Map of Gulf of Aqaba, Gulf of Aqaba Location Facts, Bodies of Water, Red Sea - World Atlas other bodies of water The far northern end of the Red Sea is divided into two parts (gulfs) by the Sinai Peninsula; in the east the Gulf of Aqaba, and in the west the Gulf of Suez. The Gulf of Aqaba is positioned along the southeastern edge of the Sinai Peninsula, and bordered by the countries of Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. The Gulf is an important shipping conduit for both Israel and Jordan, and just beyond its southern edges, resorts like Sharm al-Sheikh and others are fast becoming major tourist destinations for scuba divers and sun worshipers because of their consistent sunshine, coral reefs and white sand beaches. Red Sea Map and Map of the Red Sea Depth Size History Information Page Red Sea Map and Map of the Red Sea Depth Size History Information Page Red Sea The Red Sea is an extension (or inlet) of the Indian Ocean, located between Africa and Asia. Entrance to the sea in the south is through the Gulf of Aden and the somewhat narrow Bab el Mandeb (strait).

In the north the sea is accessed from Middle Eastern countries via the Gulf of Aqaba (or Gulf of Eilat.) The Mediterranean Sea provides a conduit south through the Suez Canal and Gulf of Suez. This salty sea is just over 190 miles (300 km) across at its widest point, and about 1,200 miles (1,900 km) in length. There's a measured maximum depth of 8,200 feet (2,500 m), and an estimated average depth of 1,640 feet (500 m). Much of the immediate shoreline is quite shallow. With hot sunny days, and the lack of any significant rainfall, desert dust storms are known to sweep across the sea. High heat combined with the lack of precipitation facilitates high levels of evaporation - thus the sea's high salinity. Regardless, the consistent sunshine, as well as white sand beaches, pristine coral reefs and a scattering of shipwrecks are currently major attractions for scuba divers and sun worshipers.

Resorts like Sharm al-Sheikh and others in Egypt's "Red Sea Riviera" along the Gulf of Aqaba and Gulf of Suez are fast becoming major tourist destinations. Al-'Aqabah | Jordan | Britannica.com Jordan Al-ʿAqabah, also spelled Aqaba or Akaba, Latin Aelana, port town, extreme southwestern Jordan . It lies on the Gulf of Aqaba , an inlet of the Red Sea , just east of the Jordan-Israel frontier on the gulf. It is Jordan’s only seaport. Because of freshwater springs in the vicinity, it has been settled for millennia; King Solomon’s port and foundry of Ezion-geber lay nearby. The flagpole flying the flag of the Arab Revolt at Al-’Aqabah, on the Gulf of Aqaba, Jordan. Aviad2001 Originally called Ayla by the Arabs, the present name is an abbreviation of ʿAqabat Ayla, the “pass of Ayla” through the mountains to the north (now occupied by the highway to Maʿān), which was improved for traffic as early as the 9th century ad.

In Roman times Al-ʿAqabah was, under Trajan’s rule (ad 98–117), garrisoned by a Roman legion and was the southern terminus of a trade route leading from Syria. Under Byzantine rule it became the seat of a bishopric in the early 4th century. Conquered by Muḥammad in 630/631, it became an important way-station for Egyptian Muslims making the pilgrimage to Mecca. The town was taken by the crusaders (12th century) and finally returned to Muslim rule in 1183. Al-ʿAqabah declined under Ottoman rule; at the beginning of the 20th century it was only a small village. Its pilgrim traffic had largely disappeared following the opening of the Suez Canal (1869) and the completion of the Hejaz Railway (1908). A strategic fortified Turkish outpost in World War I , Al-ʿAqabah was bombarded by the British and French navies and captured by Arab irregulars led by T.E. Lawrence in July 1917.

After the war the status of Al-ʿAqabah was in dispute; Britain claimed an outlet on the Gulf of Aqaba for its newly created protectorate of Transjordan (technically part of the Palestine mandate), while the Kingdom of Hejaz based a counterclaim to the town and regions to the north on the former political subdivisions of the Ottoman Empire . When King Ibn Saʿūd conquered the Hejaz (1925), the British placed Al-ʿAqabah and the Maʿān district under Transjordanian authority; this de facto situation continued when Jordan became fully independent (1946). Saudi Arabia had never agreed to these frontiers, which were a matter of dispute until 1965. Then, a boundary agreement between the two states was signed, giving Saudi Arabia desert territories in the interior that were formerly part of Jordan; in return, the Saudis officially recognized Al-ʿAqabah as part of Jordan and gave Jordan an additional frontage on the Gulf of Aqaba of about 10 miles (16 km). Similar Topics Eilat | Virtual Israel Experience Virtual Israel Experience Home Take the Tour On Your Own Israel Quiz Get Involved!

Credits Eilat A resort town of 20,000 and bustling port, combining sea and desert, Eilat lies at Israel's southernmost tip. The sun always shines in Eilat (it rains about a half dozen days a year) and the average daytime temperatures rarely dip below 70°F (21°C), even in winter. During the summer, temperatures can soar well above 100°F and the water can feel almost like a Jacuzzi. Even in mid-winter, the average daytime water temperature stays above 68°F (20°C). Make sure to drink lots of water, keep your head covered and wear sun screen (your mother asked me to put this in). Unless you're going by plane from Tel Aviv (an hour flight), it's a very long schlep (about a four hour drive from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem), but one you'll be glad you took, especially if you're into water sports. Eilat is a great place for water skiing and swimming. The calm surface of the sea is also ideal for boating activities: sailboats, rowboats, kayaks and motor boats.

The main attraction of Eilat is diving in the Red Sea (actually an inlet from the sea known as the Gulf of Eilat or Aqaba), one of the world's most spectacular underwater preserves. You can see brightly colored coral and fish and may see everything from a venomous lionfish to a moray eel to a shark to a sea turtle to a manta ray. Even if you're not a diver, you can enjoy the magnificent coral reef from the surface with a snorkel and mask or on a glass-bottom boat ride (though you usually don't see nearly as much). If you want a really unique view (and don't mind spending the money), try an underwater safari in a submarine (yup, it's a real one) that holds 50 people and takes you 200 feet below the surface. And, if you're really a landlubber, there's the Coral World Underwater Observatory that lets you enjoy the wonders of the Sea as if it were an aquarium. One of only four in the world, the observatory offers a kaleidoscopic view of the reef and sea life 15 feet below the surface.

One of the newer Eilat attractions is Dolphin Reef, where you can swim and dive with dolphins. And there's plenty of activities outside the water, including rappelling on craggy cliffs of the desert mountains, hiking in the desert and mountain biking. Less well-known is the fact that Eilat is one of the best places in the world for bird watching . Approximately one billion birds traverse the area between the Mediterranean coast and the Jordan mountains, making southern Israel the site of one of the greatest concentrations of migrating birds in the world. The migration from Europe to Africa takes place from September to November and the return flight begins in March and lasts through May. Eilat is the headquarters for the International Birdwatching Center. If the searing heat hasn't sapped all your energy, Eilat is also known as a great place to party at night with lots of restaurants, bars and nightclubs. It's also a good place to shop because the city is a free trade zone with no VAT. Into the Desert About 17 miles (27 km.) north of Eilat is the Timna Valley National Park. This desert area is another good place for hiking, jeep tours and camel rides.

It is the site of ancient copper mines said to be run by King Solomon . The most striking site is "The Mushroom." Once you see it, you'll immediately understand how this sandstone rock formation got its name. Another impressive formation is Solomon's Pillars. Timna also has an artificial lake and has become a popular recreational area for Israelis. Also in the area is the Hai Bar wildlife reserve. This 8,000-acre sanctuary is home to many rare and endangered desert animals. You can take a tour through the reserve, though it's unlikely you'll see too many of the animals during the hot part of the day unless you go to a special dark room where some of them can be viewed. Rest assured, however, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, gazelles, ostriches and many other species live in the park. When Israel signed its peace treaty with Egypt, the desert where Moses led the Israelites for 40 years and received the Torah became Egyptian territory. Today, Sinai is largely off the main Israeli tourist route, though seaside resorts along the Gulf of Aqaba are booming.

It is still possible to travel through the desert and make the strenuous hike up to the Byzantine monastery of Santa Katerina on Mt. Sinai. The Egyptian consulate in Eilat offers a "Sinai Only" pass to tour the immediate region. To go further south, beyond Sharm-el-Sheik, or to cross the Suez Canal into the main part of Egypt , you need an Egyptian visa. History The derivation of Eilat's name is unclear. It may come from the Hebrew word, ayil, which means "ram." These animals grazed here in the time of Abraham . In the Bible , the Israelites "passed by the way of the plain of Elath" and "encamped at Etzion Gaber" (Numbers 33:35 and Deut. 2:8-9). King David is believed to have established his southernmost defense line here. The area was developed by his son, Solomon, who built a navy that he used to bring back gold and spices from the land of Ophir (1 Kings, 9:26). The Queen of Sheba was also supposed to have passed through Eilat on the way to see the King in Jerusalem .

King Jehoshophat of Judah also built a navy in Eilat, but it was lost in a storm. During the reign of King Ahaz, Eilat fell to the King of Syria. From that point on, the city changed hands -- and names -- many times. The Egyptians called it Berenice and the Romans Aila. Eilat's importance gradually declined, particularly after the Ottoman Turks built a new port at nearby Aqaba. Up until 1949, Eilat was little more than a small Turkish police station called Um-Rashrash. The ancient site of Eilat with remains from the Nabatean, Roman, Byzantine, and medieval periods has been located north of present day Aqaba. On March 13, 1949, Israeli forces occupied Eilat in the "Operation Uvdah" ("Established Fact"), in the last military move in the War of Independence. According to the United Nations partition plan, Eilat was to be the southernmost tip of the Jewish state. In December 1949, members of the Kibbutz ha-Me'uhad set up a temporary camp in Eilat.

Since Israeli independence and the opening of the Straits of Tiran in the 1956 Sinai War, the town has gradually grown into the major resort it is today. The Cause of War The Red Sea area is beautiful, but it is also important to the political history of Israel. Your first thought might be of the biblical story of Moses parting the Red Sea when the Israelites left Pharaoh's Egypt, but both biblical scholars and archaeologists believe the biblical reference is to the Sea of Reeds, which no longer exists and was in a different location. Eilat was, however, an important port dating to the reign of King Solomon . The Red Sea played a role in more recent Jewish history. If you look at the map, you'll notice Israel is not the only riparian nation. On the northeast end of the Gulf, Jordan borders the Sea. Its port of Aqaba is just three miles (5 km.) east of Eilat. Most of the eastern shore is Saudi Arabia ; yes, Saudi Arabia (bet you didn't realize it was so close to Israel -- 12 miles south of Aqaba). And, the territory at the southern tip, and across the sea guarding its entrance is Egypt .

Shortly after Israel's victory in its War of Independence in 1948, and again in 1967, Egypt blockaded the Strait of Tiran leading from the Red Sea into the Gulf of Eilat (which stretches 140 miles from Eilat to Sharm-el-Sheikh), preventing Israeli shipping from moving in or out of the port of Eilat and thereby cutting Israel's lifeline to Africa and the Far East. The Israelis considered this an act of war and was one of the reasons for attacking Egypt in what became the Sinai Campaign of 1956 and the Six-Day War of 1967. In the first war, Israel captured all of the Sinai desert and controlled the entire peninsula adjacent to the Gulf. Under pressure from President Eisenhower , Israel withdrew and a UN peacekeeping force was deployed to insure Israel's freedom of shipping. In 1967, the force was withdrawn at the request of Egyptian President Nasser (in violation of the UN agreement creating the force) and he again blockaded the strait. In the brief war that followed, Israel reconquered the area.

This time, it held the area along the Sea until signing a peace treaty with Egypt in 1979. Israel withdrew from the area south of Eilat in 1982, though it tried to hold the small town of Taba near the southern tip of the Gulf where it had built a tourist resort. After international mediation, however, Israel agreed to return Taba to Egypt in 1988. Israel's relations with Jordan have been less rancorous and, since the signing of the Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty in 1994, a number of cooperative projects have been developed for the Eilat/Aqaba region, including one to protect the Gulf . Just north of Eilat it is possible to book a trip to Jordan to visit Petra. A tourist visa is required to enter Jordan. The largest riparian state, Saudi Arabia , remains technically at war with Israel. Though it has never played a major role in the Arab-Israeli conflict, beyond financing Arab forces, Israel has remained concerned about the Saudis' massive arms buildup .

Indeed, when you travel south of Eilat and can look across the Gulf and see Saudi Arabia , it is easier to understand why Israel's friends have been concerned over the years about the sale of sophisticated U.S. aircraft to the kingdom. The Israelites Crossed the Red Sea at the Gulf of Aqaba and Mount Sinai is in Arabia [249] The Israelites Crossed the Red Sea at the Mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba (Sharm El Sheik) and Mount Sinai is in Arabia Most Christian bibles and travel maps espouse the widely accepted view that Moses and the Israelites crossed the Red Sea at the Gulf of Suez. Furthermore they nearly all place Mount Sinai on what is known (for apparently the wrong reasons!) as the Sinai Peninsula. This page will show that both of these widely held views are erroneous (would you expect anything less?). The Israelites Crossed the Red Sea at the Gulf of Aqaba, Not at the Gulf of Suez. The Exodus of the Israelites began at daylight on the day of the passover.

We know this because Exodus says: 31 At once he called Moses and Aaron by night and said: Get up, get out from the midst of my people, both you and the [other] sons of Israel, and go, serve Jehovah, just as you have stated. 32 Take both your flocks and your herds, just as you have stated, and go. Also, you must bless me besides. 33 And the Egyptians began to urge the people in order to send them away quickly out of the land, because, they said, we are all as good as dead! 34 Consequently the people carried their flour dough before it was leavened, with their kneading troughs wrapped up in their mantles upon their shoulder. 35 And the sons of Israel did according to the word of Moses in that they went asking from the Egyptians articles of silver and articles of gold and mantles. 36 And Jehovah gave the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians, so that these granted them what was asked, and they stripped the Egyptians. 37 And the sons of Israel proceeded to depart from Rameses for Succoth, to the number of six hundred thousand able-bodied men on foot, besides little ones.

38 And a vast mixed company also went up with them, as well as flocks and herds, a very numerous stock of animals. 39 And they began to bake the flour dough that they had brought out from Egypt into round cakes, unfermented cakes, because it had not leavened, for they had been driven out of Egypt and had not been able to linger and too they had not prepared any provisions for themselves (Exodus 12). The year was in fact 1513 - see U9 . The trip from Rameses to Succoth lasted from 1513Nisan15 to 1513Nisan21. This being the entire length of the festival of unfermented cakes, which festival commemorates this flight. They set up camp at Succoth. This was the end of the first stage of their flight. Whilst setting up camp the Israelites would have had time to bake fermented bread. For the chronology of the Exodus see U356 . The Sinai Peninsular was Egyptian controlled territory in the day of the Exodus, as it is today! But it was not actually in the land of Egypt itself.

17 And it came about at the time of Pharaohï¿½s sending the people away that God did not lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines just because it was near, for God said: It might be the people will feel regret when they see war and will certainly return to Egypt. 18 Hence God made the people go round about by the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea (Exodus 13). The land of the Philistines was to the north and east of Ramases. So God must have sent them South and East or Southeast in fact. In verse 18 we are told that 'God made the people go round about by the way of the wilderness of the Red Sea'. This great photo shows the Gulf of Suez to the left and the Gulf of Aqaba to the right. There is a large mountainous area stretching across the southern half of the Sinai Peninsula, with desert plains to the north and a coastal plain along its western edge.

It would not have been possible to take 2-3million people including women and children mountain hiking for 2 weeks, so they must have travelled along either the desert plains to the north or the coastal plain along the western side of the mountains. Some writers have identified the whole of the peninsula as 'The Wilderness of the Red Sea' but, as we shall see, this wilderness is most likely to be the coastal plain shown above running between the Gulf of Suez and the mountainous region of the peninsular. Furthermore the Northern route would have exposed the sons of Israel to attack by the Philistines, which God was deliberately avoiding. So they must have travelled down the coastal plain on the eastern border of the Gulf of Suez, and this then was the wilderness of the Red Sea. We now come to the following accounts in Exodus and Numbers: 1 Jehovah now spoke to Moses, saying: 2 Speak to the sons of Israel, that they should turn back and encamp near Pihahiroth between Migdol and the sea near Baal-zephon. Opposite it [Baal-zephon] you are to encamp by the sea.

3 Then Pharaoh will certainly say respecting the sons of Israel, ï¿½They are wandering in confusion in the land. The wilderness has closed in upon them.ï¿½ 4 So I shall indeed let Pharaohï¿½s heart become obstinate, and he will certainly chase after them and I shall get glory for myself by means of Pharaoh and all his military forces; and the Egyptians will certainly know that I am Jehovah. Accordingly they did just that. (Exodus 14) 9 And the Egyptians went chasing after them, and all the chariot horses of Pharaoh and his cavalrymen and his military forces were overtaking them while camping by the sea, by Pihahiroth opposite of Baal-zephon. (Exodus 14) 7 Next they pulled away from Etham and turned back toward Pihahiroth, which is upon the faces (ynp) of Baal-zephon, and they went camping near Migdol. (Numbers 33) The meaning of the Hebrew word Pihahiroth is broken down as follows: 'Pi' means 'mouth of' or can mean 'to flow out'. 'ha' means 'the'.

'hiroth' the meaning is not clear. It possibly comes from the Akkadian word 'hir-i-tu' meaning 'canal' or 'channel', it doesn't appear in any other bible accounts (apart from those of the red sea crossing). Therefore the whole word means 'mouth of the channel' or the channel estuary or the gulf estuary. Plainly this is the estuary of the gulf of Aqaba. The phrase 'upon the faces of' appears in Genesis 1:2, where God's spirit moves upon the faces of the waters. The word 'Migdol' means 'tower/fortress' or even 'watchtower' The word Baal-zephon is thought to have been the name of a Canaanite god who watches over mariners. According to Dr. Kyle McCarter of Johns Hopkins University and Dr. James Hoffmeier of Wheaton College, Baal-zephon is believed to be a coastal mountain. Ancients did used to view the mountains as gods, so it is quite possible that a mountain next to the sea would be thought of as a god who watches over seafarers.

If we take into account these meanings, with what we have covered so far, we can begin to narrow down the location of where the crossing took place. We are told that the Israelites encamped by the sea... 'near' (Exodus 14:2) - Pihahiroth, which was 'upon the faces of' Baal-zephon 'near' and 'opposite' (Exodus 14:2) and also 'to the east of' (Numbers 33:7) - Baal-zephon, and 'between Migdol and the Sea' (Exodus 14:2) but also 'near' (Numbers 33:7) - Migdol. So, Migdol means watchtower/fortress, and it is believed to be the ancient site of a military watchtower. The Egyptians, as with all ancient armies, would place their watchtowers upon hills overlooking strategic terrain (a lookout at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba would have been a very strategic one, being able to monitor the passage of all ships entering/exiting the gulf).

So it is very likely Migdol is, or was on a hill at the mouth of the gulf. If it is, then the Israelites camped between a hill and the sea, and also near it, indicating it was nearby. If Baal-zephon is a mountain, then they were also in view of this mountain but also opposite it, so it must of been on the opposite shore or on an island in the gulf. We now know that Pihahiroth means 'the mouth of canal/channel(?)'. The picture below gives us a rough idea of the geographical features of the area at the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba where the Israelites camped before the crossing: The next pictures elaborate further, showing Tiran Island, which along with the coast of the Sinai Peninsula forms the Strait of Tiran, which is basically the narrow mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba, where it opens into the main body of the Red Sea. The center and right hand pictures show that Tiran Island has a 1540ft mountain upon it, a prime candidate for Baal-zephon.

There does not appear to be any other high mountain on the Arabian coast, the central satellite image below shows mainly flat terrain except for the mountain on Tiran Island. The mouth of the Gulf is also said to be 'upon the faces of' of this mountain. This is gives the impression that the water surrounded the mountain (being upon every face), so the mountain was on an island. The Gulf of Suez does not have such a mountain on such an island. One can imagine Tiran Island as a God overseeing the shipping entering and leaving the gulf of Aqaba. It is the sort of place where one might expect to find a lighthouse. The right hand picture below shows a 690ft hill, 3.4 miles inland on the Sinai Peninsula. It overlooks the strait and is an obvious place for a lookout tower. This has to be Migdol. The right hand picture indicates how the Israelite's camp was between the hill (Migdol) and the island mountain (Baal-zephon), and near the mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba (Pihahiroth). Apparently, the Sharm-al-sheik airport is now situated at this site.

So what was a makeshift departure lounge for the Israelites from Egyptian control is now really a departure lounge for Egyptians themselves! To get to the crossing point at Sharm Al Sheik Airport, the Israelites would have taken the coastal plains route, the flat strip of terrain between the western border of the mountainous region and the east coast of the gulf of Suez in order to avoid the philistine harassment. But the following scripture also confirms this route: 18 Hence God made the people turn around about by the way of the desert of the Red Sea. (Exodus 13) The Red Sea desert is the obviously a desert that is bounded by the Red Sea. This scripture says that God turned the people so to travel the way of this desert. So they obviously turned south and traveled along the wide coastal plain, next to the Red Sea. The route along the northern edge of the mountains of the peninsular was a 'desert of the mountains' not a desert of the sea. Next we read: 1 Jehovah now spoke to Moses, saying: 2 "Speak to the sons of Israel, that they should turn back and encamp near Pihahiroth between Migdol and the sea near Baal-zephon.

Opposite it [Baal-zephon] you are to encamp by the sea. 3 Then Pharaoh will certainly say respecting the sons of Israel, ï¿½They are wandering in confusion in the land. The wilderness has closed in upon them.ï¿½ 4 So I shall indeed let Pharaohï¿½s heart become obstinate, and he will certainly chase after them and I shall get glory for myself by means of Pharaoh and all his military forces; and the Egyptians will certainly know that I am Jehovah." Accordingly they did just that. (Exodus 14) So the Israelites must have at some point already passed Pihahiroth, Migdol and Baal-Zephon, as they are told to 'turn back' and camp by these places. So they must have started to travel northwards up the western coast of the gulf of Aqaba after passing Migdol, before they turned around. The image above left shows the southern point of the Sinai Peninsula. We can clearly see the flat plains along the coast, and how they curve around the tip of the peninsula and start to head northeast.

If you look to the left of where it says 'Gulf Of Aqaba' on the map, you can see the flat plains come to a dead end, as the mountains shut off the coastal route. This is also very clear on the left hand side of the map to the right. So it is likely the Israelites neared this dead end and then God told them to turn back and encamp at the Pihahiroth/Migdol/Baal-zephon site. If Migdol was an Egyptian watchtower then the report would have come from there, back to Pharaoh, who was already pursuing the Israelites, notifying him that the Israelites were trapped, hemmed in on either side by the mountains and the sea. Pharaoh would then have believed that the only way out for them would be back along the way they came, and this was the way he and his men were approaching them. The two arrows on the left of the image above show how the Israelites may have turned and went back on themselves after being cut off by the mountains. The arrow on the right then shows the route across the gulf. The Underwater Land Bridge Under The Gulf Of Aqaba.

To the north of the straits of Tiran the depth up through the centre of the gulf of Aqaba from ranges between 800-1800m. There is an underwater land bridge which cuts northeast from the Sinai Peninsula across the Strait of Tiran, from the airport beach going across Tiran Island. It is approximately 11.2 miles (18 km) long, at least 800 metres wide and is less than 80m below sea level, except for a 800m wide section just off the Sinai Peninsula coast which is 205m at its deepest point today (see technical note at foot of page for its depth 3500 years ago). If the Red Sea parted here it would expose a natural pathway linking the Sinai Peninsula with Arabia. Nowadays in this shallow section of the gulf, ships can only pass safely through two narrow channels which lie either side of the 4 coral reefs between the Sinai Peninsula coast and Tiran Island. The Eastern passage is called Enterprise Passage (205m deep and 800m wide), which between the Sinai peninsula's shore and the first coral reef, off of that shore, called Gordon's reef.

The Western passage is called Grafton Passage (800m wide and 70m deep), which is situated between Tiran island and the reef called Jacksons reef. Enterprise passage is part of a trough that runs the length of the gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea. A section between the small Island now called 'Jazirat Sanafir' (the one to the right of Tiran Island on the maps), and the coast of Saudi Arabia has a maximum depth of just 10 metres! Below is an image of British Admiralty chart #801 (our gratitude to them). Notice the 4 coral reefs (green patches) between the Sinai peninsula's coast and Tiran Island, and also the coral along the coast of Tiran Island. This coral is basically running along the land bridge, the natural pathway under the ocean the Israelites would have taken. Here is closer view of the above (also taken from chart #801) of the same area around the reefs. It contains more details of the area around the 4 coral reefs (only 3 are pictured). You can see here that the first part of the raised area is at most 205m in depth.

This is the deepest part of the land bridge, it would have been much shallower 3,500 years ago (see - technical note at the bottom of this page). Lastly, here is the lower section of British Admiralty chart #12, 1:350,000 scale so it gives a global picture of the whole estuary. You can see the shallow coral areas (the green areas on the chart) around Tiran Island and the 4 reefs on their own. These roughly mark out the route that the sons of Israel took across to Arabia, as the coral is based around the land bridge. There is a radio mast on the Arabian side. This must be roughly where the Israelites reached the coast. If you look just to the north and south of the land bridge which runs from the airport beach via Baal Zephon across the coral reef to the Radio Mast in Arabia, the depth quickly drops from 70-200 meters to 400-500 metres. Here is a lovely photo of the straits of Tiran today.

It shows the 4 coral reefs that have formed there (Gordon's reef, Thomas' reef, Woodhouse's reef and Jackson's Reef looking from left to right as shown on the maps above). The reefs have apparently grown up to 70 metres (230 ft) tall. This means their base is on the surface around 70 metres down, so their base must be situated on a raised platform, i.e. the underwater land bridge, as the rest of the Gulf of Aqaba is much much deeper. Interestingly the key ingredient in the rapid growth in coral is a food supply, i.e. a large amount of decomposing organic matter. An entire Egyptian army maybe? The coral would completely destroy the army and their horses, but there is insufficient oxygen at seventy meters to oxidize and destroy anything made of metal, such as weaponry, armour and chariot parts. So the Egyptians chariots could be further preserved by being encased in coral. 21 Moses now stretched his hand out over the sea; and Jehovah drove back the sea by a strong east wind all night long and converting the sea into dry ground, and the waters were divided.

22 At length the sons of Israel went through the midst of the sea on dry land, while the waters were a barrier hmx [often mistranslated as a wall and shown as such in Hollywood movies] to them on their right hand and on their left (Exodus 14). This was a very powerful wind then. Logically, the wind must have blown to the north or south of the crossing site, for otherwise it would have been impossible for the Israelites to walk into such a headwind (they were traveling Eastwards). If we assume it blew mainly to the south of the camp as in the picture below left, then wind, coming down off the coast of Arabia, would create a depression (picture below right) in the Red Sea off that coast. This depression would be just below the mouth of the gulf of Aqaba. The picture below right simplistically shows an equal and opposite 'surge'. This would plainly not have occurred as drawn, rather the sea would have been pushed up all the way to the opposite shore. In fact the waters in the Gulf of Suez would have risen as a result.

A more accurate depiction would involve a trough on the western side of the Red Sea below the gulf of Aqaba an equivalent rise in sea level on the eastern side of the Red Sea below and in the Gulf of Suez. This trough created by the wind pressure, would then have drawn water out of the Gulf of Aqaba (below left). If the Red Sea tide was also going out, the effect would have been even greater. The water would have exited the gulf until the land bridge was exposed at the Strait of Tiran acting as a dam, thus temporarily turning the gulf of Aqaba into a lake (below right). The water would have bordered the temporary land bridge to the left and to the right. It would not have made a Charlton Heston, Cecil B. de Milne, wall of water. But the sea itself would have been a barrier either side the land bridge. The word used by Moses hmx is from an Arabic root meaning 'to Guard' (Ben Davidson Analytic Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon)..

Then once the Israelites had all made it safely to the Arabian side, God would have calmed the wind, resulting in a massive surge from west to east and then northeast into the mouth of, and back into the gulf of Aqaba, wiping out Pharaoh and his army as it rushed through the strait of Tiran over the land bridge (below). The Egyptians would have been swept northwards off the land bridge down the gradient into the 500 metre then 1000 metre then 1500 metre depths of the gulf. Interestingly, there are a number of dive clubs a Sharm al Sheik, the southernmost city on the Sinai Peninsula. Recreational diving is allowed only up to depths of 30m. To dive any deeper requires special permission from the Egyptian government. Who knows why? On July14, 2003, there was an article in Time magazine on Cambridge Professor Colin Humphreys, who, in his book - The Miracles of Exodus, postulates the theory above.

He recalls seeing scientific papers on a phenomenon called 'wind setdown', in which a strong wind blowing for many hours across a large body of water causes a difference in height of up to 5m (18ft) between opposite shores. Scientists have often observed the phenomenon on Lake Erie, one of the U.S.' Great Lakes. Mount Sinai Is In Saudi Arabia 1 And Moses became a shepherd of the flock of Jethro, the priest of Midian, whose son-in-law he was. While he was driving the flock to the west side of the wilderness, he came at length to the mountain of the [true] God, to Horeb. (Exodus 3) From this scripture, Moses, while residing in Midian was able to lead Jethro's flock to 'the mountain of the true God' - Mount Sinai. Now as we know, it is widely accepted today that Mount Sinai is smack bang in the middle of the 'Sinai' peninsula.

But we know that Midian was in Arabia (Josephus has the Midianites based in Arabia, see - Antiquities of the Jews, book 4, Chapter 7), so it is highly unlikely that Moses would have driven Jethro's flock hundreds of miles, around the Gulf of Aqaba, all the way into the middle of the mountains of the Sinai Peninsula. Although the Midianites were nomadic people, we know that Jethro, being the priest of Midian, would be based in Midian. So Moses would have grazed the flocks on the eastern side of the Gulf of Aqaba. There is a mountain range in Arabia, just off the east coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, called Jabal al Lawz (picture above). This is in the exact vicinity of where Midian was thought to be. It is much more likely Moses would have came across Mount Sinai in this mountain range. This has to be where the real Mount Sinai is. Believe it or not, 'Jabal al Lawz' even means mountain of the Law!! Apparently, to this day, it is also known to locals as 'Jabal Musa', which translates as - 'Moses' Mountain'!!

according to Kevin Kluetz, the author of the website from where these pictures are taken. But if you do not believe Mr Kluetz, please listen to what St. Paul has to say on the matter. 25... Now this Hagar means Sinai, a mountain in Arabia... (Galatians 4) So all biblical maps obviously need changing, as they all show Mount Sinai in the 'Sinai' Peninsula.....oh yes. And we had better rename the 'Sinai peninsula'!! The Red Sea Peninsular might be better? The 3/4 way up the gulf theory Ron Wyatt, a well known explorer/archaeologist, allegedly found what appears to be remains of the Egyptian army in 1978 further up the gulf. He along with another explorer, Jonathan Gray, have documented artifacts, some of which have confirmed as dating to the time of the Exodus. Also, recently, a man called Peter Elmer from Keynsham in Bristol, England, and his brother, who were inspired by videos of Wyatt and Gray's findings, have also claimed to have seen remains. Here is a picture taken in May 2000 by a dive team .

This could be a chariot wheel, it was found at the site where Wyatt and Co. claim they saw the artifacts. At the moment though there is not enough evidence to prove that the significance of these findings, a few pictures of chariot wheels are not sufficient to prove that the whole army is there, and neither is it sufficient to prove that the whole army entered the gulf there. But it cannot be ignored either. The site of these findings is about three quarters of the way up the Gulf of Aqaba, not at the mouth. There are some, including Wyatt, who believe that the crossing took place where these artefacts were found. However experience of bodies in the Thames river in London, which enter up river (in the tidal part) but are washed up down river to the estuary, shows us that bodies and artifacts can move around the river bed very quickly. Certainly they are in the right gulf!! There is a land bridge, which begins at Nuweiba beach 3/4 of the way up the western coast of the gulf of Aqaba. However it is much further below sea level (approx.

765 meters) than the bridge at the Strait of Tiran, which is presently 205 metres below sea level at its deepest. To cross at this point the Israelites would have to have taken the route to the north of the Sinia peninsular mountain range. To get to Nuweiba beach via this route you have to enter a valley, called Wadi Watir, in the mountain range, which then opens onto the beach. This would have trapped the Israelites, as the beach is surrounded by the mountains. But it is hard to tie any of the geographical features of the bible account (Migdol, Pihahiroth, etc) to the geographical features of the area of this alternative crossing point. Also if the Israelites took the route north of the mountains then Pharaoh wouldn't have believed that he could trap them until they were too far away from him for his army to catch them up (5 days march), since they could have escaped to the North at any time. Whereas with the Southern route, Pharaoh would have believed that they were going to be trapped from the very start of the Exodus and hence started his pursuit in time to actually catch up with them.

But the marine geography of the Gulf of Aqaba is fatal for the '3/4 way up the gulf theory', because the land bridge at the mouth of the Gulf is today 550 meters higher than the 'bridge' 3/4 of the way up, so it would not have been possible to drain the gulf to reveal the lower bridge, since the higher bridge would prevent this. For once the water in the gulf had lowered to the level of the first raised land bridge at the mouth of the gulf, which today is at most 205m from the surface and 3500 years ago was probably between 25m and 100m from the surface, no further reduction in water level would have been possible. The image below show the supposed land bridge at Nuweiba beach. The map is the top section of the British Admiralty nautical chart #12 (the bottom section is shown above), showing the north section of the Gulf of Aqaba.

If you look on the west coast of the gulf, in the bottom third of the map (to the left of the letter 'A' where it says Aqaba in the water), this is where Nuweiba beach is, the other suspected crossing site. Notice how the depth at the centre of the gulf here is 765 metres, and is 263 meters and 285 meters just off of the west and east coast respectively. You can confirm for yourself the relative depths of the two proposed land bridges from the various admiralty maps above. However what Ron Wyatt and his team did get right (in our opinion and in the opinion of St. Paul and in the opinion therefore of the Holy Spirit and of God) is that he believed that Mount Sinai was in Saudi Arabia rather than being in the incorrectly named wilderness of Sinai. He and his sons went to Jabal al Lawz (the mountain of the Law) to see what they could find. Before they could find anything they were promptly arrested and spent 78 days behind bars! Apparently someone had phoned the embassy authorities in Saudi Arabia and told them that Ron and his party were spying for Israel! Perhaps they got a bit too close to the truth?

It is quite possible that the artifacts Wyatt and others have found in the Nuweiba beach area, further up the gulf, are actually remains of an Egyptian army which crossed Red Sea at the mouth of the gulf. This is because the force of the powerful surge of water which returned when the wind died, could certainly have carried Pharaoh and his army quite a way up the gulf, and then over time, who knows where they may have been carried? But we do know that the land bridge at Baal Zephon would prevent them ever leaving the gulf. So they are in there somewhere!! The best place to search for them would appear to be just north of the strait of Tiran. As a final technical point, the narrow trench between the beach where the sons of Israel encamped (which is now Sharm Al Sheik's airport) and Baal Zephon, is today around 800 meters wide at over 75 meters depth. But the trench has a huge volume of water, that of the whole tide of the gulf moving through it in both directions on a daily basis.

This presently eats away at the depth of the trench which increases by 15 -16 mm per year .3500 years of this gives us around 50 meters of erosion. But when the trench was smaller, it would have been eroded faster, because the waters of the gulf would have had to have passed through a smaller channel. So the erosion is less today than it was 3500 years ago. It is not hard to see that the max depth of the land bridge may only have been between 50 or 100 meters in 1513 BC rather than the 205 meters that it is today. Even today, most people could quite easily swim to Baal Zephon, which is not much more than 1,000 meters away from the airport beach. Our thanks to Kevin Kluetz, who's website we used for a great deal of the info and images on this page - his website is . Randolph Gonce has made a good job of tracking the Exodus using Google Earth - see What countries border the Red Sea? | Reference.com What countries border the Red Sea?

A: Quick Answer Saudi Arabia and Yemen border the Red Sea on the east while Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti and Egypt border it on the west. Egypt also borders the Red Sea on the north along with Israel and Jordan. Full Answer Situated between Africa and Asia, the Red Sea is an inlet of the Indian Ocean. The Red Sea connects to the Gulf of Aden to the south via the Bab el Mandeb (strait), and it connects to the Mediterranean Sea to the north via the Gulf of Suez and the Suez Canal. Northern sea access is also possible from Middle Eastern countries by traveling through the Gulf of Aqaba (or Gulf of Eilat). The Red Sea measures approximately 190 miles wide at its widest point, and it's about 1,200 miles long. Its estimated average depth is 1,640 feet, according to WorldAtlas, and it has a maximum depth of 8,200 feet. Waters close to the shoreline are generally less than 330 feet deep. The Red Sea region enjoys hot, sunny days with little rainfall. The combination of heat and little rainfall coupled with evaporation result in high salinity levels.

With salinity levels of 3.6 to 3.8 percent, the Red Sea claims its place as one of the most saline bodies of water on Earth. Gulf of Aqaba | gulf, Red Sea | Britannica.com Gulf of Aqaba Gulf of Aqaba, Arabic Khalīj al-ʿAqabah, northeastern arm of the Red Sea , penetrating between Saudi Arabia and the Sinai Peninsula . It varies in width from 12 to 17 miles (19 to 27 km) and is 110 miles (177 km) long. Beach on the Gulf of Aqaba Photo Research International The gulf lies in a pronounced cleft between hills rising abruptly to about 2,000 feet (600 metres). Navigation is difficult because of the gulf’s narrow entrance at the Straits of Tiran and its islands, coral reefs, and sudden squalls. The Gulf of Aqaba is part of the complex East African Rift System , and its head touches the Egyptian, Israeli, Jordanian, and Saudi Arabian boundaries.

Although Dhahab (Dahab), Egypt , is the only sheltered harbour along the gulf, Jordan and Israel created the ports of Al-ʿAqabah and Elat , respectively, as outlets to the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean . Learn More in these related articles: Red Sea narrow strip of water extending southeastward from Suez, Egypt, for about 1,200 miles (1,930 km) to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects with the Gulf of Aden and thence with the Arabian Sea. Geologically, the Gulfs of Suez and Aqaba (Elat) must be considered as the northern extension of the... Sinai Peninsula triangular peninsula linking Africa with Asia and occupying an area of 23,500 square miles (61,000 square km). The Sinai Desert, as the peninsula’s arid expanse is called, is separated by the Gulf of Suez and the Suez Canal from the Eastern Desert of Egypt, but it continues eastward into the...

More about Gulf of Aqaba 4 References found in Britannica Articles Assorted References feature of East African Rift System (in East African Rift System ) physical features (in gulf ) significance in history of Egypt (in Egypt: The Nasser regime ) External Links Corrections? Updates? Help us improve this article! Contact our editors with your feedback. MEDIA FOR: You have successfully emailed this. Error when sending the email. Try again later. Edit Mode Submit Tips For Editing We welcome suggested improvements to any of our articles. You can make it easier for us to review and, hopefully, publish your contribution by keeping a few points in mind. Encyclopædia Britannica articles are written in a neutral objective tone for a general audience. You may find it helpful to search within the site to see how similar or related subjects are covered. Any text you add should be original, not copied from other sources. At the bottom of the article, feel free to list any sources that support your changes, so that we can fully understand their context. (Internet URLs are the best.) Your contribution may be further edited by our staff, and its publication is subject to our final approval. Unfortunately, our editorial approach may not be able to accommodate all contributions.

Submit Thank You for Your Contribution! Our editors will review what you've submitted, and if it meets our criteria, we'll add it to the article. Please note that our editors may make some formatting changes or correct spelling or grammatical errors, and may also contact you if any clarifications are needed. Uh Oh There was a problem with your submission. Please try again later. Close Article Title: Gulf of Aqaba Website Name: Encyclopædia Britannica Date Published: May 09, 2007 URL: Access Date: January 19, 2017 Share The Gulf of Aqaba | Jewish Virtual Library The Gulf of Aqaba Tweet Created by seismic activity along the Afro-Syrian Rift, the Gulf of Aqaba is a deep narrow body of water, bordered by Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia and is one of the hinges connecting the Asian and African continents. The gulf extends 180 km from Eilat and Aqaba and joins the Red Sea at the Straits of Tiran, with its widest point spanning 28 km.

Israel's gulf shore extends only a few kilometers, from the city of Eilat to the border with Egypt at Taba. Jordan's shore reaches some 20 km in length, extending to the Saudi border opposite Marsa al Muqabila in northern Sinai. Egypt enjoys the longest gulf border, which stretches some 170 km between Taba and the Straits of Tiran. The Gulf of Aqaba is a natural transshipment area. Proposals to enhance the areas capacity as a logistic gateway between Asia, Europe and Africa on an international scale and between the Maghreb countries and Persian Gulf on a regional scale, have been presented by the Jordanian, Israeli and Egyptian governments. These proposals include upgrading the Port of Aqaba and road access to it, establishing an inland port logistic center connecting transport, manufacturing and storage facilities in the Aqaba-Eilat region, creating international passenger and commercial airports at Aqaba/Ein Evrona and Ras el Naqeb, establishing border and trans-border production zones at Eilat/Aqaba and Ras el Naqeb, and extending rail service between Red and Mediterranean sea ports.

Eilat Israel's southern-most city, Eilat is situated at the junction of the JRV with the Gulf of Aqaba, and borders on Jordan and Egypt (Taba). The rich underwater life in the gulf, and its strategic location at the intersection of two deserts - Sinai and Arava - make Eilat a notable seaside resort with a year-round tourist season. Many of the city's 40,000 residents are employed in the various tourism and tourism-related industries, while the construction industry works overtime to keep pace with the ever-increasing number of visitors. It is anticipated that the city's 6,600 hotel rooms in 1995 will increase by 150% in the coming years, as will the number of non-hotel accommodation facilities. Eilat is the most highly developed urban center which offers a number of tourism attractions and amenities, such as restaurants, night clubs, water and other sports facilities and site-seeing programs. A comprehensive development plan for the Eilat and Eilot strip region was recently elaborated. The plan includes proposals for unilateral projects as well as bilateral projects with the Kingdom of Jordan Some of the projects described below are included in this plan.

Aqaba Located across the Gulf of Aqaba from Eilat, Aqaba is Jordan's only outlet to the sea and a transport hub to the Gulf countries. The Aqaba sea and airports comprise focal points for the development a major regional and international logistic center. In addition, Aqaba is being primed as one of Jordans primary industrial centers, with several key heavy industries planned for the south and the desert northeast of the city and light manufacturing, assembly and processesing plants for the northwest section, near the airport. While Aqaba presently offers more than 1,100 hotel rooms, plans are underway to increase the city's tourist facilities. Jordan has major development plans for tourism in Aqaba, particularly in the area south of the city center. Jordan also plans to enhance the tourism capacity and products in Petra and Wadi Rum. Taba Taba is the border crossing between Israel and Egypt on the Gulf of Aqaba. The area boasts a hotel and casino, and an airport located at the nearby Ras-el-Naqab. With the development of tourist services, a passenger and cargo terminal and accompanying commercial facilities, the Ras el Naqeb area could be developed as a free trade and processing zone.

Plans exist for vast development of tourist facilities in the Taba region within three development centers between the border and Ras Bourka. Development will also include new town centers at the border and Moqbela/Al Homayra, a world-class casino, golf courses and marinas. Israel-Jordan Agreement on Eilat-Aqaba Special Area An Agreement on Special Arrangements for Aqaba and Eilat between Israel and Jordan was signed in 1996. This Agreement stipulates that Israel and Jordan will cooperate on issues relating to both towns including: environmental management, pest control; flood management; town zoning and land use policies; energy and natural resources; emergency response services; and the promotion of binational and multinational events, such as music festivals, sporting evens, etc. The Agreement also calls for the establishment of a Special Tourism Zone in the region, in which cross border tourism will be encouraged by simplifying crossing procedures, a binational Special Economic Zone, and a binational Red Sea Marine Peace Park. A special Aqaba-Eilat Working Committee has been formed to coordinate plans and activities, including border crossing procedures, sanitation and joint environmental issues, operation of the Aqaba Peace Airport, and joint R&D in desert mariculture.

Arrangements are being finalized to issue a limited number (150 for each side) of multi-entry visas to facilitate passage of tourism industry and other business professionals between the two cities. Means for allowing easy passage of Jordanian workers to Eilat are also being discussed. Taba-Eilat-Aqaba Macro Area (TEAM) Working Group A program involving Israel, Jordan and Egypt for the coordinated development of the Gulf of Aqaba sub-region has been supported by the European Union. The Taba-Eilat-Aqaba Macro Area has been defined as follows: in Jordan: the administrative border of the Aqaba Region; in Israel: the city of Eilat, including 17 kilometers between the Jordanian and Egyptian border; in Egypt: The town of Taba and the triangle defined by the inland road to Ras el Naqeb and Nuweiba, including the Nuweiba seaport and Ras el Naqeb Airport. According to the TEAM Area concept, Egypt, Israel and Jordan will continue to pursue their development objectives within their national territories. Coordinated development of the region, will complement national planning.

Collaborative planning of the Gulf of Aqaba focuses on strengthening infrastructure links, coordinating environmental protection, realizing economies of scale and promoting private sector investment. A steering committee, comprising core party representatives and chaired by the European Commission, has been set up to coordinate planning activities. Taba Heights Golf Resort - Red Sea, Sinai, Gulf of Aqaba, Egypt Taba Heights Golf Resort The Resort The Resort Taba Heights is a world class resort in a stunning natural environment on the eastern side of the Sinai Peninsula, looking across the Gulf of Aqaba to Israel, Jordan and Arabia. Tucked between a dramatic mountain range and five kilometres of sandy beaches on the turquoise water of the Red Sea, the year-round destination offers luxury hotels, an international marina, prime watersports facility, championship golf and its own village centre. The architectural style of the resort blends smoothly into its natural surroundings, combining traditional Arabian and Mediterranean lines with modern amenities. Taba Heights offers a wide range of leisure possibilities. Apart from the entertaiment and sporting facilities offered by the hotels themselves, the resort is also home to several activities and excursions operators.

The sailing marina acts as gateway to the rich waters of the Red Sea, while Canyon Motor Safaris offers safaris and offroad expeditions inland to the dramatic desert surroundings. The five star Waterworld diving and watersports centre offers an endless range of activities, courses, and ctivity trips for all levels of expertise. From its dramatic location at the foot of the Sinai mountain range, on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Aqaba, the Taba Heights Golf Resort boasts impressive views across the shining waters of the Red Sea to the Arabian, Jordanian and Israeli coastlines. A rare occasion and unique experience of teeing off a course with a view to no less than four countries ! For more details and photos on this destination, use the tags above ... Taba Heights Hotels Taba Heights Hotels Accommodations include four 5-star and one 4-star hotels. The five star Hyatt Regency, InterContinental, Marriott and Sofitel enjoy a prime beachfront locations backed by the golf course, while on the other side of the fairways lies the Downtown village centre and The Three Corners 4-star hotel. Each hotel features a private beach, luxury rooms and suites, prime dining and extensive leisure facilities.

A special dining scheme, the unique Dine Around program, allows guests to sample a wide variety of cuisines at participating restaurants throughout the resort, regardless of the hotel of residence. All hotels have a private beach • Miramar Resort 5 Star beachfront -436 Rooms & Suites - 7 Restaurants & Bars - Casino - Pools & Tennis - Diving & Watersports - Health Centre • InterContinental Resort 5 Star beachfront - 511 Rooms & Suites - 11 Restaurants & Bars - Conference Centre - Pools, tennis & squash - Beach Aqua Centre - Health Club & Spa - Fitness Centre • Marriott Beach Resort 5 Star beachfront - 416 Rooms & Suites - 7 Restaurants & Bars - Pools & floodlit tennis - Spa • Sofitel Taba Heights 5 Star beachfront - 316 Rooms & Suites - 6 Restaurants & Bars - Pools & floodlit tennis - Fitness & Spa • El Wekala Golf Resort 4 Star fairway all inclusive resort - 337 Rooms & Suites - 6 Restaurants & Bars - Pools - Entertainment TABA HEIGHTS RESORT Taba Heights offers a wide range of leisure possibilities.

Apart from the entertaiment and sporting facilities offered by the hotels themselves, the resort is also home to several activities and excursions operators. The sailing marina acts as gateway to the rich waters of the Red Sea, while Canyon Motor Safaris offers safaris and offroad expeditions inland to the dramatic desert surroundings. The five star Waterworld diving and watersports centre offers an endless range of activities, courses, and ctivity trips for all levels of expertise. Centralized management - Travel Agency - Complimentary shuttle bus through the resort - Airport transfers • Leisure & Activities Waterworld: Water sports, Diving (PADI diving courses), fun activities, private beach, sports shop, bar & restaurant • Marina: International Tourist Marina licensed, day trips to Petra and the Dead Sea via Aqaba in Jordan • Canyon Motor Safaris: Desert safaris, hiking and offroad quad-runner expeditions • Casino and Spas (operating 24 hours) • Dining & Entertainment A special dining scheme, the unique Dine Around program, allows guests to sample a wide variety of cuisines at participating restaurants throughout the resort, regardless of the hotel of residence. All hotels and the Downtown Village offer shopping and regular entertainment throughout the year.

• Championship Course John Sanford, ASGCA (2006) 18 holes - 7,100 yds - Par 72 From its dramatic location at the foot of the Sinai mountain range, on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Aqaba, the Taba Heights Golf Resort boasts impressive views across the shining waters of the Red Sea to the Arabian, Jordanian and Israeli coastlines. A rare occasion and unique experience of teeing off a course with a view to no less than four countries ! Designed by John Sanford, a member of the American Society of Golf Course Architects, the course meets international standards. Cleverly spanning the central section of the resort and set amidst natural desert terrain, the gentle slopes of the fairways take full advantage of both sea and mountain views. The course offers an impressive 7,100 yards from the back tees and with four lakes, target fairways, several bunkers, various rolling elevations and five set of tees, providing an exciting game for players of all levels.

Five sets of Tee’s for ladies & men Handicap of 45 required + Mandatory golf carts Full practice and driving range All guests at Taba Heights hotels are welcome on the golf course at the same conditions • Clubhouse Proshop, changing rooms and bar Joel O. Hara, PGA and Head Teaching Pro Wide range of teaching programmes for all levels Red Sea Golf Red Sea Golf No other golf courses in the area but the company runs another golf resort on the Red Sea at El Gouna (see individual entry) El Gouna Golf Resort • Championship Course Gene Bates & Fred Couples (1999) 18 holes - 6,902 yds - Par 72 El Gouna Golf & Fitness Club's 18-hole championship golf course was designed by reputed American architects Fred Couples & Gene Bates with every level of golfer in mind. With three different tees and strategically place bunkers, water hazards and desert rough, the fairways extend around the crystal blue waters of a large meandering lagoon at the heart of the resort. Players will find that the layout not only challenges physical strength and technique, but strategy and ingenuity in avoiding pitfalls and navigating the course's varied wind conditions.

Three sets of Tee’s for ladies & men Handicap of 45 required Rental: Trolleys, electric golf carts and sets of clubs Guests at all El Gouna hotels are welcome at the golf course with the same conditions and rate • Clubhouse PGA Pros + Beginners and advance courses in English and German Unique aqua driving range with 30 tees + Pitching, chipping and putting greens Gulf of Aqaba Gulf of Aqaba Taba Heights resort is located just south of the Israeli border and Eliat, at the bottom of the Gulf of Aqaba, an arm of the Red Sea. It is a perfect place to discover the scenic landscape of the Sinai Peninsula and the blue waters of the Red Sea. For those wishing to venture beyond the immediate village, the Great Pyramid, the haunting canyon treasure of Petra, Jerusalem or Mount Sinai are just an hour flight away from Taba international airport. Address & Contact

Question: The Gulf of Aqaba is an inlet of which sea?
Answer: The Red Sea