Safaga

SAFAGA is located on the western coast of the Red Sea, about 60km south of HURGHADA, 80km north of AL-QUSIER and 160km east of QENA.

SAFAGA is one of the oldest ports on the Red Sea, as it started its activity at the time of the ancient Egyptians. In modern times it became very important in 1911 for exporting phosphate.

During World War II SAFAGA port was used by the allies. A relic of this time is a well 0known wreck near the port the ship belonged to the British army and was used to serve the British troops. It was as a complete workshop for repairing and maintaining war equipment and vessels. This ship was sunk by the German air force in 1944.

The port is also considered to be a principal fortified position for the Egyptian navy to guard the south-east of Egypt. Furthermore, it is used to serve the pilgrims going to and from Saudi-Arabia, to export aluminum and phosphate and to import wheat. Its great depth (about 25-34 m ) is suitable even for very large vessels with deep draughts.

The area consists of many bays, and SAFAGA is located on the largest one of them, opposite.

Where does the name SAFAGA come from? There are various opinions, but it was said that a convoy coming from the Arabian Peninsula encountered severe dusty winds, and they said (in Arabic) SAFA GAAH, which means "dusty winds came".

The weather is wonderful in summer and winter. Soma tourist villages have medical centers that use sea-water, mud from coral reefs and sand to cure RHEUMATISM, PSORIASIS and other diseases.

Is said that Queen Hatshepsut spent some days every year in SAFAGA seeking cure.