Sharm el Sheikh is washed by a sea. Which sea in Egypt should you choose for your vacation? The best season for a seaside holiday in Egypt

It stretches along the seashore for several tens of kilometers. The most famous area of ​​the resort among tourists is Naama Bay, locally called Vegas due to its vast and diverse entertainment industry. In the city center you will find casinos and hotels of all price categories, restaurants with rich menus and nightclubs that never remain empty for a minute. And yet, the main treasure that attracts thousands of travelers to the Egyptian shores is, of course, the sea. In Sharm el-Sheikh, whose name translates from Arabic as “sheikh’s bay,” the Red Sea forms the Gulf of Aqaba, which extends further to the northeast to the shores of and.
The climate at the resort is classified as tropical desert, and therefore in summer the thermometer often reaches +45°C. The sea warms up to +28°C - +29°C in summer, but even in winter the water temperature never drops below +20°C - +22°C, which allows vacationers on the beaches of Sharm el-Sheikh to swim quite comfortably even in January.

Choosing a beach

The Red Sea ranks first in the rankings of the most beautiful on the planet. When choosing a hotel in Sharm el-Sheikh, you can focus on any preferences, but you can be sure that bright fish will delight you on all the beaches. But corals can cause some inconvenience, so you should stock up on special shoes for safe entry into the water or prefer a beach with pontoons:

• There are many coastal areas in the Naama Bay area that are partially covered with imported sand. Corals will not interfere with swimming, and special buoys serve as landmarks for such comfortable zones.
• Sharm el Maya is the most favorable area of ​​the resort for families with children. Fine sand and a gentle entrance to the sea, which remains shallow for quite a long time, are necessary conditions for safe swimming for children and those who consider themselves not very experienced swimmers. The beaches in this area are equipped with rescue towers, from where they monitor the possible approach of predators.
• In Ras Umm el-Sid, on the contrary, the depth begins immediately from the entrance to the sea. The coastal strip is narrow, it is convenient to dive from pontoons, but some areas are suitable for swimming for children because they are cleared of corals.
• If you choose Nabka, you can get into the water on most beaches without any problems even on soft sand. Coral thickets begin only after a few tens of meters, and the shallow waters of Nabka are also ideal for family holidays.
• When visiting Sharks Bay, be prepared to dive off the pontoons. There is no other way to safely enter the water at local beaches. But the fauna of the Red Sea in this part of Sharm el-Sheikh will delight you more than anywhere else.

When planning to swim, pay attention to lifeguard signals and the weather forecast. The sea often presents unpleasant surprises, the consequences of which can be avoided by following the accepted rules of behavior.

Diving in Sharm

For lovers of underwater beauty, Sharm el-Sheikh is an ideal place to fulfill your most cherished desires. The diversity of the fauna of the Red Sea is known to divers all over the world, and you can dive or snorkel here in almost any part of the resort coast.
Experienced divers can count more than a dozen sites, among which you can find safe dive sites for beginners and difficult areas for pros.
Among the most famous are the Ras Mohammed Nature Reserve and Tiran Island. The first is a national park that was founded at the end of the last century. Popular dive areas in the reserve: Jackfish with a snow-white reef plateau; Ras-Za'Atir with a 50-meter-high reef with caves and crevices; Anemone City with many fish and a sunken ship transporting plumbing; Stingray Station, where huge manta rays swim in the spring.
In the waters near the island of Tiran you can see turtles and barracudas, as well as sunken ships: a German boat and a ship that remained on the bottom of the Red Sea in the second half of the 20th century. The waters of Tiran Island are known for their underwater canyons, arches and natural amphitheatres.
There are dive centers in Sharm in almost every major hotel. Russian-speaking instructors are also not uncommon, so you can take diving lessons and receive a certificate of completion of the course.

Let's look at what seas wash Egypt.

When going to Egyptian resorts, you need to choose which place you should give preference to. You can choose one of the cities located on the Mediterranean Sea or fly on vacation to the Red Sea.

Mediterranean Sea in Egypt

The Mediterranean Sea can provide a great holiday if you go to the resort at the right time. Despite the fact that Egypt is a rather warm country, it is better to relax on the Mediterranean Sea from April to October. The rest of the time it is not very comfortable here, and in winter it can be downright cold. The average temperature in January-February is 18°C. And although this temperature is very comfortable for walks and excursions, this weather is not suitable for a beach holiday. The water drops to 15-16°C.

The holiday season provides excellent weather for relaxation. The daytime temperature on the beaches is 25-33°C, the water in the sea is 24-28°C. The hottest month is August, but the climate off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea allows vacationers to feel comfortable even at high temperatures.

Tourists on the Mediterranean Sea are offered several popular cities where the tourism sector is most developed. One of the cities is Alexandria. There are a variety of beaches and a wide variety of entertainment. The beaches always have clean sand and clear water. Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt, so it is crowded; tourists from different countries come to see the local attractions and plunge into the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Alexandria is suitable for a noisy, active holiday.

Mersa Matruh is also located on the Mediterranean coast. The number of vacationers in this place is significantly less than in Alexandria. This is a quieter place, although the best conditions are created for tourists. For walks on the sea, you can rent a boat, and it won’t be difficult to go fishing on a yacht.

Red Sea in Egypt

The Red Sea is one of the most beautiful and amazing places in the world. The weather here is beautiful all year round, you can relax at any time. There is a “season” and “off-season” here, but this division is quite arbitrary. It’s just that in the period from June to August the air temperature is quite high and tourists are forced to spend less time on the beach. But you can always swim in the Red Sea. The water temperature here does not fall below 26°C at any time of the year.

The underwater world of the Red Sea can make you fall in love every minute. Tourists from all over the world come here to dive underwater and see the wonderful nature: amazing fish and unforgettable coral reefs. There are many resorts on the Red Sea, but the most popular are Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada.

Sharm el-Sheikh

Those who want to get the whole range of impressions flock to Sharm el-Sheikh. Here for tourists are the best hotels, beaches, restaurants. Among the most popular entertainment:

• boat trips on a yacht and boat,
• diving,
• surfing,

There are many interesting places in Sharm el-Sheikh and its surroundings that are definitely worth seeing. Some can be reached by bus, while others require sea transport. The coral reefs near Sharm el-Sheikh deserve special attention. They are located along the coast, and snorkeling is popular here. For diving, it is better to go to the islands. For this purpose, excursion groups are recruited. On the islands you can sunbathe, swim, and scuba dive. For those who have decided to go diving for the first time, there are specialized diving centers; you can hire an instructor at the hotel or at a nearby beach. You can also easily find a specialist who will teach surfing. Several beaches are suitable for boarding. One is for beginners, the other two are for professionals. In these places, the Red Sea is ideal for surfing.

Hurghada

Hurghada is also one of the resorts where there is never a dull moment. The coast is filled with hotels, cafes and restaurants; boats regularly depart from piers and piers, taking tourists to uninhabited islands. For those who do not dare to dive into the waters of the Red Sea on their own, there is a special entertainment - boat rides with a transparent bottom. This is a special type of transport, very popular in these places. Tourists can observe the beauty of the underwater world through glass installed in the bottom. You can get more sensations from a trip on the Sinbad submarine. This boat descends to a depth of 20 meters, where the most beautiful views of the underwater world of the Red Sea open up.

Many tourists heading to Egypt are faced with the choice of which is better, Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh. Both of these resorts in the country are considered the largest, quite comfortable, and are favorite vacation spots for Russian travelers. Therefore, deciding which one is better is quite difficult. It is worth trying to compare both cities, as well as what is offered to tourists there.

If you compare which is better, Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh, you first need to pay attention to local hotels. At both resorts you can find establishments to suit your taste. There are both luxury apartments and more modest hotels. Most of them operate on an all-inclusive basis. It takes approximately the same time to fly to both places. Therefore, the cost of tickets for the trip, as well as prices for accommodation, will be approximately the same.

Some tourists choose which is better, Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh, depending on the proximity to attractions. Resorts are located on the coast. They have all the conditions for relaxing on the beach and diving. Some travelers praise the diverse underwater world for which Sharm el-Sheikh is famous. However, in Hurghada, most hotels have a gentle entrance to the sea. Cairo can be reached from both of these resorts in the same amount of time. Sharm el-Sheikh is located near the Colored Canyon; Mount Moses, located nearby, is interesting to visit. At the same time, Hurghada is closer to Luxor, and accordingly, the cost of the excursion will be less.

Tourists are invited to relax all year round. However, regarding such parameters as climate and weather, Hurghada wins a little in the hot months, since the winds that blow here will help you better tolerate high temperatures. Sharm el-Sheikh is convenient for a holiday in winter, when you want to soak up the warm, but not scorching sun. The thermometer reaches 25 degrees during the day.

Thus, determining which is better, Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh, is quite difficult.

Both resorts offer tourists a comfortable stay on sandy beaches. If we talk about family holidays, then Sharm el-Sheikh is recommended, as it is more calm and comfortable here. Hurghada will appeal to young groups who prefer noisy establishments and nightclubs. However, most hotels have their own bars and discos, so there is no need to look for entertainment outside the hotel.

The situation in Sharm el-Sheikh is currently calmer than in other resorts. Due to unrest in the country, tourists prefer this city, which is better guarded. However, this does not mean that travelers in other places in Egypt may be in danger. When going to this country, you can be sure that no matter which resort you choose, quality holidays are guaranteed. Inspection of the famous pyramids and beautiful corals, considered a local treasure, will leave only vivid impressions and wonderful memories of your vacation.

Those who have visited Egypt often return there again. Tourists thinking about which resort to choose can be advised to visit each of the cities in the country, even if not immediately. Only personal experience will determine in the future where you want to return for your vacation.

Contents of the article

Sharm El Sheikh(Sheikh Bay, correct spelling Sharm- esh-Sheikh) is the most prestigious of the seaside resorts on the Red Sea, one of the first to open in the late 80s thanks to former Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. It stretches along the coast on the southern side of the Sinai Peninsula for more than 30 km.

Climate

The tourist season in Egyptian resorts lasts all year round: winter air and water temperatures do not fall below 21-23 degrees. Sharm El Sheikh is famous beautiful beaches, but only two of them - Naama Bay and Sharm El Maya– have sandy bottom and sandy entrance to the sea. In other places coral bottom, Therefore, some hotels build special pontoons to enter the sea from their beaches.

Infrastructure

As befits a resort town, the resort has many hotels of different categories. The beginning of the 21st century was marked for this Red Sea resort by the construction of a number of ultra-modern hotels, most of which were built in Naama Bay. Naama Bay is called the pearl of Sharm El-Sheikh. This territory contains the most luxurious and expensive hotels, shopping and entertainment centers, and the most beautiful and clean sandy beaches. The famous Naama Bay “promenade” stretches along the entire bay. And the main street of the city is called “Peace Road”.

Diving

First of all, the resort attracts diving enthusiasts - it a real paradise for underwater sports. There are numerous diving centers in Sharm El Sheikh, where you can find everything you need for scuba diving.

You can learn diving immediately before entering the water - experienced instructors are at your service. The Red Sea is rich in flora and fauna, whose representatives are sometimes unsafe for people, so it is extremely important to listen carefully to the instructor.

Attractions

The city borders the famous national park-reserve - Ras Mohammed. It is definitely worth a visit - not only for the scuba diving in the unique sea pool and the Lake of Desires, but also for the other amazing wonders of the local flora and fauna and geological features that you can see there.

Sharm El Sheikh offers its tourists many excursions to historical places with religious significance. One of these excursions is a trip to the monastery of St. Catherine - one of the oldest monuments of Christianity. It has been in operation since the 6th century and stands at the foot of the mountain where, according to biblical tradition, the prophet Moses was given the tablets with the covenants. Guests are also offered an excursion to Mount Moses; it is very difficult to climb it, but the impressions of the time spent there and the sunrise on the mountain in general silence are etched in the memory for a lifetime.

You can go to town Petra– one of the historical wonders in Jordan. It is also called the “Pink City” because of the delicate color of the rocks in which it was carved in ancient times. This place is one of the most mysterious on earth. Fans of adventure films should know that this is where the Indiana Jones films were filmed. After the formation of the Roman Empire, Petra was protected by local tribes as a national treasure. Nowadays, it is visited by many tourists and is also studied by archaeologists.

The main resorts in Egypt are concentrated on the shores of two seas: the Red and Mediterranean. Each of the two options has its own characteristics. To have a successful vacation, you need to find out in advance about the advantages and possible disadvantages of a particular resort. For example, information about weather conditions on the coast at different times of the year, as well as excursions and entertainment, will be useful, because before you go to the Red Sea, you need to get as much information as possible about the best places to relax.

Red Sea Resorts

Egyptian resorts are recognized as one of the most favorable places to relax. Even despite the hot climate, they are incredibly popular among travelers. The best time to visit the shores of the Red Sea is from April to May, as well as mid-autumn.

At this time, the air temperature here is the most comfortable (unlike the summer months, when the real tropical heat begins) and the water is warm.

There are a large number of resorts on the Red Sea. However, we can highlight a few of the most beloved and popular ones.

• is a city on the seashore, famous not only for its amazingly clean beaches and amazing coral reefs, but also for entertainment for every taste. This is a real paradise for divers, windsurfers and other outdoor enthusiasts. But those who come to Egypt just to bask in the sun and relax will find something to do. A variety of entertainment complexes, water parks, clubs, and various ones will not let anyone get bored. By the way, the tropical hot sun is tolerated more easily in Hurghada than in other resorts due to the peculiarities of the geography of the area.

• – no less popular seaside resort. The favorable geographical location creates warm, windless weather even in cold seasons. The city is famous for its entertainment complexes and first-class hotels. It is also where incredible coral reefs are located, attracting divers from all over the world. The city even has a national park dedicated to the underwater world and marine nature.

• Dahab is a resort located on the Sinai Peninsula. It is considered one of the inexpensive holiday options, which does not make it less popular among tourists. The most common activities here are scuba diving and windsurfing. A distinctive feature of the local beaches is the coral bottom and heterogeneous sand.

• El Gouna is an elite expensive resort near the Red Sea. There are about two dozen luxury hotels concentrated here, it also has its own airport and many shops and restaurants. The highlight of the resort is the spacious, clean beach and golf course. The city is very beautiful and is also of interest because it is called the local Venice. This is due to the fact that it is divided into islands by several channels.

• Makadi Bay is a resort located near Hurghada. There is not always a convenient descent to the sea and in some places there is a coral bottom. In addition, there is no special entertainment either - they are all concentrated in Hurghada. Therefore, people usually come here seeking a secluded holiday in the lap of nature.

Advantages of Egypt's Red Sea resorts:

1. The richness of the underwater world and the beauty of coral reefs. It is the Red Sea that is considered the most attractive for divers. If only because the rarest species of fish and unique corals live here.
2. Clean and well-kept beaches stretching along the entire coast. And in some places, sand also has healing properties.
3. Various excursions and entertainment. In this regard, the most interesting are Hurghada, El Gouna and Sharm el-Sheikh.
4. High-quality and affordable service. Most resorts in Egypt are known for their high level of service and comfort. At the same time, prices are quite affordable for most travelers. Therefore, families often come here.

Excursions

Although tourism in Egypt is, first of all, an unrivaled beach holiday, there are also many interesting attractions. Resorts offer travelers a large number of exciting and educational excursions. Let's list the most common ones.