South Sinai is Egypt's premier resort governorate, encompassing the tip of the Sinai Peninsula between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba. Home to world-class diving at Sharm el-Sheikh, biblical pilgrimages to Mount Sinai, and the laid-back beach culture of Dahab, it offers one of the most diverse adventure and relaxation destinations in the Middle East.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in South Sinai.
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Na'ama Bay Beach
The main beach of Sharm el-Sheikh's resort hub, Na'ama Bay is a gentle crescent of sand and coarse beach backed by hotels and restaurants. The calm, sheltered water is perfect for swimming and beginner snorkeling, with a reef garden visible just offshore. Beach clubs line the shore with sunbeds, watersports, and food services.
Editor’s tip. M
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Shark's Bay Beach
A quieter, more intimate alternative to Na'ama Bay, Shark's Bay has some of the best shore-entry snorkeling in the Sharm area. The reef begins just metres from the beach and the water is crystal clear and calm. Despite the alarming name, shark encounters are extremely rare here.
Editor’s tip. R
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Ras Um Sid Beach
A sheltered bay south of Na'ama Bay with some of the best diving in the Sharm area. The beach at Ras Um Sid is less crowded than Na'ama Bay and the underwater topography—featuring dramatic wall dives—makes it the preferred choice for serious divers. The El Fanar lighthouse restaurant overlooks the bay.
Editor’s tip. B
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Dahab Beach (Mashraba)
Dahab's famous beachfront is not a traditional sandy beach but rather a rocky coral shelf lined with cushion-covered café terraces overlooking the Gulf of Aqaba. The relaxed, bohemian atmosphere—Bedouin cushions, fresh juice, and divers in the water—is unique in the world. The backdrop of jagged desert mountains across the water completes the picture.
Editor’s tip. R
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Blue Hole Beach Dahab
The beach at the Blue Hole dive site north of Dahab is a beautiful, wild stretch of pebbled coastline with turquoise water and the Jordanian coast visible across the Gulf. While the Blue Hole itself is for divers, snorkelers can enjoy the surrounding reef and the beach has small cafes serving tea and food.
Editor’s tip. T
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Blue Lagoon Beach Dahab
A stunning shallow turquoise lagoon with vivid blue-green water and flat sandy bottom, the Blue Lagoon is the most visually spectacular stretch of water in the Dahab area. Ideal for wading, kitesurfing, and photography. One of South Sinai's most beautiful natural settings.
Editor’s tip. T
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Nuweiba Beach
A long, wide sweep of beach on the Gulf of Aqaba coast north of Dahab, Nuweiba's beach is one of the most peaceful and unspoiled in South Sinai. The water is calm, warm, and clear, the backdrop of Sinai mountains is dramatic, and the absence of large resort development gives it an authenticity that Sharm and Dahab have lost.
Editor’s tip. T
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Wadi Gnai Beach
One of South Sinai's most pristine and remote beaches, accessible only by 4x4 vehicle through a desert wadi. The reward is a completely undeveloped stretch of turquoise sea, untouched coral reef, and absolute solitude. Possibly the most beautiful beach in the Dahab vicinity.
Editor’s tip. B
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Pharaoh's Island Beach (near Taba)
The beach on the Egyptian mainland opposite Pharaoh's Island near Taba has clear, shallow water and a dramatic setting with four countries visible across the Gulf. The island itself is reached by short boat ride and offers snorkeling around a 12th-century Crusader fortress.
Editor’s tip. S
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Ras Sudr Beach (Gulf of Suez)
Located on the Gulf of Suez side of the Sinai Peninsula, Ras Sudr's beach is famous for windsurfing and kitesurfing due to the reliable north winds that funnel down the gulf. Weekend escape destination for Cairo residents. The sunsets here over the Suez Canal are spectacular.
Editor’s tip. B
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.