Beaches · Sharm El Sheikh · Egypt
The best beaches in and near Sharm El Sheikh
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Eslam maalky.22, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Naama Bay (Central Naama Bay). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in January–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 5
- Swimming season
- January–December
- Warmest sea
- 28°C (82°F)
The beaches
Central Naama Bay · Families and easy swimming
1.Naama Bay
Sharm's main sandy bay, sheltered and shallow, with sunbeds run by the beachfront hotels and cafés; good for swimming, less so for coral.
About 10 minutes by taxi from Naama Bay · Snorkelling
2.Ras Um Sid
Small beach clubs and hotel beaches below the Hadaba cliffs give access to one of the best shore reefs in Sharm.
About 10 minutes by taxi from Naama Bay · Snorkelling from a pontoon
3.Sharks Bay
A reef-lined bay north of Naama with resort beaches and pontoons over coral and reef fish.
About 20 minutes by taxi from Naama Bay · Resort stays with children
4.Nabq Bay
Long resort beaches fronting a wide, shallow reef flat; at low tide the water is very shallow, and resorts use pontoons to reach deeper water.
About 1 hour by boat · Swimming on a boat day
5.White Island
A sandbank in Ras Mohammed National Park surrounded by clear turquoise water, reached only on boat trips.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 23°C (73°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| February | 22°C (72°F) | 23°C (73°F) |
| March | 22°C (72°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| April | 23°C (73°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| May | 25°C (77°F) | 33°C (91°F) |
| June | 26°C (79°F) | 36°C (97°F) |
| July | 27°C (81°F) | 37°C (99°F) |
| August | 28°C (82°F) | 37°C (99°F) |
| September | 28°C (82°F) | 35°C (95°F) |
| October | 27°C (81°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| November | 26°C (79°F) | 27°C (81°F) |
| December | 24°C (75°F) | 23°C (73°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, budget and beach
Naama Bay
Naama Bay is Sharm's central resort area, a sheltered sandy bay lined with hotels and a pedestrian promenade of restaurants, shisha cafés, dive centres and shops. It is the liveliest base in the evening and the easiest for walking out to eat, with dive boats leaving from the jetty and nearby marinas.
- Good
- Restaurants and bars within walking distance; Sandy, sheltered beach; Dive centres everywhere
- Watch out
- Busy and noisy at night; Beach can be crowded; Sales pressure on the promenade
- Nearby
- Naama Bay promenade, Naama Bay beach, Dive centres
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — Shared microbuses run along the main road between Nabq, Sharks Bay, Naama Bay and the Old Market; they are very cheap but informal, with no fixed stops.
- Boat — Day boats for snorkelling and diving leave from Sharm's marinas and hotel jetties for Ras Mohammed, Tiran and local reefs, usually with hotel pick-up included.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in March–November. None of them is peak season, so beaches stay manageable.
Beach safety
Check your own government's travel advice before travel. Common issues are persistent touts and unagreed taxi fares, coral cuts, sea urchins and strong currents on exposed reefs, and intense sun and heat; follow boat crews' briefings and stay hydrated. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Sharm El Sheikh have beaches?
Yes: Naama Bay, Ras Um Sid, Sharks Bay, Nabq Bay and White Island.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Sharm El Sheikh?
Usually January–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Sharm El Sheikh?
Naama Bay: Sharm's main sandy bay, sheltered and shallow, with sunbeds run by the beachfront hotels and cafés; good for swimming, less so for coral.