Mysterious and Enchanting Taba and Taba Heights: Gateway to the Red Sea Riviera

The pull of the Red Sea Riviera

The Red Sea Riviera is the kind of place that seems too cinematic to be real—endless sandy beaches, desert mountains glowing in the late light, and coral reefs teeming with life beneath waters so clear they seem lit from within. Stretching across the Sinai Peninsula and the eastern shore of mainland Egypt, this region is a mosaic of resort towns, each with its own flavor of adventure and rest. The western shore of the Gulf of Aqaba holds some of its most dazzling gems, and among them, Taba and Taba Heights stand as destinations of mystery, luxury, and natural beauty.

The crown of the Sinai Peninsula

Taba sits at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, where Egypt's coastline narrows to a point that touches three other countries: Jordan, Israel, and Saudi Arabia. From here, the view sweeps across international waters, mountains rising in the distance like faded brushstrokes. This is not just a beach destination; it's a crossroads of cultures, history, and landscapes.

For active travelers, Taba is a playground. The Red Sea's calm yet vibrant waters invite divers into gardens of coral and schools of shimmering fish. Windsurfers skim the surface under a broad blue sky. Sailboats and catamarans tack between bays, their sails catching the desert wind. On land, the Sinai mountains rise steeply, offering rugged trails for those who prefer hiking boots to flippers—or motorbike tracks that wind through rocky valleys.

The rise of Taba Heights

Fifteen kilometers south of the border lies Taba Heights, a planned luxury resort designed to blend opulence with adventure. Still in development, its vision is ambitious: twenty hotels, an 18-hole US Championship golf course, a casino, a marina, and a wide spectrum of water sports. The hotels, many already open, stand along the coast in a crescent of white façades and palm-framed pools, each with private beach access. Here, the Red Sea is not just a backdrop; it's the centerpiece of every balcony view and every morning swim.

Between the high-end amenities, Taba Heights keeps a close connection to its natural surroundings. Snorkeling tours leave daily for nearby reefs. Sunset boat cruises drift out into the gulf, where the water glows with the last light of day and the outlines of distant countries are visible on the horizon.

The underwater wonderland

Both Taba and Taba Heights sit within reach of some of the Red Sea's most pristine dive sites. The waters here are calmer than in other parts of the region, making them ideal for beginners, but the biodiversity rivals that of any world-class destination. Coral formations create intricate walls and gardens, alive with darting fish, curious turtles, and the occasional eagle ray gliding past in silence.

Photographers love the clear visibility, which allows for shots of delicate nudibranchs, vibrant anthias, and soft corals swaying in the current. For the lucky, a seahorse might appear among the branches of a gorgonian fan. Dive boats often double as social spaces, where travelers from around the world share stories over coffee between sites.

Adventures beyond the shore

The Sinai Peninsula is a place of dramatic contrasts, and the land-based adventures are as captivating as the sea. From Taba, day trips can take you deep into the desert to explore canyons carved by wind and time, or up into the highlands where Bedouin guides share tea under the shade of an acacia. Multi-day treks can lead to Mount Sinai itself, where tradition holds that Moses received the Ten Commandments, and nearby, the ancient St. Catherine's Monastery stands as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For a more adrenaline-filled escape, quad biking trails crisscross the desert near Taba Heights, and rock climbing routes lead to viewpoints that make the world below seem impossibly far away.

Here, the sea carries more than waves—it carries the memory of ages.

The rhythm of evening

As the sun dips behind the mountains, Taba changes. The beaches, bright and busy by day, grow quiet except for the gentle lap of waves. Lights flicker on across the bay, reflecting in the water like scattered stars. In Taba Heights, the evenings bring a refined energy—live music on hotel terraces, candlelit dinners by the shore, and the hum of conversation in languages from across the world.

Night divers slip into the water under the moon, their torches revealing creatures that stay hidden in daylight—octopuses, hunting lionfish, and coral polyps unfurling their delicate tentacles.

Why Taba remains mysterious

Unlike some Red Sea resorts that have grown into sprawling tourist hubs, Taba retains a quieter, more measured pace. Part of its charm lies in what it doesn't have: no crowded boardwalks, no wall-to-wall bars, no overwhelming neon. This is a place where you can find a stretch of sand to yourself, or look out from a cliff and see nothing but sea and sky.

The vision for Taba Heights is grand, but even as development continues, the essence remains rooted in the land and water. Whether you're here to explore the coral reefs, sail between countries, climb desert peaks, or simply lie back and let the sun trace its warmth over your skin, Taba offers a kind of richness that no itinerary can fully contain.

Planning your visit

Reaching Taba is straightforward, with flights to Sharm El-Sheikh followed by a scenic drive up the coast. Many visitors combine Taba with other stops along the Red Sea Riviera—Sharm El-Sheikh for its cosmopolitan nightlife, Dahab for its bohemian charm, Hurghada for its coral reefs, El Gouna for its lagoons, and El Quseir for its history. Yet for those who value a balance of luxury and tranquility, Taba and Taba Heights can easily hold an entire holiday on their own.

Pack for both sea and sand: dive gear or at least a mask and snorkel, sturdy shoes for mountain walks, and something warm for desert nights when the heat slips away under a canopy of stars.

Between four countries and one sea

Standing on Taba's shore, the world feels both vast and near. You can see Jordan's hills, Israel's shoreline, and the distant edge of Saudi Arabia, all from the same stretch of sand. And at your feet, the Red Sea stretches out—clear, deep, and ancient. It is this combination of perspectives, of human history layered over natural wonder, that makes Taba and Taba Heights more than just a resort. They are a meeting point of worlds, held together by the steady rhythm of waves.