frenchanne

Hello, I am planning a trip to Egypt (Cairo + Nile cruise) in Nov '05 and was thinking of adding a couple of days on the red sea: which is best? Sharm or Hurghada? Or somewhere else???? Which hotels do you recommend there? Hubby will probably scuba (I'll stick to snorkling), so it has to be a good spot for both. Thanks!

DejaDeb

Haven't been to the Sinai yet, but am planning to go in two weeks. Friends here in Cairo tell me the Movenpick Resort in Sharm is the best. If it's a choice between Sharm or Hurghada, I'd go with Sharm, supposedly more of a resort feel with more to see and do - and very big on scuba diving!

NoFlyZone

One aspect only: if diving (or even snorkeling) are important, go to Sharm where good diving is somewhat close and excellent diving not far away. Hurghada is far from the good dive sites and long boat rides are necessary.

travelgirl_67

I was in Sharm at the end of Nov '04 and really enjoyed it! Highly recommend the Ritz Carlton there...though it is a bit away from the touristy part of Sharm. Even if you don't stay there, make sure you visit their spa if you're into spas...I had a 2 1/2 hour treatment (2 scrubs and a massage) for only $90USD!! They quote all their prices in USD so this good deal had nothing to do with the exchange rate at the time. If you're interested in my trip report, its under this forum "Trip Report: Egypt". Happy Travels!!

mad_iguana

I've been in Sharm and Hurghada. Although it was about 7 years ago I was in Hurghada, I wouldn't go back there if you paid me. Nothing to do with the diving, I just disliked the town immensely. That's not to say that it wouldn't work for other people, I just found it not very pleasant.

Sharm, on the other hand, I enjoyed loads. The diving was excellent (the wreck of the Thistlegorm in particular is unmissable and I'm fairly sure you can't reach it from Hurghada) and the town itself was fun and lively and enjoyable.
There's lots of nice restaurants, a bit of nightlife and even a golf course.
If I was going back to the Red Sea, Sharm would win hands down.

AMAS

if diving is not a big issue for you you should go for Hurghada,,, it will save lots of time and money for you since you will coming from Nile Cruise so it will be easier to go from Luxor to Hurghadaby car ( 4 hrs aprox) But there is no direct flight from Luxor or Asawn to Sharm so you need to book to Cairo first then get second flight to sharm ... you will pay more than double ...

but with no hestating Sharm is the best for Diving...

kellyee21

I took a direct flight (Egypt Air) from Luxor to Sharm a couple years ago, has it been discontinued?

I highly recommend diving at Sharm, it was excellent!

Mary_B

My husband and I stayed at the Hyatt Regency in 2000 in one of their Regency Club rooms, which were off separate from the rest of the resort. The Club rooms provide you breakfast and evening hors'devours and cocktails and impeccable service! The resort was fantastic with great snorkeling off the beach. We paid about $180/night, but WELL worth it! We usually don't pay that much for hotels, but enjoyed this so much, we stayed an extra night!

Kind of a pain to get into town, but the hotel staff was wonderful getting us the transportation we needed.

MyriamC

Definitely the Sharm area for diving and snorkeling, either in Shark's Bay or Om El Cid. The reefs there are very close by the shore. Drawback is that there are fewer natural beaches.

townclose

frenchanne,

we just got back from Sharm where we spent a good chunk of our honeymoon. We stayed at the Reef Oasis (an all inclusive resort) in Sharm, and my husband is a diver, although because of asthma, I can't dive. So, good snorkeling is important to me. Their website is: http://www.reefoasis.com.eg/

My husband scoped out the beaches of other resorts in Sharm (not supposed to, but he snuck onto the other beaches). He is an experienced diver and he said the Reef oasis's beach was the best BY far. It's in a protected cove, so the current is calmer, and when I snorkeled there, the reef was STUNNING. Also, all of the dive and snorkeling boats would come to Temple Reef located off of OUR hotel's beach, so that must mean it's good. My husband also did diving right off the shore while I snorkeled above him.

Each hotel's beach is private, so you can't snorkel on a hotel's beach if you aren't a guest there. They have police/guards who patrol the beaches to check your ID wristbands.

So definitely the Reef Oasis has some of the best snorkeling in Sharm. One peice of advice though, the water is a bit chilly. My husband has a wetsuit because he dives, but i didn't. if i were to go back I would bring a wetsuit, the chilliness of the water definitely shortened the amount of time i spent snorkeling. I would have stayed in the water longer had I been warmer.

jenviolin

EgyptAir has direct flights from Luxor to Sharm 2 - 3 times per week.