Weather lowdown
July and August are the hottest months of the year at Sharm el-Sheikh, although on average August is marginally hotter than July. The daytime temperature reaches an average maximum of 37.5°C, and the temperature typically drops to 27°C overnight. Temperatures rarely fluctuate by more than a few degrees either side of the long-term average, but during spells with above-average temperatures, some days exceed 40°C. However, humidity is generally low, which detracts from the severity of the heat. Visitors should thus take plenty of water and protection from the sun.
Rainfall is non-existent during the month of July- the long-term average rainfall for July is 0mm and there are on average 0.0 days with measurable rainfall. July is statistically the sunniest month of the year at Sharm el-Sheikh, with an average of just over 400 hours of bright sunshine during July, or an average of 13 hours per day. A typical July boasts an average sea temperature of 27°C, making diving and other underwater attractions an ideal way to cool off, without ever feeling particularly cold. Other than the intensity of the heat, weather-related hazards are rarely encountered during the month of July.
Where to Stay
Royal Savoy Hotel
For those with a particularly large budget, the Royal Savoy Hotel close to SOHO Square is a luxurious 5-star hotel with numerous sporting and catering facilities and is particularly ideal for couples going on an expensive honeymoon.
Reef Oasis Blue Bay Resort
The Reef Oasis Blue Bay Resort at El Basha Bay is a relatively expensive, but high-quality, all-inclusive hotel which also contains a reef diving club.
Coral Sea Splash Resort
Those with relatively moderate budgets can consider the Coral Sea Splash Resort at Nabq Bay, which also includes an on-site water park.
Sinai Old Spices
Those on a tight budget can consider Sinai Old Spices in the Roissat area of Sharm el-Sheikh, which is a cheap yet high-quality B&B which serves a variety of meals.
S1 Egyptian Experience Resort
Self-catering options include the S1 Egyptian Experience Resort, which is situated in the Nabq Bay area.
Hit the beach
Naama Bay
The popular beach resort of Naama Bay is situated to the west of the main Sharm el-Sheikh port, close to the Ras um Sid beach resort. It is a good area for scuba diving and the Red Sea Diving College is on-site, for those who would like a nearby outlet to provide training and guided trips. Ras um Sid is a quieter beach resort and contains a significant number of spectacular dive sites, characterised by coral reefs, varied species of fish and shipwrecks.
Eating and Drinking Out
Camel Bar & Roof
The Camel Bar & Roof, situated at the Camel Hotel in Naama Bay, offers good Indian, Italian and British food, which is inexpensive and has a Bedouin-style interior, and also boasts a sports bar downstairs.
Cafe Royal
The Cafe Royal at Sharm Elise is a good option, as the European-style food, the service and the value for money are all highly rated by most customers at TripAdvisor, and free Wi-Fi internet access is also provided.
Taj Mahal Centre
The Taj Mahal Centre in Peace Road, El Hadaba, is a good spot to go to for nightlife on certain days of the week- it features the special Taj Mahal parties on Friday nights, organised by 1001 Nights, and beach parties on Wednesday nights. The centre also hosts the Dolce Vita nightclub.
Half Crown
For those after a good British-style pub and bar, which serves high-quality pub meals, the Half Crown, situated on El Frossia Street, is very popular with visitors and provides TV coverage of sporting events, as well as musical entertainment during the evenings and overnight, when it turns into a nightclub.
Things to do
Tiran Island
Tiran Island lies off the east coast of Sharm el-Sheikh, and boasts spectacular sandy scenery and is adjacent to equally spectacular diving and snorkelling spots, boasting a wide variety of fish and coral reefs and shipwrecks. Luxor Excursions offer full-day snorkelling trips to the island, which are highly rated by tourists.
Tourists will be picked up from their hotels and taken on a guided tour in an air-conditioned private vehicle, lunch and soft drinks and mineral water are provided, and there are three stops which provide scope to go diving and snorkelling and survey the coral reefs and sunken ships in the area. You will need to bring your own snorkelling equipment.
Sinai Safari Adventures
Sinai Safari Adventures also offer 6-7 hour day tours to the island, including lunch and soft drinks, opportunities to dive around the island and guidance from a professional dive master. Snorkelling equipment is provided at a cost, or you can bring your own.
Easy Divers
The Easy Divers centre is worth considering for those interested in trying out dive sites around the region and acquiring assistance and organised trips. They are located at the Sharm Grand Plaza Resort in Sharm el-Sheikh, and they offer dive trips and instructions for novice divers, as well as a range of advanced courses for more experienced divers, including Wreck Diver (learning techniques for exploring underwater wrecks- useful around the Tiran Island area for example) and Digital Underwater Photographer (useful for those who would like to learn how to perform dives and take photos using digital cameras that are waterproof).
A professional instructor also offers courses for young children who are interested in taking up diving.
