Things to Do in Taba: Sinai Coastal Escapes
Taba sits at the northern tip of Egypt’s Red Sea coast, right where the Sinai desert meets the water and the border with Israel. Most tourists rush past it on the way to Taba Heights or Sharm el-Sheikh, but the town and its surroundings gave me some of the most surprising days of my whole Red Sea trip. If you like wild landscapes, quiet beaches and very few crowds, build Taba into your Sinai plan.
Swim the Fjord of Taba
The first thing on my list was the Fjord, a dramatic narrow inlet of turquoise water cut into the dark red mountains about twenty minutes south of town. You reach a shallow lagoon where the water is impossibly clear, and the walls of rock rise straight up around you. I swam out through that glassy channel with fish flickering below me and felt completely alone in the world. Spots of snorkelling and a small campsite make it an easy half day, and the late afternoon light on the red walls is unforgettable.
Pharaoh’s Island and the Castle
Out in the gulf sits Pharaoh’s Island, home to a restored medieval castle built by the Crusaders and later held by the Mamluks. You take a short boat ride from near the port and climb winding stairs to the ramparts, where you can look back at the town and across the glittering water toward Aqaba and four countries at once. The little museum inside tells the story of the fortress and the trade routes it guarded. Even in strong heat the hilltop breeze makes it worth the climb, and it is by far the most historic stop in the Taba area.
Hike the Coloured Canyon
Just north of Nuweiba, about an hour from Taba, lies the Coloured Canyon, a network of narrow sandstone gorge that glow in shades of rose, gold and ochre. I booked a local guide and spent a brilliant morning scrambling over smooth rocks, squeezing through slots and staring up at swirls of colour above my head. It is not a hard walk, but you will want sturdy shoes and a guide, because the canyon twists and opens in ways that are easy to lose your way in. Bring plenty of water and expect a few hours of pure geology.
Relax at Castle Zaman
On the way back to Taba I stopped at Castle Zaman, a boutique resort styled like a medieval fortress. It is worth seeing even if you do not stay, because the grounds are a maze of towers, terraces, pools and gardens with the fjord below. I wandered the ramparts, had a drink overlooking the red mountains, and understood immediately why people book wedding weekends here. It is the most atmospheric place to break a long desert drive.
Snorkel and Dive the Reefs
The reef line along the Gulf of Aqaba is famous for good reason, and Taba gives you an easy quiet way into it. I went out on a small boat for a morning of snorkelling over coral gardens teeming with parrot fish, angelfish and delicate anemones. Divers will find deeper walls and drop-offs with the chance of turtles and even the occasional reef shark. Check the conditions with a local operator, since the water can turn lively, and book early in the day for calmest visibility.
Bedouin Camps and Desert Nights
For something slower, I joined a Bedouin desert camp for an evening. We drove out into the sand, watched the sun drop behind the mountains, and ate a slow dinner of roast chicken, salads and sweet tea cooked over an open fire. Then came the stars. With no town light anywhere, the Milky Way stretched overhead so bright I could pick out its shape without effort. Sleeping in a blanket-lined tent and waking to a silent red sunrise was the calmest moment of my entire Sinai trip.
Plan Your Approach
Taba is easy to reach by road from Cairo or Nuweiba, and the crossing at the Israeli border sits just north of town. The best season is autumn through early spring, when days stay pleasant and the water is warm enough to swim. You do not need long here, but a two or three day loop covering the fjord, Pharaoh’s Island, the canyon and the reefs gives you a genuinely varied taste of Sinai. I left Taba feeling I had discovered something the guides barely mention, and that is exactly the kind of trip I want to have.
Eat the Local Food
After all that activity I did not forget to eat well. Taba’s kitchens serve fresh fish straight from the gulf, grilled over coals with rice and flatbreads, plus sticky sweet desserts and strong tea that finishes every meal. I ate at a small beachside place one night, listening to the waves while the day’s catch went from net to grill, and it was simple food at its very best.
