Sharm El Sheikh

Sharm El Sheikh is not one resort town but a string of bays along the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, each with its own character, reef, and clientele. Choosing where to stay here matters more than almost anywhere else in the Red Sea — the difference between two hotels ten minutes apart can be the difference between a tranquil reef-front escape and a high-energy family complex. This guide is here to help you match the bay to the holiday you actually want.

By Bay and Area

Sharks Bay and El Fanar

The cliff-backed bays north of Naama are where Sharm's better house reefs are found, with direct shore access and fewer crowds. Sultan Gardens Resort and Park Regency Sharm El Sheikh both sit on this stretch, offering strong snorkelling steps from the lobby. Choose this area if the reef is the reason you came.

Nabq Bay

The broad, gently shelving bay to the north is the natural home of Sharm's largest all-inclusive resorts — long sandy beaches, water parks, and the space that families need. Rixos Premium Seagate and Sunrise White Hills Resort are the headline names here. Expect scale, animation teams, and a short shuttle to the best snorkelling.

Naama Bay

The original tourist heart of Sharm: shops, restaurants, and nightlife within walking distance, and the most protected swimming water. It is busier and more built-up, but unbeatable if you want to step out of your hotel in the evening. The trade-off is that the house reefs here are weaker than those to the north.

Sharm El Maya and Hadaba

The sheltered southern end, with the calmest water and the airport's closest beaches. This is where you find the quieter, more eco-minded resorts — Jaz Fanara Resort among them — and the genuinely boutique end of the market, such as Meraki Resort. Pick the south for a calmer, design-led stay away from the big complexes.

By Traveller Type

Families

Head for Nabq Bay and the large all-inclusive resorts — Rixos Premium Seagate and Sunrise White Hills — where the water parks, kids' clubs, and sandy shallows earn their keep. The protected bay at Steigenberger Alcazar is also a strong family pick, with German-engineered standards on a swim-safe beach.

Couples and quiet seekers

The southern bays are your territory. Jaz Fanara offers the best reef and the most natural setting; Meraki brings design-led calm and a younger, more social atmosphere. Both are smaller and quieter than the headline resorts.

Snorkellers and divers

Prioritise the north-shore reefs. Sultan Gardens and Park Regency give you a house reef and a short trip to Ras Mohammed National Park, arguably the best diving in the northern Red Sea.

One Coastline, Seven Philosophies

These seven resorts are gathered in our Sharm El Sheikh Collection — curated by editorial reason rather than price tier, so you can compare them on what actually matters: the reef, the beach, the food, and the feel. Read the collection alongside the individual reviews to choose with confidence.