The Sinai Peninsula is Egypt’s most geographically diverse region — a triangular wedge of mountains, desert and coastline that juts into the Red Sea between two gulfs. In the south, purpose-built resorts front some of the world’s most accessible coral reefs. In the interior, the Sinai Massif rises to over 2,600 metres. In the north, the Mediterranean coast stretches toward Gaza and the Israeli border. Each corner of the peninsula draws a different kind of traveller, and most visitors only see one or two of them.
The Sinai in Brief
Sinai is divided administratively into South Sinai Governorate (covering Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and St. Catherine) and North Sinai Governorate (covering Arish and the border zone). Almost all tourism concentrates in the south, which has regular flights from Cairo, good coastal roads and an established tourist infrastructure.
The main resort towns are strung along the Gulf of Aqaba on the east coast, from Sharm el-Sheikh in the south to Nuweiba and Taba in the north. St. Catherine, the mountain base for the Mount Sinai hike, sits in the central interior at 1,600 m elevation.
Sharm el-Sheikh: Red Sea Resort Hub
Sharm el-Sheikh is the peninsula’s largest city and its primary entry point. Positioned at the southern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, it has one of the world’s most accessible coral reef systems immediately offshore, combined with a well-developed hotel and restaurant infrastructure.
Ras Mohammed National Park is the most important dive and snorkel destination, 30 km south of Sharm. Entry costs EGP 200 per person (as of 2026); the park opens at 8am and closes at 5pm daily. The Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef at its southern tip regularly appear on lists of the world’s top dive sites. Boat access is required — operators depart from Sharm’s Old Market harbour.
Naama Bay is the main tourist strip, lined with hotels, dive shops, restaurants and nightlife. Glass-bottom boat trips from the bay cost approximately EGP 200–400 per person and take 2–3 hours. The bay’s shallow water is suitable for beginner snorkellers, though reef health is lower than at more remote sites.
Getting there: Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport (SSH) has direct international flights from Europe and domestic flights from Cairo (60 minutes, from approximately EGP 900 as of 2026). By bus, East Delta Bus Company and Go Bus serve the route from Cairo’s Turgoman Station (7–8 hours, approximately EGP 160–200).
Base accommodation costs (as of 2026): Budget rooms EGP 600–900/night. Mid-range hotels with pool access EGP 1,200–2,500. Five-star all-inclusive resorts (Rixos, Four Seasons Sharm el-Sheikh, Hyatt Regency) from EGP 4,000–8,000/night.
Dahab: Dive Town and Backpacker Base
Dahab sits 80 km north of Sharm and has a completely different character. Built around a sandy bay with a palm-lined waterfront promenade, it draws budget travellers, divers, kite surfers and those who want a slower pace than Sharm’s resort strip. It is the Red Sea equivalent of a backpacker beach town, with guesthouses and seafront restaurants at every price point.
The Blue Hole is Dahab’s most famous dive site, 10 km north of town. The approach road passes through a checkpoint; access is free. Dive operators in town charge USD 20–35 for a guided Blue Hole dive, typically including two tanks. The Blue Hole is deep (approximately 130 m) and requires experience — the arch passage near the bottom has claimed many lives. Snorkellers can enjoy the shallower outer reef safely.
Other sites around Dahab: The Canyon, Eel Garden and Islands are suitable for intermediate divers and offer excellent snorkelling in 3–6 m of water. Dahab’s town beach itself has a reef close to shore visible in chest-deep water.
Kite surfing: Dahab’s northern lagoon at Laguna has consistent wind from March to November and is one of Egypt’s top kite-surfing spots. Lessons and equipment hire from approximately USD 40–60 per session.
Getting there: Shared taxis (servees) from Sharm cost EGP 50–80 per seat and take 1.5 hours. From Cairo, take a direct East Delta bus (approximately 9 hours) or a bus to Sharm and connect.
Base costs (as of 2026): Dorm beds from EGP 200; private rooms EGP 400–700. Seafront restaurant meals EGP 100–200 per person.
St. Catherine and Mount Sinai
The mountainous interior is the biblical core of the Sinai. Mount Sinai (Jebel Musa, 2,285 m) is the peak where tradition holds that Moses received the Ten Commandments, and it is a pilgrimage site for Christians, Jews and Muslims arriving from across the world.
The hike to the summit follows two routes: the camel path (a gentler gradient, 3–4 hours each way) or the Steps of Repentance (3,750 stone steps, shorter but steeper). Most visitors hike through the night to reach the summit for sunrise, departing from behind St. Catherine’s Monastery at around 2–3am. A licensed Bedouin guide is required and waits at the trailhead; the guide fee is approximately EGP 100–200 per group. The summit has a small chapel (locked) and spectacular panoramic views over the Sinai ranges. Warm clothing is essential — temperatures at the top drop to near freezing on winter nights.
St. Catherine’s Monastery is one of the world’s oldest continuously operating Christian monasteries, built between 548 and 565 AD around the site where Moses is said to have seen the Burning Bush. The monastery library holds the second-largest collection of early Christian manuscripts in the world (after the Vatican). Entry is free (donations welcomed); open Monday to Thursday and Saturday, 9am–12pm. Closed Fridays, Sundays and Greek Orthodox holidays. Visitors must dress modestly — shorts and sleeveless tops are not admitted.
Getting there: St. Catherine is 3.5 hours from Sharm by private taxi (EGP 400–600 one way). The daily bus from Sharm departs at approximately 6:30am and costs EGP 60–80. Many visitors join guided overnight tours from Dahab or Sharm.
Where to stay: St. Catherine town has basic guesthouses (EGP 200–400/night) and the mid-range Daniela Village hotel. Most guided tours include a basic overnight in the area as part of the programme.
Nuweiba: Gulf of Aqaba Coast
Nuweiba is a small port town 70 km north of Dahab on the Gulf of Aqaba. It is quieter than Dahab, with long stretches of beach, a Bedouin-run camp scene and two main draws: the Coloured Canyon excursion and the ferry crossing to Jordan.
Coloured Canyon lies approximately 30 km inland from Nuweiba. Access is with a Bedouin guide (EGP 80–150 per person); the canyon walls display striated sandstone in reds, yellows and purples in a narrow slot canyon. Most drivers combine the visit with a stop at Ain Khudra oasis. Allow 4–5 hours for the round trip from Nuweiba.
Ferry to Aqaba, Jordan: The fast ferry from Nuweiba to Aqaba takes approximately 1 hour (USD 60–75 one way as of 2026). The slow cargo-passenger ferry takes 3–4 hours (USD 35–50). Passport control is at the port; an Egyptian exit stamp is required. Book ahead in high season as spaces sell out.
Taba and the Israeli Border
Taba sits at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, adjacent to the Israeli resort of Eilat. The Taba Border Crossing is open 24 hours and handles pedestrian crossings between Egypt and Israel. The area is primarily a transit point rather than a destination, though the Taba Heights resort zone 20 km south has several international hotels overlooking the gulf.
Getting Around the Sinai Peninsula
By air: Sharm el-Sheikh is the only Sinai airport with scheduled domestic and international services. No airports serve Dahab, St. Catherine or Nuweiba.
By shared taxi (servees): The main coastal road between Sharm, Dahab and Nuweiba is well-served by shared taxis. Agree the per-seat price before departure. Sharm–Dahab: EGP 50–80/seat. Dahab–Nuweiba: EGP 60–100/seat.
By private taxi: The most flexible option for multi-stop journeys or the interior. Sharm to St. Catherine: EGP 400–600 one way.
By bus: East Delta Bus Company runs services connecting Sinai towns with Cairo and Suez. Confirm departure times locally as schedules vary seasonally.
Safety Notes for 2026
South Sinai (Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba, St. Catherine) receives millions of tourists annually and is considered safe under standard travel precautions. North Sinai Governorate, including the northern coastal corridor, is a different situation — military operations have been ongoing in the area and it is off-limits to tourists. Egyptian police and army checkpoints operate at key road junctions throughout the peninsula; carry your passport. Always check your government’s current travel advisory before visiting, as the security situation can change.