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Nuweiba is a coastal town in the eastern part of Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. Located on the coast of the Gulf of Aqaba.

Nuweiba lies on a large flood plain measuring about 40 km2, sandwiched between the Sinai mountains and the Gulf of Aqaba, and is located some 150 km (90 mi) north of Sharm el Sheikh, 465 km (290 mi) southeast from Cairo, 465 kilometers away from the Suez and 70 km (40 mi) south of the Israel–Egypt border separating Taba and Eilat.

Nuweiba Port was built in 1985 on the Gulf of Aqaba, and serves as a ferry port as well, which allows for easy travel between Jordan and Egypt, This is the reason why the city has a significant commercial importance as it is one of the most important Egyptian gateways to the Arab world and Asia.

The Origan of the Name:

The word Nuweiba means the springing water in old Arabic and the town held that name because of the many water wells that are spread all over its land. The name of the town was also taken from the castle of Nuweiba built by the Egyptians in 1893 as a police guarding point for this area of South Sinai. The castle contained fresh water well within its walls and a number of stone huts where the families of the policemen used to live. This castle is now located in the area called Nuweiba El Trabeen.

Near the Nuweiba Port, you can buy a lot of products that are duty-free. The common port area is full of shops and supermarkets, where one may find a good bargain for products and goods that are not available in Nuweiba Town.

The The History:

The history of the town goes back to when it was used as a resting and a meeting point for pilgrimage trips from Africa to Mecca and back.

Historically, the area was inhabited by two different Bedouin tribes: the Tarabin to the north, and the Muzeina, some 8 km (5 mi) to the south. Since the Six Day War when Israel captured the area, Nuweiba Town sprung up just 1.5 km (1 mi) south of Tarabeen, under the Israeli name, Neviot. After the departure of the Israelis, the town expanded and Nuweiba Port, some 7 km (4 mi) to the south, was established and developed, with several car ferries now running every day to Aqaba in Jordan by the Arab Bridge Maritime company, and with a small town growing up around itself.

Nuweiba castle (or Newibah castle), built on top of the remains of a still older castle in 1893, has been proposed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The City Itself:

Nuweiba has an area that is around 5097 kilometers where a lot of touristic attractions were built such as hotels, restaurants, and diving centers which made the town an important touristic destination that is much cheaper than other resorts in Sinai like Sharm El Sheikh or Taba.

The town is also different than any other city in Sinai because of the Bedioun dwellings that are still living in the city giving it a unique atmosphere because of the special habits and lives of the Sinai Bediouns. The lifestyle which a huge number of Egyptians and tourists love to enjoy their time in.

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Top Activities:

The major activities for tourists and Egyptians in Nuweiba are diving, snorkeling, going in safari trips, or chilling out on the beautiful beaches.

It doesn't make a difference if you are a professional diver or a beginner because you will find the diving spot that suits you in Nuweiba. The city is also famous for its exceptional coral reefs that you can never find anywhere else around the world. Individual and group divers can enjoy their favorite sport with four equipped diving centers in Nuweiba.

Rent a four by four car or ride a camel and go explore the secrets of the desert in Nuweiba. You can go visit the many near by water wells and drink healthy fresh mineral water. You can enjoy wonderful Yuga sessions in the heart of the mountains in a surrounding that you would never ever forger.

A lot touristic offices in Nuweiba organize overnight trips, escorted by a guide, where you can enjoy the desert and its matchless atmosphere in the morning and then enjoy belly dancing, oriental show, and Bedouin food and grill at night.

Although, Nuweiba was not so famous among tourists, like Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab, the city definitely has a glamorous future with a lot of new hotels and diving centers opening on the city.

Tourism:

Between the town and the port are a strip of modern hotels, catering to beach holiday makers and divers. One km north of Nuweiba City, Tarabin village is well known for its Bedouin-style camps where you can rent cheap huts. Even further north, in the direction of Taba, are several other beaches with similar accommodation options.

Most important touristic sites in Nuweiba and around it.

Pharos Island:

It is located 60 kilometers to the North of Nuweiba and 7 kilometers to the South of Taba and it is famous for two reasons. The first reason is its distinctive location overseeing the Gulf of Al Aqaba from all its direction viewing the lands of Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Taba in Egypt.

The second reason why this island is particularly important is the Fort of Saladin that he built on this island in 1170 AD which is considered an architectural germ and it was used to defend Egypt against the crusaders. The fort contains great untouched outer and inner walls and a number of control towers. The island also has a small port for boats to take tourists to and from the island.

The Protected area of Nabq:

Located approximately middle way between Nuweiba and Taba, the protected area of Nabq is famous for its wild life which is full of animals, rare rodents and reptiles, and a lot of immigrating birds that take mangrove trees as their nests. One day trips to this protected area can be organized by many touristic offices.

The Protected area of Abu Galum

This protected area is located between Taba and Nuweiba and it has a special topography and an integrated environmental system that contains a combination of desert, mountain, and valley environments. This is besides a beautiful setting that is full of rare colored fish and coral reefs.

The area hosts a huge selection of animals, birds, and rare plants that are not found anywhere else but Abu Galum. There are also amazing diving spots especially for professionals with some diving locations that are more than 100 meters deep.

One day trips from Nuweiba can also be organized to the cities Dahab, Sharm El Sheikh, and Taba. You can go for a one day trip to Saint Catharine to visit the famous ancient monastery and some of the other monuments located around it like Serabit El Khadem.