| y as the 1760's the name of Sharm el-Sheik could | | | | deeper however. |
| be found on European maps, but it remained a | | | | Ras Umm Sidd - The spectacular depths of |
| very quiet fishing village until recently. Since the | | | | Sharm el-Sheikh |
| late sixties however, the town of Sharm el-Sheikh | | | | In contrast the coral reef rises up from the blue |
| has gone on to become one of the most widely | | | | ocean depths just a few meters from the |
| known and visited beach resorts in Egypt.The | | | | coastline at the rocky beach at Ras Umm Sidd. |
| Egyptian government has both developed and | | | | Before getting to the edge of the reef, you will |
| encouraged the further development of quite a | | | | have to swim with some care over a wide reef |
| number of other beach resorts in order to try | | | | platform, where the currents can be quite strong. |
| and spread the visitors around, but none the less | | | | At the edge the currents are also rather strong, |
| Sharm still remains the number one tourist spot in | | | | and the place is a lot more demanding that the |
| the Sinai area. | | | | smaller reef at Sharks Bay. At the same time |
| Nearly all beaches in Sharm el-Sheikh are the | | | | however, this place is both wilder and more |
| property of the hotels and so remain for the | | | | beautiful: The sea is bluer, the fish are bigger, and |
| exclusive use of their guests. Fortunately | | | | the corals themselves are in better shape. |
| however there are also a few wonderful public | | | | Naama Bay - at the centre of everything |
| beaches, and here are a some of the best ones. | | | | Sharm el-Sheiks central Naama Bay beach is |
| Sharks Bay - Without the sharks | | | | buzzing with life throughout the day. Sun beds and |
| The beach at Sharks Bay is operated by local | | | | parasols are located one besides another, and |
| Bedouins, and for a modest charge you can stay | | | | energetic animators are trying to encourage the |
| at the beach all day. The entry fee includes the | | | | sweating beach-goers to participate in water |
| use of a sun bed. If possible you should try to get | | | | aerobic not to mention beach volley, while the |
| one of the spots under the parasols made from | | | | waiters at the neighboring beach restaurants and |
| old palm trees. The sand on the beach is | | | | bars are busy. The beach in the bay is one large |
| somewhat coarse and burning hot to the feet, | | | | sandy beach, with shallow water and thus very |
| until with a sigh of relief you reach the edge of | | | | family friendly. On the beach diving shops and |
| the water. At Sharm el-Sheik the coral reef | | | | excursion vendors compete to take you away - |
| generally reaches all the way in to the coast, but | | | | with no end to the possibilities, be it going on a |
| there is a wide stretch at Sharks Bay where | | | | sailing trip in a boat with a transparent bottom, |
| there is a break in the reef, and where the water | | | | water skiing, riding the banana-boat, going on a |
| remains shallow enough for kids to paddle around | | | | desert safari, and or camel and horse back riding. |
| and snorkel. Be aware that it suddenly gets | | | | |