots), Napoleon wrasse, parrotfish, butterfly fish (always in pairs), map angelfish (blue and yellow), threadfins and scorpion fish with long, elegant fins.
 Luxury hotels with swimming pools have flourished along the coast. They offer all the facilities, including plenty of sports and leisure activities, demanded by an international clientele who make for the resort summer and winter. Highly qualified instructors offer an introduction to scuba diving for those wishing to swap the snorkel for a tank. Those already familiar with the sport can make the most of the wonderful “drop-offs” and night dives.
After sunset, visitors have the choice of touring the shops, which open quite late and offer the usual souvenirs or of frequenting the cafe terraces strung out along the main road running parallel with the beach. Those not worn out by their day of sun and sand can head off to one of the numerous hotel discos.
One advantage of the resort’s well-deserved success has been that the airlines now provide not just one daily scheduled service between Sharm el-Sheikh and Cairo but also direct charter flights from Europe. Sharm el-Sheikh is now therefore about five hours from London.
Shopping:
Avid shoppers will find a good variety of goods in the old market and Sharm El-Sheikh mall where shops sell both foreign and local products, including jewellery, leather goods, clothing, pottery and books. Naama Bay offers a more upmarket shopping experience at the Naama Center where shopkeepers are less inclined to bargain, but everything from souvenirs to scarves can be had.
Restaurants:
Between the two tourist districts of Old Sharm and Naama Bay there is a huge variety of dining options, from hotel restaurants, and international fast food chains like KFC, to local eateries and fresh fish. Anything from Mexican to Japanese is represented in town .Nightlife: Casinos, discos, pubs and bars cater to those ready to party the night away. Entertainment ranges from dance clubs to informal hangouts, with local favourites like the Pirates Bar, Zabadi and The Tavern Pub.
Activities:
Diving and snorkeling are the main activities, but there are a range of other activities available including horse and camel riding, golf, desert safaris and health treatments, and a variety of water sports. The desert holds numerous attractions and trips are offered to Mt Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery, among others.
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