Nuweiba Travel Guide

Nuweiba is located in a unique place between Dahab to the south and  from Taba, which is 85 kilometers north. 

Nuweiba is opposite to the Jordanian Port of Aqaba, making it an important Egyptian port in the Gulf of Al Aqaba. Nuweiba's location has made it of significant commercial importance as one of the most important Egyptian gateways to the Arab world and Asia.

You can buy many duty-free purchases near Nuweiba Port. The port area is full of shops and supermarkets where you can find good bargain on many products and goods that are not available in Nuweiba Town itself.

The word Nuweiba means "springing water" in old Arabic. It got the name because of the many water wells that are spread all over its surrounding land. The name of the Nuweiba town was also taken from the castle of Nuweiba built by the Egyptians in 1893 as a police guard point for this area of South Sinai. The castle contained a fresh water well within its walls and a number of stone huts where the families of the policemen used to live. The castle is now located in the area called Nuweiba El Trabeen. The history of Nuweiba goes back to when it was first used as a resting and meeting point for pilgrimage trips (haj) from Africa to Mecca and back. 

More About Nuweiba

Nuweiba has an area that is around 5,097 kilometers and also contains a lot of tourist attractions such as hotels, restaurants, and diving centers. These have made the town an important tourist destination that is much cheaper than other resorts in Sinai like Sharm El Sheikh or Taba. 

Nuweiba is also different than any other city in Sinai because of the Bediouns that are still living in the city. This gives it a unique atmosphere because of the special habits and lives of the Sinai Bedouins. Major activities for tourists and Egyptians in Nuweiba are diving, snorkeling, going on safari trips, or chilling out on the beautiful beaches. Whether you are a professional diver or a beginner, you will find a suitable diving spot in Nuweiba and instructors to show you how. The city is also famous for its exceptional coral reefs that you can never find anywhere else around the world. Individual and group divers can enjoy their favorite sport with four equipped diving centers in Nuweiba.

Yoga In The Desert

You can also rent a four by four car or ride a camel and go explore the secrets of the desert in Nuweiba and visit the many nearby water wells and drink healthy fresh mineral water. You can enjoy wonderful yoga sessions in the heart of the mountains in a surrounding that you will never ever forget. 

Overnight Trips

A lot of tourist offices in Nuweiba organize overnight trips escorted by a guide. The overnight trips are a chance to enjoy the desert and its amazing atmosphere in the morning and then enjoy belly dancing, oriental shows, and Bedouin food and grills at night. Although Nuweiba is not so famous among tourists, like Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab, the city definitely has a glamorous future with a lot of new hotels and diving centers opening in the city. The town has another key feature which is that as the capital city of the governorate of South Sinai it has all the courts of the governorate.

Most Important Attractions Near Nuweiba

Pharos Island

This island is located 60 kilometers north of Nuweiba and 7 kilometers south of Taba. It is famous for two reasons. The first reason is its distinctive location overseeing the Gulf of Al Aqaba. You can see Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Taba from Pharos Island.

The second reason why this island is particularly important is the Fort of Saladin that Saladin built in 1170 A.D. which is considered an architectural gem. The fort was used to defend Egypt against crusaders. The fort contains great untouched outer and inner walls and a number of control towers. The island also has a small port for boats to take tourists to and from the island.

The Nabq Protected Area

The Nabq protected area is located approximately midway between Nuweiba and Taba. It is famous for its wildlife which is full of animals, rare rodents and reptiles, and a lot of immigrating birds that  use its mangrove trees as their nests. One-day trips to this protected area can be organized by many tourist offices in Nuweiba and Taba.

Abu Galum Protected Area

The Abu Galum protected area is located between Taba and Nuweiba and it has a special topography and ecosystem that features a combination of desert, mountain, and valleys. Abu Galum is beautiful and is full of rare colored fish and coral reefs. The area hosts a huge selection of animals, birds, and rare plants that are not found anywhere else.

There are also amazing diving spots around Abu Galum especially for professionals with some diving locations that are more than 100 meters deep. There are one day trips from Nuweiba and you can also organize trips from Dahab, Sharm El Sheikh, and Taba. You can also go for a one day trip to Saint Catharine to visit the famous ancient monastery and some of the other monuments located around it like Serabit El Khadem

Best Nuweiba Hotels

• The Swisscare Nuweiba Resort Hotel is on a beautiful, private sandy beach between the majestic remarkable mountains of Sinai and the sparkling clear seas of the Gulf of Aqaba. With only 48 suites, five restaurants and bars, an amazing swimming pool, the spacious beach and rock gardens, this simple and unpretentious little resort hotel has been designed specifically for guests seeking clean and comfortable accommodation, excellent food and service, and an astoundingly beautiful, peaceful and most relaxing environment.
• Habiba Village: A nicely set up the village on the beach, within walking distance to the town center.
• Regina Nuweiba: located in the center of Nuweiba at the tip of the Gulf of Aqaba 3 Km from the harbor, 65 Km from Taba airport facing a panoramic view of the sea and the beautiful Mountains.
• Coral Hilton Nuweiba: A spacious quiet hotel set on a beautiful beach on the Red Sea overlooking the mountains of Sinai & Saudi Arabia in the distance. The Resort is ideally situated to visit the interior of the Sinai or combine a trip to Jordan.