The coral reefs along the Sinai coast are world-famous, making the region a major international diving destination. Apart from scuba diving, snorkeling is also extremely popular, as are other water sports such as freediving, windsurfing, and kitesurfing. Glass-bottom boat excursions are available for families and those who prefer to stay above the water. Most of the coastline is rocky, although there are small bays and stretches of fine sandy beach. Most places of interest to visitors are located along the Gulf of Aqaba coast. The Gulf of Suez coast has no coral reefs and relatively little diving, but the beaches around Ras Sudr are popular with visitors from Cairo, and the area is one of Egypt’s premier windsurfing destinations.
Dive Sites in South Sinai
Sites from North to South: Pharaoh’s Island, Baer el Benet, Maxwell’s, Ras Amira, Zack’s Table, Angel’s Net / Aquarium, El Muqabila, Morgana House Reef, Ras el Shetan, Ray Hole / T-Reef, Al Ma’gana, Um Raicher, Swiss Care House Reef, Pipeline, MFO Sinker or Bouy, Bawaki Dolphin Bay, El Hibeq, Ras Mumlach, Red Tooth Trigger Bay, Ras Abu Galum, The Blue Hole, Rick’s Reef, Coral Garden, The Canyon, Shoe Stump, Eel Gardens, Lighthouse, Mashraba, The Islands, Napoleon Reef, Lionfish Rock, Moray Garden, Three Pools, Umm Sid, Caves, Gabr el-Bint, Kormoran, Jackson Reef, Woodhouse Reef, Thomas Reef, Gordon Reef, Ras Ghamila, Ras Nasrani, Ras Bob, White Knight, Shark’s Bay, Tiger Bay, Fiddle Garden, Far Garden, Middle Garden, Near Garden, Sodfa, Tower, Pinky Wall, Amphoras, Turtle Bay, Paradise, Temple, Ras Katy, Ras Umm Sid, Ras Ghozlani, Marsa Bareika, Ras Za’atar, Ras Burg, Shark Observatory, Shark & Yolanda Reef, Jackfish Alley, The Alternatives, Stingray Station, Lonely Mushroom, Dunraven (Beacon Rock), Small Crack, Thistlegorm, Shag Rock (Kingston)
Natural & Historic Sites
Ras Mohamed National Park
Ras Mohamed National Park is famous for its marine life and coral reefs and is therefore most often visited for snorkeling and scuba diving, either by boat or by road. It marks the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula and also features a number of attractive beaches and viewpoints. Basic facilities such as toilets and shaded shelters are available, but camping is not permitted.
Nabq Protectorate
Nabq Protectorate is the northernmost location on the Red Sea coast where mangroves still grow naturally. It lies on the broad floodplains of the mountain wadis and can be accessed either via Wadi Khreizi, marked as Wadi Kid on many maps, or from the Sharm el-Sheikh suburb of Nabq. There is a National Park Visitor Center, and simple huts providing fresh seafood and accommodations near the Maria Schroeder shipwreck and at a location known as Ghurgana. The shallow bays are ideal for young children, while the open sea can be rough. There are also excellent diving sites along the coast.
Abu Galum Protectorate
One of Sinai’s coastal nature protectorates, Abu Galum extends both offshore and inland, protecting a pristine stretch of coastline between Nuweiba and Dahab. Accessible by vehicle via Bir Sweir from the north, it is also connected by foot and camel routes to the Blue Hole and Dahab in the south. There are camps at Bir Sweir and simple beach huts along the shore at the Laguna and Ras Abu Galum.
Nuweiba–Taba Coast
The coast between Nuweiba and Taba is lined with simple beach camps and remains a pleasantly undeveloped stretch of shoreline. There are a few larger hotels along the way, but fortunately they do not dominate the landscape. The main areas are Ras Shaitan and Bir Sweir, the latter offering finer sandy beaches.
Pharaoh’s Island
Pharaoh’s Island is a small granite island in the Gulf of Aqaba, a short distance from Taba. It is best known for its impressive medieval fortress, often called Saladin’s Castle, which was strengthened during the 12th century to help control trade and shipping routes through the Gulf of Aqaba. The island is surrounded by clear waters and coral reefs, making it a popular destination for boat trips, sightseeing, and snorkeling. From the fortress, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel.
Nabataean Port, Dahab
Hidden among the cafés, hotels, and shops of modern Dahab are the remains of an ancient Nabataean port. Today, the site is a small fenced-off area beside the coastal promenade, easy to overlook and far less impressive in appearance than other famous Nabataean sites. It is nevertheless an important archaeological site. The port dates to the Nabataean period, when Dahab served as a trading outpost on the Gulf of Aqaba and a link between maritime routes in the Red Sea and caravan routes crossing the Sinai Peninsula. Archaeological excavations have revealed stone structures built from granite and coral blocks, as well as the remains of a lighthouse and later Byzantine occupation. From here, goods arriving by sea could be transported across Sinai towards Egypt and the Mediterranean, making Dahab a small but significant part of the ancient trade networks that connected Arabia, Africa, and the Mediterranean world.
Hammam Musa (Moses’ Spring), El Tur
Located on the outskirts of El Tur, Hammam Musa is a small oasis of palm trees surrounding a natural hot spring that has been famous for centuries. The spring is associated with local traditions about Moses, and according to legend he and the Israelites stopped here during the Exodus. The water is warm, mineral-rich, and slightly saline, and has long been valued for its therapeutic properties. Today, visitors can bathe in a series of pools fed by the spring, while the surrounding gardens provide a welcome contrast to the arid desert landscape.
Hamam Faraun
Hot thermal water emerges along the coast at Hammam Faraun, and the resulting steam turns a few small caves into natural saunas. It is not one of Sinai’s major tourist attractions, so making a special detour may not be worthwhile just to visit the site. However, it lies on the Cairo–Sharm el-Sheikh road between Ras Sudr and Abu Zenima, so if you are passing this way, it is worth stopping for a short visit.
ATTRACTIONS: Red Sea Coast > St Catherine & Mt Sinai > The High Mountain Region > The Desert