| The name Sharm el-Sheikh can be found as early | | | | reef rises from the blue depths a just few |
| as 1760 on European maps, but until the late | | | | meters from coastline. Before you get to the |
| sixties it had been simply a quiet fishing | | | | edge of the reef, you have to swim carefully |
| community. In recent years however, Sham | | | | over a wide reef platform, where the currents |
| el-Sheikh has become one of Egypt's most widely | | | | can be rather strong. At the edge the currents |
| known and most visited beach resorts. In fact the | | | | are also strong, and the place is more demanding |
| Egyptian government has worked hard to spread | | | | that the smaller reef at Shark's Bay. On the other |
| around the visitors by developing or encouraging | | | | hand, this place is both wilder and more beautiful: |
| the development of many other beach resorts, | | | | The fish are bigger, the sea is bluer and the corals |
| but Sharm still remains the key tourist spot in the | | | | are in better shape. |
| Sinai area. | | | | Sharks Bay - Without the sharks |
| Most beaches in Sharm el-Sheikh belong to the | | | | Sharks Bay is run by Bedouins, and for a small |
| hotels and so are reserved for their guests. But | | | | fee you can stay at the beach all day. Included in |
| luckily there are also some wonderful public | | | | the entry fee is the use of a sun bed. Try to get |
| beaches, and here are a few of the best ones. | | | | one of the spots under the parasols made from |
| Ras Umm Sidd - The breathtaking depths of | | | | old palm trees. The sand on the beach is coarse |
| Sharm el-Sheikh | | | | and burning hot, until you reach the edge of the |
| On the rocky beach at Ras Umm Sidd the coral | | | | water with a sigh of relief. |