Climate, Activities and Maps
Sinai's climate is extreme. On the coast, daytime temperatures can reach 50°C (120°F) during summer, while nights are sultry or temperate depending on the prevailing wind. In the mountains, which receive occasional snowfall over winter and the odd rainstorm during spring, nights are cooler - if not chilly or freezing. Outside of winter, you should wear a hat, use high-factor sunscreen and drink four to six litres of water a day (more if you're trekking) to avoid sunburn and heatstroke. The climate is obviously a factor affecting tourist activities in Sinai. During summer, the heat is likely to make you spend less time on the beach and more time in the water, and to forgo trekking or camel riding entirely. Happily, diving or snorkelling can comfortably be done at any time of the year, and constitute Sinai's greatest attraction. Details of diving centres, courses and trips are given under each resort as appropriate. We've done the same with camel and jeep safaris , giving specifics under the localities where trips are arranged or occur. As a rule, sites near the coast can be visited at any time of the year by jeep, and between October and April by camel, while trekking in the High Mountain Region is unfeasible in winter owing to snow, and only possible in summer if you're fit enough to stand the heat. Serious divers or trekkers should acquire the 1:250,000 Sinai Map of Attractions, an English-language tourist map based on Israeli army surveys, which is sold at the Taba border and most resorts. At a pinch, divers could make do with one of the maps produced by diving centres or travel agents, which outline the chief dive sites and Ras Mohammed National Park. You can pick up a copy of the quarterly listings magazine Sinai Today at most resorts, for GBPE5.
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