The overwhelming majority of vacationers who go to Sharm (to which the title of the Crimson Sea resort metropolis is usually shortened) come again completely happy and wholesome, if a bit pink 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, fairly than not with the ability to come house.
But there are particular hazards for which try to be vigilant in your journey, together with many are specific to Egypt and to this particular a part of Egypt. Proactively contemplating these earlier than you journey can guarantee better peace of thoughts for you after you arrive.
Why Folks Love Sharm el-Sheikh
Earlier than I focus on in better element whether or not or not Sharm el-Sheikh is protected, let’s begin with a extra elementary matter. Particularly, the explanations that individuals from around the globe (however particularly Russia, for one purpose or one other) love Sharm el-Sheikh. The Crimson Sea is clearly the prime purpose. 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 function of Sharm el-Sheikh is its worth level since Sharm el-Sheikh is among the most inexpensive coastal locations on the planet. 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 resort.
Petty crime
As you have to do in case you journey anyplace else on the planet, you have to be vigilant concerning the security of your belongings in Sharm el-Sheikh. Don’t flash indicators of wealth like jewellery and electronics, notably not at night time or when strolling alongside in a spot with which you’re unfamiliar.
Excessive warmth
Is Sharm el-Sheikh protected? Sure, however not in case you don’t have a bottle of water available. With excessive temperatures of 40ºC/104ºF a number of months out of the yr, Sharm el-Sheikh might 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 unhealthy information? Few folks can rapidly inform the distinction between an innocuous reef shark and lethal white-tip sharks, so keep near your divemaster (in case you dive) and get out of the water in case you see any sharks in any respect whereas swimming.
Highway accidents
Whether or not in your personal car or in a taxi or non-public automotive, you’ll discover that individuals drive very quick alongside Sharm el-Sheikh’s roads, each multi-lane highways and narrower metropolis streets. Should you’re driving, keep a slower velocity, notably in case you’re unfamiliar with the roads. Should you’re a passenger, all the time put on a seatbelt. Whereas lethal accidents are very uncommon, even a minor harm can wreck your journey.
Terrorism
As is the case, pretty or not, in a lot of the remainder of the Center East, Sharm el-Sheikh is usually related to Islamic terrorism. In actuality, other than a sequence of resort assaults in 2005, there was no giant scale terrorism in Sharm el-Sheikh in many years. That is regardless of warnings about ISIS exercise throughout 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 here are another Crimson Sea locations you would possibly take into account visiting:
- Dahab: A smaller model of Sharm el-Sheikh additional up the peninsula, with a quieter vibe total
- Hurghada: Whereas throughout the Gulf of Suez from Sinai on the Egyptian mainland, this metropolis can be one in all 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, in case you plan to be in Israel (however not Egypt or Jordan), the resort metropolis of Eilat is a good place to benefit from the Crimson Sea
Notice that relating to the Egyptian cities I’ve listed, questions you could pose concerning the security of Sharm el-Sheikh nonetheless pertain.
Different FAQ About Visiting Sharm el-Sheikh
Is Sharm el-Sheikh price visiting?
Sharm el-Sheikh is a well-liked gateway to Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, and with good purpose: The scuba diving in its crystalline waters is a few of the greatest on the planet, to say nothing of world-class climbing and seashores. Then again, some vacationers favor alternate Egypt Crimson Sea locations equivalent 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 kinds of actions you need to do, and what number of of them curiosity you. Three days in Sharm, for instance, is sufficient for someday every to take pleasure in swimming, climbing and scuba diving, or for a three-day journey on a scuba live-aboard boat. Vacationers very eager about 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?
Many of the greatest resorts in Sharm el-Sheikh are proper within the city middle, together with many proper alongside the Crimson Sea. Needless to say some oceanfront lodges and resorts are dive lodges, whose costs issue within the assumption that almost all visitors 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 house.
The Backside Line
Is Sharm el-Sheikh protected? For essentially the most half sure, though you need to preserve a number of elementary security concerns 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 concern about bombings that occurred almost 20 years in the past. Others are extra basic: Don’t stroll round with conspicuous indicators of wealth—notably not at night time—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 equivalent to “CNNGo” and “Shanghaiist” alongside the best way. His weblog, Depart Your Each day Hell, gives a mixture of journey recommendation, vacation spot guides and private essays masking the extra esoteric facets of life as a traveler.
