Three days in Sharm el-Sheikh is enough to see the reef, taste the desert and walk the town if you plan it around the heat and the pick-up times. Here is a plan that mixes the big sights with enough slack to enjoy the beach.
Before you start
Book the boat trip and any long excursion as soon as you know your dates, since the best departures fill in the busy months from October to April. Nearly all excursions collect from your hotel, so give your hotel name and a phone number when you confirm and note the pick-up time. Carry your passport on every outing, as checkpoints are common on the roads, and keep a little cash for tips.
Day one: the reef
Start with the sea, since it is the reason most people come. The Ras Mohammed and White Island boat trip is the easiest first outing: a yacht takes you along the coast to the reefs of the national park and on to a sandbank, with snorkeling gear, lunch and drinks on board and a return in the late afternoon. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes, bring reef-safe sunscreen and a rash vest, and use a life vest if you are not a confident swimmer. Back at the hotel, rest for an hour, then walk the Naama Bay promenade in the evening for dinner, when the cafes and shops come alive and the heat has dropped. If you are arriving the same day, keep this evening free and push the boat day to day two.
Day two: town, sea view and desert
Take the morning easy. If you want to see the coral without getting wet, a semi-submarine or glass-bottom boat takes about two hours including the transfer, and the earliest sailing has the calmest water and the best light. In the late morning, visit the Old Market and the Al Sahaba Mosque, where shops, spices and cafes show the local side of the town. Dress modestly for the mosque, carry a scarf and bargain politely in the market. Return to the hotel for the hottest hours, then head out at the end of the afternoon for the desert evening: a quad bike ride, a camel ride, a Bedouin-style dinner and a show under the stars. Wear long trousers, closed shoes and a scarf for the dust, and bring a warm layer, since the desert cools quickly after sunset.
Day three: choose your finish
You have three good options. For a big day trip, the Dahab and Blue Hole excursion lasts about nine hours and mixes a jeep ride, Salama Canyon, snorkeling, a camel ride and lunch by the sea. For a bucket-list sunrise, the Mount Sinai trip leaves in the night, climbs for dawn and visits St. Catherine's Monastery, but it takes around seventeen hours, so it is only realistic if you have a rest day afterwards. For a gentler last day, try an introductory scuba dive, which needs no certificate but should be at least eighteen to twenty-four hours before a flight, or spend the day by the pool and finish with a dinner at SOHO Square.
If you only have two full days
Do the boat trip on day one and the desert evening on day two, and use any spare hours for the promenade and the Old Market. Skip the long excursions, since they take a whole day and an early start.
Where to base yourself
Naama Bay is the walkable heart of town and a good base for a short stay, because you can reach restaurants on foot and you lose less time in taxis. The big resorts at Shark's Bay and Nabq are quieter and more self-contained, which suits families who will spend more time at the pool. A hillside resort such as the Four Seasons suits couples who want calm, with excursions arranged from the hotel.
Practical tips
Drink bottled water and carry plenty on excursions, agree taxi fares before you set off, and ask about park and government fees, which are often charged on top of boat and bus tickets. In summer, schedule outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon, and in winter bring a light jacket for evenings and for the desert. Before booking, check your government's current travel advice for Egypt, as the wording and levels change.
A one-line summary
Day one the reef, day two the town and the desert, day three either a long day trip or a rest day by the sea. That mix gives you a taste of everything without wearing you out.
