Eilat vs Sharm El-Sheikh
Two Red Sea resorts, 250 km apart. Which one wins for diving, beach, and value?
See the comparisonEilat (Israel) and Sharm El-Sheikh (Egypt) sit on opposite sides of the Gulf of Aqaba, just 250 km apart by road and connected by the Taba border crossing. Both offer Red Sea diving, year-round warm water (21–27°C), and resort lifestyles. But the experiences are very different. Sharm is a pure resort destination — cheaper, more sandy beaches, world-class diving (Ras Mohammed is legendary), and dominated by all-inclusive package tourism from Europe. Eilat is more expensive, smaller, but VAT-free, comes with Israel's security infrastructure, has tap water you can drink, and crucially, is the launching pad for a Petra day trip (3 hours via the Wadi Araba border). This guide compares both across 16 dimensions to help you decide.
By Sebastian · Travel Writer
📍 Based in Tel Aviv, Israel · Last updated
Eilat vs Sharm: side by side
16 dimensions compared.
| Attribute | 🇮🇱 Eilat | 🇪🇬 Sharm El-Sheikh |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Combined Israel trips, day-trip to Petra | Pure beach + dive resort vacation |
| Diving sites | Coral Beach, Japanese Gardens, Moses Rock | ✓ Ras Mohammed (legendary), Tiran Strait, SS Thistlegorm |
| Coral & marine life | Excellent — protected reefs | ✓ Outstanding — among world's top sites |
| Average resort price | $130–250/night (VAT-free) | ✓ $50–150/night (all-inclusive) |
| All-inclusive culture | Few options | ✓ Standard — most resorts |
| Beach quality | Small but well-maintained | ✓ Long sandy stretches |
| Tap water safe | ✓ Yes | No — bottled only |
| Safety / stability | ✓ Generally safe (Israel security infrastructure) | Improved post-2015 but check advisories |
| Day trip to Petra | ✓ Yes — 3 hr via Wadi Araba border | No (requires flight + visa) |
| Day trip to Mt Sinai | Difficult | ✓ Yes — popular sunrise hike |
| Nightlife | Hotel bars, North Beach strip | ✓ Naama Bay clubs (more options) |
| Family-friendly | Yes — Underwater Observatory, Dolphin Reef | Yes — kid-friendly all-inclusives |
| Direct flights from Europe | Wizz Air, Ryanair to Ramon (ETM) | ✓ Charter heavy from UK, Germany, Russia |
| English widely spoken | ✓ Yes | Tourist areas yes |
| Drinking water | ✓ Tap safe | Bottled only |
| Combine with Israel | ✓ Easy — 4.5 hr from Tel Aviv | Different country, requires border crossing |
🎯 The verdict
Choose Eilat if you…
- Want to combine with Israel (Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Dead Sea)
- Want to day-trip to Petra (3 hours via Wadi Araba border)
- Prefer better infrastructure and tap-water safety
- Are nervous about Egypt's stability or visa process
- Want to dive without a boat (shore dives at Coral Beach)
Choose Sharm El-Sheikh if you…
- Want a pure beach + dive vacation at lower cost
- Are diving Ras Mohammed, Tiran, or SS Thistlegorm wreck
- Prefer all-inclusive resort culture
- Want long sandy beaches (Naama Bay, Sharks Bay)
- Are flying from Europe on a charter package
Our recommendation
For a first trip to Israel: Eilat. It connects logically with the rest of Israel and Petra.
For a standalone diving/beach holiday: Sharm. Better diving, lower cost, easier from Europe.
For a regional combo: Fly into TLV → Israel route → Eilat → cross to Sharm via Taba → fly home from Sharm. Best of both worlds.
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