Discover Sharm
Ras Um Sid The Lighthouse Point
Clifftop Views & Coral Gardens Below
Perched on the headland between Naama Bay and the Old Market, Ras Um Sid is one of those places that locals know intimately and tourists often overlook. The landmark is the lighthouse — a white tower that has guided ships through the Straits of Tiran for decades — but the real draw is what lies beneath the cliffs. Some of the best shore snorkeling in Sharm is right here, accessible without a boat, without a guide, without anything but a mask and the willingness to walk down a set of stone steps into the water.
The area — known locally as Hadaba, meaning "the plateau" — sits elevated above the coastline, offering panoramic views across the Red Sea toward Tiran Island. The lighthouse itself is no longer operational, but it remains a beloved local icon. On a clear day, standing at the viewpoint, you can see the outline of the island on the horizon and the dark patches of reef below the surface.
The Reef: Snorkeling from the Shore
The reef at Ras Um Sid begins just a few meters from the shoreline. Enter the water from the small beach area near the lighthouse, and within minutes of swimming you're floating above a garden of coral that rivals what you'd see on a paid boat trip. The reef slopes gently downward — a mix of hard corals, sea fans, and brain corals — before dropping off more steeply into deeper water.
The marine life here is abundant. Parrotfish crunch away at the coral with a sound you can actually hear through the water. Schools of bannerfish and angelfish drift past. Lionfish hover near rocky overhangs, their venomous spines fanning out. Moray eels peer from crevices. If you're lucky, a turtle might glide by — Ras Um Sid is one of the more reliable spots in Sharm for turtle encounters.
The entry is relatively easy but not completely effortless. There are stone steps leading down to a small platform, from which you step into the water. The seabed near the entry is a mix of sand and coral rubble — water shoes help. Once you're in, the conditions are generally calm. Like any shore entry in Sharm, it's worth checking the current before you get in. If the water looks choppy or the current is pulling strongly, try again another day. Most days, it's gentle.
"Ras Um Sid is my go-to spot when friends visit. You park, you walk down, you swim out thirty meters, and suddenly you're in an aquarium. No boat. No fee. Just the reef and the fish and the deep blue beyond."
The Lighthouse and the View
Even if you never get in the water, Ras Um Sid is worth visiting for the clifftop views alone. The headland offers a sweeping panorama of the Red Sea — from Naama Bay curving southward on one side, to the open water stretching toward Tiran Island on the other. The lighthouse, though decommissioned, still stands proudly, its whitewashed walls gleaming in the sun. It's a popular spot for photos, especially in the late afternoon when the light softens and the sea takes on that impossible turquoise hue.
The area around the lighthouse is undeveloped and open. There are no fences, no ticket booths, no souvenir stalls. You can walk right up to the base of the tower and look out across the water. Local families often gather here in the early evening, sitting on the rocks and watching the sun go down. It's one of those simple, unmonetized pleasures that makes Sharm feel like a real place rather than just a tourist zone.
Farsha Café: A Cliffside Institution
Just below the lighthouse, built into the cliff face, is Farsha Café — one of the most atmospheric spots in Sharm. The café is a maze of terraces, cushions, lanterns, and wooden platforms cascading down the rock toward the water. It feels like something out of a storybook: part Bedouin camp, part pirate hideout, part bohemian lounge. You sit on low cushions, order tea or shisha, and watch the waves break against the rocks below while the sun paints the sky orange and pink.
Farsha opens in the late afternoon and really comes alive around sunset. It's not a party venue — the vibe is relaxed, intimate, and unhurried. The music is usually chill and eclectic. The menu is simple: drinks, shisha, light snacks. You come here for the atmosphere, not the food. If you're looking for a memorable evening that doesn't involve a nightclub or a crowded restaurant, this is it.
Planning Your Visit
Ras Um Sid is located in the Hadaba district, about a 10-minute drive from the Old Market and 15 minutes from Naama Bay. A taxi from either area will get you there easily. The lighthouse and viewpoint are free and open to the public. The snorkeling entry is also free — just bring your own gear or rent from a dive center beforehand.
Morning is the best time for snorkeling, when the water is calmest and the reef is bathed in slanting light. Afternoons can bring a bit of chop, but the visibility remains good. Evenings are for the view and Farsha Café. You can do all three in one day: snorkel in the morning, rest during the midday heat, then return for sunset at Farsha. It's a perfect Sharm day that costs almost nothing.
Bring your own snorkeling gear if you have it. If not, several dive centers in Hadaba rent masks and fins for reasonable prices. Water shoes are useful for the entry. And as always in Sharm, reef-safe sunscreen only — the coral here is too precious to damage with chemicals.
Ras Um Sid is the kind of place that rewards repeat visits. The reef reveals something different each time you snorkel it. The view from the headland changes with the light and the weather. Farsha Café feels different at dusk than it does an hour after sunset. It's not the biggest attraction in Sharm, or the most famous, or the most expensive. But it's one of the most beloved — and once you've spent an afternoon here, you'll understand why.
Find Your Way to the Lighthouse
Snorkel the reef, watch the sunset from the cliffs, and end the day at Farsha Café. Ras Um Sid is Sharm at its simplest and best.
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