Water Sports in Sharm El Sheikh: What to Try

When planning your itinerary and deciding on water sports in Sharm El Sheikh, what to try comes down to how much adrenaline you want mixed into your beach day. For most visitors—families, couples, and groups of friends—the absolute sweet spot is the action trio: parasailing, banana boating, and high-speed tube rides. These activities take place right along the sheltered waters of Naama Bay or Sharm El Maya, where the Red Sea stays flat and warm year-round. A standard combo session usually lasts about 3 hours total (including hotel pickup and drop-off), making it easy to fit into a relaxed morning. All you need to bring is a swimsuit, a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and a camera or phone in a waterproof pouch.

We have been welcoming guests to the Sinai coast since 1990, running safe and memorable sea excursions for over 3 million travelers. Here is our straightforward local guide to what each water sport feels like, how to bundle them for the best value, and how to plan your time on the water.

Parasailing: Flying Over Naama Bay

If you want a view of Sharm El Sheikh that most tourists miss, parasailing is the easiest way to get high above the coast. You are securely harnessed to a parachute chute and towed behind a modern speedboat, gently lifting off from a launch platform on the back of the vessel without ever having to jump or dive into the water.

• The Experience: Smooth, serene, and surprisingly quiet once you reach peak altitude (roughly 30 to 40 meters up). You get an unobstructed panoramic view of the Sinai mountain backdrop meeting the turquoise coastal reefs.
• Who It’s For: Almost anyone! You can fly solo or paired double with a partner or child.
• What to Expect: A flight time of around 7 to 10 minutes in the air, while the total boat trip takes roughly 45 minutes as participants take their turns.

If you only want the aerial flight experience without the extra towed inflatables, our Sharm El Sheikh: Parasailing Adventure over the Red Sea is the ideal single-activity option.

Banana Boat & Inflatable Tubing: High-Speed Fun

While parasailing delivers serene views, towable inflatables bring pure high-speed energy. These rides happen directly behind a high-horsepower ski boat, skipping across the wake of the Red Sea.

• Banana Boat: A long, bright yellow inflatable fitted with sturdy side handles. Groups of 4 to 6 people sit straddled in a line. The main goal is keeping your balance together as the captain takes wide, sweeping turns over the crests. It is fast, entertaining, and guaranteed to splash everyone on board.
• Tubing (Donut Rides): Sitting low in a circular inflatable disk, you are pulled flat across the water's surface. Because you sit so close to the sea, the feeling of speed is doubled. Every small wave sends a spray over the tube, offering maximum thrills for teenagers and adults looking for an extra surge of adrenaline.

Why Choose a Water Sports Combo?

Booking activities individually often means multiple trips back and forth between your hotel and the jetty. Combining your activities into a single morning outing saves both money and holiday time.

With our Premium Water Sport Combo, you get the entire package—parasailing, a banana boat ride, and a tubing session—packed into a seamless 3-hour experience. We pick you up directly from your hotel reception in an air-conditioned van, bring you to our dedicated launch point, fit you with certified life jackets, and get you straight onto the sea without hassle.

Customizing Your Time on the Water

If you prefer a tailored marine experience or want to combine sports with underwater exploration, there are several great ways to structure your days:

• Private Speedboat Rentals: If you prefer total control over the itinerary, booking a Private Speed Boat Snorkeling Trip gives your family or small group dedicated skipper time to zip along the shoreline, stop at quiet reef spots, or run customized water sports away from the main crowds.
• Pairing Water Sports with Reef Cruises: Local bay water sports take place in open beach zones and do not require protected marine permits. However, if you choose to combine a morning of water sports with a full-day sea voyage to protected reefs—such as our VIP Ras Mohamed, White Island Snorkeling & Lunch (Sina Dream)—keep in mind that national park marine reserves require a separate $5 per person entrance fee. Enjoying coastal water sports on one morning and taking a full-day yacht cruise the next day gives you the very best of both worlds.

Practical Tips for Your Water Sport Day

To make your time on the water as smooth as possible, keep these local tips in mind:

• Footwear: Wear flip-flops or water shoes that you can easily slip off before stepping onto the speedboats or inflatables.
• Valuables: Leave heavy jewelry and non-waterproof watches in your hotel room safe. Drivers and boat captains provide dry storage areas for your hotel keycards and small items.
• Photos: The boat crew can capture professional photos and video footage of your parasailing flight for a small optional add-on, or you can bring a GoPro equipped with a floating wrist strap.
• Safety: Certified life vests are mandatory for all towable sports and parasailing flights, making the experience safe even for non-confident swimmers.

Whether you are soaring high above Naama Bay or skim-bouncing across the waves on a tube, water sports are one of the most exciting ways to experience the clear waters of Sharm El Sheikh.