Last updated: September 2026
Taba holidays offer the most dramatic and most peaceful setting on the entire Egyptian Red Sea coastline — a narrow strip of turquoise Gulf of Aqaba water flanked by the rust-red mountains of the Sinai Peninsula on one side and the mountains of Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel visible across the water on the other. At the northernmost tip of Egypt’s Sinai coast, Taba is far from the commercial bustle of Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada, attracting visitors who value scenery, tranquillity and natural beauty above resort entertainment.
This guide covers everything UK travellers need to know about planning a Taba holiday — one of Egypt’s most distinctive and most rewarding Red Sea destinations.
Taba’s principal appeal is its extraordinary natural setting. The Gulf of Aqaba in this northern section is at its most scenic — narrow enough to see clearly across to Jordan and Saudi Arabia, with the biblical mountains of the Sinai rising directly behind the resorts and the water a vivid shade of blue-green that owes its colour to the combination of depth and clarity. The sunsets here, when the mountains of four countries glow red and orange simultaneously, are among the most spectacular in the whole of the Middle East.
The resort area centres on Taba Heights — a purpose-built resort development on a hillside above the gulf, 15 kilometres south of the Israel border crossing — and the Taba town area near the border itself. Both areas offer a very different experience to the mass-market Red Sea resorts: smaller, quieter and more intimate, with a focus on natural beauty and outdoor activities rather than beach clubs and nightlife.
Taba also offers unique accessibility to three neighbouring countries — Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian territories — that makes it an exceptional base for regional exploration. The border crossing to Israel at Taba town is open to UK passport holders, putting Eilat (5 minutes), Petra in Jordan (2 hours by bus) and even Jerusalem (4 hours) within day-trip or short-trip range.
The visual drama of the Taba area is unlike anywhere else on the Egyptian Red Sea coast. The Gulf here is only around 15–20 kilometres wide, creating an enclosed, almost fjord-like quality to the seascape. The mountains of the Sinai — rising to over 2,500 metres immediately behind the shore — glow with extraordinary colours as the sun moves across the sky: deep red at dawn, golden orange through the morning, shimmering heat-white at midday and rich amber and purple as the sun sets behind the Israeli mountains across the water.
The combination of the mountains’ reflection in the still water of the gulf, the absolute clarity of the sea, and the silence of the surrounding desert creates an atmosphere that many visitors describe as profoundly peaceful and even spiritual. This is a destination for those who want to sit quietly and experience one of the world’s most beautiful natural environments, rather than for those seeking the animation of a conventional holiday resort.
The beach at Taba Heights is a pleasant crescent of sand and shingle with clear, calm water and excellent visibility for snorkelling. The hotel properties at Taba Heights are built into the hillside above the gulf and most have infinity pools and terraces with uninterrupted views across the water to the mountains of Jordan — views that are genuinely extraordinary, particularly at sunrise and sunset.
The northern Gulf of Aqaba around Taba has excellent diving conditions — clear, calm water with minimal current, high visibility and a well-developed coral ecosystem that includes some species found only in this northern section of the gulf. The shallow reefs accessible from the shore at Taba Heights and the beaches near the border town are good for snorkelling with minimal equipment, and the diversity of reef fish is impressive even by Red Sea standards.
The dive sites of the northern gulf — particularly around the Egyptian side between Taba and Nuweiba — are less visited than the celebrated sites near Sharm el-Sheikh and therefore offer a more serene underwater experience. Several dive centres operate from Taba Heights offering PADI courses, guided dives and equipment hire. The combination of the scenery above water and the reef life below creates a particularly satisfying diving experience in an exceptionally beautiful setting.
For snorkellers, the house reef immediately in front of Taba Heights begins in very shallow water and provides easy access to coral, reef fish and occasional sea turtles without the need for a boat trip. The beach entry is managed carefully and the reef is in generally good condition given the low visitor numbers. A mask and fins are all that is needed for a memorable morning of snorkelling.
Pharaoh’s Island — known in Arabic as Jezira Fara’un — is one of the most evocative and unusual historical sites in the whole of Egypt. The small island sits just 250 metres offshore from the Egyptian coast and is crowned by the extensive ruins of a Crusader castle (Saladin’s Castle, rebuilt by Saladin from an earlier Crusader structure in the 12th century) that occupies virtually the entire summit of the rocky outcrop. The silhouette of the castle against the surrounding mountains and blue water is extraordinarily dramatic.
Boat trips from the Taba area take just a few minutes to reach the island, and the castle ruins are accessible via a steep path from the landing jetty. The views from the castle battlements — encompassing the Egyptian Sinai mountains, the Israeli city of Eilat visible 5 kilometres away, the Jordanian mountains across the gulf and the Saudi coast further south — are genuinely remarkable: four countries visible simultaneously from a single medieval fortification.
The underwater environment around Pharaoh’s Island is also excellent for snorkelling — clear, calm water with good coral cover and abundant fish life around the rocky base of the island. The combination of history above and reef life below makes a day trip to the island one of the most satisfying excursions available in the Taba area.
The Sinai Peninsula behind Taba offers some of the most spectacular desert scenery in the Middle East — a mountainous wilderness of sandstone and granite in extraordinary colours, cut through by dry wadis and ancient caravan routes. The Coloured Canyon, accessible by jeep and then on foot from the Nuweiba road, is one of the Sinai’s most remarkable natural features: a narrow sandstone gorge whose walls have been stained in swirls of red, yellow, purple and white by mineral deposits over millions of years. The canyon is narrow enough in places that it requires scrambling and squeezing, and the light on the coloured walls at midday is spectacular.
Bedouin guides lead camel and jeep treks through the desert mountains from bases near Taba and Saint Catherine’s, offering overnight camping in the desert with traditional food, music and extraordinary star-filled skies. The complete contrast between the turquoise gulf water and the absolute aridity of the surrounding desert is one of the defining characteristics of the Taba experience — unlike any other Red Sea destination.
Mount Sinai and St Catherine’s Monastery are approximately 1 hour 30 minutes south of Taba by road — closer than from Sharm el-Sheikh — making Taba an excellent base for those who want to combine the religious and cultural significance of the Sinai’s biblical sites with their Red Sea holiday.
Taba International Airport (TCP) is a small airport located 15 kilometres north of Taba Heights, with limited direct international connections. Most UK visitors fly into Sharm el-Sheikh Airport (SSH) — approximately 2 hours south by road — or Eilat Airport across the border in Israel, and transfer to Taba by coach or private transfer. Some UK package operators offer direct charter flights to Taba during the winter season.
Alternatively, the Israel border crossing at Taba town is straightforward for UK passport holders and allows entry directly into Eilat, from which regional connections to Tel Aviv and beyond are available. The border is open 24 hours and generally processes crossings efficiently. A hire car allows freedom to explore the Sinai coast between Taba and Nuweiba independently.
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Yes — the Taba border crossing into Israel is open 24 hours and is straightforward for UK passport holders. The Israeli city of Eilat is just 5 kilometres from the crossing, making it very easy to cross for a day trip to explore Eilat or continue further into Israel. Note that entry requirements and visa regulations may change — always check current guidance before crossing.
Jordan is accessible via the Wadi Araba border crossing near Eilat or by ferry from Aqaba (the Jordanian city directly across the gulf from Eilat). Petra, Jordan’s most famous monument, is approximately 2 hours from the Aqaba ferry terminal — making it a feasible but long day trip from Taba. Overnight stays in Petra are recommended to do it justice.
Taba and Sharm el-Sheikh offer fundamentally different holiday experiences. Sharm has far more resort infrastructure — more hotels, restaurants, dive sites, excursion options and evening entertainment — and suits visitors who want a complete, self-contained resort holiday. The diving at Sharm (Ras Mohammed, Thistlegorm, Tiran) is arguably the finest in Egypt.
Taba offers greater natural beauty, more peace and quiet, and the unique experience of the four-country Gulf of Aqaba views and Pharaoh’s Island. It suits couples and independent travellers who value scenery and tranquillity above resort entertainment. Those who want the best of both can base themselves at Taba Heights and take day trips south to the Sharm dive sites.
Taba Heights is a purpose-built resort development approximately 15 kilometres south of the Israel border, built on a hillside above the Gulf of Aqaba. It comprises several international hotel brands — including a Marriott and Hyatt — a small shopping and restaurant area, and a golf course. The development was designed specifically as an upmarket, low-density alternative to the more commercial resorts of Sharm and Hurghada.
The setting is spectacular, with the hotel terraces and pools positioned to make the most of the gulf and mountain views. Most visitors who choose Taba Heights do so specifically for the scenery and the tranquillity — it is an excellent choice for couples and honeymooners who want a romantic and visually extraordinary setting without the crowds of the larger resorts.
The Coloured Canyon is a narrow sandstone gorge in the Sinai desert approximately 80 kilometres south of Taba, accessible via a jeep track from the Nuweiba road. The canyon walls are stained in extraordinary swirls of red, yellow, orange, purple and white by mineral deposits, creating a natural colour display that is unique in the region. The walk through the canyon takes around 1–2 hours and involves some scrambling over rocks.
Most visits are organised as day excursions from Taba or Sharm, combining the canyon with a Bedouin lunch in the desert and sometimes a visit to a nearby oasis. Independent visits require a 4×4 vehicle and some navigation ability — booking through a local Bedouin guide is strongly recommended as the tracks are unmarked and the terrain featureless. The light in the canyon is best around midday when the sun is overhead.
If you book a flight-inclusive Taba package through a UK ATOL-licensed tour operator, your money is fully protected if the company fails before or during your trip. Booking flights and accommodation separately provides no package protection. Our holiday protection guide explains ATOL, ABTA and Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
Search4Sun works with many ATOL-protected UK tour operators — always check the individual operator’s credentials before booking.
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