Why Honeymoon in Sharm el Sheikh
The Red Sea is the reason. Water visibility is often excellent, the reefs are healthy in protected areas and the marine life is dense enough that first-time snorkelers come up grinning. You do not need to be divers. Many resorts have house reefs reached by a jetty, so you can slip in before breakfast and see parrotfish and lionfish within minutes.
The setting is unusual too. Instead of palm-fringed lowlands, you get raw desert mountains glowing pink at sunset behind a turquoise bay. Evenings are dry and comfortable most of the year.
Sharm is also practical. It is a short domestic flight from Cairo, hotels are set up for international guests and all-inclusive deals can make a few beach days surprisingly affordable after the bigger costs of a Nile cruise. Couples who want a quiet room with a sea view and little else on the agenda will be very happy here.
When to Go
Spring and autumn are the best seasons. From March to May and from October to November, days are warm, the sea is pleasant and the wind is usually gentle. These months line up well with a Nile cruise in the cooler part of the year.
Winter, from December to February, is still sunny, but evenings get cool and the water feels chilly to many swimmers. A northerly wind can make boat trips choppy. Some couples are fine with it, while others wear a thin wetsuit for snorkeling.
Summer is very hot, with highs often around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, though the sea breeze and warm water keep it more bearable than inland Egypt. Rain is rare in any season. European school holidays bring crowds and higher rates, particularly over Christmas, Easter and parts of summer.
Where to Stay
Sharm spreads along roughly 30 kilometers of coast. Each bay has a different feel. Naama Bay is the lively center, with a pedestrian promenade, restaurants, bars and a sandy beach. Stay here if you want to walk out to dinner.
Sharks Bay and Ras Um Sid have good reefs right offshore and a quieter atmosphere, with many resorts built on terraces above the water. The Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh sits on a hillside in this part of the coast with its own reef and is a favorite for couples who want polished service.
Nabq Bay, to the north near the airport, is home to newer, larger resorts with long beaches. Look for a hotel with a jetty to a good house reef and ask whether the sea view room actually faces the water. Kid-free resorts are worth seeking out if you want a calm pool scene.
Romantic Things to Do
Spend a day at Ras Mohammed National Park, the protected tip of the peninsula, where reef walls drop into deep blue water. Most couples visit by boat, with two or three snorkel stops and lunch on board. Another boat day goes north to the reefs of the Strait of Tiran, where strong currents bring big schools of fish.
Certified divers have a lot to choose from, including the SS Thistlegorm, a Second World War cargo ship that sank with trucks and motorbikes still in its holds. It is an advanced dive with currents, so book with an experienced center.
On land, take an evening jeep trip into the desert for a Bedouin dinner, with grilled meat, bread baked in the sand and a sky crowded with stars. Back in town, wander the Old Market in the evening for spices and lanterns. Then book a couples massage at your resort spa.
Getting There and Around
Sharm el Sheikh International Airport (SSH) has frequent flights from Cairo, about an hour in the air, plus many seasonal flights from Europe and Istanbul. There are no nonstops from the US, so most Americans connect in Cairo or Europe.
Coming from Luxor or Aswan, there are rarely direct flights, so expect to connect in Cairo and lose most of a day. Many couples fly into Sharm in the afternoon, skip dinner plans and save the first snorkel for the next morning. Entry and visa rules depend on your citizenship and can change at short notice, so check the official government website before you book, especially if Sharm is your only stop in Egypt.
Fly rather than drive between Sharm and Cairo. The road crosses the Sinai with many checkpoints. The advisory's exception covers Sharm reached by air, not the road across the peninsula. In Sharm itself, resort shuttles, licensed taxis and hotel transfers cover most needs. Agree on taxi fares before getting in. Boats for snorkel trips leave from the marinas and usually include hotel pickup.
Food and Drink
Most honeymooners eat largely at their resort, especially on all-inclusive plans, so it is worth choosing a hotel with a few good a la carte restaurants rather than just a buffet. Seafood is the highlight: grilled fish sold by weight, calamari and shrimp with rice, tahini and salads.
Get out at least once. Naama Bay has restaurants with sea views. The Old Market area has simpler Egyptian grills where locals eat. Levantine mezze is popular along the strip. Shisha cafes stay busy late.
Alcohol is available in hotels and many tourist restaurants. A service charge is often added to bills, with a small extra tip for good service appreciated. Stick to bottled water. Be careful with salads and unrefrigerated juices for the first day or two while your stomach adjusts.
Honeymoon Tips
- Bring reef shoes. Many entry points cross coral shelves.
- Use a reef-safe sunscreen and never stand on or touch coral.
- Ask your resort for a room with direct reef access if snorkeling is your priority.
- Book boat trips through your hotel or a well-reviewed dive center, not beach touts.
- Swim with others near shore and avoid swimming at dusk or at night.
- Pack a light jacket between December and February for cool evenings.
- Keep your passport handy on excursions, since checkpoints may ask for it.
- Check the State Department advisory before booking and again before you fly.
