Red Sea coast
Egypt's Red Sea resorts are the nearest winter sun to the UK with a sea above 20°C all year: about five hours to Sharm el-Sheikh or Hurghada for coral reefs a short swim from the beach. Most visitors go all-inclusive. March–April and October–November are ideal; midsummer tops 35°C, and January evenings turn chilly.
Overview
A Red Sea week usually means one resort hotel, plenty of snorkelling and two or three excursions. Sharm el-Sheikh, at the tip of Sinai, has the stronger reefs, with Ras Mohammed and the Strait of Tiran on its doorstep; Hurghada, on the mainland, is bigger and cheaper, and the base for Luxor trips. El Gouna suits couples who want restaurants and a marina, while Makadi Bay and Nabq Bay are built around large family all-inclusives. The sea is warm enough for most people all year, but northerly winds make winter afternoons breezy, and July and August heat limits sightseeing to early mornings.
Map of Red Sea coast
Highlights
- 1Wildlife
Ras Mohammed National Park
Egypt's first national park, at the southern tip of Sinai, protects reef walls that drop into deep blue water at Shark and Yolanda reefs. Boat trips from Sharm combine snorkelling stops with turtles and big shoals of fish.
- 2Adventure
SS Thistlegorm wreck
A British supply ship bombed in 1941 and now one of the world's best-known wreck dives, with trucks, motorbikes and rifles still in its holds. It lies in about 30 metres of water, so it suits qualified divers on a long day-boat trip.
- 3Beach
Giftun Islands
Protected islands under an hour by boat from Hurghada, with white-sand beaches and shallow reefs that suit beginner snorkellers and children. Pick an operator that moors on buoys rather than dropping anchor on the coral.
- 4History
Luxor
Hurghada is about four hours by road from Luxor, close enough for a long day trip to Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. An overnight stay is far better, letting you see the tombs before the midday heat.
- 5Sacred site
Mount Sinai and St Catherine's Monastery
Pilgrims and walkers climb Mount Sinai overnight to watch sunrise from the 2,285-metre summit, then visit the sixth-century monastery at its foot. It is a long trip from Sharm; check the FCDO travel advice for Sinai first.
Where to stay
Naama Bay, Sharm el-Sheikh
Sharm's original resort strip, with a walkable promenade, bars and dive centres; suits couples and divers who want to leave the hotel in the evening.
Nabq Bay
Newer, quieter resorts north of Sharm near the airport, with big family all-inclusives and reef shelves offshore; check the hotel has a jetty to the reef.
El Gouna
A lagoon town north of Hurghada with a marina, good restaurants and kitesurfing; suits couples and families who prefer a smaller, more polished resort.
Makadi Bay
Self-contained all-inclusive resorts south of Hurghada with sandy beaches and decent house reefs; best for families who don't plan to leave the hotel much.
When to go to Red Sea coast
Best time: Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov.
Average climate in Hurghada
How much does Red Sea coast cost?
Per person per day excluding flights. Return flights from London typically cost £260 off-peak and £650 in school holidays.
Visas & entry for Red Sea coast
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
British passport holders travelling to Egypt normally need a visa.
If you are arriving by air to Sharm El-Sheikh and staying for less than 15 days at resorts in Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba, you do not need a visa. You will get a free entry permission stamp on arrival at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport. If you plan to travel outside the resorts or stay more than 15 days, you must get a visa. You can get a visa at Sharm El-Sheikh Airport or online.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- DengueHepatitis BRabiesTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Egypt
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Thu 7 Jan 2027 | Coptic Christmas Day |
| Thu 28 Jan 2027 | January 25th Revolution and National Police Day (observed) |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Thu 29 Apr 2027 | Sinai Liberation Day (observed) |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Mon 3 May 2027 | Spring Festival |
| Sat 15 May 2027 | Day of Arafah (date may shift) |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Tue 18 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Thu 10 Jun 2027 | Islamic New Year (observed, estimated) (date may shift) |
| Thu 1 Jul 2027 | June 30 Revolution Day (observed) |
| Fri 23 Jul 2027 | July 23 Revolution Day |
| Sat 14 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (date may shift) |
| Thu 7 Oct 2027 | Armed Forces Day (observed) |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Know before you go
- Winter sun here is real but not hot: January highs reach about 22°C, evenings drop to around 12°C and the wind is brisk, so pack a fleece and check the pool is heated.
- If snorkelling matters, choose a hotel with its own jetty onto a house reef rather than a sandy lagoon, pack reef shoes, and never stand on coral or feed the fish.
Plugs, money, phrases, emergency numbers and more: see our Egypt guide.
Florida
Cancún & the Riviera Maya
Cape Town & the Western Cape
Canary Islands