Quick answer: South Sinai is the governorate that covers the southern half of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. It holds every place most visitors come for — Dahab, Sharm El Sheikh, Nuweiba, Taba, St Catherine and Mount Sinai — while its capital, El Tor, sits on the quieter Gulf of Suez coast. With about 117,000 residents (2024 estimate) it is Egypt's least-populated governorate.
Where is South Sinai?
The Sinai Peninsula is the triangle of land between the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba, east of the Suez Canal — the only part of Egypt in Asia. The peninsula is split into two governorates: North Sinai, along the Mediterranean, and South Sinai, which takes in the mountains and both gulf coasts down to the southern tip at Ras Mohammed, near Sharm El Sheikh.
Dahab sits on the Gulf of Aqaba (east) coast, between Sharm El Sheikh to the south and Nuweiba and Taba to the north. Saudi Arabia is across the water to the east; on a clear day you can see its mountains from Dahab's seafront.
South Sinai map
The main towns and natural landmarks. Tap a pin for the name and its guide.
Main towns in South Sinai and distances from Dahab
Road distances below are calculated from OpenStreetMap routing. Driving times are the pure driving time — the security checkpoints on Sinai's main roads add to every journey, so treat them as a minimum.
| Place | Coast | Road distance from Dahab | Driving time (no stops) | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharm El Sheikh | Southern tip | ~92 km (airport / Naama Bay) | ~1 h 20 min | South Sinai's international airport (SSH), big resorts, Ras Mohammed |
| Nuweiba | Gulf of Aqaba | ~75 km | ~1 h | Ferry port to Aqaba (Jordan), Ras Shaitan beach camps |
| St Catherine | Inland mountains | ~127 km | ~1 h 40 min | St Catherine's Monastery and the Mount Sinai sunrise hike |
| Taba | Gulf of Aqaba | ~140 km (border crossing) | ~1 h 45 min | Land border with Eilat, Israel |
| El Tor | Gulf of Suez | ~192 km (via Sharm) | ~2 h 30 min | Governorate capital |
For the trips most people actually make, see Sharm El Sheikh to Dahab (airport transfers and buses), Cairo to Dahab and the full getting to Dahab guide.
Nature and protected areas
- Ras Mohammed National Park — the reefs and desert at the southern tip of Sinai, about 12 km from Sharm El Sheikh, protected since 1983. The park covers roughly 480 km², most of it (345 km²) water.
- Ras Abu Galum and the Blue Lagoon — a protected coastline north of Dahab with no road in; you reach it on foot, by camel or by boat.
- The Blue Hole — Dahab's famous dive site on the coast north of town, and the starting point for boat and camel trips to Ras Abu Galum.
- Saint Catherine Area — listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 2002. UNESCO describes St Catherine's Monastery, founded in the 6th century, as the oldest Christian monastery still in use for its original function. It stands at the foot of Mount Sinai — see our Mount Sinai sunrise guide.
Is South Sinai safe? North vs South Sinai
Most confusion comes from mixing up the two halves of the peninsula. Here is what the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) advice says, as last updated on 4 August 2026:
| Area | FCDO advice |
|---|---|
| North Sinai Governorate | Advises against all travel |
| Northern part of South Sinai, beyond the St Catherine–Nuweiba road (except the coastal areas on the west and east of the peninsula) | Advises against all but essential travel |
| Red Sea tourist areas in the southern part of the peninsula — including Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab and Nuweiba | Travel is generally low risk; expect routine security checks on roads and at airports |
The FCDO also says activities outside resort areas should be booked through approved agents or tour operators. Other governments word their advice differently — the US State Department advisory, for example, is stricter about Sinai travel outside Sharm El Sheikh — so read your own government's current advice. For day-to-day safety in town, see Is Dahab safe?
Visas: the Sinai-only entry stamp
South Sinai has its own entry option. According to the UK FCDO, if you fly into Sharm El Sheikh and stay less than 15 days at the resorts of Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba or Taba, you get a free entry permission stamp on arrival instead of a visa. If you plan to travel outside those resorts or stay longer, you need a full Egyptian visa — available at Sharm El Sheikh airport or online.
Arriving overland through the Taba crossing from Israel works differently: the FCDO lists a border tax of US$120 for travel beyond Taba within Sinai (stamp valid up to 15 days), plus a US$30 visa if you continue beyond the peninsula. For the crossing itself and the drive south, see our Taba to Dahab guide. Entry rules depend on your nationality, so confirm them before you travel.
Once you have your bearings, start with things to do in Dahab, the Dahab dive sites and where to stay in Dahab.
