Egypt: Red Sea Attractions in Sharm El-Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh is a sparkling resort on the coast of the Sinai Pennisula. Just a one hour flight from Cairo takes you to the best diving sites in the world. Besides diving, there is something for everyone in this small, but action-packed community.

Most flights come from Cairo, but you may also access Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport from London's Heathrow Airport, Paris' Charles De Gaulle Airport and Germany's Frankfurt International. A flight from New York's JFK Airport is 10.5 hours to Cairo, a 3 hour minimum layover and 50 minutes to Sharm el-Sheikh, totaling about 15 hours. For those who don't wish to sit for a 10.5 hour flight, you can break up the flying time with an alternative route of 6.5 hours for a trans-atlantic flight from JFK to Heathrow, with a minimum 4 hour layover and 5.5 hours to Sharm, for a total travel time of about 16 hours, with Germany and France about the same. The European layovers allow time to stretch your legs and breath some fresh air. But, anyway you make it, Sharm el-Sheikh is a long haul from the United States, but certainly worth the effort. Beach lovers may prefer to make Sharm their base camp on an Egyptian vacation, as the sights in Cairo and Luxor can be seen on one day excursions via Egypt Air.
www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharm_el-Sheikh_International_Airport

1.Ras Mohamad National Park. This preserve has some of the best diving in the world with it's spectacular coral reefs and sea life. Full and half day excursions, starting at about $75, takes you touring the rugged rock formations, walking tours, diving,snorkeling and biking. This is a nature lovers paradise, and a place you will want to have ample time to explore.
www.red-sea-shadow.com/rasmoh.htm

2. Gebel Mousa. Or Mount Moses, is a wonderful day or night trip climbing to the top of Mount Sinai. The journey starts on the desert flats with a gradual incline as you move toward the mountain. As the angle becomes steep, you are approaching the 750 steps that will take you to the summit. Your climb will take several hours, but the payoff is a breathtaking view over the Sinai Pennisula. The bedoins have provided rest stops with tea and blankets, which by the second hour, you will be grateful. Daytime hikers are plentiful, but another way to scale this mountain is at 2am in hopes of reaching the summit at sunrise. The night climb is very cold and poorly lit, so you will need a flashlight. Though an extremely laborous excursion, this is a popular activity; even at night you will never climb alone. In the same area, lies St. Catherine's Monestary, built around the site believed to be where Moses spoke to God at the Burning Bush. Inside, visitors may view the church relics dating back to Byzantine times and hear the choir perfom traditional music. St Catherine's is closed on Friday, Saturday and all holidays.
www.allsinai.info/sites/sites/mount%20sinai.htm

3.Quad bike safari. If your legs survived the Mount Sinai climb, how about a half day on an all terrain bike? This is a great way to soak up the scenic city on a trail between the desert and the sea. Though biking is for all ages, drivers must be 16 years old. Helmets are not necessary, but head scarfs are mandatory, as they protect the face from blowing sand. Your tour guide will assist you getting the scarf on. Biking tours will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the quad camp in Naama Bay. The scenic trail leads to the shores in Ras Mohamad Park, lasting four to five hours. The longer tours will include free time at the beach for snorkeling and provide dinner with the bedoins in an Arabian tent. Prices are competitive, but start in the $30 to $50 range for half days, and about $70 for the full day with dinner.
www.sharm-club.com/quad_biking_sharm.htm

4. Cleopark. This is an ancient Egyptian-themed water park. This new park offers giant water slides and mock river rafting for all ages, and the water is heated in winter for year round use. Try the Sphinx Bar for refeshments or the pizzeria for lunch. Adult admission is $35, children under 16 is $20, and those under 4 years old are free.
Cleopark is conveniently located behind the Hilton Sharm Dreams Hotel in bustling Naama Bay.
www.cleopark.net

5. Glass bottom boating is a great way to exlpore the coral reefs without getting wet. The Red Sea is crystal clear with magnificent viewing 60 feet down where you'll see colorful and friendly creatures come to life before your eyes. Also, dolphins are native to these waters and often flock to the boats.Tour companies use the hotel pick up courtesy call, but some do offer return trip. However, city shuttle buses are cheap and readily available for your hotel return or off to your next stop. This activity lasts about 1.5 hours and prices start under $20. Groups are limited to 30 people, so one day advanced booking is recommended.
www.viator.com/tours/Sharm-el-Sheikh/Glass-Bottom-Boat-Cruise-and-Coral-Reef-Viewing

6. The promenade mall in downtown Naama Bay will keep you busy for the day. It's mainly comprised of specialty shops for Egyptian perfume, handbags,carpets and anything else you might want to grab for a last minute souvenir. Prices are fixed, but haggling will get you a discount. On the top level is a nice and affordable buffet serving international and mediterranean fare, and the Sharm el-Sheikh Hard Rock Cafe is across the street. Hard Rock opens at 12 noon and closes at 2am. If you're really hungry, try their 10oz cheeseburger and fries; it's enough for two!
www.hardrock.com/locations/Cafes3/cafe.aspx?LocationID-80&MIBenumID=3

7. Diving can be arranged from most five star hotels, and specialty dive centers are available for certification from the basic PADI to advanced certificates in search and rescue. If you're planning to dive, be sure you give yourself one day to recover before flying. The aircraft's air pressure can cause decompression sickness and may require an emergency rush to the hospital. The Camel Dive Center and Colona are two of the best facilities, providing expert instruction for all you diving needs.

www.colona.com/Sharm-el-Sheikh/education-sharm-elsheikh.aspx
www.cameldive.com
www.diversalertnetwork.org