If you are thinking of going on holiday to the Red Sea, there are more than enough beautiful locations to choose from. Whether it is the tourist diving paradise of Sharm el Sheikh or the lively Hurghada resort, you will definitely enjoy your stay.

Sharm el Sheikh

Full of world class restaurants, good shopping facilities, and luxurious accommodation, the well-developed city resort of Sharm el Sheikh is quite literally a paradise for divers. After you have worn yourself out scuba diving and sunbathing, you can visit Naama Bay, where there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and bars with neon lighting. Also, why not take a walk along the Sultan Qaboos Street and take in the wonderful evening atmosphere.

It is, however, the diving which attracts the many visitors from every corner of the globe. Just a short drive from this city, you can get to some fantastically varied diving sites, many of which are equipped to offer guidance to those new to diving.

Taba Heights

Located on a truly beautiful spot on the Sinai Peninsula, Taba Heights is a resort in a wonderfully natural setting. Alongside the 4 and 5 star hotels, there are swimming pools, beautiful views, gourmet cuisine, massage, and much more.

For those who like to have lots of exciting things to do while in luxuriously attractive surroundings, Taba Heights has sports such as windsurfing, wakeboarding, waterskiing and golf, as well as a whole range of night time entertainment options for both adults and children.

Hurghada

The sun shines all year round in Hurghada, and the scenery is truly stunning. Whether you plan to explore underwater or stay above it, this is a fantastic retreat for families. With such a dramatic landscape, long natural beaches, beautiful clear waters, and many fun activities to take part in such as snorkelling and scuba diving, there is certainly a lot to keep you entertained here.

El Gouna

Built on a beach 10 kilometres long, El Gouna is a beautiful, self-contained town with more than 20,000 residents. The town is spread across various island and lagoons, and due to careful planning and intelligent management, it is unique in its completeness and harmony.

For the family, there are many activities to amuse the children, such as the aquarium, museum, and the golf and diving lessons designed specifically for youngsters. For the parents who want a little time to themselves away from their children, Little Gounies and Les Petites Nurseries will look after your little ones while you go off and enjoy yourselves.

For couples without children, El Gouna is the perfect lovers’ paradise in the Red Sea, with long beaches, uninhabited islands, top class dining and hotels, and many entertainments to choose from.

Makadi Bay

About 25 kilometres south of Hurghada airport, Makadi Bay is a great family destination. It is particularly suitable for those wanting something more peaceful and relaxing than some of the more full-on holiday destinations. A self-contained village, it is set in a natural bay between the Red Sea Mountains and tranquil desert dunes.

Where is Ras Mohammed?

Ras Mohammed National Park

Ras Mohammed National Park is located on the most southerly tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. It’s an extremely remote travel destination on the shores of the Red Sea. Access is generally either by vehicle or boat from Sharm el Sheikh.

I was fortunate to meet a German/Egyptian family who were holidaying for the diving in and around Sharm el Sheikh and they offered to take me to this remote destination in their vehicle. Access was probably even more difficult back in the 1980s as the towns on the Red Sea were yet to be discovered and developed into the tourist destinations we know today. The only access to Ras Mohammed was with someone who had a vehicle.

The small 4WD drive was loaded up with 6 passengers, scuba diving and snorkeling gear, and south we headed.

Diary extract – 18 July, 1988

Reef Fish on Local Postcard

“…We were stopped at a number of military checkpoints where Passports were required. Unfortunately, my passport was left as a security deposit with the Aqua Marine where the snorkelling gear was hired. Our host, who was of Egyptian origin, managed to confuse them at each checkpoint and we were not asked to show them. Whilst it was a mere 15km drive, it took an hour to get there! The last 5km was very much cross country and a 4WD was a necessity.

Desert Camels

We headed straight for the reef with our gear and I’ve never seen such an incredible number of fish of all colours and sizes. It can best be compared with swimming in a large, tropical fish tank found in your neighbourhood pet shop. We made it to the edge of the reef and the colours were simply breathtaking, as it plunged away beneath us. There were clams to be seen on the reef cliff and coral in many colours, shape and form. I’d not been out there for any length of time, when the others surfaced to say they saw a Hammerhead shark – I decided not to hang around and headed back to the safety of the reef…”

The Red Sea Dive Guide

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Ras Mohammed

One Great Reason to Visit Ras Mohammed

One great reason to visit this remote travel destination is to experience the diving and/or snorkelling over the reef, through an abundance of fish, to the spectacular reef edge.

Ras Mohammed from Sharm El Sheikh

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Where is Hurghada?

Hurghada beach by the Red Sea, Egypt

Hurghada is the most accessible location to the Red Sea, situated on the west coast of Egypt. The trip from Cairo to Hurghada by bus takes approximately 7 hours. 

It was once a quiet fishing port (as I remember it to be back in the late 80s) but is now a busy tourist destination, with diving and snorkelling being the main attraction.

However, there is also the vast cultural experience of being immersed in the Arabic, muslim and Nubian (local nomads) world. There is of course, also the Egyptian deserts to explore.

Map

TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Hurghada

One Great Reason to Visit Hurghada

One great reason to visit Hurghada is for the reef experience of the Red Sea. The vast marine life that you can snorkel or dive with is truly amazing. You are able to swim through dense schools of fish and if you’re really fortunate, you may even see a sea turtle.

Hurghada Reef

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