Red Sea

The yachting hub of Hurghada on Egypt’s mainland shore enjoys a cosmopolitan nightlife and a reliable tourist throng. Its hedonism is well balanced by the gruff tranquillity of the old town and various land-based pursuits such as camel-riding and desert treks. The prettier town of El-Gouna, a short hop north, also warrants a closer look.

The Red Sea boasts of uninhabited islands, but the Giftun Chain is particularly noted for its exemplary waters. There are plenty of places to find a good anchorage in the lee of the prevailing northerlies, and although the islands are largely sun-baked desert, the subsurface diversity more than makes up for that.

Just past Sharm-El-Sheikh, on the eastern shore of the Sinai Peninsula, lies Nabq – an unspoiled Red Sea destination, with spectacular diving and useful shelter on the south side of the outlying islands. If you have the time, Dahab, further north, is a more modern, leisure-ready destination for roaming Gulf of Aqaba tourists.

Clear, warm waters, sub-surface caves and astonishing corals. The Ras Mohammed Marine Park is a magnificent place to witness the Red Sea’s sparkling wildlife. This area is just as good for an informal snorkel or a beach jaunt in the tender.

At its most northern part, the Red Sea is separated from the Mediterranean by the Sinai Peninsula. It’s a region tailor-made for the demands of a super yacht charter, and Sharm-El-Sheikh on its southernmost point is a well-established base for Red Sea exploration. It provides plenty of first-class beaches, easy access to the dive sites of the Ras Mohammed National Park, and a broad choice of luxury waterfront resorts. It also offers ready access to the yachting hub of Hurghada on the mainland shore. Here, the cosmopolitan nightlife is happily balanced by a charming old town and some active land-based pursuits, such as camel-riding and desert treks. Between the two resort towns, there are a great many islands for yacht charter fun, not least Giftun El Saghir, where the diving is exemplary.