Thread: Sharm el Sheikh

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Any general inside info on this place? Any info to think is currently not safe (it was bombed by 'Al Queda' in 2005.)


Things to avoid. Obviously good hygiene is a must so the better hotels are adviseable like Baron Palms etc. Trip Advisor is helpful.

Day trips - quads seem good, no bad reports.
Snorkelling diving is obviously good.
Namaa Bay? is this a terrorist target as lost of fast food & bars etc / is it worth it to visit?!

Thanks all.

Naama Bay is the main 'hub' of the resort, never seemed to be a place which is overtly concerned by a terror threat, make of that what you will. But on the occasions I've stayed there I've always felt safe enough as a lone female to walk around the area without my travel companions.

The airport staff are pretty switched on regarding 'odd' items in luggage - even pulling some of our group up over some modified dive gear as it didnt look 'normal' for what we said it was as it passed through the scanners, most hotels have scanners at the entry points some police it more strongly than others, same with many of the bars - scanners and some form of door staff is the norm but done fairly unobtrusively.

If you can go diving, the day trips are meant to be great - I've always been there on a diving trip so never got around to going on any, and I'm told that if you want a trip over to Cairo/The Pyramids it's best to fly as the coach journey is very long.

Things to avoid tbh other than the obvious for Muslim countries and general holiday destinations I wouldn't say there are many.

Thanks very much scuba-angel that is interesting and reassuring. I think there is much that good research can reveal... but good to know for sure if there to see if there is anything to be aware of or any things which are good to know and hard to learn.

It does not seem as if there is much to worry about and plenty to enjoy. Seems plenty of people have good experiences and go back again. Many times in some cases!

I booked my trip in 2005 straight after the bombings - primarily because it was cheap!

I had no particular worries about 'the threat'. Seemed safe to travel around as scuba angel said. The worst thing was the taxis - like all Arabs, they think they are Micheal Schumacher. 1 hoot for left turn, 2 hoots for right turn, 3 hoots for 'get out my way'.

Personally, I thought the quad bikes were ok, but seeing as I've used them with work, it was only ok. My mates who have never used them thought it was great. Red sea scuba / snorkling - a must. Mrs BoF was disapointed with the Mt Sinai trip / see the sun rise. Mainly because the weather was foggy / misty. We didn't do the pyraminds etc. Thats the one thing i wish we'd done. I'd pre book it personally otherwise you're paying twice for accommodation etc. Overall though, a great time, reasonable hotel food, nice pool etc.

Went last year - fantastic. Felt safe, no restrictions, had a great time. Went to Coral Bay hotel.

Tips.

Get a double entry visa onto your passport before you go. Application forms on the Egyptian Embassy website, rapid turnaround so you wont lose your passport for more than 10 days. You can get them at Sharm airport, but the ques are huge and time consuming. They are cheap enough though (under £30 l seem to remember)
Why double entry? Take a trip to Cairo (fly not coach!!) and take a trip to the Garden Reefs. Both need an entry Visa.

For the trip guided round Cairo, we had an MP5 toting guard, who not only worked as a visual detterant, also kept local traders at bay.

Never give your camera to anyone local for a picture, they will expect a fee for their troubles!

Take plenty of drinks etc in a bag for any trips, as they cost a fortune at the Tourist sights. If you can get a small cooler as well this will set you in good stead.


Shop around - haggling is awesomely funny,and they expect it for everything. Dont let them give you their 'business card' as they will lure you into their shop, and once your in getting out again is a whole new experience!

Learn some arabic - not fluent but simple phrases, it goes a long way in them leaving you alone if they assume you speak their language.

When your in Naama bay, try to avoid sanything that attracts attention - a flashy watch, an obvious tattoo on display - all these do is give the traders something to strike up a conversation about before again trying their luck with the shops...

Thats not to say that they are obtrusive, once you learn how to deal with them it is quite easy.

Last one, and perhaps most important - respect their dress codes, especially if taking your good lady - cover shoulders, short skirts are a no no, and bite your tongue - when we didnt go into a shop one hissed at my wife as a 'little bitch'. That was in Cairo, and as much as l wouyld have liked to snap the fecker in half, just ignore them.

Having said that, great place, would happily go back. We are going to Taba heights this year, with a possible dash down crawl over the border into Jerusalem on the cards also. Have fun!

Ditto the haggling. Brilliant fun!

I love the place, good eating out, bartering is a must, the egyptians are friendly. There was an egyptian barman at our beach bar, who could take off most brittish accents you cared to ask him. The local beer is quite weak, so you'll pay more for the imported stuff.

Never felt unsafe, make sure you get the price of a taxi before you get in, they have been known to over charge, so barter before and agree a price.

Have a great time.

Originally Posted by box-of-frogs

Ditto the haggling. Brilliant fun!

Yup, an art form when done properly. :D

My first trip was in October 2001, so very cheap, and much less developed than it is now, almost no visible security, my school were horrified I was off on a jolly to Egypt - booked the last week in September - with adult friends...best 10 days truant I ever had on my record. :D

Last time I was out there I stayed at the Camel, their roof bar is a huge favourite with pretty much everyone I know who's been.

Been there twice now for simple lounging by the pool in deep winter. Excellent place, good sunbathing weather through january though some say it gets too hot after may. Security seems good, last year almost bumped into Pres MuBarak in the main drag in Nama bay after the Gaza peace conference. I would opt for all inclusive as itntends to be good value and in the places we stayed in we never tired of the hotel food (any where else we tend to go room only or self catering) Very very popular with the snorkelling/scuba community and seems very good for that. Main centre is Nama Bay and if you like the idea of being able to go for a walk etc at any time or easy access to the disco's etc you probably want a hotel in Nama Bay.

If you are in one of the out of town hotels you will need to use either their shuttle bus at limited times or the local taxis which are relatively cheap if you know the right price (agree before boarding)

If we weren't expecting to be sitting in our boat in the Algarve next winter would be booking again.

Don't underestimate the Sharm el Sh1ts. Exercise the highest levels of personal hygiene and you'll have a nice time. Otherwise.... Well the dumps will be like nothing you've ever seen.

If your going diving try Camel Divers, they're on the main street and do great deals. The bar above camel is pretty cool to. I've dived with them most times ( they do a trip to Dahab to the blue hole - awesome !)
just to be clear I have no connection with Camel - just appreciate good service on the rare occasion I get it.

Originally Posted by Closet_Jibber

Don't underestimate the Sharm el Sh1ts. Exercise the highest levels of personal hygiene and you'll have a nice time. Otherwise.... Well the dumps will be like nothing you've ever seen.

Admin isn't a dirty word!

Went in September last year on an all inclusive with Thomson. As said above, fly to cairo and do the pyramids, it's not cheap but it's definately a tick in the box (the missus was also happy as it was our first anniversary!!). Nama bay is definately the center, so it's kind of your generic holiday resort. Personally I was glad that we weren't staying there as it would have been much cheaper to just go to Salou!

Neither of us had ever dived before so we gave it a go and bloody loved it. Do it. No if's no but's just get it done.

The quad biking into the desert was ok but would have been better if they'd have stopped for a bit and let everyone have a Hoon around, rather than just going in single file with the inveariable old duffer at the front slowing everything down.

There's a water park near Nama bay as well. Don't bother. It's shit!

never had a problem with the shits, and wasn't overly concerned about hygeine, but it's horses for courses etc... Maybe I'm just nails.

Agreed with the shits -

As long as your sensible where you eat, its fine -all inclusive hotel food no problems, and go for cooked meats and veg when out - avoid salads etc.

Also, whilst on hygiene, those hand held gel things are spot on for hygiene - the moneys filthy, and everyone local want to shake your hand, and they are not the cleanest of types...

Blimey loads of replies - thanks alot everyone. Shokran, shokran!
Will be hot on the hygiene as not going to allow that to ruin a well-needed relaxing trip. Well stocked med pack and all kinds of stomach remedies of all strengths. Plus good hygiene stuff. Not taking many chances.

Giving Cairo a miss, if hol was longer I might well do but been watching a few documentaries on pyramids, Nile and the pharoes etc together etc instead of doing the actual trip! Lame maybe but at least we have some good recent background info and have taken an interest. Not really read about it properly since school!

Been to Muslim countries (some v v remote) before so have some understanding of what's in order and what not.

The diving, food (exerting care) drinks and relaxing all sound excellent!