The winter is coming! And although Egypt is warm and sunny, high waves and windy weather can ruin your holiday experience! That is why we continue the series of articles about Egypt!
In the previous article we talked about the best hotels with lagoons in Hurghada, and now we bring to your attention an overview of windless bays in the popular resort of Egypt - Sharm El Sheikh!
Well, let’s find out in more detail where is the best place to relax in winter! The resort has three bays that will be comfortable in winter. Let's begin!
Located 10 km from Sharm el-Sheikh airport. Magnificent sandy beaches, cleared of remnants of corals, with a gentle entry into the sea. Ideal for holidays with small children. And of course, there are coral reefs not far from the shore, so those who like to dive and watch the underwater world will not be bored.
This area is the oldest in the city and is considered the unofficial center of Sharm El Sheikh! The place is ideal for a driving and youth holiday. It is known for its avenue with a huge number of different shops, cafes and clubs. One of the best clubs - Le Pacha is located right here. Every evening all the youth of Sharma gather here.
- Movenpick Sharm el Sheikh Naama Bay 5 * From 478435 KZT per person
- Stella Di Mare Beach Hotel & Spa 5 * From 422879 KZT per person
- Marriott Resort Beach Front 5 * From 395428 KZT per person
- Novotel Beach 5* From 398369 KZT per person
- Marriott Resort Mountain 5* From 395428 KZT per person
- Tropitel Naama Bay 5* From 345,700 KZT per person
- Lido Sharm Hotel 4 * From 301310 KZT per person
- Ghazala Beach Hotel 4 * From $321 per person
- Maritim Jolie Ville Resort & Casino 5 * From 299676 KZT per person
- Hilton Fayrouz Resort 4 * From $305 per person
- Oriental Rivoli Hotel 4 * From 247061 KZT per person
Ras um el Sid
19 km from the airport between Naama Bay and Sharm el Maya there is a small bay. First of all, it is known for its incredibly rich underwater world. If you're flying to Egypt to go diving or snorkeling (swimming with goggles and snorkeling), there's no better place!
To make it easy to get to the main advantage - the corals, or as they are also called “underwater gardens” here, an event at sea on a pontoon is possible on the beaches of all hotels. Here you can easily discover a new sport - diving. Almost every hotel has its own diving centers and schools. Be sure to try this sport, because there are underwater caves in the bay - an incredible experience!
The beaches here, as in other bays, are wonderful. However, here they are sometimes narrow, and the sea is quite deep after a few meters. Ideal for those who love to swim!
The best hotels in Ras um al Sid are:
- Reef Oasis Beach Resort 5 * From 345428 KZT per person
- Hilton Sharm Waterfalls Resort 5 * From 296734 KZT per person
- Jaz Fanara Residence 4 * From 283989 KZT per person
- Albatros Aqua Blu Resort 4 * From 316996 KZT per person
- Royal Grand Sharm 5 * From 283989 KZT per person
- Club El Faraana Reef Resort From $341 per person
- Renaissance Golden View Beach Resort 5 * From 233008 KZT per person
- New La Perla Hotel 3 + * From 209,000 KZT per person
Sharm el Maya
Located next to Ras um el Sid. Another small bay, which is also windless, because it is protected by mountains on three sides. The local beaches are some of the best: sandy, with a gentle slope into the sea. You can safely swim; it is almost impossible to encounter stones, corals or sea urchins.
Near the bay is the Old Town area with its main attraction: the Old Market. Here local merchants sell a wide variety of things. People come here from everywhere for the local Arabic flavor and atmosphere.
And another advantage is the harbor, from which you can go on boat excursions and walks. One of the most popular is a trip to the Ras Mohammed nature reserve. Be sure to visit it, we recommend it!
In the harsh Russian winter, everyone wants to escape to the warm sea for at least a week. Egypt is the most accessible for this: the country's resorts are ready to receive tourists all year round. Comfortable hotels, inexpensive trips and a quick flight (from Moscow to Cairo about 4 hours, from St. Petersburg - about 5) make the destination extremely popular.
It is especially interesting in Egypt during the New Year holidays. Hotel workers decorate the Christmas tree, hang tinsel and garlands, organize exhibitions, hold themed evenings, competitions and other entertainment for tourists. Many hotels include gifts for children, greetings from Santa Claus and New Year's Eve celebrations.
Weather in Egypt in winter
The daytime air temperature is around 25-27 °C, which allows you to swim in the sea. It gets cooler in the evening.
Hurghada
Windless bays of Sharm El Sheikh
The windy season begins at the resort, which can significantly ruin your vacation. Suddenly the wind rises, the temperature drops to 5-10 °C, and sand flies. Of course, you can always move to the pools - from the beginning of December the water is heated to a comfortable temperature.
Compared to Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada is about 2-4 °C colder.
Sharm El Sheikh
This resort is the undisputed leader in sales of winter tours and packages. In winter it is not hot here, it is comfortable, there are areas that are not affected by the windy season. The average daytime air temperature is about 26-27 °C.
Windless bays in Sharm El Sheikh:
- Naama Bay,
- Ras Umm Sid,
- Sharm El Maya.
Naama Bay
The resort town of Naama Bay is located in the old part of Sharm El-Sheikh, in a closed bay. There is everything for a comfortable stay: hotels and restaurants, discos and nightclubs, bars and shops. Fans of active nightlife are recommended to visit the Bus Stop and Black House clubs. A warm welcome and delicious food will be provided by the Panarama Cafe, Back in USSR.
There are clean beaches and a good, well-maintained entrance to the sea. In areas with coral reefs, pontoons are used. Like other resorts in Egypt, the underwater world is brightly and variedly represented here, a real haven for diving enthusiasts. Attention: only in Naama Bay you can ride water scooters, banana boats, etc. In other parts of Sharm El Sheikh these activities are prohibited.
Ras Umm Sid
Ras Umm Sid is located exactly halfway between Naama Bay and Sharm El Maya. This is a young, active, lively area that is constantly expanding and being built up. Local authorities focus on tourists, so there are many inexpensive hotels, banks, and entertainment complexes. The huge shopping area Il Mercato will provide ideal leisure time for shopping lovers, the 1001 Nights complex will open a real oriental fairy tale, and dolphinariums and water parks will give children a lot of impressions.
There are large coral reefs here, the depth begins immediately from the shore. The entrance to the sea in most hotels is not very convenient; we recommend purchasing special shoes. But all minor inconveniences are more than compensated by the incredible underwater world.
Sharm El Maya
Not far from Naama Bay is Sharm El Maya Bay. It is protected from the wind by mountain ranges on all sides, so it is almost always quiet and warm here. Clean, spacious beaches and a sandy bottom make the bay popular for families with children. There are also coral reefs here, but further, not in the beach area.
When choosing winter tours to Egypt, carefully study the information about hotels. It is the level and furnishings of the hotel that determine the quality of your vacation. Pay attention to the availability of heated pools, air conditioning in the room, distance to the sea and food. If you want to stay for the holidays, check what is included in the banquet price, whether you can buy your own alcohol, etc.
The most accurate, verified data on resorts and hotels will be provided by the travel agency Amigo Tour NN.
Naama Bay is the tourist center of the resort of Sharm El Sheikh. Along the entire coast of Naama Bay there is a 3 km long pedestrian street with cozy restaurants, cafes, discos and shops. Naama Bay hotels are located in several lines along the bay. Vacationers here have access to tennis courts, gyms, bicycles, jeeps, schools and diving clubs, yachting, jet skis, windsurfing, parachutes and much more. The most convenient beaches in Sharm el Sheikh are also located here - in Naama Bay. The beaches are sandy, with a convenient entrance to the sea cleared of corals.
Sharks Bay is a new resort area known for its magnificent coral reefs.
Travel agency ProAgent - tours and last minute trips from Almaty, Astana and Kazakhstan
The golf club of the Movenpick Golf Hotel is famous not only in Sharm El Sheikh, but throughout Egypt. The luxury hotels located here are always happy to offer their guests a high level of service, excellent cuisine, and a lot of entertainment.
Ras Nasrani Bay- an ideal place for diving enthusiasts. Once you enter the water, you will see colorful corals.
El Nabq Bay soon promises to become famous: 29 hotels of the highest category are being built here. A distinctive feature of the bay is its gently sloping sandy shore; here, not far out in the sea, amazing corals grow and unusual, very beautiful fish live. Not far from the bay is the Nabq National Park with exotic plants, among which birds live in the wild.
Ras Um Sid Bay located a few kilometers from Naama Bay. The bay is rich in underwater coral gardens and unusual marine inhabitants. The most discerning clients will be satisfied with a first-class holiday at the luxurious Ritz Carlton and Amphoras Holiday INN hotels.
Sharm El May Bay is located near the center of the old city, where you can visit small shops, the oriental market with its unique flavor. This bay is also famous for its harbor, from where tourists go on boat trips to the Ras Mohammed nature reserve on yachts.
Winds in Egypt - an overview of windy weather in the most popular resorts in Egypt: Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Taba and the Red Sea.
The winds in Egypt blow almost constantly, from April to early June they are stronger, and in the summer they weaken noticeably.
Throughout the year, the northeast wind prevails in Egypt, and starting in March, it changes to the southwest.
The winds in Egypt are the coldest in January!
The coldest winds in Egypt blow in the winter season, from December to February, they are especially cold in January - this is the coldest month in Egypt.
The winds in Egypt are strongest in the spring, from March to April!
If the Egyptian winds blow from the desert, then the mountains serve as a reliable barrier for them, but they are not available everywhere or are located far from the coast.
To understand which tourist destinations in Egypt the winds will blow stronger or weaker, you should look at the terrain map and look at the location of the mountains and desert.
Winds on the Red Sea.
On the surface of the Red Sea, winds can be quite long and strong, here everything depends on the time of year and a certain part of the sea.
The northeast wind in the southern part of the Red Sea prevails mainly in winter, and the southwest wind in summer.
The north wind is more typical for the central part of the Red Sea; it is more prevalent in the summer and passes through the entire sea.
In the morning, winds on the Red Sea are usually stronger than at night and in the middle of the day. Those who like to ride a board on the surface of the Red Sea, surfers and kiters, try not to miss the morning breeze.
The winds on the Red Sea blow stronger in winter than in summer.
In the spring, a very strong and hot wind from the Sahara Desert can come to the northern part of the Red Sea, which can blow for fifty days in a row, it is called khamsin (translated from Arabic - fifty).
Winds in Hurghada.
Let's look at the map of Hurghada, to view it we use a Yandex map in satellite mode (from space), and determine the relief of this area.
The map clearly shows that Hurghada, where the holiday hotels are located, is located on the deserted coast of the Red Sea, the mountains that should protect Hurghada from the winds are quite far away, more than 20 kilometers. This location of Hurghada in an open, desert area creates all the conditions for blowing winds.
The wind in Hurghada almost always blows, with an average speed of 4 - 7 m/s from April to October and 3 - 4 m/s from November to March.
In winter in Hurghada, the winds become colder, as the air in the desert has significant temperature fluctuations, especially in the evening and at night.
The Red Sea with its warmth warms the adjacent coast, where the resort town of Hurghada is located, and the cold winds blowing from the desert begin to blow away these warm layers of air, as a result of which, in the winter in the evening, it can quickly become colder, and at night even stronger.
In winter in Hurghada the evenings are cool!
Therefore, when going for an evening walk around Hurghada in the winter, do not forget to take or put on warm clothes.
If the winds are strong during the day, and in order not to lose these valuable days on vacation in Egypt, it is better to visit exciting excursions around Egypt, for example to Luxor (there is real heat there in the summer at +40 ° C and above), or go shopping in the nearest shops around hotel in Hurghada.
The Red Sea coast, where Hurghada is located, protrudes into the sea, and it becomes even more open to winds not only from the desert, but also from the sea, so when choosing a hotel in Hurghada for a holiday, you should look at the map of its location.
Tips for choosing a hotel in Hurghada!
Are the bays of Sharm el-Maya and Naama the calmest?
Look at your future hotel where you plan to vacation on the Yandex map in satellite mode (from space), bring it as close as possible and pay attention to the Red Sea coast where the hotel is located, if you see many different boats or vessels in the sea off the coast of the hotel , this usually happens in Hurghada, which means that there is a possibility that you will swim among them, plus the smell of exhaust gases from running engines, which usually happens in inexpensive hotels.
Winds in Sharm El Sheikh.
Now let's look at the map of Sharm El Sheikh, this is a city of more expensive hotels in Egypt. We see that high mountains stretch along the Red Sea coast like a solid wall; they protect the hotels of Sharm El Sheikh from the winds from the desert.
The winds in Sharm El Sheikh blow weaker than in Hurghada!
In Sharm El Sheikh there is much less wind than in Hurghada, since the mountains are very close to the sea (but they are not as close as in Taba), which means we can conclude that the coastal area is more protected and the mountains serve as a reliable barrier to winds from the desert.
This location of Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt is more protected from the winds, which creates warmer weather there, 2 degrees warmer than in Hurghada.
The weather in Sharm El Sheikh is warmer than in Hurghada!
For the blowing winds in Sharm El Sheikh, there are only two options: the wind blows from the sea or blows along the coast, this gives a greater benefit compared to Hurghada, which is open on all sides to the winds.
Sharm El Sheikh has many quiet bays that are warmer and calmer, especially in winter, such as Naama Bay!
Winds in Taba.
Now let's look at the map of Taba, which stands on the shores of the Gulf of Aqaba; this resort is surrounded by very beautiful mountains in the form of rocks, which are close to the sea and stretch along the coast, so there is almost no wind here, especially in the winter season.
Rocky mountains on all sides protect the coast of Taba from the winds, creating warm and windless weather.
Here, from the shore of Taba, there is a beautiful view of Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Wind and relaxation in Egypt.
When building hotels in Egypt, they try to take into account the discomfort from blowing winds. If you look closely at the location of hotel buildings, you can understand how this is done. In general, the majority of hotels in Egypt are located next to each other, which is also a big plus for protection from the winds. The internal territory of the hotel and its swimming pools are blocked from the wind on three sides by buildings (usually the main building - the reception and rooms for vacationers), leaving only access to the sea to the beach unprotected. This arrangement of buildings allows you to relax comfortably in windy weather on the inside of the hotel, especially by the pool.
When choosing a hotel for a holiday in Egypt during the cold season, you should choose a hotel with a heated pool, otherwise the water in the pool will be very cool.
In winter in Egypt, the mornings and evenings are cool and cold winds blow, and during the day the sun is very warm.
The Red Sea in winter in Egypt is always warm, its temperature does not drop below +20 °C, and you can swim in it comfortably!
If, when leaving the sea, after swimming in windy weather, you feel cold, dry yourself with a towel or wrap yourself in it for a short time, a little later you will feel warm again, the rays of the warm Egyptian sun will do their job.
If in windy weather you protect your sun lounger on the beach from the winds with special protective partitions (screens, usually made of rods), which are available in almost all hotels in Egypt, then you will be comfortable and warm.
Starting from mid-April, the winds begin to weaken and the weather in Egypt becomes sunnier, warmer and very comfortable for a beach holiday!
In the heat of summer, the blowing winds in Egypt create a light, refreshing breeze, which is especially felt when leaving the sea or the hotel pool, and it is refreshingly pleasant. But remember, this gentle breeze is dangerous in terms of tanning, you can quickly get sunburned without feeling the heat of the scorching sun.
The winds in Egypt are very popular among surfers and kiters, who come to their favorite places to ride from year to year. Egyptian winds on the Red Sea coast have a smooth and constant air flow, which is very important when gliding across the water. The resort of Dahab is especially famous among these lovers of catching waves. Thanks to its unique wind rose, it is considered the most popular place for skiing.
Relax in Egypt all year round, and the gentle sun will give you a cheerful mood and a warm sea!
Egypt has long been the most popular destination among tourists. The prices there are quite affordable, and the service is getting better every year. In addition, the flight is not far and the sea is warm enough for swimming even in winter. You just need to choose the right place. The weather in the winter months is sunny with temperatures around 25 degrees during the day, but cold winds blow. Therefore, it is so important to choose a place where the beach is protected from the wind by a rocky coast. The largest number of such places in Sharm El Sheikh.
SO, Sharm El Sheikh: The warmest and windless place can be considered
Al Fanar Bay (aka Ras Umm Sid):The following hotels have the beach in this bay:
Iberotel Club Fanara & Residence 4*, Reef Oasis Beach Resort 5*, SENTIDO Reef Oasis Senses Resort 5*, Club El Faraana Reef 4*
Also, if you look on the map a little to the left of El Fanar there is another one most favorable for winter
Sharm El Maya Bay:
Sharm El Maya Bay
In the bay there are 4 1st line hotels Beach Albatros Sharm 4*, Dessole Seti Sharm Resort 4*, Iberotel Palace 5* and Turquoise Beach Hotel 3* and one 2nd line Albatros Aqua Blu Sharm 4*. Also in the bay there are several beaches of city hotels and a couple of public beaches. Near the bay there is a market - Old Market.
Naama Bay- the most famous Sharma Bay and naturally it leads in the number and variety of hotels suitable for winter holidays, not only because it is windless, but also because the main entertainment areas are located there, and this is very useful in winter, when daylight ends at five in the evening . 
The arrow on the map shows the direction of the wind. Therefore, Movenpick Sharm El Sheikh Resort Naama Bay 5* can be considered the most protected from the wind 
Another plus is that there are practically no reefs in this bay; the beach is sandy everywhere, with the exception of a few hotels along the edges of the bay. At the same time, the southern region and the hotels located there are ventilated. Stella Di Mare and Halomi Beach are at risk. The Moevenpick Hotel has the most ideal location. Among the hotels worthy of attention are Sonesta Beach & Club, Marriott Resort & Marriot Mountain, Novotel Beach & Novotel Palm, Hilton Sharm El Sheikh Fayrouz Resort (not open for all), Hilton Sharm Dreams, Gasala Beach & Gasala Garden, Maritime Jolie Ville Resort & Casino, Iberotel Lido. Naama also has many inexpensive hotels of dubious quality, located far from the sea and without their own beach.
White Knight Bay also suitable for winter holidays.
In the bay there are hotels Royal Savoy 5*, Island View 5*, Conkorde El Salam, Hilton Sharks Bay and Siva Sharm Resort & Spa 5* (formerly Savita)
Between the hotels of the 1st and 2nd lines is the Soho esplanade - a modern shopping alley with fashionable restaurants, shops and entertainment centers. Here you can even go ice skating on an indoor skating rink.
Hotels can also be classified as “winter” Sharks Bay
Dessole Royal Rojana Resort 5* and AA Grand Oasis Resort 4*. 
Melia Sinai 5*, located in Ras Nasrani Bay, can also be considered relatively windless. But Melia Sharm, as you can see in the picture below, is not like that. 
In the Gulf El Basha Bay windless hotels Reef Oasis Blue Bay Resort & Spa 5*, Continental Plaza Beach Resort 5* and Sharm Grand Plaza Resort 5*.
Well, the last one Coral Bay.
It is almost completely occupied by the Domina complex. The most windless Domina hotels are located in the northern part of the complex. These are Aquamarin Pool, Sultan, Elisir, King's and Prestige cases. 
And also the Sinai Grand Resort Valtur 4* hotel, but it is impossible to get into it from Russian tour operators. 
What absolutely should not be considered for a winter holiday is the Nabq area. Here the winds and currents are always strong and there are waves even in summer. Another disadvantage is the fact that in Nabka there is no entrance from the shore - a coral slab, and through it long pontoons and piers beyond the edge of the reef. The length of the pontoons/piers in some places is more than 500 meters. 
Hurghada
Hurghada has a wonderful windless area in Makadi Bay. 
Excellent windless hotels Fort Arabesque 5* and children's Sunrise Select Royal Makadi Resort 5*. In addition - Makadi Spa 5* and Sunwing Waterworld Makadi 5* And between them and Arabesques - a thin strip almost perpendicular to the sea - Prima Life Makadi Resort 5*. Makadi also includes the Al Nabila Grand Bay 5* hotel - the beach there is also well protected from the wind. Although the hotel itself is located far from the entertainment and infrastructure of Makadi. 
Hotels in the central part of Hurghada can also be classified as windless. But there is nothing for lovers of the underwater world to do there; the reef is mostly dead. But these beaches are suitable for families with small children, because... have a gentle sandy entry into the sea.
We will be happy to tell you about all other areas and hotels not included in this article in our office. Come!
I have devoted several previous stories to the bays of Sharm El Sheikh with beautiful underwater reefs and the most suitable places for snorkeling and diving:
When you write about this or that bay with an incomprehensible Arabic name, you always want to know how this name is translated into Russian.
Gardens bay is in English and translates as “Garden Bay”. By the way, the name is very consistent with the real underwater world. Here you can find whole rows of coral gardens made of soft and hard corals - after all, it’s not for nothing that the bay is called the Bay of Gardens! You get the impression that you are swimming in gardens of gorgonian sea corals, surrounded by the Madrepore Pyramids - these are areas of coral reefs that rise from the depths of the sea close to the surface and give the bay the appearance of a real garden.
Cozy and picturesque Ras Um Sid Bay ( Ras um Sid) translated from Arabic means "mother's cape". Previously, this place was the site of a military garrison, and later a Bedouin settlement. A cape topped with a lighthouse rises above the Strait of Tiran leading into it. Famous French explorer Jacques Yves Cust o included this bay in the list of ten most beautiful places in the world.
The next bay, about which I am now preparing a detailed story, is called Ras Nasrani. In Russian this does not sound very euphonious. When I started looking for a translation on Google, I accidentally came across a link that is not directly related to this story, but will certainly cheer you up:
