Factfile
Sharm El Sheikh: the best place to dive within easy reach of the UK
Sharm El Sheikh – what it costs
Package: prices with Regal start from £339 for one week at the Roseta Hotel and £289 at the Rosetta Sports Rooms ,including flights, transfers and buffet breakfast.
Dives: six days’ diving from £130; five-day Professional Association of Diving InstructorsOpen Water course including equipment from £160; three-day Fastrack referral Open Water course and three days diving from £260 per person.
Minibus: the journey from Naama Bay into Sharm town costs under 80p. Take the right change or you’ll be leaving a big tip – Sharm has no coins and minibuses often lack small notes.
Taxis: £2-£4 wherever you are going in Sharm.
Alcohol: from £1.50 for a bottle of beer; spirits/cocktails are more expensive at £4 in hotels and measures are not large.
Shisha pipe: just over £1 – take your time and try the different flavours such as vanilla or mint.
Coffee: from £1-£1.50. If you don’t care for Turkish coffee, ask for Nescafe.
Main course: around £6 for some seafood, flat bread, dips and salad (cucumber and tomato).
Desserts/pastries: very sweet, sticky and fattening but extremely cheap from a street vender with two for 50p.
Beaches: although there is a small public beach the best are privately owned by hotels. But even if you are not resident you can pay around 60p for the day at the Marriott or at popular beaches such as Shark Bay.
Excursions: quad biking from £18 1hr or £50 for a sunset to sunrise excursion including meal.