Northern Red Sea

Seven Wonders of the Underwater World

The northern Red Sea is a narrow arm of the Indian Ocean flanked by desert, famous among divers for clear water, steep coral walls and an abundance of fish. It is shared by several countries, so no single place stands for it. This profile uses Ras Mohammed National Park, at the southern tip of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, as the practical gateway for travellers, with sites such as Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef where coral walls drop into deep blue. Elsewhere, divers explore the Straits of Tiran, the Blue Hole near Dahab, and the wreck of the SS Thistlegorm in the Gulf of Suez, while Jordan’s Aqaba and Israel’s Eilat offer reefs a short swim from the beach. The Red Sea hosts over a thousand species of fish, along with turtles, rays and reef sharks, and its corals have drawn scientific attention for their apparent tolerance of warm water, though they are not immune to climate change, tourism pressure and damage from anchors and careless snorkellers. Protected areas such as Ras Mohammed regulate activity with zoning and fees, and many dive centres follow mooring and conservation rules. Beyond diving, the landscape is a draw, with desert mountains plunging into the sea and Bedouin culture in Sinai. Entry rules, land borders and security advice differ among countries, so consult official travel guidance for the country you will visit. Spring and autumn offer comfortable air and water temperatures, while summer is very hot and winter water can feel cool without a wetsuit.