Sharm, Egypt: Top Scuba Diving Destination
Sharm el Skeikh, or just Sharm, is one of the hottest travel destinations in the Arab world, and for good reason. It has quickly become one of the finest diving spots in the world, and the variety of activities available to the traveler is mind boggling.
Forty years ago, Sharm Egypt wasn’t much more than a tiny fishing village. But during Israel’s occupation, the land near Sharm’s center began to be developed and it gradually transformed into a travel destination. It now contains most of the amenities that you would expect in a tourist destination, except that it’s been able to maintain its historic roots.
Sharm and nearby Hurghada are located on the Red Sea coast, and just offshore there is a wide spectrum of beautiful coral and aquatic life, including sharks and dolphins, if that’s your cup of tea! Sharm caters to scuba divers of all levels, so even if you’re new to the activity, you’ll find a reputable dive operator who can accommodate you.
If scuba diving is not for you, there are plenty of other beach activities that you can take part in. Hurghada and Sharm beaches have luxuriouos white sand and the water is crystal clear. Bad pictures are almost impossible to take here!
Most of the hotels in Sharm, are located in the Na’ama Bay neighborhood, a long sandy bay with a beautiful, palm-fringed boulevard. Other popular neighborhoods include Sharm El Maya, which is near the older Sharm el Sheikh development, and Ras Um Sid.
Egypt hosts over five million travelers each year, and in recent years, over one fourth of them have visited Sharm. The locals are very friendly and accommodating with tourists, but there are still some taboo customs that you should familiarize yourself with if you’re planning a holiday. To get the most out of your holiday, look into Egypt packages, which will help you plan your visit.
Sharm’s reputation was dirtied somewhat in 1995 when a (suspected) group of radical Egyptians bombed several areas, taking aim square at the thriving tourist industry of Sharm. But it’s also important to note that many Egyptians died trying to stop those terrorists, and for the most part, Sharm is a very safe city to travel in.
Sharm is a beautiful city in an amazingly historical city. If you plan a trip to Sharm, whether on its on or as part of one of the available Egypt packages, you will not be disappointed, and you will be left with some fantastic memories (and hopefully photographs) that will last a lifetime.
