Top Things to Do in Sharm El Sheikh
A good Sharm El Sheikh holiday can be as active or as relaxed as you like. Spend a day on the Red Sea, head into the desert, explore the city or plan a private journey into the Sinai mountains. There is no need to fill every day with an excursion. Choose the experiences that matter to you and leave room to enjoy your hotel and the coast.
This guide helps you choose activities around your interests, travelling party and available time. Camel Transfers & Tours can arrange excursions, tickets and transport, with the selected programme and inclusions agreed before booking.
1. Spend a Day on a Red Sea Boat Trip
A boat day combines coastal scenery, time on deck and opportunities to explore the water. Popular programmes head towards Ras Mohammed or the reef areas around Tiran, with organised snorkelling stops along the selected route.
A typical full-day programme runs approximately from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, including hotel collection and return. Exact times depend on your hotel, departure arrangements and the day's itinerary. Many packages combine transfers, lunch and non-alcoholic drinks, while equipment and park fees need to be checked against the specific booking.
Choose a snorkelling programme if you mainly want time at the surface. If you would like to try diving, request a package with an introductory dive rather than assuming it is included with every boat ticket.
2. Try Snorkelling or an Introductory Dive
Snorkelling is a rewarding way to observe the Red Sea's underwater world from the surface. Choose an organised experience appropriate to your swimming confidence, rather than selecting a reef only because it is famous.
An introductory dive offers a different experience for eligible beginners, with instruction and supervision from the diving team. It is not a diving qualification. You can request a dedicated introductory diving boat programme or an optional dive within a suitable snorkelling trip.
Tell the activity provider about your experience and swimming ability. Participation requirements, medical screening and age limits are set by the diving centre. Certified divers should request a programme matched to their qualification and experience.
3. See the Reefs Without Swimming
Royal Sea Scope offers an alternative for travellers who want an underwater view without snorkelling or diving. You sit in an observation cabin below the waterline and look through windows at the surrounding marine scenery.
This is a semi-submarine experience. The vessel remains on the surface, while its viewing cabin extends below the water. It can be an appealing option for families, non-swimmers and guests who prefer to stay dry.
Camel Transfers & Tours can arrange your Royal Sea Scope booking and transport. Share children's ages and any mobility requirements so we can check boarding and cabin access before confirming.
4. Ride a Quad Bike or Dune Buggy in the Desert
Swap the coastline for desert trails and mountain scenery. A quad safari suits eligible riders who want a motorised desert outing, while a dune buggy offers a seated driving experience with a steering wheel.
Choose a single quad for one rider or a double quad shared by a driver and passenger. Dune buggies can be requested with two seats or four seats, making them worth considering for couples, friends and families.
Add a camel riding experience if you want a slower contrast to the driving activity. Children’s participation and vehicle allocation depend on the operating team's requirements, so send their ages when requesting the programme.
5. Enjoy a Bedouin Dinner, Show and Stargazing
A desert evening can continue beyond the riding activity with dinner and live entertainment at a camp. Choose a standard dinner arrangement or ask about a VIP menu and service upgrade.
A 4-in-1 combination brings together quad biking, a camel ride, dinner and a show. A 5-in-1 programme adds telescope stargazing, giving the evening a different finish under the desert sky.
Private family programmes and celebration dinners can also be requested. Telescope visibility depends on sky conditions, while the menu, show and private arrangements are confirmed for the selected programme.
6. Add a Water Sports Session
If you prefer a shorter activity to a full boat day, ask about parasailing, banana boat rides or towable tube experiences at an operating beach venue. These can add an active break to a relaxed resort stay.
Check the actual riding time, transfer arrangements and whether the quoted price applies per person, per ride or per group. Participation depends on the provider's age, weight and safety requirements, as well as conditions on the day.
7. Plan a Dolphin Show or Pool Interaction
A dolphin centre visit is another experience available to book in Sharm El Sheikh. Choose a show ticket or enquire about a supervised pool interaction programme, depending on the participants and the available package.
Camel Transfers & Tours can arrange advance reservations, tickets and transport to the centre. Tell us whether you want the show only, a swimming session or both. Interaction activities, session lengths and photography arrangements differ between packages.
Send children's ages before booking. We will check the participation requirements and explain which services are included, including whether photographs are charged separately.
8. Explore Sharm on a Private City Outing
A city outing brings shopping, architecture and local sightseeing into your holiday. Walk around the Old Market, see Al Sahaba Mosque from the surrounding square and leave time for a café or dinner stop.
Add the Sharm El Sheikh Museum if you enjoy Egyptian history, or choose a coastal stop as part of an agreed route. A private programme lets you set the pace and select the places that interest you.
Decide whether you need a car and driver or a guided tour. A transport booking covers the agreed journeys; guiding, admission and meals are included only when listed in your quotation.
9. Go Out for Dinner and an Evening Walk
An evening away from the hotel does not have to be a complicated excursion. Choose SOHO Square for dining and entertainment, Naama Bay for a walk and a meal, or the Old Market for browsing and dinner.
Pick one main destination and agree your return pickup before setting out. If you want a particular restaurant, show or paid activity, arrange it separately from the transfer so the evening matches your expectations.
10. Take a Day Trip or Overnight Journey Across Sinai
Sharm El Sheikh can also be your starting point for exploring more of South Sinai. Keep these journeys as dedicated programmes rather than squeezing them into a short city outing.
A Day in Dahab
Travel to Dahab for a change of pace, a seaside meal and time around town. Add an organised activity if you wish, with the stops and return journey planned around your interests.
St Catherine by Day
Travel to St Catherine for a monastery-focused visit, followed by a planned lunch stop in Dahab. Choose this programme for cultural sightseeing without the overnight mountain ascent.
Mount Sinai Sunrise
Travel overnight for a guided mountain ascent and sunrise, followed by a monastery visit when open. Choose this programme for the walking experience, allowing time for recovery afterwards.
Sunrise times vary through the year. Mountain programmes involve walking in darkness and a substantial ascent and descent. Monastery access depends on opening arrangements, so the final itinerary must be checked for your travel date.
How to Build a Balanced Sharm El Sheikh Holiday
Start with two or three experiences you would most like to enjoy. A boat day, a desert evening and a city outing create variety without turning your holiday into a continuous series of early pickups.
- For a short stay: choose one main excursion and one relaxed evening outing.
- For a week: spread a sea day, desert experience and city visit between resort days.
- For families: compare journey lengths, children's requirements and the time spent outdoors.
- For active travellers: add diving or a mountain programme, with appropriate preparation and rest.
- For non-swimmers: consider Royal Sea Scope, city sightseeing and a suitable desert programme.
Avoid putting an overnight mountain excursion immediately before another demanding activity or a tightly scheduled departure. Leave enough space for sleep, meals and changes to outdoor programmes.
Things to Do in Sharm El Sheikh FAQs
What should I book first on a first visit?
Choose your main interest first. A boat trip suits a sea-focused holiday, a safari adds desert scenery, and a city outing introduces shopping and sightseeing. Build the remaining activities around that choice.
Are there things to do without swimming?
Yes. Royal Sea Scope offers underwater viewing without entering the water. City outings, museum visits, dinner evenings and suitable desert programmes provide other options.
Can beginners try scuba diving?
Eligible beginners can request an introductory diving experience with a diving centre. The provider checks participation requirements and explains the instruction and supervision. An introductory dive is not a certification course.
Can we book activities with hotel transfers?
Yes. We can arrange programmes with hotel transport or quote transfers separately. Your confirmation states whether transport is shared or private and which journeys are included.
Can you arrange a private programme for our family?
Yes. Send your preferred experiences, hotel, travel dates and children's ages. We will check suitable activities and explain which parts of the proposed programme are private.
Are tickets, equipment and meals always included?
No. Inclusions depend on the selected programme. Check transfers, admission, equipment, meals, drinks and optional upgrades in your quotation before confirming the booking.
Choose Your Sharm El Sheikh Experiences
Tell us your hotel, travel dates, group size and the activities you would like to try. We will help put together a practical programme and send your personal quotation on WhatsApp.
Plan Your Activities on WhatsAppSending an enquiry does not confirm a booking.
We will confirm your programme, availability and price on WhatsApp.
We will share the payment link where applicable and confirm your booking once the agreed requirements are completed.
Explore More with Camel Transfers & Tours
Browse our Egypt Travel & Transfer Guides , explore sightseeing and attraction transfers or plan a personalised Egypt itinerary with our team.
Top Things to Do in Sharm El Sheikh
A good Sharm El Sheikh holiday can be as active or as relaxed as you like. Spend a day on the Red Sea, head into the desert, explore the city or plan a private journey into the Sinai mountains. There is no need to fill every day with an excursion. Choose the experiences that matter to you and leave room to enjoy your hotel and the coast.
This guide helps you choose activities around your interests, travelling party and available time. Camel Transfers & Tours can arrange excursions, tickets and transport, with the selected programme and inclusions agreed before booking.
1. Spend a Day on a Red Sea Boat Trip
A boat day combines coastal scenery, time on deck and opportunities to explore the water. Popular programmes head towards Ras Mohammed or the reef areas around Tiran, with organised snorkelling stops along the selected route.
A typical full-day programme runs approximately from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, including hotel collection and return. Exact times depend on your hotel, departure arrangements and the day's itinerary. Many packages combine transfers, lunch and non-alcoholic drinks, while equipment and park fees need to be checked against the specific booking.
Choose a snorkelling programme if you mainly want time at the surface. If you would like to try diving, request a package with an introductory dive rather than assuming it is included with every boat ticket.
2. Try Snorkelling or an Introductory Dive
Snorkelling is a rewarding way to observe the Red Sea's underwater world from the surface. Choose an organised experience appropriate to your swimming confidence, rather than selecting a reef only because it is famous.
An introductory dive offers a different experience for eligible beginners, with instruction and supervision from the diving team. It is not a diving qualification. You can request a dedicated introductory diving boat programme or an optional dive within a suitable snorkelling trip.
Tell the activity provider about your experience and swimming ability. Participation requirements, medical screening and age limits are set by the diving centre. Certified divers should request a programme matched to their qualification and experience.
3. See the Reefs Without Swimming
Royal Sea Scope offers an alternative for travellers who want an underwater view without snorkelling or diving. You sit in an observation cabin below the waterline and look through windows at the surrounding marine scenery.
This is a semi-submarine experience. The vessel remains on the surface, while its viewing cabin extends below the water. It can be an appealing option for families, non-swimmers and guests who prefer to stay dry.
Camel Transfers & Tours can arrange your Royal Sea Scope booking and transport. Share children's ages and any mobility requirements so we can check boarding and cabin access before confirming.
4. Ride a Quad Bike or Dune Buggy in the Desert
Swap the coastline for desert trails and mountain scenery. A quad safari suits eligible riders who want a motorised desert outing, while a dune buggy offers a seated driving experience with a steering wheel.
Choose a single quad for one rider or a double quad shared by a driver and passenger. Dune buggies can be requested with two seats or four seats, making them worth considering for couples, friends and families.
Add a camel riding experience if you want a slower contrast to the driving activity. Children’s participation and vehicle allocation depend on the operating team's requirements, so send their ages when requesting the programme.
5. Enjoy a Bedouin Dinner, Show and Stargazing
A desert evening can continue beyond the riding activity with dinner and live entertainment at a camp. Choose a standard dinner arrangement or ask about a VIP menu and service upgrade.
A 4-in-1 combination brings together quad biking, a camel ride, dinner and a show. A 5-in-1 programme adds telescope stargazing, giving the evening a different finish under the desert sky.
Private family programmes and celebration dinners can also be requested. Telescope visibility depends on sky conditions, while the menu, show and private arrangements are confirmed for the selected programme.
6. Add a Water Sports Session
If you prefer a shorter activity to a full boat day, ask about parasailing, banana boat rides or towable tube experiences at an operating beach venue. These can add an active break to a relaxed resort stay.
Check the actual riding time, transfer arrangements and whether the quoted price applies per person, per ride or per group. Participation depends on the provider's age, weight and safety requirements, as well as conditions on the day.
7. Plan a Dolphin Show or Pool Interaction
A dolphin centre visit is another experience available to book in Sharm El Sheikh. Choose a show ticket or enquire about a supervised pool interaction programme, depending on the participants and the available package.
Camel Transfers & Tours can arrange advance reservations, tickets and transport to the centre. Tell us whether you want the show only, a swimming session or both. Interaction activities, session lengths and photography arrangements differ between packages.
Send children's ages before booking. We will check the participation requirements and explain which services are included, including whether photographs are charged separately.
8. Explore Sharm on a Private City Outing
A city outing brings shopping, architecture and local sightseeing into your holiday. Walk around the Old Market, see Al Sahaba Mosque from the surrounding square and leave time for a café or dinner stop.
Add the Sharm El Sheikh Museum if you enjoy Egyptian history, or choose a coastal stop as part of an agreed route. A private programme lets you set the pace and select the places that interest you.
Decide whether you need a car and driver or a guided tour. A transport booking covers the agreed journeys; guiding, admission and meals are included only when listed in your quotation.
9. Go Out for Dinner and an Evening Walk
An evening away from the hotel does not have to be a complicated excursion. Choose SOHO Square for dining and entertainment, Naama Bay for a walk and a meal, or the Old Market for browsing and dinner.
Pick one main destination and agree your return pickup before setting out. If you want a particular restaurant, show or paid activity, arrange it separately from the transfer so the evening matches your expectations.
10. Take a Day Trip or Overnight Journey Across Sinai
Sharm El Sheikh can also be your starting point for exploring more of South Sinai. Keep these journeys as dedicated programmes rather than squeezing them into a short city outing.
A Day in Dahab
Travel to Dahab for a change of pace, a seaside meal and time around town. Add an organised activity if you wish, with the stops and return journey planned around your interests.
St Catherine by Day
Travel to St Catherine for a monastery-focused visit, followed by a planned lunch stop in Dahab. Choose this programme for cultural sightseeing without the overnight mountain ascent.
Mount Sinai Sunrise
Travel overnight for a guided mountain ascent and sunrise, followed by a monastery visit when open. Choose this programme for the walking experience, allowing time for recovery afterwards.
Sunrise times vary through the year. Mountain programmes involve walking in darkness and a substantial ascent and descent. Monastery access depends on opening arrangements, so the final itinerary must be checked for your travel date.
How to Build a Balanced Sharm El Sheikh Holiday
Start with two or three experiences you would most like to enjoy. A boat day, a desert evening and a city outing create variety without turning your holiday into a continuous series of early pickups.
- For a short stay: choose one main excursion and one relaxed evening outing.
- For a week: spread a sea day, desert experience and city visit between resort days.
- For families: compare journey lengths, children's requirements and the time spent outdoors.
- For active travellers: add diving or a mountain programme, with appropriate preparation and rest.
- For non-swimmers: consider Royal Sea Scope, city sightseeing and a suitable desert programme.
Avoid putting an overnight mountain excursion immediately before another demanding activity or a tightly scheduled departure. Leave enough space for sleep, meals and changes to outdoor programmes.
Things to Do in Sharm El Sheikh FAQs
What should I book first on a first visit?
Choose your main interest first. A boat trip suits a sea-focused holiday, a safari adds desert scenery, and a city outing introduces shopping and sightseeing. Build the remaining activities around that choice.
Are there things to do without swimming?
Yes. Royal Sea Scope offers underwater viewing without entering the water. City outings, museum visits, dinner evenings and suitable desert programmes provide other options.
Can beginners try scuba diving?
Eligible beginners can request an introductory diving experience with a diving centre. The provider checks participation requirements and explains the instruction and supervision. An introductory dive is not a certification course.
Can we book activities with hotel transfers?
Yes. We can arrange programmes with hotel transport or quote transfers separately. Your confirmation states whether transport is shared or private and which journeys are included.
Can you arrange a private programme for our family?
Yes. Send your preferred experiences, hotel, travel dates and children's ages. We will check suitable activities and explain which parts of the proposed programme are private.
Are tickets, equipment and meals always included?
No. Inclusions depend on the selected programme. Check transfers, admission, equipment, meals, drinks and optional upgrades in your quotation before confirming the booking.
Choose Your Sharm El Sheikh Experiences
Tell us your hotel, travel dates, group size and the activities you would like to try. We will help put together a practical programme and send your personal quotation on WhatsApp.
Plan Your Activities on WhatsAppSending an enquiry does not confirm a booking.
We will confirm your programme, availability and price on WhatsApp.
We will share the payment link where applicable and confirm your booking once the agreed requirements are completed.
Explore More with Camel Transfers & Tours
Browse our Egypt Travel & Transfer Guides , explore sightseeing and attraction transfers or plan a personalised Egypt itinerary with our team.