Email this page to a friend
Africa Travel Newsletters > Red Sea Coast Egypt
1. Egypt's Red Sea Coast - One of the World's Top Water Sports Destinations
As it was in the days of the early Greeks
and Romans, so it is today that Egypt is one of the worlds favourite travel destinations. Though the country's biggest draw continues to be the amazing
abundance of historical treasures, the destination offers more than just the wonders of antiquity. Of the six tourist super-sites - Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor,
Aswan, Hurghada on the Red Sea and Sharm El Sheikh in Sinai; none except Luxor relies entirely on ancient monuments to attract visitors.
The Red Sea is well known to adherents of the great monotheistic religions as the sea
that God parted with his own hand so that Moses could lead his brethren across to Sinai. But believers will be scandalized to learn that there are some who
do not accept the miraculous parting of sea. Their clever explanation is that the event was possible due to a marshy sea of reeds or high currents that
separated the waters. But all agree that for sailing, diving and fishing - it is one of the best destinations in the world.
The Red Sea has since
antiquity, been important for political and economic reasons. This long and narrow sea between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula acted as a link between
China, India, Persia, the Arabian Gulf and Africa with the Mediterranean. The Red Sea contributed to the development of the Silk Road connecting China and
Rome, through India. This road facilitated trade and cultural exchange between the west and China.
The Red Sea was key in the spreading of the
Christian faith to Egypt and Ethiopia shortly after the death of Christ. St Mark brought the gospel to the Egyptians around AD 40. The isolation of the Red
sea area in Egypt attracted the first Christian hermits. St Anthony - a very devout Egyptian who sought spiritual salvation was attracted by the isolation
and austere character of the region. He is credited with founding monasticism. The monastery built by his disciples in the fourth century AD lies at the foot
of the plateau of Gebel al-Galala al-Qibliya.
The St Anthony monastery, which is the largest Coptic monastery in Egypt, has over the centuries
survived attacks from Bedouins and Muslims. It is today home to monks who carry on the work of the hermit founder. St Paul, a devotee of St Anthony, built
the monastery of St Paul near the cave where he lived for nearly 90 years. The two monasteries are 82 km apart by road and can be reached from
Zafarana.
Egypt's Red Sea coast runs for 1250 km, from the Gulf of Suez and down to the border with the Sudan. The sea floor averages 500m and at
its deepest reaches 2,500m. The sea is still undergoing natural processes that have resulted in volcanic features in the deeper parts and some gain in width.
The sea covers part of the Rift Valley. Some scientists are so ambitious for the Red Sea, leading them to speculate that after so much water has passed it
will become an ocean.
The Red Sea coast is famed for its crystal clear blue waters and exotic marine life, attracting thousands of tourists yearly.
The reputation is well deserved - in 1989, an international panel of scientists picked the north part of the Red Sea as one of the Seven Underwater Wonders
of the World. The sea carries over 800 fish, including the lethal stonefish and butterfly fish as well as shark and over 200 coral species. In addition, the
shores of the sea are visited by thousands of migrating birds every year and bird watchers are bound to have a good time here.
The waters have a constant temperature of 21-
25 degrees centigrade. Visibility is good at 10-50 m and upto a distance of about 200 m. Visibility is best in summer but can be reduced in spring by
plankton growth and sediments. However, the sea is also known for its strong winds and unstable currents. This is the characteristic that appears to give
substance to the position of those who disbelieve Moses' miraculous parting of the sea.
So named because of its red tint mountain ranges, the Red
Sea is an important tourist destination and is home to a number of resorts, the biggest of which is Hurghada. The coastline is particularly famous for its
diving sites, which include Ras Mohammed, Elphinstone, The Brothers and Rocky Island. The Austrian biologist and scuba diver, Hans Hass put the Red Sea in
the limelight in the 1950's - and this has resulted in it being one of top diving destinations. The renowned French environment explorer, Jacques Yves
Cousteaus, through his writings and movies cemented this reputation.
Egypt's Red Sea has since then experienced rapid development. More hotels and
resorts have sprung up here than anywhere else in the country. This growth has however at times resulted in over development and resultant challenge to the
environment. An estimated 60% to 80% of the coral reefs around the coast have been damaged due to illegal and irresponsible activities. The authorities have
in recent years woken to this reality and this will hopefully lead to restoration and more balanced development in the future.
The major centres
along Egypt's Red Sea coast are Ain Sukhana, Berenice, Bir Shalatein, El Gouna, Hurghada, Mersa Alam, Al- Zuseir, Safaga, Suez and Zafarana. Hurghada
emerged in early 20th century and was until recently an isolated fishing village. It terms of historical pedigree it cannot hold its own against some of the
other Red Sea towns such as Berenice which was founded in 275 BC by the Ptolemy II Philadephus during the Greek period. But from the 1980's onwards, the
city has prospered and is now the leading resort along the red sea coast. Hurghada lies 380 km to the southeast of Cairo
Hurghada has today a
population of 40,000 and is home to numerous hotels and resorts offering first class water sports facilities for sail boarding, windsurfing, yachting, deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling. If you do not want to get wet, you can still catch a glimpse of the impressive diversity of marine creatures by
visiting Hurghada's aquarium and museum. The aquarium has a wide selection of fish and various other odd- looking yet fascinating marine creatures.
Sunbathers will also find excellent white sand beaches. The resort has a good choice of bars, restaurants, boutiques, and discos and is well known for its
vibrant nightlife.
From the city you can access numerous uninhabited off shore reefs and islands. They offer a wide array of exciting activities. At
Giftun Island you can indulge in snorkeling and view the Red Sea underworld from a submarine! The Island is lined with shops and boutiques, which will allow
some retail therapy. There are also some historical sites such as the Roman era porphyry quarry remains at nearby Gebel Abu Dukhan. In addition, you can take
day trips to explore the Red Sea Mountains by camel or jeep.
Between El Gouna and Safaga, is an area that is known as Europe's playground. The area
boasts among other things an airport, a hospital, an open- air amphitheatre, and golf course. It is an area frequented by the rich and famous and is host to
concerts and sporting events. The beaches are clean and a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of inner town. Safaga- 60 km from Hurgada, specialises
in diving. On account of its pristine beaches and strong breezes, it was chosen as the venue for the 1993 World Windsurfing Championships.
You will
find El Gouna 20 km to the north of Hurghada. This is a purpose built leisure resort that boasts of 10 km of beachfront. It has international standard diving
facilities and a myriad of opportunities for windsurfing, snorkeling, parasailing, and water skiing. Golfer may also relax at the El Gouna's 18-hole USPGA
Golf Course.
The area is also home to islands - Shadwan Island, Shaab Abu Shiban, Shaab el- Erg, Umm Gammar Island, which are all famous for
snorkeling, diving and fishing. The southern side of the Red Sea coast is more tranquil than the central areas and is popular with honeymooners. Here you
enjoy breathtaking nature, excellent resorts and good diving sites. For those on a spiritual journey, the Red Sea coast is home to Coptic Christian
monasteries, which are the oldest monasteries in Egypt as well as the whole of Christendom. You can view the monasteries by taking a hike overseen by the
monks and novices residing within.
There are few international flights to Hurghada, though most visitors fly or travel overland by bus from Cairo.
There are a variety of
hotels and resorts in the Red Sea area- with Hurghada having the largest share. In this
city, you will find top tier international chain accommodation and other digs suitable for budget travelers. To get more value from your trip to the region,
you can add on a
Nile cruise- the best way to experience the wonders of ancient Egypt.
The best
time to visit the Red Sea coast is March to May and September to November. In these periods, you enjoy warm days and your fellow tourists are mercifully
away. The summer months are uncomfortably hot and humid, while winter days can be chilly especially in the evenings. Remember to pack cameras to capture
images and sunglasses for protection against the scorching sun, light clothing, hats and some sunscreen.
Help and More Information for Egypt!
Are you planning to go for a tour of
Egypt to see the pyramids and other historic sites?
Contact us
today and we will assist you in
picking and booking the best hotel and
flight, and all your other Egypt travel arrangements.
Attentive service
