The Red Sea is one of the most biologically rich and geologically unique marine environments on Earth. Located between northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, it stretches over 2,000 kilometers from the Suez Gulf in Egypt to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait near Djibouti. Egypt’s eastern coastline, from Suez in the north to the Sudanese border in the south, borders the Red Sea and is world-renowned for its coral reefs, underwater ecosystems, and coastal resorts.
With crystal-clear waters, warm temperatures year-round, and an unparalleled diversity of marine life, the Red Sea has become one of Egypt’s leading destinations for diving, snorkeling, eco-tourism, and relaxation. Its unique geological setting as part of a tectonic rift zone has also made it a subject of intense scientific study.
The Red Sea coast of Egypt offers both natural beauty and cultural depth, blending pristine marine environments with ancient trade history, desert landscapes, and traditional communities.
History
The Red Sea has played a vital role in Egyptian and regional history for millennia. In ancient times, it served as a critical maritime corridor linking the Nile Valley to the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa, and beyond. Trade routes from ports like Berenike, Myos Hormos, and Quseir connected Egypt to South Arabia, East Africa, and India, facilitating the exchange of incense, spices, ivory, and exotic goods.
Pharaonic expeditions to the fabled Land of Punt, documented in reliefs from Queen Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari, likely departed from Red Sea ports. During the Ptolemaic and Roman periods, the Red Sea became part of an imperial trade network that extended deep into the Indian Ocean, with goods transported across the Eastern Desert to the Nile and on to Alexandria and Rome.
The region also witnessed early Islamic naval activity, Ottoman expansion, and British imperial interest during the 19th and 20th centuries. More recently, the Red Sea became a strategic corridor for global shipping following the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869.
In the late 20th century, the Red Sea emerged as a major international tourism destination, particularly in Egypt, where towns like Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh, and Marsa Alam grew rapidly to support diving tourism and coastal development.
Geology
The Red Sea is a young oceanic basin formed by the separation of the African and Arabian tectonic plates along the Red Sea Rift, a divergent boundary that continues to widen at a rate of about 1–2 centimeters per year. This rifting process has created deep central troughs, mid-ocean ridges, and extensive fault zones beneath the sea.
The sea reaches depths of over 2,000 meters in its central trench and is lined by narrow continental shelves that support extensive coral reef systems. These reefs, including fringing, barrier, and patch reefs, are among the northernmost coral formations in the world and thrive in warm, saline, nutrient-poor waters.
Volcanic activity is also present, especially in the southern Red Sea, where submarine vents and geothermal phenomena have been recorded. Along the Egyptian coast, the Red Sea Hills and Eastern Desert are composed of Precambrian metamorphic rocks, granite intrusions, and faulted sedimentary layers, contributing to the rugged shoreline and steep coastal escarpments.
Because of its unique tectonic and oceanographic conditions, the Red Sea is a hotspot for geological and marine research. It is also one of the saltiest seas in the world due to high evaporation and limited freshwater input.
Things to See
Egypt’s Red Sea coast offers an exceptional range of natural, recreational, and cultural attractions for visitors of all interests.
Coral Reefs and Diving
The Red Sea is world-famous for scuba diving and snorkeling. Sites like Elphinstone Reef, Brothers Islands, Ras Mohammed, and Giftun Island offer dramatic coral walls, tunnels, pinnacles, and shipwrecks such as the SS Thistlegorm. Over 1,200 species of fish, many of them endemic, and hundreds of coral species make the Red Sea one of the richest marine ecosystems on the planet.
Beaches and Resorts
Towns like Hurghada, El Gouna, Sahl Hasheesh, Marsa Alam, and Quseir offer a wide range of accommodations, from luxury resorts to eco-lodges. Many resorts have private beaches and direct access to reef systems, while others provide boat excursions to offshore dive sites.
Desert and Cultural Excursions
The Eastern Desert behind the Red Sea coast is rich in natural and historical interest. Travelers can visit ancient Roman forts, gold mines, and rock art in remote wadis. Desert safaris, camel treks, and Bedouin cultural encounters are available from most coastal towns.
Wildlife and National Parks
The Wadi El-Gemal National Park, located south of Marsa Alam, protects both desert and marine habitats, including mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. The park is home to endangered species such as the dugong, green sea turtle, and several species of raptors and migratory birds.
Island Excursions and Water Sports
Visitors can take day trips to Mahmya, Giftun, or Tawila Island for snorkeling, sunbathing, and nature photography. The Red Sea is also popular for windsurfing, kitesurfing, and sailing due to its steady winds and clear waters.
Underwater Archeology and Shipwrecks
The Red Sea hosts dozens of shipwrecks from various periods, including WWII cargo ships, steamships, and ancient vessels. These sites are popular for advanced divers and marine historians.
Whether for marine exploration, geological fascination, or relaxation, the Red Sea remains one of Egypt’s most unique and captivating regions.