Commonly referred to as Sharm, is an Egyptian city on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula on the coastal strip along the Red Sea. It has a population of about 75,000 inhabitants as of 2015. This city does have an “old market” and “old” section but this not what attracts people today. The city and the holiday resort section around Naama Bay have really been developed over the past 10 years and is now a major tourist destination for sun seekers as well as divers and snorkelers. We had a free shuttle bus heading to Naama Bay and this was our destination for today. We have done several bus tours over the past few ports so today was a chill beach day. We were also here about 10 years ago in 2013, so no visit to the old city was needed. That all said, this area has put on the turbo chargers in the resort development since this last visit. The bay where we docked is full of diving boats and other yachts, the strip of land between the port and the old city is all now fully developed and Naama Bay resorts, hotels and major shopping area did not really exist.
Our shuttle dropped us off at this major resort area where all around the Naama bay were hotels and beach restaurants all vying for your business. Beautiful sandy beach areas all with lounge chairs and restaurants. The water was as warm as warm could be and very safe swimming areas, many with mini coral reefs giving snorkelers a chance to see some amazing fish. Swimming goggles work in a pinch. We just walked out to the reef in about chest deep water and all the fish came and swam around us, amazing. There was one area where there must have been 100,000 little fish in a school or in this case a swarm, you could walk through them as if you are splitting the Red Sea, lol. The total cost of this incredible day, $5.00 USD per lounge chair, with pad and towel and in the beautiful shade, $4.00 per half litre of beer (we had 2), and $7.50 for two hotdogs with fries, so including a $3.00 tip, $30.00 USD. Not bad. So yes, we had a good day. Oh, one draw back, they say they have wifi, but it wasn’t working today, come back next week - so not really sure they actually have wifi. Lastly, as you will see the pics, this beach goes from gstring bikinis to the more conservative, burkini. We were back to the ship by 4:00 for a nice sail away in the sunset. Yes, it was 30 degree warm today but in the shade at the beach there was a pleasant breeze, so very nice.
Only a few pics of our day, hope you enjoy…
Quote of the day, “Ships are my arrows, the sea my bow, the world my target.” - Robert Thier
