Taba is about 429km from Cairo, located at the tip of the Gulf of El-Aqaba, considered to be a meeting of borders town, as it overlooks Jordan , Israel and Saudi Arabia . The weather at Taba is fine round the year; sunny in the Summer time and mild cold in the Winter, while moderate with nice breeze in both Spring and Autumn.
The coastline from Taba to Nuweiba is characterized by its majestic mountains, magnificent bays, coves, & lagoons; as well as it has the most picturesque coastline with dramatic mountain backdrops that stretches across the golden beaches in that area.
Some of the restaurants and hotels in this area are overlooking the natural bay in outstanding scenery. On the island known as Gezirat Pharaon (Pharaoh's Island) lies the most significant sight of this area which is Salah El-Din Castle , which has been restored by the Egyptian Antiquities Organization.
Between Taba and Nuweiba a huge tourist project - the Egyptian Riviera - is in development, which will provide tourists with the most attractive and luxurious accommodation in the very near future.
The future for tourism in Taba looks promising and Egypt has major plans for this area as a tourism Center. Nowadays, Taba has good restaurants and beach cafes, also borders can be crossed on foot, or with bus service into Eilat.
Since November 2000, Taba Airport was opened to charter flights which make a visit to this part of Sinai even more attractive. Due to the Peace Treaty of 1979 an agreement allows visitors to enter South Sinai on a 14 days visa. This visa covers the area from Taba to Sharm el Sheikh (Ras Mohamed excluded) and St. Catherine. Not only that but also Taba has one of the best diving sites which are; Pharaoh's Island with its magnificent fish types rich coral slope, vast colorful coral patches & glassfish, also Marsa el Muqabila with its large barracuda & batfish areas.
A journey into the mystic wilderness is a worthwhile and authentic adventure experiencing the desert in a different way, through the eyes of the Bedouins. The Bedouins are proud of their ancient culture and independence, and they are known for their hospitality. Tourist and travelers will enjoy a camel trek experience, during the trip Bedouins will invite you to be their guest/s. It is a legendry journey, where you will experience the desert in its pure beauty, and stunning nature. Amongst the marvelous destinations that worth a visit is Habiba village at Nuweiba which is build along the sea shore, a place that remains intact and well preserving nature and at the same time offering high quality services.
Pharaoh's Island & Salah El-Din's Castle
Taba Salah El-Din Citadel-Pharaoh Island One of Taba's main attractions is simply breathtaking. The island, surrounded by outstanding blue and turquoise water was once a Phoenician port. Later occupied by Crusaders and then taken under control by Sultan Salah El Din. The island and the castle remain intact. The reef around the island is popular with snorklers and divers alike.
Pharaoh's Island , also called Coral Island or Geziret Faroun, lies eight kilometers south of Taba and 250 meters off the coast. The Phoenicians were the first to make use of this island's fine natural harbor during the 10th century BC to foster trade with Egypt . Much later the small rocky island came under Byzantine control.
Early in the 12th century the Crusaders built a fortress there to protect pilgrims traveling between Jerusalem and the Monastery of St Katherine and to harass Arab trade. Sultan Salah El Din (Saladin) evicted the Crusaders from the island and significantly strengthened the fortress later in the 12th century. The Mamelukes and Ottomans probably further fortified it when they became the dominant force of the region. Today you can follow in the footsteps of the legendary Lawrence of Arabia and explore the fully renovated fortress of medieval character with its towers, arched doorways, sleeping quarters, baths and kitchens.
Diving
Most of the diving in Sinai is done with a shore-based, day boat dive operation or a live-aboard dive boat. The currents vary from no current to very strong ones, so it is strongly advised to dive or snorkel with guides or with experienced divers who have dove in the area before and are familiar with the conditions.
PEACE TREATY BETWEEN ISRAEL AND EGYPT March 26, 1979
Peace Treaty Taba sinai
Sixteen months after Sadat's visit to Israel , the Israel-Egypt peace treaty was signed in Washington . It contains nine articles, a military annex, an annex dealing with the relation between the parties, agreed minutes interpreting the main articles of the treaty, among them Article 6, the withdrawal schedule, exchange of ambassadors, security arrangements and the agreement relating to the autonomy talks. The latter issue was contained in a letter addressed by President Sadat and Prime Minister Begin to President Carter.
The Egyptian Riviera
The Egyptian Riviera comprises five tourism planning sectors within the Gulf of Aqaba zone: Taba , Nubia, Dahab, Wadi Kid, and Sharm El-Sheikh. Among the five sectors, Taba and Nubia were given top priority for tourism development and were combined to an area known as the Egyptian River .
Moreover the Gulf of Aqaba on the Egyptian Riviera offers a variety of tourist attractions, from a dramatic mountain backdrop to stretches of golden beaches. Underwater coral reefs and marine life offer a spectacular time for divers and snorkels. There is much room for tourists within a diversity in marine life species that includes 250 different corals and 1,000 species of fish.
Historical sites are also available in the area. Saladin's fortress is one such site, as well as the Bedouin culture, scenes and handicrafts. In the Riviera , adventurers and sportsmen will find a heaven with lots of activities, including desert safaris and mountaineering .