Nabeq

Nabeq (also spelled Nabq) is a reef dive site within Nabq Protected Area, a nature reserve approximately 35 kilometres north of Sharm El Sheikh on the Gulf of Aqaba coast of the Sinai Peninsula. Declared a protected area in 1992, Nabq covers 600 square kilometres (including 130 km² of marine area) and is notable for being home to the most northerly mangrove forest in the world — a 4.8-kilometre fringe of Avicennia marina trees running along the shoreline.

Overview

Diving at Nabeq takes place on the offshore coral reefs accessible from the protected bay. The reefs are rich in hard and soft corals and support abundant invertebrate and fish life. Visibility offshore is generally good, though the proximity to the mangroves can cause some sediment-related reduction in clarity in the shallow inshore zones. The reefs are in excellent condition owing to the area’s protected status.

Marine Life

The Gulf of Aqaba reefs at Nabeq host a typical northern Red Sea reef community: colourful reef fish, invertebrates, and mollusks. The mangrove forest inland provides critical nursery habitat for juvenile fish, boosting the density of reef fish populations on the adjacent reefs. Ospreys, waders, and herons are visible above water. Nubian ibex, gazelles, and other desert mammals inhabit the surrounding reserve. The marine environment includes the full range of Red Sea reef species — butterflyfish, wrasse, groupers, moray eels, and small reef sharks.

Dive Profile

Offshore reef diving accessible by boat from the bay. Depths range from shallow reef tops to approximately 25 metres at the reef edge. The site is generally accessible to Intermediate-level divers.

Entry / Exit

Boat access. Shore entry through the mangroves is not appropriate; the mangrove ecosystem is protected and fragile.

Tips

• The reserve entrance requires a permit; arrange access through Sharm El Sheikh dive operators.
• Avoid disturbing the mangrove root systems — they are a rare, protected ecosystem.
• Sediment near the mangrove shore can limit inshore visibility; head offshore for clearer water.

Site Information

• Location: Nabq Protected Area, 35 km north of Sharm El Sheikh, Gulf of Aqaba, Sinai
• Entry Type: Shore entry
• Site Type: Reef
• Maximum Depth: 25 metres
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Protected Status: Nabq Protected Area (since 1992)

Additional Resources

• Last Updated: 2026-05-17

Sources: Lonely Planet — Nabq Protectorate, Egypt Today — Nabq Reserve, Daily News Egypt — Nabq Protected Area. Last updated 2026-05-17.