El Fanar, Sharm El Sheikh

I dont really feel good about myself writing a review so everyone will find their way there ( i rather like the quiet exclusive feel of the place) but i know that these places survive on the tourist trade so here goes..... GO TO EL FANAR at Ras Umm Sid. This is such an amazing wonderful place to chill, snorkel, dive, eat or splash about like a crazy person (like me!). WHAT MORE CAN YOU WANT?? El fanar is mostly popular with Italian Tourists and this place is in fact run by Italian too...so you bet your bottom dollar that the food is GORGEOUS!!! The menu varies daily offering excellent pasta dishes, salads and sublime pizzas...all freshly prepared and so delicious you will make a pig of yourself ( like me!). Eating aside, El Fanar proudly straddles a prime location in Ras Umm Sid. Situated on a cliff side, the sun loungers are nestled within small terraces cut into the rock face thus giving you spectacular views over the reef. The tide comes and goes at very convenient intervals here, its in untill lunchtime then goes and come back at about 4pm!! There are small steps leading down from the cliff into the reef where you can swim across the corals and snorkel at your leisure taking in the beatiful aquatic scenery and colourful fish. We saw flute fish, angel fish, clown fish and even saw a blue spotted sting ray.....its so beautiful!! If you are brave enough (25ft drop into the deep) to swim to the reef's edge you will be rewarded with spectacular views and a chance to peep at lion fish, eels and reef sharks!! One thing though REMEMBER TO TAKE YOUR SEA SHOES...there are evil urchins lurking beneath the waters and the corals can be quite sharp too!!

This is also a perfect place to relax with a chilled bottle of beer and watch the sun set! Have a look at my photos!!

A lovely setting and good snorkelling here (although read my warning about sea urchins!).

You do pay for this beach which is about LE30 per person but it's worth it for the views. There is a small bar & restaurant which does great pizza.

Great "beach" build in terraces on the cliffs of Ras Umm Sid. Large fixed sunshades and good deck chairs with mattresses. Entrance fee 40 LE per person/day including a ½ liter bottle of mineral water. You must bring your own towel.

Good bar with hot and cold drinks and tasty food (sandwiches, burgers, salads, pizzas etc.) - cheaper than in Naama Bay.

In-house radio station playing pop/rock music (can be loud). Well run place with good toilets, keeping in mind that you are in Egypt! Popular place with italians, approx. 80% of the other guests where from Italy.

Direct access to the coral reef via small stairs. Shallow water area (atop the coral reef) with marked path leading to a dropoff where it is 25 meters deep. Saw all kinds of fish including lion fish, bluespotted stingrays, dolphins and even a turtle, a giant moray eel and a white tipped reef shark during the 3 days we spent there! Not to mention all the beautiful corals. Popular place for diving boats with other snorkellers/scuba divers, but if you stay close to the reef edge they are of no concern.

Best place we snorkelled during our stay, and we even went to Ras Mohammad on a boat trip!

Was nice......before.....now the only advantage, that it is exactly in sharm......but.....go to the desert better :)))))))))))

Me and Tanya

April, 2004