Sharks Bay

Travel back in time

The locals will tell you that Sharks Bay gives you a taste of how Sharm El Sheikh used to be before tourism moved in and transformed it.  This small resort will promise you a laid back and welcoming atmosphere with magnificent views of Tiran Island, the place where some theologians claim Moses parted the Red Sea as recorded in the Book of Exodus.

Despite its name, you’ll be unlikely to view any sharks at Sharks Bay, so don’t let that possibility put you off.  Locals argue that years ago fishermen did unload their catch of sharks at the bay, whilst others claim the name comes from tourists mistook mantas for sharks and so the name stuck.  Whichever is true, rest assured that there are no sharks in Sharks Bay these Days.

Sharks Bay has over the past three decades become synonymous with snorkelling, scuba-diving and other water activities.  There are many diving centres on hand, suitable for novices and experienced divers alike.  You simply cannot leave the Red Sea Riviera without sampling, first hand, the magnificent coral reefs and the colourful marine life that call them home.  If you don’t fancy donning the gear, you can book a trip in a small submarine so you can see what’s under the sea’s surface.  You can also book donut and banana-boat rides from the quay.

You’ll find a handful of restaurants in Sharks Bay.  You’ll find all types of cuisine catered for, but there’s no real reason not to at least try the local fare.  Favourite dishes include Falafel, which are fried and mashed chick peas made into burger-like patties; Shish tawook, a kebab made from chicken meat; and Koshery, a mix of rice, lentils and noodles topped with fried onions and a tomato-based sauce.

From Sharks Bay you can take excursions to the Sinai desert with its breath-taking landscapes consisting of dried-out river valleys and colourful rock formations.  You can examine the fascinating culture of the Beduoin, the nomadic tribes who make the desert their home.  You’ll get to drive miles across the dunes then react with surprise as a sumptuous oasis pops out of nowhere.  You can explore on your own, with care, by hiring a 4×4, or for the more authentic experience, enjoy a camel ride as the sun sets.

Many hotels will also offer trips to Dahab, a small but treasured town on the southeast coast of the Sinai Penisula, a few miles north of Sharks Bay.  You can find a beach café or restaurant for a relaxing drink or meal whilst local children come up to you and encourage you to buy woven bracelets or other Beduoin crafts.  You can travel even further north and visit the Blue Hole, a turquoise bay in which divers can travel to a depth of one hundred meters.

Sharks Bay offers a little more peace and quiet than the nearby Sharm El Sheikh.  If scuba-diving or snorkelling are amongst your passions, then a vacation at Sharks Bay should be just what you are looking for.