SHARM EL-SHEIKH: The Tiran island has become a beehive of activity following its transfer to Saudi Arabia, with Arab and foreign tourists visiting in huge numbers.
“Many of its sites were not known earlier, but the exotic beauty has now been captured on camera and spread around the world, making it a hot tourist destination,” local media reported on Tuesday. “When you board a cruiser, a guide briefs you about the trip, the island, areas of coral reefs, as well as gives you the safety tips if you intend to dive into the sea,” the report said.
The island has a few international peace keeping troops, who come by helicopter every day.
The ship which sank in 1981 and the coral reefs offer a special treat for the eyes, and tourists just can't wait to shoot with their cameras. The coral reefs are protected by Egyptian law, so much so that the ship was not removed because it would damage them. Colorful fish and dolphins present a breathtaking sight.
Hundreds of tourists of various nationalities gather for the trip to the Saudi island at 8 am daily in the Marina area of Sharm Al-Sheikh, 500km away from Cairo.
Saeed Mohammed Saeed, a diver, was quoted as saying that there are a number of other small islands around Tiran that have various types of reefs. “Earlier, sunbathing was allowed at some of these islands. The Tiran island has always been an attraction for tourists visiting Sharm Al-Sheikh.”
Legend has it that an area behind the island was called Ashiq or lover, he said. “People of the region used to say that one of the fishermen loved a girl. He used to go to that area every day for best of the fishes for her. But he drowned one day. This is why the area was called Ashiq,” he added.
Sameh Zahran, another diver, confirmed that the Tiran Strait has shallow waters and many coral reef formations, which is why the Ministry of Environment issues regular instructions for staying away from coral reefs and has declared the island a nature reserve.
Dr. Abdulrahim Rihan, director general of archaeology and scientific publication in Sinai, was quoted as saying that the area of the island is 80 square kilometer, and it is 6.5 km away from Sharm Al-Sheikh.
He said the island was called Etab in the past, where the emperor’s customs station in the Byzantine time was located to get taxes from commercial caravans coming from India.
Egyptians say Tiran means sea waves, which is a Saudi name, while others say a huge battle took place during the time of the Romans and oxen were used. Thus it was once called the island of oxen.
Coral reefs, colorful fish ... Tiran is a perfect getaway
Coral reefs, colorful fish ... Tiran is a perfect getaway
