Information
Landmark: Pharaoh's IslandCity: Suez
Country: Egypt
Continent: Africa
Pharaoh's Island, Suez, Egypt, Africa
Overview
Pharaoh’s Island-also called Coral Island or Geziret Faraun-sits just off the coast near Taba, in Egypt’s eastern Sinai, its rocky slopes rising from the clear Red Sea like a quiet witness to centuries of history.Famous for its towering medieval fortress, vivid coral reefs, and prime location, it draws history buffs, divers, and curious travelers from all over.One.Location and accessibility: the Red Sea, just off Taba’s sunlit shore in Egypt.It’s about 8 km, or 5 miles, south of Taba-just a ten‑minute drive down the coastal road.Just 13 kilometers-about eight miles-from Eilat, it’s close enough to spot from across the Israeli border.Just 15 km (9 miles) from Aqaba in Jordan, it’s close enough to spot from across the border on a clear day.Getting there’s easy-you can hop on a small boat or catch a ferry from Taba or one of the nearby resorts.Tour operators based in Sharm El-Sheikh, Dahab, and Nuweiba run trips out to the island, sometimes leaving at dawn with the scent of salt still sharp in the air.Number two stood alone, sharp as a chalk mark on a blackboard.For centuries, Pharaoh’s Island has served as a vital military outpost and busy trading hub, guarding the narrow mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba where the waters of Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia converge like meeting blue threads.The Phoenicians were the first to settle on the island, turning it into a bustling trading post where the scent of salt and spices hung in the air.The Ancient Egyptians might have held it for a time, drawn by its spot near busy trade routes where camel bells and voices carried on the wind.In 1116 AD, King Baldwin I of Jerusalem and his Crusaders built a stone fortress on the island, its walls catching the glare of the sun, to command the trade routes linking Arabia, Sinai, and the Levant.The island sat in the perfect place to levy taxes on passing merchants and keep the trade routes safe, like a gate standing over a narrow blue strait.In 1170, the famed Muslim commander Saladin-Salah ad-Din-drove the Crusaders from the island, raising his banner once more over its stone walls.He reinforced and enlarged the fortress, turning it into a vital stronghold that could hold off European forces, its stone walls cold and unyielding in the morning mist.The fortress served as a naval base, keeping watch on enemy ships that cut through the bright, choppy waters of the Red Sea.During the Ottoman and modern eras, the fortress stood under their control for centuries, its stone walls weathered by sun and wind.Though it was eventually abandoned, the place still carried weight-its stone walls and high perch spoke of both history and strategy.Today, the site stands remarkably well preserved, drawing tourists, historians, and even divers who drift past its sunken stones.Three.Top Spots and Activities - like catching the sunset from the old pier.On Pharaoh’s Island, the star attraction is Saladin’s Fortress, a medieval stronghold whose sun-warmed stone walls remain among the best-preserved Crusader castles in Egypt.The fortress has thick stone walls and tall towers built to keep out attackers, their surfaces rough and cool to the touch.Lookout posts offer sweeping views of the Gulf of Aqaba, where sunlight glints off the water like polished glass.Inside the fortress, you’ll find storage rooms stacked with crates, narrow living quarters, and even a small mosque.From the fortress, you can take in a sweeping view-Egypt’s golden sands, Israel’s coastline, Jordan’s rugged hills, and Saudi Arabia’s distant shores all visible at once.Number two.The island’s encircled by vivid coral reefs, where parrotfish flash past in bursts of color, drawing snorkelers and divers from all over.The ocean teems with colorful fish darting past, sea turtles gliding slowly through the blue, and coral shaped like twisted fingers.The Red Sea’s crystal-clear water lets you see straight to the coral below, making it perfect for exploring beneath the surface.Three.From Taba, Nuweiba, and Sharm El-Sheikh, you can hop on a boat tour-some skim over clear, turquoise water to nearby islands waiting to be explored.You can wander the island’s winding paths, step inside the old stone fortress, and stretch out on the warm, sunlit sand.Number four sat there, plain and round, like a coin waiting on a table.Perched in a breathtaking spot, Pharaoh’s Island invites you to snap shots of its ancient fortress, the shimmering Red Sea, and even distant shores across the horizon.Number four stood alone, sharp as a chalk mark on a dark board.The best time to go is October through April, when the air stays mild and the water glitters clear in the sun.Skip the summer stretch from June to August-it’s scorchingly hot then, often hitting 40°C (104°F) and making the pavement shimmer.Five.Why should you visit Pharaoh’s Island, where the wind smells faintly of salt and history?✅ Rich history: A fortress that dates back to the Crusader and Islamic periods .✅ Breathtaking views: The only place in Egypt where you can see four countries at once .✅ Fantastic diving and snorkeling: Home to some of the best coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba .✅ Easy access from Taba, Israel, and Jordan.✅ A unique mix of history, adventure, and relaxation.This fortress, with walls that once echoed to Crusader horns and Islamic calls to prayer, carries centuries of history.Breathtaking views await-the one spot in Egypt where you can stand in the warm breeze and see four countries at once.You’ll find incredible diving and snorkeling here, with coral reefs so vivid they light up the clear waters of the Gulf of Aqaba.
