Sinai Map: Diving, Desert & the Climb up Mount Sinai

Sinai sits across the water from mainland Egypt, and it plays by different rules: world-class diving on the coast, raw desert mountains inland, and one of the country's great sunrise experiences in between.

Sharm el-Sheikh — the marine parks

Sinai's main resort is built for the water. Just offshore lie Ras Mohammed National Park and the Straits of Tiran — steep coral walls and some of the most famous dives on the planet. Sharm has its own airport, so many people fly straight in. Browse Sharm el-Sheikh.

Dahab — the barefoot alternative

An hour up the coast, Dahab swaps resorts for a laid-back town and legendary shore diving, including the notorious Blue Hole. Snorkellers get reefs straight off the promenade, and the vibe is slower and cheaper. See Dahab.

Mount Sinai & St Catherine — inland

In the mountainous interior, the sunrise climb up Mount Sinai ends at the summit for dawn, then descends past St Catherine's Monastery, one of the oldest working monasteries in the world. Most do it as an overnight trip from the coast.

The colours of the interior

Beyond the trekking routes, the Sinai desert delivers coloured canyons and Bedouin camps — a striking contrast to the reefs a short drive away.

Choosing your base

Want easy flights, resorts and the best diving? Sharm. Want a slower town and shore dives? Dahab. Either works as a base for the Mount Sinai climb.

🗺️ Map your Sinai trip: Open the interactive map to link the reefs, the town and the mountain.