Nuweiba & Taba: Sinai's Quieter Coast

The stretch of Sinai coast running north from Dahab to the Israeli border is one of Egypt’s most rewarding detours - and among its least visited. While Sharm el-Sheikh buzzes with package tourists and Dahab draws backpackers and divers, Nuweiba and Taba remain genuinely quiet. The Gulf of Aqaba narrows here, with Saudi Arabia visible across the water and Jordan just a ferry ride away. Both towns reward travellers willing to look beyond the Red Sea’s headline resorts.

Nuweiba

Nuweiba sits roughly 70 kilometres north of Dahab along the Gulf of Aqaba. The town divides into two parts: Nuweiba City, which is the port area where the ferry to Jordan departs, and Tarabin, the scruffier beach strip two kilometres north that hosts the main concentration of beach camps and budget places to stay.

Beach Camps and Accommodation

Tarabin’s beach camps are the defining experience in Nuweiba - open-sided reed huts right on the water, with mattresses and mosquito nets, costing approximately EGP 150–400 per person per night (USD 3–8 as of 2026) depending on the camp and what meals are included. Aqaba View Camp and Soft Beach Camp are two of the better-regarded options, but the lineup changes from season to season and it is worth asking other travellers for current recommendations. Mid-range travellers can find small hotels along the waterfront for EGP 1,000–2,000 per night (USD 20–40). The Nuweiba Village Resort remains the only large hotel property in the area.

Nuweiba’s beaches are wide and the water exceptionally clear, though the reef snorkelling here is not as pristine as around Dahab. The attraction is the atmosphere - fewer people, better sunsets, and a sense of genuine remoteness.

Coloured Canyon

One of Sinai’s most dramatic landscapes sits about 25 kilometres west of Nuweiba in the desert interior. The Coloured Canyon is a narrow slot canyon where millennia of water erosion have carved walls of layered sandstone into swirling bands of red, orange, yellow, and purple. The walk through the main canyon takes around 45 minutes to an hour and involves some scrambling over boulders.

Most visitors join a half-day tour from Nuweiba or Dahab. Expect to pay approximately EGP 500–800 (USD 10–16) for a shared vehicle tour from Nuweiba, or EGP 1,500–2,500 for a private 4WD. The canyon is at its most photogenic in early morning or late afternoon light. Entry requires a Bedouin guide, which is typically included in the tour price.

Ferry to Aqaba, Jordan

Nuweiba is one of the few direct sea crossing points between Egypt and Jordan, and the ferry to Aqaba is a genuinely useful route if you are combining both countries. We recommend pairing a visit here with time in Jordan - for accommodation, restaurants, and a Petra itinerary, see The Jordan Guide.

Operators and schedule: AB Maritime operates both a high-speed catamaran and a slower car ferry. The fast ferry nominally departs once or twice daily in each direction, though schedule adherence is loose - allow two to three hours of buffer at the port. The slow car ferry runs on a more erratic schedule and is mainly of interest if you are travelling with a vehicle.

Current departure times (check before travel): Fast ferry typically at 09:00 and 12:00 from Nuweiba, with an afternoon sailing from Aqaba returning. Times shift seasonally and on holidays - confirm directly with AB Maritime or at the Nuweiba port office when you arrive.

Cost (as of mid-2026):

• Fast ferry: approximately USD 70–80 per person one-way (paid in USD at the port)
• Slow ferry: approximately USD 50–60 per person
• Vehicle transport (slow ferry only): approximately USD 150–250 depending on vehicle size

Booking: Tickets can be purchased at the port on the day, but in peak season (October to April) it is safer to book through a Nuweiba hotel or local tour operator a day ahead. Several Dahab agencies also sell Nuweiba–Aqaba ferry tickets.

Practical notes: Arrive at the port at least 90 minutes before your ferry. Egyptian departure tax of approximately EGP 100–150 is paid separately at the port. Jordanian visa on arrival is available at Aqaba for most nationalities (approximately JOD 40 / USD 55); visitors who enter Jordan via Aqaba can claim a refund of this visa fee if they stay at least three nights - check the current Jordan Tourism Board rules.

---

Taba

Taba sits at the extreme northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, at the convergence of Egypt, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. The Israeli resort of Eilat is visible just across the border - and you can walk across on foot. Despite its strategic location, Taba itself is a small, quiet town with a handful of hotels and limited tourist infrastructure outside the Taba Heights resort complex.

Taba Heights Resort Area

About 20 kilometres south of the town centre, Taba Heights is a purpose-built resort complex sprawling across a desert hillside above the water. The four main hotels here - InterContinental Taba Heights, Marriott Taba Heights Beach Resort, Sofitel Taba Heights, and the Hyatt Regency - share private beaches, multiple pools, and a marina. Rates during high season run approximately USD 120–300 per night depending on the property and room type. Taba Heights functions essentially as a self-contained resort destination; most guests do not leave the complex during their stay.

For travellers wanting beach time plus the ability to day-trip into Jordan or Israel, Taba Heights is well-positioned. The Aqaba border crossing to Jordan is accessible by taxi in under an hour.

Pharaoh Island and Saladin Castle

Geziret Faraun (Pharaoh Island) is the single unmissable sight in the Taba area. The island sits roughly 250 metres offshore, accessible by small wooden boat, and is topped by a remarkably complete 12th-century Islamic fortress built during Saladin’s campaign to control the Gulf of Aqaba trade routes. The castle was later expanded by the Crusaders before being retaken by Saladin’s forces.

The fortress walls, towers, and inner courtyard are largely intact. Admission runs approximately EGP 250–350 per person including the boat transfer (as of 2026). The island itself is compact - a full visit including photographs and exploring all rooms takes around two hours. A small café on the island sells drinks. The water surrounding the island has decent snorkelling on the reef edge if you bring a mask.

Taba–Eilat Border Crossing

The Taba–Eilat crossing (officially Menachem Begin Crossing on the Israeli side) is one of the busiest land crossings between Egypt and Israel and operates 24 hours a day. Most Western passport holders can enter Israel without a prior visa.

Allow two to three hours for the crossing, particularly on Fridays and around Israeli or Egyptian public holidays when queues build significantly. Israeli security is thorough. The crossing is primarily on foot - vehicles are rarely permitted across. Taxis on both sides cover the short distance into Eilat and Taba town respectively. Expect EGP 50–80 from Taba town to the crossing by taxi.

---

Getting to Nuweiba and Taba

From Sharm el-Sheikh

The most straightforward option is a shared taxi (service taxi) from the Sharm el-Sheikh taxi station near the old market. These run when full, usually morning and early afternoon. The journey to Nuweiba takes approximately two hours and costs around EGP 150–200 per seat (USD 3–4 as of 2026). A private taxi for the whole car runs EGP 600–900.

To Taba from Sharm, the journey is approximately three hours by shared taxi, costing EGP 200–250 per seat. Private transfers run EGP 800–1,200.

East Delta Bus Company runs buses on this route; they are slower but cheaper at around EGP 80–120. Buses depart from the Sharm bus station, but schedules change frequently - confirm locally.

From Dahab

Nuweiba is one hour north of Dahab. Shared taxis run throughout the morning for EGP 60–90 per seat; private taxi around EGP 300–400. This is the most common access route since many travellers combine Dahab and Nuweiba. Taba is another 90 minutes beyond Nuweiba - add EGP 100–150 per seat for the full run from Dahab to Taba.

The Coastal Road

The road north from Dahab to Taba (Route 47) is well-maintained and passes through dramatic Sinai desert scenery with the Gulf of Aqaba visible for most of the journey. There are no major towns between Nuweiba and Taba, so fill up with water and cash before leaving Nuweiba if continuing north.

---

Both Nuweiba and Taba work well as one-night or two-night stops rather than full-week bases. If your Sinai itinerary runs Sharm → Dahab → desert → Jordan, they slot naturally into the northern leg of the route.

Plan Your Trip

• Tours & Activities in Dahab
• Tours & Activities in Sharm el-Sheikh
• Travel Insurance for Egypt