The Bays of Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the Red Sea coast. This famous Egyptian resort area is made up of several bays, each with its own unique features.

Swimming on the beaches of Sharm El Sheikh generally requires wearing water shoes to avoid injuring your feet, as the seabed is rocky and has coral reefs. However, this minor inconvenience is more than compensated for by the stunning natural beauty and various other advantages that each bay offers.

Which one to choose? It depends on the preferences and plans of the tourists!

Sharm El Maya

The tourist area surrounding Maya Bay features a sandy gently sloping beach stretching about two kilometers. One major advantage, aside from the convenient sandy access, is its excellent protection from the wind during the winter months. Sharm El Maya is one of the two least windy bays in Sharm El Sheikh, the other being Naama Bay.

Sharm El Maya is almost the historic center of the city, located near the Old Town and the traditional old market, where visitors can find spices, fruits, and unique souvenirs.

Ras Um El Sid

For those interested in the exotic beauty of coral reefs, the hotels in Ras Um El Sid Bay are worth considering. The bay also provides natural protection from winter winds.

This is a very picturesque area, and the stunning views are sure to become cherished memories for travelers.

Naama Bay

This area is the unofficial capital of Sharm El Sheikh. It boasts well-developed infrastructure, with restaurants, entertainment centers, and vibrant nightclubs. However, it’s worth noting that Naama Bay’s coastline can get quite crowded since there is a large number of hotels concentrated along the beach which is less than two kilometers long.

In winter, the bay is shielded from the wind. The beach is gently sloping and one of Naama Bay’s advantages is the nearby coral reef, just off the shore.

El Pasha Bay (Gardens Bay)

A small resort area with a beach about 1.5 kilometers long. A coral reef starts right at the shoreline, so access to the sea is usually available via a jetty. Some hotels have cleared the coral crust at the water entrance to make it more convenient for their guests to enter the sea.

There is no infrastructure outside the hotel areas, and everything needed is provided within the resorts. However, if tourists want to take a walk or seek additional entertainment, they can easily head to the nearby Naama Bay.

Coral Bay

The entire area of this bay, spanning around 100 hectares, is occupied by the Domina hotel complex, which consists of eight hotels sharing a common infrastructure.

The beaches in Coral Bay are wide and have fine sand, with some areas featuring coral reefs. The total length of the beaches is about two kilometers. The bay is sheltered from strong winds, and there are no large or powerful waves, making it an ideal spot for family vacations with children.

Sharks Bay

This area of Sharm El Sheikh is typically chosen by underwater swimming enthusiasts, tourists who come to Egypt for snorkeling and diving.

Beach lovers can also find Sharks Bay suitable enough. The coastline offers picturesque views of the uninhabited Tiran Island. The beaches are rocky but have artificial sand layers, and most of them can be accessed by stairs. Thanks to the rocky shoreline, Sharks Bay is quite well protected from the wind, especially at the start of winter, making it a cozy spot for relaxation.

Montazah

This area features an extensive coastline with several bays. The beaches in Montazah have artificial sand, and it’s advisable to wear special footwear when entering the water from the shore. The view from the shore includes a beautiful panorama of Tiran Island.

Most of the beachfront area here is divided among hotels. Some of them have coral-free sections, which is a significant advantage for families with children, as it allows for easier play and swimming near the shore. From the jetties, you can reach the coral reef. The infrastructure outside the hotels is limited, so those looking to explore something new will have to take a taxi to Soho Square or Naama Bay.

Nabq Bay

This area is quite remote from the center and is located at the northernmost part of Sharm El Sheikh. Nabq is currently quickly developing and growing, offering vacationers hotels with large green areas, and some hotels with coral reefs.

Nabq Bay boasts wide, spacious beaches, with some areas cleared of coral and equipped with long jetties for easier access to the water. It can be quite windy here, especially in winter, which is an advantage for kite surfers. Nabq Bay is well-known among enthusiasts of this sport for its favorable winds and waves.