Taba Travel Guide: Egypt’s Quiet Red Sea Corner
I almost skipped Taba. My itinerary kept saying Sharm el-Sheikh and Dahab, and Taba felt like an afterthought at the top of the map. A friend who had spent years diving in the Red Sea talked me out of rushing past, and I am glad he did. Taba turned out to be the calmest, most dramatic slice of the Egyptian coast I found, with fewer crowds, wilder scenery and a pace that let me actually breathe.
Getting to Taba
Reaching Taba is straightforward once you know your options. The easiest is a direct flight into Taba International Airport, which has seasonal connections from a handful of cities. From Cairo you can also drive the Red Sea coastal road, a long but scenic journey of about five hours, or catch a bus via Sharm el-Sheikh. For international travellers, the border crossing at Taba connects by land to Israel and Jordan, so you can tie it into a wider Middle East trip. I flew in and found the airport tiny and fast, well worth skipping the big transit hub chaos.
Where to Stay
Accommodation here splits into two worlds. The town of Taba itself is small and functional, with a few straightforward hotels and easy access to the port and the border. Ten minutes south, Taba Heights is a purpose built resort area with larger hotels, beaches and dive centres. I split my nights, staying in the town for easy morning trips and moving down to the coast for diving and relaxation. For the genuine desert experience, book one night in a Bedouin camp on the fringes, where stars and silence replace wifi.
Top Sights and Things to Do
Taba packs a surprising amount into a small area. The Fjord, a narrow turquoise inlet framed by red rock, is my top pick for swimming and calm. Pharaoh’s Island, reachable by a short boat ride, holds a restored medieval castle with sweeping views over the gulf. The Coloured Canyon sits an hour away and delivers some of the most dramatic geology I have walked through. Between these and the reef line, you can easily fill four or five days without repeating a single activity.
Diving and Snorkelling
The Gulf of Aqaba reef here is world class and notably quieter than the big southern sites. I went out with a local dive centre for a morning on the wall, where the coral dropped away into deep blue and fish moved in glittering schools. Visibility was superb, and on a calm day you can snorkel straight off the beach in Taba Heights and already see gardens of coral. Divers will find sites for every level, from gentle slopes to deeper walls, with turtles and the occasional shark on offer for those who go out far.
Day Trips Worth the Drive
Beyond the town, the region rewards a bit of exploring. Nuweiba, an hour south, has a laid back beach community and simple guesthouses along the water. The Coloured Canyon, not far from Nuweiba, makes a brilliant half day hike. For a change of pace, the camp scene in the desert offers dinner, music and the brightest night sky I can remember. I even squeezed in a trip to the aquarium at the coastal reserve, which was a fun glimpse of the fish I had seen underwater, now passing a glass wall.
When to Visit
For the best weather, plan Taba between October and April, when days are warm and comfortable without the crushing summer heat. I travelled in March and got sunny hiking weather, warm enough swimming and cool, restful nights. Summer is hot but good for water sports, while the winter holiday weeks bring the biggest crowds and prices. If you care about empty sites and good deals, aim for the shoulders of October or early March.
Practical Tips From the Road
Carry cash in Egyptian pounds, because small camps and cafés do not always take cards. Sun protection and water are essential, especially for the canyon and the fjord, and a bathing suit goes into the day bag even when you plan to hike. Local guides for the Coloured Canyon are worth their modest fee for navigation and the best routes. And leave the packed style of Sharm at home, this is a place to slow down.
Taba surprised me at every turn, and I suspect it will do the same for you. Quiet beaches, a proper castle, coral reefs and deserts all within a short drive, and almost none of the hustle. It may sit at the edge of the map, but for me it ended up the highlight of the whole Egyptian coast.
Language and Etiquette
English is common in the resorts and dive centres, but learning a few words of Arabic, greetings, thank you and numbers for bargaining, opened doors for me everywhere. Dress modestly away from the beach, respect Ramadan if you travel then, and always ask before photographing people. A little courtesy travelled wonderfully in Taba and made every encounter warmer.
