South Sinai Travel Guide — Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab & St. Catherine | COMETRA Travel
Egypt's Red Sea Peninsula
South Sinai Three Worlds, One Peninsula
The Red Sea's finest reefs, the world's most celebrated dive sites, a Bedouin desert, and the mountain where Moses received the Ten Commandments
A-Class LicenseNo. 2116
CertifiedIATA No. 90269686
Established20+ Years
ServicePrivate & Exclusive
South Sinai: Sea, Desert & Sacred Mountain
The Sinai Peninsula is three destinations in one. In Sharm el-Sheikh, some of the world's finest coral reefs lie metres from the shore — the Red Sea at its most extraordinary, accessible to snorkellers and divers of every level, surrounded by luxury resorts on one of Egypt's most developed coastlines. In Dahab, 85km north, the same reefs are available in a small, relaxed town where Bedouin culture and diving culture have coexisted for decades in a setting that has never tried to be anything other than itself. And in the mountains above both — a 3-hour drive into the Sinai highlands — St. Catherine's Monastery holds one of the greatest manuscript collections in the world, and Mount Sinai rises to 2,285 metres where the Abrahamic faiths agree that one of the defining moments in human religious history took place.
COMETRA Travel designs South Sinai journeys that honour all three worlds — luxury Red Sea stays with private diving arrangements, authentic Dahab experiences, and guided sacred ascents of Moses Mountain at dawn with Bedouin guides who know every stone of the path.
Three Worlds
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Sharm, Dahab & St. Catherine
Each of South Sinai's three main destinations has a completely different character and attracts a completely different type of traveller. Most visitors choose one base — Sharm for resort luxury, Dahab for diving immersion, St. Catherine for pilgrimage and silence. The most rewarding itineraries combine all three: a few days on the reef, a night in the mountains, and the summit at dawn.
Egypt's premier Red Sea resort city — a purpose-built destination on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula where luxury hotels, international dining, and some of the richest coral reef ecosystems on earth combine in a well-organised, accessible, and genuinely beautiful coastal setting. The Red Sea here is extraordinary in its own right: clear, warm, and teeming with marine life that rivals any reef on the planet.
World-class coral reefs at Ras Mohammed National Park
Tiran Island — legendary dive sites and drift diving
Naama Bay — the social and commercial heart of the city
International airport with direct connections worldwide
Luxury all-inclusive resorts for every travel style
DahabDiving Haven · Bedouin Soul
A former Bedouin fishing village 85km north of Sharm — Dahab is everything Sharm is not: small, unhurried, and fundamentally honest about what it is. The diving is world-class — the Blue Hole alone draws divers from every country — and the Bedouin character of the town gives it a warmth and authenticity that the larger resort cities cannot replicate. For freedivers, it is one of the most important destinations on earth.
Blue Hole — one of the most famous dive sites in the world
The Canyon, The Islands, and dozens of exceptional reef sites
World centre for freediving and deep diving
Bedouin waterfront cafés and a genuinely relaxed pace
Coloured Canyon — desert excursion into Sinai's interior
St. CatherineSacred Mountain · Ancient Monastery
In the Sinai highlands, 1,500 metres above sea level, St. Catherine's Monastery has been inhabited continuously since 565 CE — the oldest active Christian monastery in the world. The mountain above it, Mount Sinai (Gebel Musa), is the peak where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments. To climb it at night, reaching the 2,285-metre summit for sunrise, is one of the most spiritually significant and physically memorable experiences that Egypt offers.
St. Catherine's Monastery — one of the world's great manuscript libraries
The Burning Bush — still growing within the monastery grounds
Mount Sinai night ascent — summit at dawn
360° panoramic views over the Sinai Peninsula at sunrise
Bedouin highland villages and desert mountain landscapes
Accommodation
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Where to Stay in South Sinai
Sharm el-Sheikh offers some of Egypt's finest luxury resort hotels — large, well-equipped properties with private beaches, multiple pools, and direct Red Sea access. Dahab's accommodation is more intimate: smaller hotels and camps suited to the town's relaxed diving culture. St. Catherine has simple, clean mountain guesthouses — the point there is the mountain, not the room. COMETRA Travel recommends the right property for each destination and provides preferred rates across all three.
Sharm's Most Prestigious Address
Four Seasons Resort Sharm el-Sheikh
Sharm el-Sheikh
Ultra-Luxury · Sharm el-Sheikh
★★★★★
The finest luxury address in Sharm — private beach, multiple pools, world-class dining, and Four Seasons' legendary service on Egypt's Red Sea coast. The coral reef is directly accessible from the hotel's private jetty.
Dramatic clifftop setting above the Red Sea — a stunning resort with spectacular panoramic water views, an acclaimed spa, multiple restaurants, and the Ritz-Carlton's hallmark service. One of Sharm's most architecturally impressive properties.
Sprawling all-inclusive resort on Sharks Bay — multiple pools, private beach, extensive dining, and reliable Hyatt quality in one of Sharm's most popular resort areas. Excellent for families and groups.
One of Sharm's most celebrated all-inclusive resorts — premium Rixos quality with beach, pools, entertainment, and multiple dining venues. Consistently rated among the best all-inclusive properties on the Red Sea.
A Sharm institution — the Sheraton on Naama Bay combines a prime beachfront location, private reef access, spa, and multiple dining venues with the classic international luxury that has made it a long-standing favourite.
All-inclusive resort with direct Red Sea beach access, extensive pools, and Hilton's consistent service quality — a reliable and well-loved Sharm property for families and couples seeking comprehensive resort facilities.
A well-located Naama Bay beachfront hotel with consistent international standards, direct beach access, and easy proximity to Naama Bay's restaurants and nightlife — solid value for a central Sharm base.
Dahab's most respected dive resort — built around its own highly regarded dive centre, with comfortable rooms, a waterfront restaurant, and the laid-back atmosphere that makes Dahab so different from Sharm. The choice for serious divers and returning visitors.
Dahab's largest and most comprehensive resort — all-inclusive, with beach, pool, multiple dining options, and dive centre. A comfortable and well-run property for those who want Dahab's reef access with resort convenience.
A well-regarded boutique hotel on Dahab's waterfront — comfortable rooms, friendly service, and direct lagoon access. Simple, honest, and exactly what Dahab is supposed to feel like. Popular with divers, freedivers, and independent travellers.
The finest accommodation in the St. Catherine highlands — a Bedouin-inspired eco-village with comfortable stone cottages, stunning mountain views, and a genuinely peaceful atmosphere perfect for the night before the Moses Mountain ascent.
A comfortable and practical base for the monastery and mountain — clean rooms, reliable service, and the most important amenity in St. Catherine: an early wake-up call for the 2am Moses Mountain departure. Well-located and well-run.
South Sinai's experiences range from some of the finest marine environments on earth to one of the holiest mountains in the world — with a significant desert landscape, ancient monasteries, and Bedouin culture in between. COMETRA Travel provides certified dive arrangements, expert mountain guides, private monastery access, and desert excursions across all three destinations.
St. Catherine · Sinai Highlands · 1,570m
St. Catherine's Monastery
One of the oldest continuously inhabited Christian monasteries in the world — founded in 565 CE by Emperor Justinian on the site where Moses encountered the Burning Bush. The monastery is still active today, inhabited by Greek Orthodox monks who have maintained an unbroken tradition of prayer and scholarship for 1,500 years. Its library holds the world's second largest collection of early Christian manuscripts — after the Vatican — and its icon collection is without parallel in Eastern Christianity.
Active since 565 CE — 1,500 years of continuous monastic life
The Burning Bush — still growing within the monastery grounds
World's second largest early Christian manuscript library
Icon collection including the oldest known icon of Christ
Built on the site where Moses is said to have heard the voice of God
Mount Sinai (Gebel Musa — Mountain of Moses) is the 2,285-metre peak where the Bible, the Torah, and the Quran all record that Moses received the Ten Commandments. The classic ascent begins at around 2am — a 2-3 hour climb by the camel path through the Sinai highlands, reaching the summit as the sky begins to lighten over the Arabian Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the desert mountains of the Sinai in every direction. The sunrise from the summit is one of the most spiritually charged moments Egypt offers, in one of the most significant landscapes in the world.
2,285m — the most sacred mountain in the Abrahamic faiths
Night ascent departing around 2am — summit at dawn
360° sunrise panorama over Sinai, Arabia, and the Red Sea
Ancient chapel at the summit on the site of Moses' encounter
Guided ascent with Bedouin guides who know every stone of the path
Egypt's first national park, Ras Mohammed sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula — where the Gulf of Aqaba meets the Gulf of Suez. This collision of two bodies of water creates extraordinary nutrient upwellings that sustain some of the richest coral reef life anywhere on earth. Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef are two of the most celebrated dive sites in the Red Sea, famous for their dramatic drop-offs, schooling fish, and the surreal sight of a cargo ship's cargo of bathroom fixtures scattered across the reef.
Egypt's first national park — established 1983
Shark Reef — one of the Red Sea's most celebrated dive walls
Yolanda Reef — famous for its scattered cargo of bathroom fittings
Mangroves, saltpans, and exceptional marine biodiversity
Day trips by boat from Sharm el-Sheikh with snorkelling and diving
The Blue Hole is a 130-metre deep underwater sinkhole in the coral reef just north of Dahab — one of the most famous and most photographed dive sites in the world, known equally for its beauty and for the serious risks it poses to divers who underestimate its depth. The reef rim and shallow entrance area are extraordinarily beautiful for snorkellers and recreational divers. The Canyon, The Islands, and Eel Garden are among dozens of other exceptional sites within minutes of Dahab's waterfront.
The Blue Hole — one of the most famous dive sites in the world
The Arch — a famous 56-metre passage for advanced technical divers
The Canyon — dramatic underwater fissure with spectacular wall diving
Eel Garden — moray eels, garden eels, and colourful reef fish
World centre for freediving — international competitions held here annually
Sharm el-Sheikh · Red Sea
Tiran Island & The Straits
Four legendary dive sites — Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, and Gordon Reefs — rise from the floor of the Strait of Tiran. Together they form a chain of coral pinnacles swept by strong currents that bring exceptional visibility, big pelagic species, and one of the finest drift diving experiences in the Red Sea. The wrecks of several vessels that ran aground on the reefs add an additional dimension to sites that are already among the most photographed underwater landscapes in Egypt.
Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, and Gordon Reefs — legendary sites
Strong currents bringing exceptional visibility and big fish
Wrecks of vessels that ran aground on the reef tops
Hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and large pelagic species
Day trips by boat from Sharm — one of Egypt's finest dive excursions
Dahab Area · Sinai Desert
Coloured Canyon & Sinai Interior
A narrow sandstone canyon in the Sinai interior — its walls striped with bands of red, yellow, purple, and ochre in patterns created by millions of years of geological compression. The Coloured Canyon is accessible by 4WD from Dahab or Nuweiba, and the walk through its narrow passageways, where the walls close to arm's width and the light filters down in extraordinary colours, is one of South Sinai's most memorable non-marine experiences. The surrounding Sinai desert landscape — ancient, silent, and vast — is equally extraordinary.
Narrow sandstone canyon with extraordinary banded colour formations
Walls striped red, yellow, purple, and ochre — millions of years of geology
4WD approach through dramatic Sinai desert landscape
Bedouin guides who know the canyon and surrounding desert
Combines well with Dahab diving for a mixed sea-and-desert itinerary
Dining
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Dining in South Sinai
All-Inclusive Stays & Beyond the Resort
South Sinai's resort hotels — particularly in Sharm el-Sheikh — are predominantly all-inclusive properties. This means that for most guests, the majority of meals are taken at your hotel across multiple restaurants, buffets, and dining venues included in your package. This is how most visitors experience dining in Sharm, and the quality at the top properties is genuinely good.
Beyond the all-inclusive package, South Sinai has a great deal more to offer — and COMETRA Travel is happy to recommend and arrange alternatives based on your preferences. Whether you want a fresh seafood dinner by the water in Dahab, international cuisine outside the resort, an authentic Bedouin meal prepared by local families, or an unforgettable night in the desert with a campfire and open-air BBQ under the Sinai stars, we take care of every detail.
Fresh Red Sea Seafood
Dahab's waterfront restaurants serve freshly caught Red Sea fish — grilled simply with lemon and herbs beside the lagoon. COMETRA Travel recommends the best tables and handles reservations for a genuinely local seafood experience away from the resort circuit.
International Cuisine
Sharm el-Sheikh has a broad international dining scene outside the resorts — Italian, Asian, Lebanese, and international restaurants in Naama Bay and Old Market. COMETRA Travel recommends the best options for your preferences and budget.
Desert BBQ & Camp Nights
A Bedouin-hosted evening in the Sinai desert — open fire, freshly grilled meats, flatbread baked on hot coals, sweet tea, and an extraordinary sky above the silence of the mountains. COMETRA Travel arranges authentic Bedouin camp nights for groups and couples.
Authentic Bedouin Hospitality
A meal in a Bedouin home or traditional desert camp — slow-cooked Zarb (underground barbecue), fresh herbs, local bread, and the hospitality of a community that has lived in these mountains for centuries. A genuinely memorable Sinai experience.
Frequently Asked
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South Sinai Travel Questions
Sharm el-Sheikh is Egypt's premier Red Sea resort destination — a well-developed tourism city with large luxury and all-inclusive hotels, a broad international atmosphere, excellent infrastructure, and some of the finest coral reef access in the world at Ras Mohammed and Tiran Island. Dahab, 85km north along the coast, is small, relaxed, and fundamentally different in character — a former Bedouin fishing village that has grown into a world-class diving and freediving destination without losing its unhurried pace. Both offer the same extraordinary Red Sea; what changes is the setting around it. Sharm suits travellers wanting resort comfort and facilities. Dahab suits divers, freedivers, and travellers who prefer a smaller, more authentic experience.
St. Catherine's Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai is one of the oldest actively inhabited Christian monasteries in the world — founded in 565 CE by Emperor Justinian on the site where Moses is believed to have seen the Burning Bush. The Bush itself still grows within the monastery grounds. The monastery holds one of the world's great collections of early Christian manuscripts and an icon collection that includes the oldest known depiction of Christ. The monastery is open to visitors on most days of the week, but the opening hours are limited (typically morning only) and the monastery is closed on Sundays, Greek Orthodox religious holidays, and during certain services. COMETRA Travel coordinates all monastery visit logistics including correct timing, dress code, and guide arrangements.
The classic Moses Mountain ascent begins around 2am — departing from St. Catherine's Monastery by the camel path, a 7km route that climbs steadily through the Sinai highlands over 2–3 hours. The final approach is 750 steps cut into the rock (the Steps of Repentance), steep and requiring care in the dark. The summit at 2,285 metres is reached just before dawn, when the sky begins to lighten and the full panorama of Sinai, Arabia, and the Red Sea opens around you. The sunrise is extraordinary. A small chapel stands on the summit. The descent takes 1.5–2 hours. COMETRA Travel provides Bedouin guides for the ascent — essential for the night climb and for understanding the significance of the mountain. Bring warm layers: even in summer, the summit is cold before sunrise.
Yes — the Red Sea at Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab is safe for swimming and snorkelling, and the coral reefs visible directly from the shore are extraordinary. The water is warm (22–29°C year-round), clear, and abundant with marine life. Most resort hotels provide snorkelling equipment and designated swimming areas. For snorkelling at specific reef sites like Ras Mohammed or the Blue Hole's shallow rim, COMETRA Travel arranges guided boat trips with certified operators. As with all reef environments, visitors should be aware of currents, never touch or stand on coral, and follow all posted guidelines. The Blue Hole's depth poses serious risks for unprepared divers but is perfectly safe for snorkellers at the surface.
Yes — and it is one of the finest short itineraries in Egypt. A typical combination looks like this: arrive in Sharm and spend two to three days on the reef at Ras Mohammed and Naama Bay; drive 85km north to Dahab for two days of diving at the Blue Hole and the Canyon; drive 100km inland into the Sinai highlands to St. Catherine, spend the night, ascend Moses Mountain at 2am, watch the sunrise from the summit, visit the monastery in the morning, and drive back to Sharm for departure. The entire circuit from Sharm to Sharm takes five to six days and crosses three completely different worlds. COMETRA Travel handles all transport, accommodation, and guiding across the full circuit.
The Red Sea coast (Sharm and Dahab) is enjoyable year-round — water temperatures stay between 22–29°C in all seasons and the sun is consistent. Winter (December–February) is comfortable by day (20–25°C) but can be cold at night, especially for mountain visits. Summer (June–August) is hot on the coast but the diving is as good as ever. The best overall season is March–May and September–November, when temperatures are ideal both on the coast and in the mountains. St. Catherine and Moses Mountain are cold in winter (below freezing at the summit before dawn) and excellent in spring and autumn. COMETRA Travel advises on the best timing for your specific combination of activities.
For certified scuba diving, yes — a PADI, SSI, or equivalent Open Water certification is required for independent dives and most guided dive trips. Introductory "try dives" are available in Sharm and Dahab for uncertified beginners, supervised by a qualified instructor in shallow water. Snorkelling requires no certification whatsoever and the Red Sea's shallow reef systems are extraordinarily rewarding for snorkellers. COMETRA Travel arranges certified dive trips with reputable operators in both Sharm and Dahab, and can recommend PADI courses for those wishing to certify during their stay.
Zarb is the traditional Bedouin underground barbecue — meat, chicken, and vegetables slow-cooked in a sealed pit over hot coals for several hours, producing exceptionally tender and flavourful results. It is one of the signature dishes of Sinai Bedouin culture. COMETRA Travel arranges authentic Zarb evenings in the desert around Dahab or St. Catherine — a Bedouin host, a desert setting, open fire, fresh flatbread, and the meal buried in the coals since afternoon. Eaten outdoors under the Sinai stars, it is one of the most genuinely memorable experiences the peninsula offers. Please request this experience at the time of booking your itinerary.
Sharm el-Sheikh has its own international airport (SSH) with direct flights from Cairo (approximately 1 hour) and from most major European cities. This is the fastest and most practical option. Alternatively, the road journey from Cairo crosses the Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel under the Suez Canal and continues south through the Sinai Peninsula — a 5–6 hour drive in a private vehicle. COMETRA Travel arranges private airport transfers, domestic flight bookings, and full road transfers with comfortable private vehicles for any combination of journey and destination within South Sinai.
Sharm el-Sheikh is one of Egypt's most family-friendly destinations — the large all-inclusive resorts are designed for families, the water is calm and warm, and snorkelling trips introduce children to one of the most extraordinary marine environments on earth. Dahab is quieter and suits slightly older children and teenagers who enjoy outdoor, water-based activity. The Moses Mountain ascent can be done with children who are fit enough for a 2–3 hour night walk — many families do it and find it a genuinely moving experience for children of 10 and above. COMETRA Travel designs family South Sinai itineraries with the right balance of activity, rest, and age-appropriate experience.
Discover South Sinai Sea, Mountain & Sacred Ground
Very few places on earth hold such different worlds in such close proximity — the reef at Ras Mohammed, the silence of Dahab's lagoon at dusk, the cold air and gathering light at the summit of Moses Mountain before dawn. These are not simply travel experiences. They are encounters with something older and larger than tourism. Tell us which world you want to enter first — and we will build the journey from there.
Highlights
Private Luxury · South Sinai
Begin Your Sinai Story
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