Pharaoh Island

Have you thought about taking repose lately and run away from daily life burdens? What sounds more enjoyable than unwinding in a lovely Island of shallow water reef that runs parallel to the Sinai shore at a distance of 10 meters?

The distance from Pharaoh Island, across the channel from the closest point, is 220 m (726 ft). The Island itself is 350 m. (1,115 ft) long and 150 m wide. You will find an inspiring crusader fortress on the Island, built approximately in 1115 AD. The ceilings are re-enforced with palm logs, the huge fresh water reservoirs, the slit windows for defense, and the bases of sunken columns in salt water ponds.

The Island was inhabited during the Byzantine, Crusaders, and Islamic periods; Existence of Bronze Age could be traced.

There are several activities you could do at the Island, where you have the freedom to tour around where you can find several kiosks to buy souvenirs, soft drinks and other items; public facilities are available as well.

The place is ideal for diving; you could get best coral-seeing when you enter the channel through the rift in the lagoon directly under the quay. Dive in a south-easterly direction around the reef surrounding it until you reach the Island landing stage. From there you can return to your starting point. Decompressing at 3m. (10 ft.), circling the Island and returning to the quay takes about 75 minutes of uninterrupted average fining.

Those who like to snorkel, head to the southern half of the Island, 270 m (890 ft.) utilizing the gentle southerly current.

For those who want to dive, your depth should range between 10 to 17 m. A boat service from the Egyptian shore to the Island is generally available.

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