Sharm El May. Sharm El Maya beaches. Safe sandy beaches

Sharm el Maya is an Egyptian resort located on the shores of the bay of the same name. This is not a separate city, but the southwestern region of the famous Sharm el-Sheikh. Why is it interesting and why do tour operators often distinguish this direction separately from Sharm el-Sheikh !? Prices, entertainment, leisure attractions in Sharm El Maya - what you will learn from this article.

Sharm el Maya, as a district of Sharm el Sheikh, is adjacent to Khataba, and about 7 kilometers separate it from Naama Bay. From the airport of the resort to the place of rest will have to overcome a little more than 20 kilometers.

Resort on the map:

Resort climate

Sharm El Maya, like most Egyptian tourist destinations, allows you to enjoy a beach holiday all year round. At the same time, for those who prefer cooler temperatures, you should pay attention to the winter holiday period: from December to March. Daytime temperatures range from 23 to 25 degrees, and at night the thermometer drops to +17⁰С. At the same time, the water temperature in the sea differs from the air temperature by only one degree. The absence of a drop makes swimming comfortable.

It is worth considering that in 2019, flights from the capital will only depart to Cairo, from where Egyptian Airlines will deliver travelers to Sharm el-Sheikh Airport. The flight lasts only 1 hour, the price differs depending on the selected season and fare, the minimum is $42.

You can get to the resort by taxi or minibus. Both types of transport can be found by leaving the building of the first airport terminal. There are parking lots directly opposite the exit.

It doesn’t matter what the choice fell on, a minibus or a taxi, the price should be discussed with the driver before boarding the salon.

The cost of taxi services directly depends on the mileage. The fare is usually calculated from double the distance (round trip) multiplied by 1 Egyptian pound. Keep this in mind if you have to bring down the price.

Resort transport

In the Sharm el Maya area, as well as throughout the resort, you can travel by minibuses. You can stop the mini-bus directly on the road, there are no special parking lots, transport stops on demand. There is no schedule as such, usually cars follow each other with an interval of 5 minutes. The price for locals is 2 Egyptian pounds, but a foreigner should check the fare in advance.

There are also more comfortable buses at the resort, departing from specific hotels, travel here will cost more - within 5 Egyptian pounds.

And, of course, a taxi. It can be ordered through the hotel reception or simply "caught" on the street.

Car rent

At the airport of Sharm el-Sheikh, as well as directly in all areas of the resort, including Sharm el-Maya, there is a sufficient number of rental salons. These are Arab offices, as well as offices of eminent agencies.

The first can offer a car a little cheaper and will not require an international driver's license. It is enough that the applicant for transport will have a driver's license and a copy of a foreign passport with him.

European salons without fail require an international standard driver's license.

Regardless of which distributor is chosen, it is important to know the following:

1. The car is issued to a person at least 25 years old with a driving experience of at least 1 year;
2. The car will need to be returned at the place where it was received, while a full tank must be filled. Otherwise, a fine will be applied;
3. In almost any salon, a daily mileage limit is applied, the excess is paid additionally;
4. Upon receipt of the car, it is necessary to fix all existing external defects, as well as clarify the conditions of insurance.

The cost of a day of rental starts from $50 for an economy class car. For long-term rentals, a discount is provided.

Where to stay

So a 20-meter double room in the 4-star Xperience Golden Sandy Beach complex will cost from 24 euros per day. Here, all rooms are located on the ground floor and have access to the garden. For children there is a very modest playground, sheltered from the sun.

A more popular and expensive option is the 5-star Iberotel Palace. There are various types of rooms, the most economical one will cost 61 euros per night. At the same time, guests call good sound insulation the advantage of all hotel rooms. A large swimming pool, sun loungers securely sheltered from the sun and its own spa are just a few of the attractive features of this complex.

Beach holidays in Sharm El Maya

The quality of the beaches is the main reason why you should choose a vacation in 2019 in this area.

Coastline features:

1. Dense sand, providing a perfectly smooth and gentle entry into the water;
2. Virtually no danger of hurting your feet on corals, sharp rocks or sea urchins;
3. Wide beach strip;
4. Cleanliness and availability of the necessary equipment for a comfortable stay;
5. The presence of towers with attendants monitoring the possible approach of danger in the form of, for example, sharks. Although, this is perhaps excessive sulfur in this resort. It is rather problematic to meet any kind of fish off the coast of Sharm El Maya.

The above characteristics attract families with small children to the beaches of Sharm El Maya.

There are only 26 beaches assigned to hotels in the bay. It should be noted that on some of them, enterprising Egyptians are trying to take money for entry from those who are not guests of the hotel that manages this beach. Usually this amount does not exceed 5 dollars.

For those staying in hotels not on the first line, there is an opportunity to travel to the beaches by bus. The fare and regularity of the route depends primarily on the category of the hotel. However, often a small number of seats or the schedule of such a shuttle is inconvenient, which entails the need to get to the beach by taxi.

Things to Do in Sharm El Maya

The main entertainments of the resort are connected with the sea. Some of them:

As for attractions and excursions, they are offsite and identical in any area of ​​Sharm el-Sheikh. It:

• Trip to Cairo or Luxor;
• Excursions to the protected lands of Ras Mohammed;
• Climbing to the top of Mount Moses;
• Journey to the colored canyon and a number of others.

More details in the article about.

What else you need to know about holidays in Sharm El Maya

shopping

The main interest of vacationers here, as well as in Sharm el-Sheikh, is the Old Town with the Eastern Market located here. This is a place where everyone can feel the atmosphere of the East, walking among the motley tents and shops and choosing various colorful little things. And almost everything is sold here: from traditional and not only products, ending with papyri and essential oils. Here you can also buy branded clothes and accessories.

Important: Haggle and compare prices. And they are traded everywhere here, no exception - even in supermarkets.

The only place where bargaining is not appropriate is Gazala.

By the way, there is also a duty-free shop here. Shopping here is allowed within 2 days after arrival. You must have your passport with you.

The list of souvenirs is standard for most Egyptian resorts:

• Papyri;
• Dishes decorated with Egyptian ornaments;
• Stone statues of the gods;
• Essential oils.

Local kitchen

Throughout the resort area there is no shortage of restaurants. The guest will be offered not only dishes of local cuisine, but also various world gastronomic powers.

Among the things worth trying while relaxing in Sharm El Maya:

• Fish and seafood of excellent quality, which are prepared in various ways;
• Meat skewers - jacket;
• Falafel.

The “pigeon stuffed with rice” also sounds quite exotic; you can taste such a dish in more expensive establishments.

Connection

For those who travel for a long time and do not want to lose touch with their relatives, it is recommended to purchase a local SIM card from any of the three operators.

It is better to make a purchase at the airport, they will connect it there.

If mobile Internet is required, although Wi-fi is available almost everywhere in the resort, then this will also have to be taken care of at the time of purchasing the SIM card.

Beach holidays with an abundance of water activities and original shopping - this is what will delight tourists in Sharm El Maya. Travelers with children will not be disappointed, the coast is the best suited for kids. And if there is a desire to get in touch with the history of Egypt, then in excursion agencies you can pick up various routes, starting with visiting the Egyptian pyramids and ending with a trip to Abu Simbel.

A few views of the bay:

In the southwest of the most popular and lively city of Sharm El Sheikh is the wonderful resort of Sharm El Maya. This place is simply created for a full and familiar vacation by the sea. There are excellent sandy beaches, and all kinds of water activities, and the hard work of animators in hotels that do not let either children or adults get bored.

Safe sandy beaches

Egypt is famous all over the world for its corals, but they do not allow tourists to safely enter the sea. Someone puts on special slippers for swimming, and someone chooses beaches with sand. In Sharm El Maya, all the beaches are sandy, and the entrance to the sea is completely safe for both children and adults. A typical Sharm El Maya beach looks exactly as we are used to seeing it on tourist postcards: several rows of people sunbathing on deck chairs, children playing by the water building sand figures, and numerous boats that ride vacationers on a banana or on water skiing.

Favorable location

Holidays in Sharm El Maya are not only warm sea and sandy beaches. It is also an advantageous location of the resort. It is from here that all yachts depart for excursions to Ros Mohammed National Park. The resort itself is located in a bay, which means there is never a wind here, and the water is always warm. And this allows you to come here and relax at any time of the year.

Tourists choose Sharm El Maya also because it is very convenient to relax here. Each hotel has its own animators who allow you to stay at the hotel every evening and not go anywhere. But if you still want variety, and massages, saunas and various spa treatments are already boring, then you can go to the Old Town, which is located here. People from all over Sharm El Sheikh come to its market to feel the whole flavor of the East.

And for noisy parties and discos, many prefer to take a taxi to Naama Bay, where it is definitely impossible to get bored.

Sharm El Maya is one of the areas of the famous Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh. It is located in the southwestern part of the city, on the shore of the bay of the same name. As in all other areas of the resort, along the entire bay in two or three lines there are hotels for every taste and budget. The main advantage of Sharm El Maya is its location. The point is not only that the loop-shaped bay is protected from the wind from all sides (which, by the way, can only fly from one, left side). It is from here that yachts and boats leave for boat trips to Ras Mohammed National Park, and in this area is the famous Old Town with its real oriental market.

Shopping and shops

Many people come to the Old City from other parts of the city, just to visit the Old Market. This is a colorful cluster of shops, tents, stalls and street vendors selling a variety of things: products, papyri, perfumes and essential oils, painted sand paintings, rugs, clothes, bags and belts (of course, everything is exclusively from Versacci). Noisy, not too clean, everything is bargaining. And everywhere: even in the supermarkets located right there. The only exception is the Gazala store, there are fixed prices indicated next to each product.

An interesting detail: there is a Duty Free shop in the city, where you can shop for two days after arrival. For control, your passport will be checked.

Popular hotels in Sharm El Maya

The beaches of Sharm El Maya

Another feature that attracts tourists to Sharm el Maya are sandy beaches. The sand is dense, entry into the water in most cases is just perfect. Here it is difficult to get hurt on stones or corals, step on a sea urchin. Of course, when entering the water for the first time on any beach, you need to be careful, but in the bay of Sharm El Maya, the dangers are minimized.

There are 26 beaches in total, each of which is run by a hotel. Some of them are trying to make a paid (4-5 USD) entrance for those who do not live in a hotel that monitors the territory. Buses run from non-first line hotels to the beaches. Their schedule and price depends on the class of the hotel and the type of tour chosen. Somewhere they are free for hotel guests, but you have to take a taxi, as the schedule is very inconvenient or the buses are too small.

In general, the beaches are very good, wide, clean, equipped with everything you need. After the shark incidents, many hotels added a watchtower to the list of “needs” with an attendant vigilantly looking out through binoculars for danger from the sea. Usually this precautionary measure turns out to be unnecessary, since there are very few fish near the beaches of Sharm El Maya. Swimming here is very good for families with children: it is calm, the sea is warm, you can run into the water with a screech, raising a cloud of spray.

If you really want to admire the marine life, this can be done from the pontoons that are available on several beaches. In addition, adults and active people often go for this spectacle to a wild beach, to the left, towards Ras Mohammed. There, for comfortable swimming, you will need rubber slippers so as not to cut yourself on corals. It is better to come there in the afternoon, after 15:00, so that sightseers have time to leave those places.

Entertainment and attractions of Sharm El Maya

Hotel animators try not to let anyone get bored on the beach and in the hotel and constantly arrange contests and events for children and adults. On the beaches, traditional entertainment is added to their efforts: banana riding (30 USD), kite surfing (35 USD), water skiing (55 USD), swimming in a glass-bottomed boat (from 30 USD), etc. At the hotel you can play tennis, work out on sports equipment or visit a massage session (hour 40-60 USD). If you find it boring to spend your evenings at the hotel, blue and white taxis will take you from here to anywhere in Sharm el-Sheikh. Many vacationers in the evenings go to rest in Naama Bay, the road to which costs about 3-5 USD. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

Sharm el Maya Bay is one of the four bays of Sharm el Sheikh, the original form, which is located on its southwestern outskirts of the city, next to the Hadaba area, 7 km from Naama Bay and 21 km from Sharm El Sheikh International Airport. The district of the same name of the city, immersed in greenery and flowers, is located on the coast of Sharm El Maya Bay. Its most striking sights are the Old City of Sharm el-Sheikh, which lies on its territory, with its colorful oriental bazaar Old Market. The bay itself is well protected on all sides by high mountains, which not only draw beautiful landscapes, but also create a special microclimate, making Sharm El Maya the most windless in the entire resort of Sharm El Sheikh. The sandy beaches of the bay have convenient entry into the sea, therefore, the resort area of ​​Sharm El Maya is recommended for families with children. 3, 4 and 5 star hotels have been built on the coast of the bay (for example: Iberotel Palace 5 *, Dessole Seti Sharm Resort 4 *, Partner Turquoise Hotel 3 *), suitable, among other things, for a relaxing family holiday.

To see the picturesque corals, with all the variety of exotic fish, you will need to leave the coast by boat, as they are located further from the coast than in other bays of Sharm El Sheikh. Many beaches belonging to the hotels of Sharm el Maya have small coral deposits, requiring tourists to swim in special shoes. The bay, due to its unusual shape, has a convenient, well-protected harbor. From here, yachts depart daily for boat trips. If desired, tourists can take boat trips, for example, to Ras Mohammed National Park, famous among divers for its large coral reefs "Shark Observatory" (Shark Observatory) and "Yolanda Reef", with coral gardens of hard and soft corals and rare species of fish, and on the coast - mangroves.

If you have landed on this page, it means that you have already chosen the Sharm El Maya resort for your holiday. Therefore, in this article we will not dwell on the advantages of the resort itself, its features and, possibly, disadvantages. In other words, you already know about them, at least in general terms, and you are satisfied with everything in the territory and infrastructure. If this is not the case, then such information can be found on our website in the section "Egypt" tours.

Let us dwell in more detail on the hotels of the Sharm El Maya resort.
As throughout the country of Egypt, the resort hotels provide living conditions, taking into account the basic requirements of international tourism standards and the specific requirements of customers in this region.

Using our catalog of hotels, apply a filter by category (star rating). Thus, you will significantly narrow your search and make your choice easier. The name of the hotel is also a link to the description with photos of the Sharm El Maya resort hotel.
When studying the description of the hotel, pay attention to its location relative to the city center, its remoteness from the airport, from popular tourist and shopping places and from the sights of the town of Sharm El Maya.

If you are planning a holiday with children, it is very important that the hotel meets the requirements of a family holiday. For example, there are hotels that do not accept guests with children. Weird? But this is a fact. There are not many such hotels. Most often they are designed for large business meetings and conferences at high, up to international and government levels. Usually these are the most expensive and best hotels in Sharm El Maya, their category should be 5 stars or 5+.

When traveling with children in Sharm El Maya (Egypt) hotels, you need to request information about beds for babies if your family has children under 2 years old and they are traveling with you. Hotels from 4 stars and above offer such cribs for free. Hotels of 3 stars and below usually charge a moderate extra.

If you choose the hotel category "apartments", then there are no discounts for children, since children are not accommodated in extra beds, but in adult beds. In apartments, the fee is charged based on the cost of the entire room per day, regardless of how many people live in it and what their age is. At the same time, the actual number of guests should not exceed the number allowed in this type of apartment. A significant advantage of the Sharm El Maya resort apartments when relaxing with children is:
1. the presence of a kitchenette or a separate kitchen with all kitchen furniture and utensils, where it is convenient to individually prepare food for very young children, children with food allergies or simply whimsical children in nutrition.
2. the presence of one or more separate bedrooms, despite the fact that there is a double bed in the obligatory living room. Usually this is a double sofa bed. Parents will sleep comfortably in their bedroom behind closed doors when the child is comfortably located on the sofa in the living room.

Before booking a hotel in the Sharm El Maya resort, ask a travel agency or search the Internet for photos of the hotel, its interiors, grounds, interior decoration of rooms and views of bathrooms. Usually, hotels in the country of Egypt and in particular resort hotels have photos posted on their websites. Website addresses and postal addresses are also in the information service of the Sharm El Maya resort. Such services are mandatory at all other resorts in the country of Egypt.