Experience the Power of the Red Sea in Egypt

Learn about the Red Sea ecosystem, its beautiful warm water and the coral reefs and fish that populate them here!

The Red Sea, Egypt

If you are looking forward to traveling to Egypt but are not sure what to see when you arrive, then make plans to visit the Red Sea, also known as the Arabian Gulf or Persian Gulf.

The origin of the name is disputed by historians. Some claim that the name comes from seasonal blooms of red algae in the waters. Others claim that the name is derived from the red stone hills that border the sea. There are numerous other suggestions; regardless of the origins of the name, the Red Sea remains a vital and amazing place.

The Red Sea is a saltwater inlet of the Indian Ocean and is found in between Africa and Asia. It has a surface area of over 169,000 square miles and is about 1,398 miles long. The maximum depth of the sea is over 7,000 feet in the central median trench. The Red Sea actually comprises part of the famed Great Rift Valley.

Little wonder then that the Red Sea is noted for its variety of aquatic species. In fact, the Red Sea contains over 1,000 species of invertebrates and over 200 types of corals. This makes it one of the most popular destinations for aquatic sports like scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming and simply lounging on the stunning beaches.

History

The Red Sea has seen thousands of years of human history. The earliest known explorations of the Red Sea were started by the Egyptians, who were seeking to establish commercial routes to the Land of Punt. Evidence suggests the first exploration took place at about 2500 BC.

Many historians as well as bible readers remember that the Red Sea was referenced in the book of Exodus. This was the sea that Moses allegedly parted with the help of God, a miracle that resulted in the drowning of Pharaoh and his populous Egyptian army.

Later on, in the 6th century BC, Darius I of Persia made the Red Sea his project by improving its navigation, eliminating hazardous rocks and wayward currents. Two centuries later, Alexander the Great continued to investigate the Red Sea, sending his own naval expeditions down in an effort to harness the great sea’s resources.

Since then, the Red Sea has played an integral role in commerce between nations of the Middle East and those of the Mediterranean Sea, as well as European nations. The Suez Canal owes its existence to the importance of this trade. In fact, the modern Suez Canal is only an extension of an existing canal that was dug in the late 6th century BC.

Tourism

While the Red Sea is revered for its historical significance, it also serves as a tourist attraction and recreational resource. The vast number of natural resources, the pristine waters of the area and the vast quantity of sea life all contribute to this importance.

For tourists, the Red Sea is most commonly known for its amazing recreational diving sites in Egypt, including locations like the Ras Mohammed, the Elphinstone, the Dolphin Reef, and Rocky Island. Exploring the underwater world of the Red Sea is an amazing experience that can be accomplished very easily.

There are some tourist resorts that have been set up exclusively for Red Sea recreation, including well-known Egyptian regions like Safaga, Dahab, Taba, El Gouna, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh. Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh being the most popular.

The crystalline waters of the Red Sea are home to numerous brilliant colored species of fish, wizened sea turtles, rays of startling size and astounding coral reefs. There are also a number of famous wrecks in shallow coastal waters, such as the S.S. Thistlegorm and several others of note.

Red Sea scuba diving is a highly recommended activity in the area.

Safety

What should you know about Red Sea safety? If you stay in Egypt then you will be completely safe in your diving activities.

The only dangerous part of the Red Sea is southward, near uncontrolled zones of Somalia where real life (non-Johnny Depp-looking) pirates are still at large. These pirates pose a serious safety threat in that region, so it is highly advisable that you contain your exploration to areas such as the Egyptian Red Sea coast and the Sinai Peninsula.

However, the waters surrounding Egypt provide a safe haven for divers, anglers, sunbathers, boaters, and even the more adventurous travelers to visit the area.

Come to Egypt and see the Red Sea, one of the definitive landmarks of human civilization.

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Touring an oasis, cruising down the Nile or diving in the Red Sea, you can have it all with our customized Egypt tours that can fulfill your wildest dreams.

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All our Egypt tours are private and fully customizable. We can easily add a Red Sea tour to your Egypt tour itinerary.