The overwhelming majority of vacationers who go to Sharm (to which the title of the Crimson Sea resort metropolis is commonly shortened) come again joyful and wholesome, if a bit crimson or brown from all of the solar. The primary “hazard” of visiting Egypt’s Sinai peninsula is that you just may not need to come house, reasonably than not having the ability to come house.
But there are particular hazards for which you need to be vigilant in your journey, together with many are explicit to Egypt and to this particular a part of Egypt. Proactively contemplating these earlier than you journey can guarantee higher peace of thoughts for you after you arrive.
Why Individuals Love Sharm el-Sheikh
Earlier than I talk about in higher element whether or not or not Sharm el-Sheikh is protected, let’s begin with a extra basic subject. Particularly, the explanations that folks from all over the world (however particularly Russia, for one motive or one other) love Sharm el-Sheikh. The Crimson Sea is clearly the prime motive. That is true each for scuba divers who love exploring the depths of its clear waters, and sunbathers who love laying on the golden seashores alongside it.
One other engaging characteristic of Sharm el-Sheikh is its value level since Sharm el-Sheikh is likely one of the most reasonably priced coastal locations on the earth. This lets you spend extra on experiences, whether or not that entails a day journey to hike biblical Mt. Sinai, or splurging on a really good place to remain, be {that a} dive resort or boutique lodge.
Petty crime
As it’s essential to do when you journey wherever else on the earth, it is advisable to be vigilant in regards to the security of your belongings in Sharm el-Sheikh. Don’t flash indicators of wealth like jewellery and electronics, significantly not at evening or when strolling alongside in a spot with which you’re unfamiliar.
Excessive warmth
Is Sharm el-Sheikh protected? Sure, however not when you don’t have a bottle of water readily available. With excessive temperatures of 40ºC/104ºF a number of months out of the yr, Sharm el-Sheikh will be dangerously scorching, particularly when you think about that it’s usually extraordinarily sunny and really dry.
Shark assaults
The excellent news? Shark assaults in Sharm el-Sheikh are extraordinarily uncommon, as a lot of the 40+ species of shark that swim within the Crimson Sea are innocent to people. The dangerous information? Few individuals can shortly inform the distinction between an innocuous reef shark and lethal white-tip sharks, so keep near your divemaster (when you dive) and get out of the water when you see any sharks in any respect whereas swimming.
Street accidents
Whether or not in your personal automobile or in a taxi or non-public automotive, you’ll discover that folks drive very quick alongside Sharm el-Sheikh’s roads, each multi-lane highways and narrower metropolis streets. Should you’re driving, preserve a slower velocity, significantly when you’re unfamiliar with the roads. Should you’re a passenger, at all times put on a seatbelt. Whereas lethal accidents are very uncommon, even a minor damage can break your journey.
Terrorism
As is the case, pretty or not, in a lot of the remainder of the Center East, Sharm el-Sheikh is typically related to Islamic terrorism. In actuality, apart from a collection of resort assaults in 2005, there was no giant scale terrorism in Sharm el-Sheikh in a long time. That is regardless of warnings about ISIS exercise through the mid-2010s, which fortunately by no means resulted at risk to vacationers.
Options to Sharm el-Sheikh
Though Sharm el-Sheikh is gorgeous and attraction-filled, it isn’t for everybody. Listed below are another Crimson Sea locations you would possibly contemplate visiting:
- Dahab: A smaller model of Sharm el-Sheikh additional up the peninsula, with a quieter vibe general
- Hurghada: Whereas throughout the Gulf of Suez from Sinai on the Egyptian mainland, this metropolis can be certainly one of Egypt’s premiere seaside and scuba hubs, with direct flights from Cairo
- Aqaba, Jordan: If you wish to dive within the Crimson Sea however don’t have plans to go to Egypt, make an tour to Aqaba from Amman or Petra, Jordan
- Eilat, Israel: Likewise, when you plan to be in Israel (however not Egypt or Jordan), the resort metropolis of Eilat is a superb place to benefit from the Crimson Sea
Word that in the case of the Egyptian cities I’ve listed, questions chances are you’ll pose in regards to the security of Sharm el-Sheikh nonetheless pertain.
Different FAQ About Visiting Sharm el-Sheikh
Is Sharm el-Sheikh value visiting?
Sharm el-Sheikh is a well-liked gateway to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, and with good motive: The scuba diving in its crystalline waters is a number of the greatest on the earth, to say nothing of world-class mountain climbing and seashores. However, some vacationers choose alternate Egypt Crimson Sea locations comparable to Dahab and Hurghada.
What number of days do you want in Sharm el-Sheikh?
How lengthy you spend in Sharm el-Sheikh relies upon upon what types of actions you need to do, and what number of of them curiosity you. Three days in Sharm, for instance, is sufficient for at some point every to get pleasure from swimming, mountain climbing and scuba diving, or for a three-day journey on a scuba live-aboard boat. Vacationers very excited by scuba might keep longer than this, whereas shorter journeys are perfect for these extra content material to remain on or close to land.
The place ought to I keep in Sharm el-Sheikh?
A lot of the greatest resorts in Sharm el-Sheikh are proper within the city heart, together with many proper alongside the Crimson Sea. Remember that some oceanfront lodges and resorts are dive lodges, whose costs issue within the assumption that almost all friends will take part in scuba diving. Should you don’t intend on scuba diving however nonetheless need to keep beachside, attempt to discover a smaller visitor home or Airbnb condo.
The Backside Line
Is Sharm el-Sheikh protected? For essentially the most half sure, though you need to hold a number of basic security issues in thoughts. A few of these are particular to Sharm, whether or not they relate to the sharks that swim within the Crimson Sea simply offshore, or lingering worry about bombings that occurred almost 20 years in the past. Others are extra normal: Don’t stroll round with conspicuous indicators of wealth—significantly not at evening—and take care when driving or when using in a automotive pushed by somebody who isn’t.
Robert Schrader is a journey author and photographer who’s been roaming the world independently since 2005, writing for publications comparable to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the way in which. His weblog, Go away Your Each day Hell, supplies a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays protecting the extra esoteric points of life as a traveler.