This quiet Egyptian resort town sits at the border with Israel, known for its clear Red Sea waters, coral reefs, and the 12th-century Saladin fortress.
Taba marks Egypt's northernmost point on the Red Sea Riviera, where you can swim with parrotfish at Fjord Bay, walk through the stone corridors of the 12th-century Salah El-Din castle, and cross into three countries within a day. The Sinai mountains rise behind the town while the Gulf of Aqaba stretches ahead, with nearby caves and springs home to Egyptian vultures and Nubian ibex.
Getting to Taba
You can reach Taba through the Taba Border Crossing from Eilat, Israel, which operates 24 hours a day except during Eid ul-Adha and Yom Kippur. The border crossing fee is NIS 109 (as of June 2023). Most nationalities receive a free 14-day Sinai permit upon arrival. Taba International Airport receives several weekly charter flights from European countries including the UK, Belgium, Russia, Denmark, and the Netherlands.
Red Sea Diving and Snorkeling
Dive into the Fjord site to see brain coral formations and lionfish, or explore the Pharaoh's Island site with its napoleonfish and moray eels. Water temperatures range from 22°C in January to 28°C in summer. Local dive centers like Red Sea Waterworld and Taba Diving Center run PADI certification courses and guided dives.
Wildlife and Nature
The 3,590 km² area southwest of Taba includes limestone caves, granite passages, and desert springs. Look for Dorcas gazelles near the springs, watch Egyptian vultures soar above the valleys, or spot desert monitor lizards basking on rocks. The area's 24 reptile species include the Sinai agama with its distinctive blue head.
Taba Heights Resort Area
Twenty kilometers south of Taba, Taba Heights has a marina with regular ferry connections to Aqaba, Jordan. You can play golf at the 18-hole course or take water sports lessons at the beach. A daily bus connects to Sharm el-Sheikh, stopping in Nuweiba and Dahab along the way.
Day Trips from Taba
Take a morning bus to explore Jerusalem's Old City and float in the Dead Sea, or join a guided tour to walk through Petra's narrow Siq canyon. In Egypt, you can climb Mount Sinai for sunrise and visit St. Catherine's Monastery, home to the world's oldest working library.
Practical Information
You'll need an Egyptian visa to travel beyond the Sinai Peninsula. Exchange money at Banque du Caire or Banque Misr within the Egyptian checkpoint, though hours vary. Temperatures stay warm year-round, with summer highs around 40°C and winter lows rarely below 15°C.
