Weather lowdown
October is a good time of year to visit Sharm el-Sheikh, for while the daily weather is hot, it is not as excessively so as during the summer months, the daily weather is reliably dry and sunny, and the sea temperatures are close to their warmest. Daytime temperatures rise to an average maximum between 31 and 32°C, and the temperature falls to an average minimum of 23°C overnight. Temperatures rarely fluctuate by more than a few degrees either side of the long-term average, and the long-term averages thus give a good indication of what tourists can expect during a typical holiday.
Rainfall is rare during October, and the long-term average rainfall for October is just under 1mm, with an average of 0.4 days with measurable rainfall. There are 310 hours of bright sunshine during an average October which is equivalent to 10 hours of sunshine per day. Sea temperatures average 27°C at this time of year, which makes diving and other underwater activities particularly attractive at this time of year, which also provide some relief from the daytime heat.
Although rain is very rare during October, when it does fall it can cause flash flooding, mainly in the hillier parts of the region such as the nearby Sinai mountains. On the 24th October 2008, flash floods hit the nearby Wadi Water region.
Where to stay
Safir Sharm Waterfalls Resort
There are many accommodation options at Sharm el-Sheikh although they vary considerably in quality, so you need to choose wisely. The Safir Sharm Waterfalls Resort is particularly handy for the attractions at Ras um-Sid, which is one of the main diving and snorkelling and sunbathing resorts in Sharm el-Sheikh. The hotel also has its own stretch of private beach.
Domina Coral Bay Resort Hotel
For those with large budgets, the Domina Coral Bay Resort Hotel is located at Marsa El Dekhela and offers reasonably luxurious accommodation.
Lido Sharm Hotel
The 4-star Lido Sharm Hotel is a good place to stay for relaxation and also for good on-site sporting facilities.
Falcon Hills Hotel
For those who want to stay close to Ras um Sid but whose budgets are too limited for the Hilton Sharm Waterfalls Resort, the Falcon Hills Hotel is a good nearby option, offering cheap but still reasonably good accommodation and services.
Hit the beach
Ram um Sid
Ras um Sid is particularly good for diving and snorkelling, as there are many spectacular spots for viewing coral reefs and different species of fish. Alternatively, it is a good spot for relaxing and sunbathing, as it is less noisy than the more entertainment-oriented resorts.
Terrazzina Beach
For those after musical entertainment on the beach, Terrazzina Beach is situated at the west end of Sharm el-Sheikh, off El Khazan Street, and features regular dance entertainment and music, and there is a restaurant on-site too.
Things to do
Ram um Sid
Ras um Sid lies to the south-west of Sharm el-Sheikh, just to the west of the Sharm el-Sheikh port. The Temple is a large diving and snorkelling site in the middle of the bay, which is a large and impressive rock, surrounded by numerous coral reef and fish species. There are other impressive diving and snorkelling sites off the coast, including Fiasco, Paradise, Amphoras and Pinky's Wall, each of which offer different attractions.
Amphoras offers the remains of two-handled clay vessels or amphoras, associated with an ancient shipwreck from over two hundred years ago. Some of the reefs in the region are reported to be up to 2 million years old.
The main Ras um Sid dive site is suitable for all divers, ranging from novice to experienced, with depths of up to 80 feet, and boasts numerous reef fish. The area is also known for being away from the main crowds of tourists, offering scope for a quiet time and relaxation.
The beaches around Ras um Sid are pleasant and offer sunbathing and relaxation opportunities, though they are small and can sometimes become quite crowded. The nearby Hilton Waterfalls Hotel has an Elite Dive Centre for the benefit of novices who would like assistance and would like to take advantage of training and dive courses in the area.
Ghibli Raceway
Those who like motor racing can try out the highly-rated Ghibli Raceway, which has frequent events and activities and also allows visitors to race around the track in go-karts. Both one and two-seater karts are available, as well as leisure and professional karts, and events are held that cater for novices as well as professional kart racers.
It is a multi-track complex and there are multiple choices as to what part of the layout you choose to drive around. It is also a good site for those who are interested in paintballing, for a paintballing village measuring approximately 2000 square metres is provided on-site, and the facility is open from 11am to 7pm. In addition, a lounge and restaurant are also provided on-site. Be warned that you may need to watch out for the tendency of the organisers to take photos and attempt to sell you them for a hefty price after your visit.
