Why Sharm el-Sheikh in 2026?
Sharm el-Sheikh, nicknamed "the pearl of Sinai", is the other major seaside resort in Egypt after Hurghada. Located in the southeast of the Sinai Peninsula, it benefits from an exceptional climate (300+ days of sunshine per year), easy access from Paris by direct 5-hour flight, and above all world status in scuba diving thanks to its proximity to the Ras Mohammed National Park and the wreck of the SS Thistlegorm - one of the 10 best dives in the world according to Jacques-Yves Cousteau.
Sharm differs from Hurghada by: (1) overall higher standard (4-5★ dominant), (2) calmer and international atmosphere, (3) direct access to legendary dive sites without long navigation, (4) ecosystem of high-end restaurants in Naama Bay.
Areas of Sharm el-Sheikh to know
| Area |
Standing |
Beach |
Ideal audience |
| Naama Bay |
4-5★ animated |
Protected bay |
First trip, nightlife |
| Nabq Bay |
5★ calm |
Sandy beach + reef |
Couples, divers |
| Sharks Bay |
5★ Luxury |
Coral reef |
Advanced divers |
| Ras Um El Sid |
4★ family |
Sand beach |
Families |
| Hadaba |
3-4★ walk |
Cliff + beach |
Panoramic view |
5★ recommended hotels in Sharm el-Sheikh
Four Seasons Resort Sharm el-Sheikh 5★ Luxury (Sharks Bay)
The #1 luxury benchmark hotel in Sharm. Private villas with swimming pool, white sand beach, gourmet restaurant, 700m² spa. Ultra-premium and honeymoon audiences.
Movenpick Resort Sharm el-Sheikh 5★ (Naama Bay)
Very popular with French speakers, private beach 200m, 4 themed restaurants, English-speaking entertainment, children's program. All-inclusive Premium.
Stella di Mare Beach Hotel 5★ (Nabq Bay)
Sandy beach + house reef directly accessible (snorkeling from the pontoon). Excellent value for money all inclusive.
Rixos Sharm el-Sheikh 5★ Adults Only (Nabq)
Adults only (16+), ultra-complete all-inclusive Premium, Rixos entertainment program, private beach 1km. Public couples without children.
Diving in Sharm: must-see sites
- Ras Mohammed National Park - Shark Reef + Yolanda Reef, sheer underwater cliffs, hammerhead sharks in July-August
- SS Thistlegorm - WWII wreck from 1941, BSA motorcycles and locomotives, Advanced+ accessible
- Tiran Strait - 4 main reefs (Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, Gordon), strong currents but visibility 30m+
- Dunraven - wreck 1876, fragmented, ideal for beginners
- Shark and Yolanda Reef - combination of 2 major reefs, manta rays in season
- Dahab Blue Hole (1h30 transfer) - 110m chasm, advanced technique
Diving in Sharm with a certificate?
We work with certified CMAS/PADI centers Subex, Sinai Divers, Camel Dive Club - direct booking + transfers included.
WhatsApp diving Sharm
When to go to Sharm el-Sheikh?
Sharm operates 365 days a year. Best months: September-November (water 26-28°C, air 24-32°C, optimal diving) and March-May (water 22-25°C, air 20-28°C). Avoid July-August unless you stay in a hotel-sea (heat on land 35-40°C). January-February: water 21°C (5mm wetsuit), lowest prices.
Cultural excursions from Sharm
- Saint Catherine Monastery + Mount Sinai (1 day) - UNESCO, sunrise at the summit
- Cairo pyramids by plane (1 day) - domestic flight 1 hour, Pyramids + GEM + return
- Dahab (1 day) - Blue Hole, backpacker atmosphere, seaside restaurants
- Colorful Desert / Colorful Canyon (1 day) - quad or 4x4, Martian landscapes
Price 2026 stay Sharm el-Sheikh 1 week
| Standing |
Low season |
Average |
High |
| 4★ all inclusive |
£530 |
£680 |
£920 |
| 5★ all inclusive |
£680 |
£920 |
£1,220 |
| 5★ Luxury (Four Seasons, Rixos) |
£1,150 |
£1,530 |
£2,220 |
Price per person in a double room, 7 nights all inclusive, domestic flights in Egypt organized and included by SEV. You must book your flight to Egypt on your own. Land rates + internal flights included - personalized quote on WhatsApp SEV.
Why choose SEV for your Sharm trip
- Hotel selection verified by our team in Cairo
- DMC direct negotiated rate (15-25% cheaper vs FRAM/TUI)
- Domestic Egyptian flights organized and included by SEV (Cairo-Sharm, Sharm-Cairo, and any domestic section for your excursions)
- WhatsApp +20 109 656 9859 24/7 in French
- 156 reviews 4.8/5 ★ on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp
- Read our verified reviews or our hub Red Sea Egypt
FAQ - Sharm el-Sheikh 2026
What is the difference between Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada?
Sharm el-Sheikh is generally more upscale (4-5★ dominant), quieter and international, with direct access to legendary dive sites (Ras Mohammed, SS Thistlegorm). Hurghada is larger (3-5★), more festive and economical, with a more diverse offer (families, young people, beginner divers). Sharm is best suited for couples, certified divers and honeymooners; Hurghada for families and first Red Sea travelers.
How much does a trip to Sharm el-Sheikh cost in 2026?
The price of your Sharm el-Sheikh stay is tailor-made: hotel, season, duration and services. All your domestic flights in Egypt are organized and included by SEV. You book your flight to Egypt; we manage everything on site. Request your personalized quote on
WhatsApp SEV.
When is the best time to visit Sharm el-Sheikh?
September-November (water 26-28°C, optimal diving) and March-May (perfect temperatures 20-28°C). Avoid July-August unless you stay in a swimming pool hotel (heat on land 35-40°C). January-February are the most economical but cool sea 21°C requires 5mm wetsuit for diving.
Do you need to be a certified diver to enjoy Sharm el-Sheikh?
No - snorkeling from Nabq Bay and Sharks Bay hotels gives access to the same reefs as divers (visibility 25-40m). For scuba diving, Open Water (CMAS 1*) is sufficient for 80% of the sites in Naama Bay and Tiran Strait. Ras Mohammed and the SS Thistlegorm require Advanced (CMAS 2*) minimum.
How to reach Sharm el-Sheikh and travel around Egypt?
You organize your flight to Egypt yourself (allow around 5 hours from Europe). On arrival, everything is taken care of by our team: VIP welcome, private transfer, and all the domestic Egyptian flights that we reserve for you - Cairo-Sharm el-Sheikh, Cairo-Aswan, Aswan-Louxor or Aswan-Abu Simbel - to effortlessly connect the wonders of the country. You travel with peace of mind, we manage all the logistics on the ground and in the air in Egypt.
Can you visit the Pyramids from Sharm el-Sheikh?
Yes - domestic flight Sharm-Cairo at 6am, return 10pm. Program Pyramids of Giza + Sphinx + Great Egyptian Museum + lunch + Khan el-Khalili. Price £270-£350/pers all inclusive with English-speaking guide. Our team organizes.
Is Sharm el-Sheikh safe in 2026?
Yes. Sharm is one of the most secure areas in Egypt, with dedicated tourist police, access controls to resorts, and a secluded airport area. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs classifies the tourist area as normal vigilance. Avoid North Sinai (not recommended area), not affected by Sharm stays.
What excursions to do from Sharm el-Sheikh?
The top 4: (1) Sainte-Catherine Monastery + Mount Sinai for sunrise (UNESCO); (2) Cairo Pyramids by plane (1 day); (3) Dahab and the Blue Hole by 4x4; (4) Colorful desert / Colorful canyon by quad or 4x4. Our team organizes all excursions with a English-speaking guide.
