South Sinai marries the Red Sea’s coral kingdoms with a high-desert of granite peaks and ancient monasteries. Sharm el-Sheikh has grown from a fishing village into a resort hub beloved by divers since Jacques Cousteau raved about the reefs. Just up the coast, Dahab keeps a bohemian soul—think barefoot cafés, windsurfers, and the famed Blue Hole—while St. Catherine holds biblical history among star-filled skies.

Expect sun-splashed days, crystal-clear water, and warm Egyptian hospitality. Snorkel with technicolor fish at Ras Mohammed National Park, sip Bedouin tea beneath acacia trees, and climb Mount Sinai before dawn to watch the desert bloom with light. Cuisine ranges from grilled Red Sea catch and tahini-doused mezze to cardamom-scented coffee and just-baked baladi bread.

Practical notes: spring (Mar–May) and autumn (Sep–Nov) bring pleasant temperatures and calm seas ideal for snorkeling and diving. Egypt’s eVisa suits most travelers; carry small EGP notes for tips. South Sinai roads include checkpoints; plan extra time and carry your passport. Reef-safe sunscreen and not touching coral are essential for protecting this fragile ecosystem.

Sharm el-Sheikh

Sharm is your gateway to Red Sea wonders: Ras Mohammed’s drop-offs, Tiran’s lagoons, and shore-access reefs like Ras Um Sid. Evenings swing between Old Market’s spice-scented alleys and SOHO Square’s buzzy restaurants and fountains. Between dives, swap fins for desert: quad-biking over sand wadis or camel rides to Bedouin camps under the Milky Way.

• Stay: Explore stays on VRBO Sharm el-Sheikh or compare hotels on Hotels.com Sharm el-Sheikh. Look near Naama Bay for walkable nightlife, Hadaba/Ras Um Sid for easy snorkeling, or Sharks Bay/Nabq for calmer family-friendly beaches.
• Getting in: Fly into SSH. Search fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Cairo–Sharm is ~1 hr by air (often $50–120 one-way), while many seasonal direct flights reach Sharm from the Middle East and Europe.

Days 1–5: Reefs, Old Market flavors, and a yacht day to White Island

Ease in with a shore snorkel at Ras Um Sid or El Fanar; both have steps right into aquarium-clear water over branching coral. Spend an evening in the Old Market—peek into the ornate Al Sahaba Mosque, then bargain for dates, hibiscus tea, and spices.

Dive or snorkel Ras Mohammed National Park (Shark & Yolanda Reefs’ soft corals swirl with anthias), or take a long-boat day to the SS Thistlegorm wreck if you’re an experienced diver. Non-divers will love beach clubs at Sharks Bay and Naama Bay for glassy swims and people-watching.

• Signature day at sea — Ras Mohamed & White Island luxury Yacht Trip Sharm el Sheikh

  

  Expect coral gardens, a sandbar stop on “the Egyptian Maldives,” snorkeling gear, and a relaxed deck-lunch. Ideal mid-trip when you’re settled and sun-hardened.
• Optional history hit — Sharm: Cairo Excursion by Flight

  

  It’s a full but unforgettable day: Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and time at the Grand Egyptian Museum’s open galleries (status is phased-opening; your guide navigates what’s accessible).

Where to eat and drink:

• Fares Seafood (Old Market): Pile your table with grilled calamari, shrimp sayadiyah rice, and tahini—casual, fresh, and great value.
• El Fanar Beach Restaurant (Hadaba): Sunset pasta alle vongole and seafood pizza above a cliff-fringed reef; go early for golden-hour swims.
• Rangoli (Mövenpick, Naama Bay): Long-standing Indian favorite—order butter chicken and dal makhani, then stroll the bay.
• SOHO Square picks: Bombay (fragrant curries and tandoor breads) or Sushi Lounge for maki and tempura; fountains and live music outside.
• Coffee/breakfast: Costa Coffee Naama Bay for early espressos before dive boats, and Starbucks at SOHO Square for iced coffee on hot afternoons.
• Nightcap: Farsha Mountain Lounge—lantern-lit terraces carved into the cliff; mint tea, shisha, and Sinai’s best sunset views.

Travel to Dahab (morning of Day 6): Private taxi takes ~1–1.5 hours (85 km), typically $30–45; shared minibuses run ~2 hours for ~$5–8. Leave after breakfast to check in before lunch on the Dahab promenade.

Dahab

Dahab is Sinai’s laid-back soul: palm-lined bays, Bedouin hospitality, and a seaside promenade of cafés where flip-flops are formalwear. Divers and snorkelers come for the Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef, and canyon-like topography; windsurfers and kiters chase afternoon breezes.

• Stay: Browse beachfront apartments and villas on VRBO Dahab or compare hotels and camps on Hotels.com Dahab. Lighthouse area is walkable; Asala is local and great for longer stays; Blue Lagoon is for kiters.

Days 6–8: Blue Hole, Bedouin bays, and barefoot evenings

Start with an orientation snorkel at Lighthouse Reef or Eel Garden—shore entries, mild currents, and easy reef access. Save the Blue Hole for a calm-morning snorkel; experienced divers can do The Bells-to-Blue Hole drift with a guide.

Take a camel or boat to Abu Galum for a seafood grill on the sand, swim with parrotfish in glass-clear shallows, then laze in woven Bedouin huts. If the wind’s up, kitesurf at the Blue Lagoon; if not, hike Wadi Gnai’s granite slabs sprinkled with acacias.

Local eats and sips:

• Breakfast: Ralph’s German Bakery for croissants, brown bread, and cardamom coffee; or Shams Restaurant for shakshuka and fruit plates by the water.
• Lunch: King Chicken (rotisserie chicken with tahini and fresh baladi bread) or Zanooba Slow Cooking (home-style tagines—beef with prunes, vegetarian moussaka).
• Dinner: Shark Restaurant for catch-of-the-day on a candlelit deck, or Ali Baba for mixed grill, seafood pasta, and mezze with a sea breeze.
• Sweets & coffee: Athanor does excellent tiramisu and espresso; stay for pizzas if you’re craving Italian.
• Evening vibe: Everyday Café & Bar mixes chess boards, fairy lights, and acoustic sets—perfect post-dive unwind.

Notes for the water: Wear a rashguard or shorty (spring/autumn water ~23–26°C), use reef-safe sunscreen, and avoid standing on coral. The Blue Hole’s outer wall drops deep; snorkelers should stay within the protected lagoon and follow local advice.

Travel to St. Catherine (morning of Day 9): Private taxi ~2–2.5 hours (130 km), roughly $40–60. Roads are scenic with checkpoints; keep your passport handy. Aim to arrive by midday to rest before your overnight Mount Sinai climb.

St. Catherine

High Sinai flips the script: jagged granite peaks, night skies bright enough to navigate by starlight, and a monastery that has guarded sacred texts since the 6th century. It’s a landscape for quiet awe—where Bedouin guides share routes their families have walked for generations.

• Stay: Options are simple but atmospheric. Search Hotels.com Saint Catherine for guesthouses and camps; some travelers base at Bedouin-run camps with home-cooked dinners and stargazing.

Days 9–10: Mount Sinai sunrise and the Monastery of St. Catherine

Nap in the afternoon, then begin the Mount Sinai ascent around 1–2 a.m. (season dependent). Choose the gentle Camel Path or the steeper Steps of Repentance for the final push; at the summit, watch the desert shift from purple to gold. Hire a certified Bedouin guide, bring a headlamp, warm layers, water, and small cash for tea huts.

At mid-morning visit the Monastery of St. Catherine (typically Mon–Sat, ~9:00–12:00; closed Sun and on religious holidays). See the Burning Bush tradition site and a trove of icons in one of Christianity’s oldest working monasteries.

Simple, hearty eats:

• Sheikh Mousa Bedouin Camp: Dinners of grilled chicken, rice, tahini, salads; Bedouin tea with desert herbs after.
• Fox Camp/Desert camps: Try magluba (spiced rice flipped with vegetables and chicken) and flatbreads baked on hot stones.
• In-town snacks: Small eateries in Al Milga serve ful medames, falafel, and lentil soups—perfect post-hike fuel.

Day 11: Return to Sharm and fly out (or add-on Luxor)

Drive back to Sharm in the morning (3–3.5 hours, ~$60–80 by private taxi). Fly onward via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional add-on (1 night): Fly to Luxor for a sunrise balloon and a day among pharaohs’ tombs. Book: Luxury Sunrise Balloon Ride in Luxor with Hotel Pickup.

Pair it with an afternoon visit to Karnak and the Valley of the Kings before a late flight back.

Insider tips and practicalities

• Dive logistics: Bring certification cards; advanced sites (Thistlegorm, Blue Hole wall) require experience and sometimes check dives. Spring brings great visibility; winter has cooler water but fewer crowds.
• Money & SIM: ATMs are common in Sharm and Dahab; carry cash for St. Catherine. Local eSIMs/SIMs (Vodafone/Orange) have solid coastal coverage.
• Respect the reef: No touching or standing on coral; never feed fish. Wear a rashguard to reduce sunscreen use.
• Dress & customs: Beachwear is fine at resorts; cover shoulders/knees for Old Market, mosques, and the monastery.
• Transport: Taxis are easiest between South Sinai towns; agree on fares in advance or ask your hotel to book a trusted driver.

This 11-day South Sinai itinerary threads coral gardens, desert summits, and timeless history—from Ras Mohammed’s reefs to the sunrise on Mount Sinai. You’ll leave with salt in your hair, Bedouin tea in your memory, and a camera full of Red Sea blues.