Sharm el-Sheikh for Gulf families
Coral reefs a few steps from the hotel, calm resorts and a short flight from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Here is how to choose an area, when to go and what it costs.
Where to stay: the main areas
Sharm stretches along the coast in a series of bays. Where you stay shapes the holiday more than anything else.
- Naama Bay: the town's centre, with a walkable promenade, restaurants and shops. Good for families who like to go out in the evening; hotels here usually have a sandy bay.
- Nabq Bay: north, close to the airport, with large newer resorts, water parks inside some hotels and wide grounds. Shallow reef flats mean many hotels use jetties to reach deeper water.
- Sharks Bay and Ras Nasrani: quieter cliffside hotels with some of the best house reefs for snorkelling straight from the hotel.
- Hadaba and Ras Um Sid: south, near the Old Market (Sharm El Maya), with reef access and many mid-range options.
For toddlers we look for a sandy beach or a protected lagoon; for snorkelling teenagers, a strong house reef. Tell us your children's ages and we will shortlist hotels to match.
Ras Mohammed and the reefs
Ras Mohammed, at the southern tip of Sinai, was declared Egypt's first national park in 1983 and covers about 850 km² of land and sea. In 2022 it was added to the IUCN Green List for well-managed protected areas. Most families visit by boat for a day of snorkelling, or by road to its beaches and viewpoints.
Snorkelling and diving trips are run by licensed dive centres and boat operators, which we coordinate with. Children's snorkelling is done with life vests and a guide; anyone wanting to try diving does a supervised introductory dive with a certified instructor, after a health questionnaire. Please book through licensed operators rather than beach sellers; it matters for safety and insurance.
Packages
Sharm el-Sheikh Family Holiday — 5 Nights
Egypt's best-known Red Sea resort town: calm bays, coral reefs a short boat ride away and family resorts with pools and kids' clubs.
Treat & Recover by the Sea
Final treatment price is set by the clinic after reviewing your case.
Treatment at a licensed Cairo clinic, then a calm recovery stay by the Red Sea once your doctor clears you to travel. Example treatment range: hair transplant 4,500–11,300 SAR.
Optional trips: Mount Sinai and St Catherine
About three hours by road from Sharm, Saint Catherine's Monastery and its surrounding area, including Mount Sinai, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2002). The monastery dates from the 6th century, and the area also has a 12th-century Fatimid mosque. Many visitors climb Mount Sinai overnight to see the sunrise; it is a long, cold walk and suits fit adults and older teenagers more than young children. A daytime visit to the monastery area is the gentler choice. Trips are operated by licensed tourism companies with licensed guides.
Best months to visit
The Red Sea stays warm all year, roughly 21–23°C in winter and 26–28°C in summer, based on published averages for the northern Red Sea. October to May is the most comfortable time for families. December to February is mild by day and cool at night. June to September is very hot, so plan beach time early and late, and choose a hotel with plenty of shade and indoor pools.
Flights from the Gulf
At the time of writing, flynas lists flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to Sharm el-Sheikh, and says the flight takes about two hours. Jazeera Airways flies from Kuwait to Sharm el-Sheikh. From the UAE, or when dates do not suit, families usually connect through Cairo. Schedules change by season, so we check current options for you. Airport transfers are provided by a licensed transport company.
Indicative prices
| Item | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Sharm el-Sheikh Family Holiday, 5 nights | 3,500–9,700 SAR per room (2 adults) |
| Treat & Recover by the Sea | Recovery stay and transfers 2,700–5,650 SAR, plus treatment priced by the clinic |
| Car with driver (licensed company) | 375–560 SAR per day; family van 790–1,125 SAR per day |
All prices are indicative, exclude flights and depend on hotel, season and room type. The final price is confirmed by the licensed company that operates and invoices the stay.
Medical help during your stay
If a child has a fever or someone feels unwell, we can arrange a doctor visit at your hotel through licensed providers, and help with directions to a hospital or pharmacy if the doctor advises it. The doctor makes all clinical decisions. Hayakkom is a coordination company, not a clinic or a travel agency; we coordinate holidays, stays and treatment in Egypt for families from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, in Arabic and English.
Sedan or family van, with a professional driver
Airport pickup, day trips, and the road between Cairo and the coast — in a clean, air-conditioned car with a driver who knows the way. Cars and drivers are provided by a licensed tourist transport company; Hayakkom books and coordinates them for you and stays on WhatsApp throughout.
| Option | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Sedan with driver, full day (8–10 h) | 375–560 SAR |
| Family van with driver, full day | 790–1,125 SAR |
| Cairo airport ↔ city, one way | 65–310 SAR per vehicle |
Questions people ask
Which area of Sharm el-Sheikh is best for families with small children?
Look for a hotel with a sandy beach or protected lagoon; several in Naama Bay and some in Nabq fit. Many Sharm hotels sit on coral and use jetties, which is great for snorkelling but less easy for toddlers. We check each hotel's beach before suggesting it.
Can children snorkel at Ras Mohammed?
Yes, children who are confident in the water usually snorkel from the boat with a life vest and a guide. Licensed boat operators set their own age and safety rules, which we confirm when booking.
Is the Mount Sinai climb suitable for families?
The sunrise climb is long, starts in the night and is cold near the top, so it suits fit adults and older teenagers. A daytime visit to St Catherine's Monastery area is gentler for mixed-age families.
What if someone gets sick in Sharm el-Sheikh?
Message us on WhatsApp and we can arrange a doctor visit at your hotel through a licensed provider. If the doctor advises hospital care, we help with directions and communication in Arabic or English.
Hayakkom specialities
Where Gulf families book most with us — each with a written, itemised quote before you pay.
Our specialityNorth Coast villasPrivate villas and chalets in gated Sahel resorts · 900–3,750 SAR a night in Jul–AugExplore →
Families & eventsNile cruise for families and eventsLuxor to Aswan · from 1,650 SAR per person for 4 nightsExplore →
5-star stays5-star hotels in Sharm el-SheikhFamily packages · 3,500–9,700 SAR per room for 5 nightsExplore →Plan it with us on WhatsApp
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and your budget. We reply in Arabic or English with a written, itemised quote.
📱 WhatsApp +20 103 156 7949✉️ support@hayakkom.com