Is Travel to Sharm El Sheikh and Egypt Safe?

Although we are not authorized to say whether Sharm is safe, we can advise you of the latest official travel advice and answer some of the more frequently asked questions on travel to Egypt.

The final decision on whether you travel to Sharm el Sheikh or Dahab is of course yours but hopefully, this short guide can help you decide on your next diving holiday in Sharm el Sheikh.

Yes, there are currently no travel restrictions on entering Sharm el Sheikh.

At the current time of writing, the travel advisories of the major European Governments (including Germany and UK) have remained unchanged and travel to the South Sinai or Red Sea Governate is considered to be safe for travel.

But Facebook says travel to Egypt is Not Advised!

Unfortunately, many people have panicked since the Israeli-Hamaas conflict started and misquoted travel advisories to say travel to Egypt is against Government travel advisories.

Travel advice for many years has been against travel to “parts of Egypt” before the start of the current situation.

Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab are still in the considered safe to travel green zone, but you should always check your government’s travel advice page before flying.

Have Any Flights Been Cancelled?

No – there has been no change in the airline policies due to concerns over safety and Sharm el Sheikh airport still receives over 70 international flights a day.

Is My Travel Insurance to Sharm el Sheikh Still Valid?

Yes. Travel Insurance companies react to official travel advice such as the FCO of the UK.

International travel insurance companies may follow different policies so it is advised you check with your chosen travel insurance broker before travel.

 At the current time, no insurance company we have heard of is refusing travel insurance if traveling to the Red Sea resorts or even other parts of Egypt such as Cairo, Hurghada, or Alexandra.

Is My DAN Insurance Still Valid?

Yes DAN insurance is still valid for diving in Egypt. 

How Far From Sharm el Sheikh Is Israel?

The closest point, Eilat in Israel is nearly 250 km from Sharm El Sheikh or over three hour’s drive.

Rafah the border crossing which is nearest to the Gaza Strip is 465 km away or a seven-hour drive.

That’s roughly the distance from Berlin to Denmark or London to Dusseldorf.

There are no direct roads between Rafah and Sharm el Sheikh and Sharm el Sheikh has heavy security around the entire city.

Is Sharm el Sheikh Safe?

Yes, Sharm is considered to be safe for tourists. There is currently no higher-than-normal security presence in Sharm el Sheikh.

Although there are mentions of possible protests in Egypt, none have materialized in Sharm el Sheikh with the Tourist Police keen to control any potential protests.

Can You Travel Safely in Egypt?

Travel between Dahab and Sharm el Sheikh is currently non-affected. There has been no change in the travel rules of the South Sinai, at present.

Are The Dive Sites Still Open in Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab?

Yes, subject to local weather conditions, all dive sites in the Red Sea in Dahab and Sharm el Sheikh are open as usual.

Final Thoughts

Should you consider canceling your next dive holiday to Sharm el Sheikh or Dahab with Circle Divers?

That is a decision only you can make. As stated earlier, we are not in a position to guarantee the safety of Sharm el Shiekh but we can assure you many other divers are still traveling to Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab.

Before traveling:

• Check your Government travel advice pages.

• Check with your insurance company if you still have cover

• Check with your airline if your flight is still scheduled

If you need any further advice don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Circle Divers where we will try our best to answer any questions.