Diving -- It's easy to forget in the midst of all the fun-and-sun hoopla that Sharm was -- and still is -- a diver's paradise. The range of reefs, corals, and undersea life is some of the best in the world, and there are two wrecks within easy day-trip range.
The wreck of the Thistlegorm and the Dunraven are both reachable from Sharm. The Dunraven was an iron sail and steam vessel on its way from Bombay loaded with spices and fabric that sank in the spring of 1876 after hitting a reef just inside what is now Ras Mohamed National Park. Its captain -- ironically named Captain Care -- was found at fault and had his license revoked over the incident, which ended with the ship upside down in about 25m (82 ft.) of water. It's possible to swim inside the wreck and look at the boilers.
Ras Mohamed, as famous for its near-vertical walls as it is for the enormous schools of fish that congregate there, is loaded with dive sites with names such as Jackfish Alley, the Shark Observatory, and Anemone City.
The Straits of Tiran are now better known for spectacular drift dives through the reefs named after 19th-century cartographers Gordon, Thomas, Woodhouse, and Jackson than for their strategic importance in regional politics.
Quad/Dirt Bike Safaris -- A host of quad safari companies advertise their services in Sharm. Though one of them, KTM, stands head and shoulders above the rest, it's easy enough to explore the competition with a quick browse through the offerings at your hotel's travel desk or a stroll around Naama Bay. Expect to pay around LE100 to LE150 ($18-$27/£9.25-£14) per person to ride double and LE200 to LE250 ($36-$45/£19-£23) to ride single along dirt tracks around the outskirts of Sharm for 2 hours. This should -- but is highly unlikely to -- include proper safety equipment such as a padded shirt and a European-specification (look for the tag at the back) helmet. It may also include a drink and a time-wasting stop at a store where your guides will receive a hefty commission on anything you decide to purchase.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
