Exploring the Coral Reefs of Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt with Kids
It’s no secret that Egypt is home to some of the world’s most beautiful coral reefs. And what better way to explore them than with your kids? Before going, we weren’t quite sure but it turns out that Sharm el Sheikh is the ideal destination to go snorkeling with your kids.
In this post, we’ll provide some tips on what to pack and how to make sure that the whole family has a blast and get to enjoy the underwater world.
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Why should you go to Sharm el Sheikh?
Sharm el Sheikh is a world-famous resort town located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. Its pristine beaches, crystal clear waters and year-round sun make it a popular destination for travelers from all over the world.
Families will find plenty to do in Sharm el Sheikh, from swimming, snorkeling and diving in the Red Sea to exploring the nearby desert.
There are also many kid-friendly activities available, such as camel rides and glass bottom boat tours. With so much to see and do, Sharm el Sheikh is the perfect place to create lasting memories with your kids.
During the Ottoman Empire, the city was part of the province of Egypt. In modern times, Sharm el Sheikh became a popular resort town, especially after the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. The city’s warm climate and stunning beaches make it a perfect destination for both leisure and business travelers. With its rich history and vibrant atmosphere, Sharm el Sheikh is truly a unique place to visit.
Where to stay in Sharm el Sheikh
When traveling as a family with smaller kids we highly recommend staying at one of the larger beach front hotels in the Sharm el Sheikh area. Many of them have a private beach with a lifeguard and direct access to the coral reef lining the coast.
If choosing a fairly big hotel, you also minimize the risk of stomach problems due to bad hygiene which can sometimes be an issue in Egypt. We really like the Hilton Sharks Bay Resort as they have good family rooms and facilities, friendly staff as well as a nice reef just off the private beach.
Snorkeling in the clear waters of Sharm el Sheikh
Sharm el Sheikh is one of Egypt’s most popular tourist destinations, and it’s no wonder why. The clear blue waters and world-class reefs make it a snorkeler’s paradise. And luckily, there are plenty of kid-friendly spots where you can enjoy the underwater world without having to worry about too much wave action or currents.
Tips for snorkeling with kids
Here are a few tips on how to make the most of your time snorkeling with kids:
- Pack sunscreen, hats and towels – The sun can be intense in Sharm el Sheikh, so make sure everyone is adequately protected from sun exposure. Apply sunscreen liberally and often, especially if you’re going to be in and out of the water all day, and bring hats and swimwear with UV protection.
- Invest in good quality snorkeling gear – This is especially important if you have little ones who are just learning how to snorkel. Make sure everyone has a well-fitting mask (no leaks!) and snorkel (no gag factor!). You might also want to consider buying fins for everyone in your group as they will help everyone move more easily through the water (and save your arms from fatigue).
- Ocean safety comes first – No matter how well you think you know an area, always heed local warnings about dangerous wildlife or currents. Make sure everyone in your group knows basic ocean safety rules such as “never swim alone” and “never touch anything.” If someone does get stung by something while snorkeling, seek medical attention immediately – even if it seems like a minor injury. Better safe than sorry!
- Bring a snorkeling-friendly camera to capture some of your colorful sightings. We highly recommend the Olympus Tough camera as it’s waterproof for up to 30 feet/10 meters. Just make sure to check the sealings before you bring it under the surface.
- Have fun! – Snorkeling is an incredible way to get up close and personal with marine life that most people never get to see firsthand. Soak up every minute of it!
Can kids dive, too?
Due to the good conditions of clear water, good reef accessibility and no currents, we find Sharm el Sheikh to be an ideal location to have older kids try out Scuba diving for the first time. If they have turned 12 and are confident swimmers, they can start gearing up and taking a course or do a discover dive at the local dive center. Many of the larger hotels in Sharm el Sheikh have their own dive center so do go and talk to them if you have a kid who would like to try diving.
Combine your trip with other Egyptian destinations
If you find yourself in Sharm el Sheikh, you may want to go and experience some of the fantastic history of Egypt by combining your trip with either a 1 day trip or a couple of days to either Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza or the Valley of the Kings.
You could also go on a sleep-over cruise on the Nile river – an ideal way to travel with kids and certainly an experience of a life time as well.
If you like snorkeling and diving while traveling with kids, we also highly recommend going to Malta and explore the clear waters of the small Mediterranean island state. We have also found Martinique and Mauritius to both have superb snorkeling opportunities as a family with kids.
If you are into marine life and sea turtles in particular, you can read about how to easily snorkel with sea turtles in the Gili islands of Indonesia, snorkelling with sharks and stingrays in Moorea and how to watch turtles hatch in Cape Verde with kids.
Final words
A family vacation to Sharm el Sheikh wouldn’t be complete without a couple of days spent exploring the underwater world via snorkel or Scuba diving equipment.
With its sheltered bays and calm waters, Sharm el Sheikh is an ideal place for families with kids of all ages who want to enjoy all that Egypt’s famous coral reefs have to offer without having to worry about big waves or strong currents.
Trust us, you’ll be dreaming about the beautiful colors of the coral and many fish for a while after returning home!
