Sharm El Sheikh Holidays
Sharm El Sheikh sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula where the Red Sea narrows between two mountain ranges. The water here turns a colour that photographs cannot do justice to, and the reef systems that begin a few metres from the shoreline are among the finest in the world. Our Egypt specialist Paul Cowley has been visiting Sharm for decades. He dives here. He knows which hotels deliver on their promise and which stretch of the coast suits which type of guest.
“Sharm El Sheikh is the destination I return to more than any other — not because I have to, but because the diving here is unlike anything else within reach of a short-haul flight from the UK. Ras Mohammed National Park is, in my honest assessment, one of the great dive destinations in the world. Not great for Egypt, not great for the Red Sea — genuinely one of the finest marine environments on the planet. And when you come out of the water, the hotels here do their job very well.”
Paul Cowley — GotoBeach Board Member & Egypt SpecialistRas Mohammed — World-Class Diving
At the very tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Ras Mohammed National Park protects one of the most biodiverse reef systems in the world. Shark & Yolanda Reef, Jackfish Alley, Anemone City — these are not simply good dive sites. They are among the most celebrated on the planet. Paul has dived them dozens of times and still finds something new.
360+ Days of Sunshine
Sharm El Sheikh receives more annual sunshine than almost anywhere else accessible from the UK. Less than 1mm of annual rainfall in some years. January temperatures of 22–25°C. For UK guests who want guaranteed winter warmth within a four-hour flight, Sharm is one of the most dependable answers in the world.
The Reef Begins at the Shore
Most Sharm hotels have a coral reef immediately offshore — sometimes within metres of the jetty. You do not need a boat trip to see extraordinary marine life. Snorkelling from the hotel jetty on day one, guests regularly encounter turtles, rays, moray eels and hundreds of reef fish species.
Exceptional All Inclusive Value
Sharm El Sheikh’s all inclusive hotels offer exceptional value for money. Five-star properties with multiple restaurants, private beaches, pools and spas at prices that comparable hotels in Turkey or Spain cannot match. For guests who want luxury all inclusive without paying luxury European prices, Sharm is consistently one of the strongest answers.
Na'ama Bay — The Resort Centre
Na'ama Bay is the social heart of Sharm El Sheikh — a compact, walkable crescent of hotels, restaurants, dive centres and bars directly on the water. For guests who want to step outside their hotel and find a lively, well-equipped resort atmosphere, Na'ama Bay delivers it reliably.
Direct Flights Year-Round
Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) is served by direct charter and scheduled flights from London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and other UK regional airports throughout the year. Flight time approximately 4–4.5 hours. Year-round connections make Sharm one of the most accessible winter sun destinations from the UK.
GotoBeach sells a carefully selected portfolio of hotels in Sharm El Sheikh. Every property has been assessed by Paul directly. These are his honest assessments.
Albatros Sharm Resort
A well-established all inclusive property in Sharm El Sheikh with private beach access, multiple pools and direct reef snorkelling from the hotel jetty. Paul considers this one of the most consistent performers in the Sharm portfolio — a hotel that delivers reliably on its all inclusive promise year after year. Good food standards, attentive service and a position that gives guests easy access to both Na'ama Bay and the reef.
Best for: Families · Couples · First-time Sharm visitorsPickalbatros Royal Moderna Resort
A modern, well-equipped all inclusive resort directly on the Red Sea with an impressive range of facilities. Multiple pools, a private beach area, extensive dining options and a entertainment programme that runs throughout the season. Paul recommends this property for guests who want a comprehensive all inclusive experience with strong food and beverage standards. The reef access here is particularly good — snorkelling directly from the hotel is a genuine highlight.
Best for: Couples · Guests wanting strong all inclusiveAlbatros Royal Grand — Adult Only (16+)
GotoBeach’s most refined Sharm El Sheikh property — an adults-only (16+) all inclusive resort with a considerably more relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere than the larger family resorts. Paul specifically recommends this hotel for couples and adult groups who want the Red Sea diving and sunshine alongside a quieter, more intimate resort experience. The absence of young children makes a noticeable difference to the atmosphere, particularly around the pool and at mealtimes.
Best for: Couples · Adult groups · Guests seeking quieter atmosphereRixos Radamis Beach Hotel
The Rixos brand is well known to guests who have stayed at Rixos properties in Turkey — and the Radamis Beach Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh brings that same quality standard to the Red Sea coast. A five-star all inclusive property with the service levels and food quality that the Rixos group consistently delivers. For guests who have had a good Rixos experience in Belek or Antalya and want to know what to expect in Sharm, the answer is: comparable quality in a Red Sea setting.
Best for: Rixos guests · Quality-focused travellersDo I need a visa for Sharm El Sheikh?
Yes. UK passport holders require a visa for Egypt. The easiest option is an e-Visa obtained online before travel at visa2egypt.gov.eg. Visas on arrival are also available at Sharm El Sheikh Airport. Always check the latest requirements at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt before booking.
Is Sharm El Sheikh good for families?
Yes — the Albatros Sharm Resort and Pickalbatros Royal Moderna Resort both have good family facilities. The snorkelling directly from hotel jetties is exceptional for children — turtles, colourful reef fish and rays within minutes of the hotel. The sea is calm, warm and very clear. For families who specifically want an adults-only atmosphere, the Albatros Royal Grand (16+) is the right choice.
Does Sharm El Sheikh have sandy beaches?
Most Sharm hotels access the sea via jetty rather than a traditional sandy beach, because the coral reef begins immediately offshore. This is the reason the snorkelling is so immediately accessible and extraordinary. For guests who specifically require a wide sandy beach, Hurghada is more suitable.
Is Sharm El Sheikh a good winter sun destination?
One of the best from the UK. In December, January and February, Sharm delivers 22–25°C with over 360 days of annual sunshine. The Red Sea water temperature remains comfortable for snorkelling year-round. Paul specifically recommends November–March for UK guests wanting winter warmth.
What deposit is needed for Sharm El Sheikh with GotoBeach?
For Egypt dynamic package bookings, the full cost of the flight at the time of booking is charged immediately, plus a £30 per person deposit for the hotel and other arrangements. Every Egypt package holiday booked through GotoBeach is ATOL-protected under licence #11211 held by Caria Holidays Ltd.
Browse our full Sharm El Sheikh hotel collection or speak to Paul directly about diving, reef access and the right property for your holiday.
All Sharm El Sheikh holidays booked through GotoBeach are ATOL-protected · Caria Holidays Ltd · ATOL #11211 · +44 208 211 00 01 · info@gotobeach.co.uk