Sharm el Sheik is situated on the Southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt and is one of the largest tourist destinations in the Arabic world with the Red Sea on one side and the mountains of Mount Sinai on the other. The Sinai Peninsula is a remote desert mountain range. The Rocky Mountains are parted from the deep-blue sea by a flat desert strip. This combination of desert and sea is an incredible sight

The simplicity of sun, sea and sand makes it one of the most accessible and developed tourist resort communities on the Sinai Peninsula. All around are Bedouins, colorful tents, mountains and sea.

There are small, intimate hotels with modern designs, as well as larger hotel complexes belonging to International chains, plus about the entire amenities one could expect of a tourist center, including casinos, discos and nightclubs, golf courses and health facilities. In fact, with diving and snorkeling, windsurfing and other water sports, horses and camel riding, desert safaris, and great nearby antiquities attractions are all on offer.

About 15 years ago, Sharm el-Sheik was nothing but a small fishing village with about 100 citizens, but Egyptians started to build up a tourist destination with now a population of 10 000 people. There is now a nice promenade, a Hard Rock Café and one of the most modern hospitals in Egypt.

There are many diving sites along the 10 mile beach between Sharm el-Sheikh and Ras Nusrani. The sea resort is one of the most beautiful and famous deep-sea diving paradises in the world with crystal clear water, magnificent corals, exotic under water flora and rare tropical fish. The white sandy beaches and endless desert landscape, which contrast with the crystal clear blue water of the Sinai peninsula and its sulphur springs, which are considered cures for those suffering from rheumatic and skin diseases.

Sharm El Sheikh is basically divided into three main regions. Na’ama Bay is long sandy bay where the first hotel appeared in the early eighties. The development of the shore-line on this bay is now complete and the seafront boasts a beautiful paved walkway, lined with bougainvillea and oleander, following the full sweep of the bay.
Ras Um Sid Cliff is the cliff top area that links Na’ama Bay and the bay of Sharm El Maya. Ras Um Sid is centrally situated about 5 minutes drive from Sharm in one direction and Na’ama in the other. Ras Om El Seed also is famous for its coral reefs, has a very high cliff where many hotels are situated.

Sharm El Maya is the bay area old town of Sharm El Sheikh. The picturesque bay is a natural harbor and home to many small boats. The beautiful sandy beach has a profusion of palm trees providing natural shade for the sun loungers. This beach area of Sharm El Maya has only recently been developed with 5 star hotels, and the old town is only a short walk away.

One can reach Sharm by sea through private yachts and sailboats, with a passenger terminal for cruise ships and scheduled ferry service or by air through Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport in addition to scheduled flights to Cairo, Hurghada, Luxor, Alexandria. Sharm also has frequent coach services to Cairo leaving from the Delta Sharm bus station.

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