Sharm El Sheikh
Home to sharks and large pelagic fish, Jackson Reef is crowned with the remains of a Cypriot freighter, the Lara, which ran aground here in 1985. Depth:…
Must-see attractions in Sinai
Dahab
This underwater Alice in Wonderland–esque site south of Dahab offers an outstanding topography of coral alleyways, amphitheatres, valleys and gulleys…
Nuweiba
This rather lovely sweep of golden sand straddles the coastline just south of Nuweiba City. It's the widest strip of beach in the Nuweiba area so is good…
Sharm El Sheikh
Middle Garden reef features a fringing ridge that gently slopes down to a bed of sandy 'trails'. Depth: surface to more than 40m. Rating: intermediate…
Sinai
Picturesque Ain Umm Ahmed is the largest oasis in eastern Sinai, with lots of palms, Bedouin houses and a famous stream that becomes an icy river in the…
Nuweiba
A sloping reef about 30km south of Nuweiba interspersed with enormous boulders and excellent table corals. Depth: 10m to 25m. Rating: intermediate. Access…
Sharm El Sheikh
Far Garden is home to the 'Cathedral’, a colourful overhang in deep water. Depth: surface to more than 40m. Rating: intermediate. Access: shore or boat.
Ras Mohammed National Park
From Ras Mohammed visitors centre, a pink-signposted track leads to pretty Khashaba Beach, which has a designated camping area (permit necessary) nearby.
Ras Mohammed National Park
Yellow arrows point the way to the sandy beaches and calm waters of Marsa Bareika, an excellent spot for snorkelling and safe for children.
Sharm El Sheikh
Near Garden reef is home to a lovely chain of pinnacles. Depth: surface to more than 40m. Rating: intermediate. Access: shore or boat.
Ras Mohammed National Park
A track (with brown arrows) leads to Aqaba Beach. Just offshore is the Eel Garden dive site, named after an eel colony 20m down.
Ras Mohammed National Park
This stunningly aqua-blue salt lake is about 200m inland from Ras Mohammed's Mangrove Channel and is a popular swimming stop.
Sinai
The climb up Gebel Barga is quite tricky but the summit affords stunning views over the mountains of eastern Sinai.
Ras Mohammed National Park
Old Quay Beach is perfect for snorkelling; it has a spectacular vertical reef teeming with fish just offshore.
Sinai
Wadi Huweiyit is an impressive sandstone canyon with lookouts that give panoramic views over to Saudi Arabia.
Ras Mohammed National Park
There's some excellent snorkelling at Jolanda Bay, which is reached by a track marked with red arrows.
Sinai
It’s possible to see what is thought to be a descendant of the original burning bush in the St Catherine's Monastery compound; however, because of…
Sharm El Sheikh
Turtles, leopard sharks and reef sharks are sometimes spotted zipping about the long outer reef wall here, which is encrusted with gorgonian corals. This…
Sinai
This steep wall dive with the small wreck onsite known as the Gubal Barge, is a popular add-on to Thistlegorm dive trips. Around the reef you'll easily…
Sinai
About 7km south of Taba and 250m off the Egyptian coast, this tiny islet in turquoise waters is dominated by the much-restored Castle of Salah Ad Din. The…
Sinai
Tradition holds that these hot springs, about 5km from Al Tor, were one of the possible stopping points used by Moses and the Israelites on their journey…
Sinai
This spot amid the Sinai's high mountains is home to a sheikh’s tomb and Bedouin settlement. Due to the diverse mountain scenery on the trails leading…
Nuweiba
The highlight of this dive 15km north of Nuweiba is undoubtedly the contoured topography, including narrow valleys, sand-filled depressions and deep…
Sinai
The oasis area of Wadi Sheikh Atiya is named after the father of the Tarabin tribe – the largest tribe in the area – who lies buried here under a white…
Sharm El Sheikh
A comparatively shallow site that is good for a second or third dive, Jackfish Alley has two enormous caves filled with shoaling glassfish. Depth: 6m to…
Sharm El Sheikh
Flat-topped reefs called 'ergs' harbour plentiful fish. Rough waters or southerly currents can reduce visibility here to nada. Depth: 10m to 15m. Rating:…
Sharm El Sheikh
Mostly used as a drift dive, with coral pinnacles at the southern end and salad corals to the north. Depth: 9m to 24m. Rating: intermediate. Access: shore…
Sinai
This pretty palm-filled oasis is a relaxing spot and makes for a nice add-on if you're exploring the desert scenery of the region. It's 16km northwest of…
Nuweiba
This large sand dune marks the end of Nuweiba City and the beginning of the Tarabin beachfront area. If you're in the Tarabin area, it's a good swimming…
Sinai
This sloping reef of hard and soft corals is home to plentiful flitting fishlife. Depth: 15m to 25m. Rating: beginner to advanced. Access: boat.
Nuweiba
Tarabin's skinny strip of beach is a mix of golden sand and small pebbles and has a decent snorkelling reef just offshore.
Sinai
The spring of Ain Khudra oasis is where Miriam was supposed to have been struck by leprosy for criticising Moses.
Sharm El Sheikh
Definitely not one of Sharm's prettier swaths of sand. Note that women swimming here in bikinis or other revealing attire are likely to feel uncomfortable.
