Sharm El Sheikh Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Egypt)
Sharm El Sheikh sees overpriced taxi rides, fake excursion sellers at the airport, and diving companies that don't deliver what's advertised. Hotel beach lounger scams are also common.
Tour & Activities scams are the most documented risk in Sharm El Sheikh — 5 of 10 reported incidents fall in this category. See all 5 →
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Last updated: April 2, 2026
Camel and Horse Ride Price Escalation
Similar to Giza, handlers at desert excursion areas and near tourist sites help tourists onto a camel or horse at an agreed price, then demand much more at the end of the ride, claiming the original price was a deposit or was per minute rather than for the full ride.
📍Desert excursion assembly areas near the Bedouin village routes outside Sharm El Sheikh, and informal animal handlers near the St. Catherine's Monastery approach road
How to avoid: Agree on the exact total price for the complete round trip in writing or with a witness before mounting any animal. Bring only the agreed amount to hand over and make clear you have no more money available.
This scam type is also documented in Hurghada and Casablanca.
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High Risk
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Medium Risk
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Sharm El Sheikh · Egypt · North Africa
Open map →📍Where These Scams Are Most Active in Sharm El Sheikh
Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents.
Camel and Horse Ride Price Escalation
Desert excursion assembly areas near the Bedouin village routes outside Sharm El Sheikh, and informal animal handlers near the St. Catherine's Monastery approach road
Dive Operator Safety Shortcuts and Upsells
Budget dive centers along the Naama Bay promenade and in the back streets of Hadaba, operating near but separate from the reputable certified centers
Resort Taxi Fixed Rate Inflation
The taxi rank on Naama Bay promenade, taxi stands outside major Sharm El Sheikh resorts, and the route between Naama Bay and the Old Market
Snorkeling Trip Bait-and-Switch
Boat departure points on the beach south of Naama Bay and from the marina at the Sharm El Sheikh ferry terminal, where informal snorkeling operators sell trips
Fake Excursion Sellers at Airport
Arrivals hall at Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) and the hotel drop-off zones on the Naama Bay promenade
Quad Bike Rental Damage Claim
Desert tour departure areas on the outskirts of Sharm El Sheikh toward the Sinai interior, and quad bike rental stands near the Bedouin village excursion routes
These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How it works
Similar to Giza, handlers at desert excursion areas and near tourist sites help tourists onto a camel or horse at an agreed price, then demand much more at the end of the ride, claiming the original price was a deposit or was per minute rather than for the full ride.
How it works
Budget dive operators undercut reputable centres on price but cut safety corners, use poorly maintained equipment, and pressure divers into buying unnecessary additional dives, courses, and equipment rental. Some operators are not properly certified.
How it works
Taxi drivers between Naama Bay, the Old Market, and resort areas refuse to use meters and demand fixed rates that are three to five times higher for obvious tourists compared to what Egyptian nationals pay for the same journey.
How it works
Budget snorkeling boat trips sold on the beach promise visits to premium reef sites with equipment included. The actual trip visits degraded or distant reefs, equipment is poor quality or ill-fitting, and extra charges appear for items described as included in the booking.
How it works
Touts at Sharm El Sheikh Airport arrivals and near hotels sell overpriced excursion packages claiming official affiliations with the resort. The same trips are available through your hotel rep or a reputable agency at half the price.
How it works
Quad bike rental operators in the desert tour areas take a deposit or credit card imprint before rental. Upon return, they claim pre-existing scratches or mechanical faults are damage caused by the renter and refuse to return the deposit, or charge significant repair fees.
How it works
Restaurants along Sharm El Sheikh's Naama Bay promenade frequently charge tourists significantly more than their displayed menu prices, adding undisclosed service charges, cover fees for bread and salad, and inflated prices for bottled water. Staff may claim prices listed are per-person minimums or that a table charge applies. The practice is most common at establishments with aggressive street touts outside.
How it works
Vendors in the Sharm Old Market use extremely aggressive tactics to drag tourists physically into shops, block exits, and refuse to let tourists leave without making a purchase. Prolonged haranguing and guilt-tripping are common.
How it works
Souvenir shops near tourist areas sell papyrus, alabaster, and other supposed traditional crafts accompanied by fake certificates of authenticity and inflated claimed valuations. The items are mass-produced in factories and worth a fraction of the asking price.
How it works
Shops in and around the resort areas sell counterfeit sunglasses, watches, and clothing with convincing branding. Shop owners claim items are genuine factory overruns. Prices seem like great deals but the goods are worthless imitations.
Sharm El Sheikh Safety — Frequently Asked Questions
What scams target tourists in Sharm El Sheikh?
Are taxis safe in Sharm El Sheikh?
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Which areas of Sharm El Sheikh should tourists be most careful in?
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Filter scams in Sharm El Sheikh by category, or read our worldwide guides for each scam type — taxi scams, street scams, restaurant scams, and more.
If you're visiting more than one destination
Similar scam patterns are active across the North Africa region. Before visiting Chefchaouen, Agadir, and Fez, review each city's guide — tactics vary and local setups differ even for the same scam type.
Editorial note: Scam warnings for Sharm El Sheikh are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →