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Red sea islands click here to see a map of the islands If you would like to visit a website about the Brothers, offshore islands and Sudan(click here) A1 Akhawein Islands(Brothers)-Abu El Kizan(Dadaelus)-A1 Zabargad- Rocky Coral reefs and their environmental systems are considered the basic pillar for marine life and their protection and sustainable utilization is an international priority for future generations. The safety and diversity of these systems provide the basis for sustainable tourism and fisheries in the Red Sea and constitute the foundation for local community development. To encourage and support tourism diversity in the Red Sea and to introduce unique diving activities in the protected islands, the Red Sea Governorate and EEAA have joined to inaugurate the distant islands (Al Akhawein Islands-Abu El Kizan- A1 Zabargad- Rocky) for diving tourism effective 30 May 1998. These famous islands are declared natural protectorates under law 102/1983 and have an international reputation for their unique coral reefs and beauty which make a visit to them an unforgettable joy and an everlasting invitation to see their renewable beauties. Al Akhawein Islands(Brothers) They are two small elliptical islands with l km between them. The smaller island covers an area of 0.1 square km, while the other one covers 0.3 square km. They are 67 km east of Quseir. A 31‑meter high lighthouse exists on the bigger island. The depth between the islands ranges between 25 and 70 meters, and the islands are surrounded by a vertical wall of coral with wonderful reefs and other flourishing organisms in addition to scattered consolidated corals. The marine life is intensive and ranges from large concentrations of small fish like Alanthias which can be so dense as to block the sunlight near the sea surface to several species of big sharks in the deep waters away from the beach. On the northwest side of the islands lay the shipwrecks of "Aida" which sank in 1957 at a depth of 40 meters, and which now provides a unique dive site where many fish and soft corals exist. 100 meters away from this shipwreck, there are other older wrecks scattered at depths between 9 and 40 meters. Each island has 6 moorings which can accommodate 3 boats (2 moorings for each boat), and there are also 2 rear mooring buoys at each island for night mooring and for bad weather conditions. Abu El Kizan Island (Daedalus) This is a small island in the sea with an area of approximately 0.2 square km and with a diameter of 800 meters. It is 96 km from Marsa Alam and has 2 jetties and a lighthouse 30 meters high. The water depth around the island ranges from 25 to 70 meters and a colorful coral wall surrounds it on the east, north and south. Diving is a wonderful experience in this area. Many fish and shark species may be seen around the island in their natural habitat. The island has 8 moorings (will increase to 12) accommodating 4‑6 boats and 2 rear mooring buoys for night mooring. Zabargad Island This is a relatively big triangular island with an area of 5 square km and located 46 km south east of Ras Banas. This island is one of the most beautiful large areas with shallow coral reefs and dramatic colors at depths ranging from 18 to 25 meters. The island also. provides good protection for boats. On the southern side of the island there is a wonderful group of solid coral reef peaks on a ramp descending to a depth of 25 meters where it is surrounded with colorful corals through which big and small fish swim. This island is recognized for its extensive diversity of fish, turtles, octopus, and many other species. The island has 12 moorings accommodating 6 boats, and 4 rear mooring buoys for night mooring. Rockv Island This is a small island approximately 0.3 square km and is considered with Zabargad Island as one unit since it is only 5.5 km to the southeast. Staying overnight on the island is not recommended since it is exposed to strong winds and currents, especially on the northern side. It is therefore unsafe for beginning divers and it is very difficult to retrieve them with the boat. The northern side provides a different type of adventure for experienced divers though it is very poor for corals. The eastern side, on the other hand, is the safest with the best corals, especially fire corals. Normally corals grow around the island vertically with some variation in the types, structure and intensity depending on the exposure of the island to air and marine conditions. This island is unique for its especially large fish, especially Napoleons and all kinds of sharks. The island has 6 moorings accommodating 3 boats, but only during daylight hours. Coastal Diving Sites Complementing diving safari trips to the distant islands, coastal routes are being utilized for return trips. The coast provides many dive sites that have been equipped with moorings to protect their coral reefs and to conserve the natural beauty of the areas. These include 18 remarkable sites along the coast from Ras Banas to Hurghada. Preparing these islands and coastal sites for unique diving tourism is supported through the effort and cooperation between two major projects in the Egyptian Natural Protectorates Division of the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency: the Environmentally Sustainable Tourism (EST) Project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Gulf of Aqaba Protectorate Development Project funded by the European Union. It is also the result of a continuous effort and excellent coordination between EEAA rangers, HEPCA members, and diving center volunteers in Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh who have prepared and equipped these islands, sometimes under difficult sea conditions and in record time. The inauguration of these islands is not the end, but rather the beginning of a continuous program to develop diving tourism in the Red Sea and to protect the marine environment and natural treasures and coral reefs which constitute the bases for economic and social development in the Red Sea Governorate. Instructions have been issued regulating diving tourism to these islands; determining a trip management system; defining limitations which must be considered; determining fees which must be paid to maintain and fix moorings; and, provide equipment and the means to protect and manage the wealth of natural resources. click here to see a map of the islands Instructions for diving the islands
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