Sharm El Sheikh is one of the easiest Red Sea destinations to enjoy with kids: the drive from the airport to most hotel areas takes only about 10–30 minutes, the sun shines almost every day, and many of the best activities need no swimming at all. Younger children love the dolphin show, the glass-bottom boat and the semi-submarine; older kids can add a banana boat ride, a family buggy in the desert, a beach horse ride or a full-day Ras Mohammed boat trip with life jackets. The real secret is timing — do the active things early or late, and save the hot middle of the day for the pool.
Family-friendly activities in Sharm El Sheikh by age
| Activity | Typical length | Suits | Why kids love it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphin show | About 1 hour | All ages | Music, tricks and plenty of photo moments |
| Glass-bottom boat | 1.5–2 hours | All ages, toddlers included | Fish and coral through the floor, shade on board, nobody gets wet |
| Semi-submarine | About 1.5 hours | All ages | Big windows in an air-conditioned cabin right next to the reef |
| Swim with dolphins | About 15 minutes | Children happy in the water | A short, supervised session at a dolphin facility |
| Family buggy safari | Half day | Younger kids with two adults | Desert trails, a Bedouin camp and drinks in the shade |
| Horse riding on the beach | 1–2 hours | Children comfortable around animals | A guided ride along the Nabq shoreline, with a sea swim when conditions allow |
| Banana boat and sofa tube | 30–60 minutes | Older kids and teens | Speed, splashes and laughter; life jackets provided |
| Ras Mohammed and White Island | Full day | Kids happy on a boat all day | Snorkeling in a life jacket and shallow turquoise water at White Island |
Each activity has its own age rules, so always tell us your children’s ages when you ask and we’ll tell you exactly what fits.
Toddlers and preschoolers
Keep it short and shaded. The dolphin show lasts about an hour — just right for short attention spans — and the glass-bottom boat lets even the smallest children press their noses to the glass and watch fish swim underneath them. The semi-submarine is another winner at this age: an air-conditioned cabin, big windows and no swimming needed. Plan outings around nap times; most little ones fall asleep in the car on the way back anyway.
Primary-school kids
This is the golden age for Sharm. Children of this age often love the short swim with dolphins, the family buggy safari in the desert and a guided horse ride on the beach at sunset. Kids who are relaxed in a life jacket often turn out to love snorkeling more than their parents do — try it at the hotel beach first before committing to a full day at sea.
Teenagers
Teens want speed and stories to tell. The banana boat and sofa tube are a sure hit with groups of cousins or friends, and a day on the Ras Mohammed and White Island boat trip gives them proper snorkeling on famous reefs. Older teens may also be ready for a quad on the desert safari or an introductory shore dive with an instructor — ask us about the rules for their age.
Local tip: alternate one busy day with one easy pool day. Kids — and parents — enjoy the trips far more when nobody is running on empty.
Heat and sun safety for kids
The Sinai sun is stronger than most visitors expect, even in winter. A few habits make a huge difference:
- Dodge the midday sun. From May to September especially, plan outings for the morning or late afternoon and keep the late morning to mid-afternoon for shade, the pool or a rest.
- UV swim shirts. A long-sleeved rash guard protects shoulders and backs while kids snorkel or splash about — much easier than reapplying sunscreen every half hour.
- Reef-safe sunscreen, reapplied after every swim, plus hats with a neck flap and child-size sunglasses.
- Water, all the time. Children rarely say they’re thirsty until they’re already flagging. Give each child a bottle and offer it often.
- Water shoes. Sand can get hot enough to hurt small feet by midday, and some beaches have coral or rocks at the water’s edge.
- Watch for the chill, too. In winter the sea is around 21–23°C. Kids get cold quickly when they’re wet and the wind blows, so keep a towel and a dry layer handy — especially on the boat ride back.
Airport transfers and getting around with children
Arriving with tired kids, a stroller and a mountain of luggage is exactly when a private transfer earns its keep. Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) is close to most hotel areas: about 10 minutes to Nabq Bay and Sharks Bay, 15–20 minutes to Naama Bay, around 25 minutes to the Old Market and 25–30 minutes to Hadaba.
With our Sharm El Sheikh airport transfer you’re met at arrivals and driven door to door in an air-conditioned car or, for bigger families, a Toyota Hiace-style minivan with room for strollers and suitcases.
Child seats: tell us when you book that you need a child seat, along with your children’s ages, and we will confirm. If you prefer to travel with your own seat, bring it along.
For evenings out, Taxi Mido is handy for in-town rides — to the dancing fountains and bowling at Soho Square, or an ice cream on the Naama Bay promenade. See our taxi in Sharm El Sheikh page for how it works.
Sample one-week family itinerary
| Day | Morning | Afternoon and evening |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival and private airport transfer | Pool, early dinner, early night |
| 2 | Glass-bottom boat | Hotel beach; evening stroll on the Naama Bay promenade |
| 3 | Lazy morning at the hotel | Dolphin show |
| 4 | Ras Mohammed and White Island boat trip (full day) | Back late afternoon; quiet dinner |
| 5 | Pool and beach | Family buggy safari into the sunset |
| 6 | Banana boat for older kids, or the semi-submarine for little ones | Sunset horse ride on the beach in Nabq |
| 7 | Free morning | Old Market lanterns and Al Sahaba Mosque, then the fountains at Soho Square |
| 8 | Breakfast and packing | Transfer to the airport |
Swap the days around to suit the weather — in winter, put the boat trip early in the week in case the wind moves it — and leave at least one day with nothing planned at all.
Where to stay in Sharm El Sheikh with kids
Where you stay shapes a family holiday more than any excursion. Nabq Bay and Sharks Bay are closest to the airport and full of big resorts; Naama Bay is walkable, with the promenade, restaurants and shops on your doorstep; the Old Market area and Hadaba suit families who like to get out in the evenings.
When you compare hotels, look at:
- The beach entry. Some Sharm beaches have a sandy entry; others reach the reef by a jetty or pontoon. With small children, a gentle sandy entry makes a big difference.
- Shade and a kids’ pool, because the midday hours will be spent there.
- Distance to the airport and to evening areas, so short trips stay short.
Our full guide to where to stay in Sharm El Sheikh compares the main areas side by side.
What to pack for the kids
- Rash guards and hats
- Reef-safe sunscreen for children
- Water shoes
- Refillable water bottles
- A warm layer for winter evenings, the desert and boat trips
- Snacks they actually like, for travel days and boat days
- A small first-aid kit with plasters and anything your child normally takes
- Swim nappies for babies
- A passport for every child — boat passengers are registered with the port authority
Plan your family holiday with Mido Tours
Mido Tours is a family-run Sharm team, so we know how different a holiday feels with children in tow. Message us on WhatsApp at +20 10 1868 1624 with your dates, your hotel and the ages of your kids, and we’ll suggest a plan that fits — private or small-group, with pick-up times adjusted around naps, meals and the heat.
