Sharm El Shaikh

Stunning from above, stunning on the surface, stunning under the surface and definite sadness whens its time to leave.

That’s the best way I can describe Sharm El Shaikh, a place that’s ocean beauty and clarity can rival the mighty Maldives.

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How to get there:

Sharm El Shaikh has a international airport to cater for the influx of tourist. I used Egypt Air to fly in from Hurgada International Airport at a cost of R600 one way. Otherwise via Cairo International im sure is the most popular way.

Why go there:

Very affordable 5 star hotels ( beware a hotel restaurant meal can set you back what a room costs per night ) and the city is famous for its excellent diving and snorkelling reefs all over, the calm waters ensures even a beginner will have the time of their lives dipping face under the surface. Egypt’s currency has also devalued from 5 x stronger than the Rand to only 1.7x currently.

Where to stay:

I chose the Hyatt Regency as I had a Diamond confirmed suite upgrade certificate to burn ( book standard room at rate of $104 per night and get the Regency suite valued at $388 per night for up to seven nights per certificate – Hyatt Diamond members get 4x certificates per year).

I value one Diamond suite certificate worth + R29000 for a full week in terms of upgrade and meal perks alone.

By luck the bonus part was reef at Hyatt Regency which seems to be the most popular with diving boats offshore.

Regency Suite also gets..

Everything private such as the Regency private beach with unlimited drinks and access to the private pool.

Access to the Regency Lounge for unlimited snacks and drinks inclusive of breakfast and hot dinner snacks in evening.

The happiest taxi driver I have ever met. Departure time - Hurgada Airport.

The happiest taxi driver I have ever met. Departure time – Hurgada Airport.

Flying in.

A 40min flight dash across the ocean beats the long haul drive up to the Suez Canal and back down to almost the same longitude position.

A 40min flight dash across the ocean beats the long haul drive up to the Suez Canal and back down to almost the same longitude position.

They don't give ice in winter hey. Crediting miles to SAA Voyager only yields 27 miles.

They don’t give ice in winter hey. Crediting miles to SAA Voyager only yields 27 miles.

FLIGHT HUR TO SES2 FLIGHT HUR TO SES1

Imagine the beauty those divers down there are experiencing in the middle of The Red Sea.

Imagine the beauty those divers down there are experiencing in the middle of The Red Sea.

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Great morning Sharm El Shaikh. Monaco of the Middle East.

Great morning Sharm El Shaikh. Monaco of the Middle East.

The Hyatt shuttle also gives 3x per day complimentary service to Na'ama bay shopping and nightlife.

The Hyatt shuttle also gives 3x per day complimentary service to Na’ama Bay shopping and nightlife.

Tip: Always check with a hotels concierge or management if they provide complimentary shuttle service. In this case I managed to save the $70 fee.

The hotel booking.

I paid $104 per night and got the suite worth $388 per night via Hyatt’s confirmed Diamond suite certificate. The other room standard rate is 8000 Gold Passport points per night.

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Confirmed suite certificate upgrades are exclusive to Hyatt's chain.

Confirmed suite certificate upgrades are exclusive to Hyatt’s chain.

You could splurge over $5000 per room ( double story villa) per night.

You could splurge over $5000 per room ( double story villa) per night.

 

The suite.

Dedicated check-in counter at the reception or private check-in available at the Regency Club.

Dedicated check-in counter at the reception or private check-in available at the Regency Club.

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The bathroom comes kitted out with a flat screen TV.

The bathroom comes kitted out with a flat screen TV.

DSC01325 DSC01326 DSC01327The Regency Club and private access areas.

The Regency Club.

The Regency Club.

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Private pool  for Regency Suite guests.

Private pool for Regency Suite guests.

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All day juices and soft drinks are complimentary here.

All day juices and soft drinks are complimentary here.

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3-5 meter deep holes to explore in the reef.

3-5 meter deep holes to explore in the reef.

The Resort.

Reef so stunning its worth loosing both shoes over.

Reef so stunning its worth loosing both shoes over.

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Royal Villa no1.

Royal Villa no1.

Royal Villa no2.

Royal Villa no2.

The Royal Villa's front garden.

The Royal Villa’s front garden.

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Dedicated and supervised kiddies area.

Dedicated and supervised kiddies area.

DSC01340 DSC01341DSC01342The breakfast.

I just realised upon writing this trip report, I had not taken any pics of the breakfast spread, mornings were always a rush to wake up and get into the water after anxiously sleeping waiting for the sun to arise ( scroll down further and you’ll see why), nevertheless I had salmon with rocket on a fresh croissant with fresh orange juice every morning.

The complimentary evening snacks served at the Club.

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Under the surface.

This is what Sharm El Sheikh is about. World class diving and snorkelling for first timers to seasoned professionals.

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The mirror effect of the surface.

The mirror effect of the surface.

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Eye to eye.

Eye to eye.

You could snorkel as shallow to as deep as you comfortable with.

You could snorkel as shallow to as deep as you comfortable with.

Plenty of areas to explore a few meters off the beach shore.

Plenty of areas to explore a few meters off the beach shore.

Found some people down in the abyss and went to make salaam.

Found some people down in the abyss and went to make salaam.

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In Sharm you get this upclose with nature.

In Sharm you get this upclose with nature.

Exploring the outdoors.

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To the right of the resort is a excellent deserted trail run route to Na'ama Bay along cliff edges.

To the right of the resort is a excellent deserted trail run route to Na’ama Bay along cliff edges.

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The Hyatt Regency.

The Hyatt Regency.

Na'ama Bay has some excellent fresh seafood restaurants offering free Egyptian tea and hooka after.

Na’ama Bay has some excellent fresh seafood restaurants offering free Egyptian tea and hooka after.

Bright lighted bargain shopping at Na'ama Bay.

Bright lighted bargain shopping at Na’ama Bay.

Leaving via road to Cairo.

 

Driving through the tunnel under the Suez Canal en-route to Cairo.

Driving through the tunnel under the Suez Canal en-route to Cairo.

Flying back from CAI-AUH , ship lights adorn the bay at the entrance of the Suez Canal at nightfall.

Flying back from CAI-AUH , ship lights adorn the bay at the entrance of the Suez Canal at nightfall.

Sharm El Sheikh is definitely one of those rare bench-mark places I’d compare many trips with.

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