Pharaoh's Island

Pharaoh’s Island, also known as Coral Island, lies just offshore from Taba in the Gulf of Aqaba and is best known for Salah al-Din Castle. The fortress occupies the island’s elevated ground and commands broad views across the gulf. The site has earlier strategic history, but its present identity is strongly associated with the 12th-century Ayyubid period, when Salah al-Din expanded the fortifications after taking control of the island. The restored castle includes defensive walls, towers and internal spaces adapted to the island’s rugged topography. Visiting the island normally requires a short boat or ferry transfer from the Taba coast, so access is more dependent on local marine conditions and transport arrangements than a typical land-based archaeological site. Visitor planning: Access requires a boat transfer and can depend on weather, marine conditions and local operating arrangements. Confirm transport and current castle access before departure. Context: Include Pharaoh's Island when it matches your interests and can be combined efficiently with nearby attractions. Plan roughly 45 to 120 minutes for the visit. The current planning record recommends morning as a practical time of day. Expected physical effort is low. Heat exposure is recorded as high. The recorded recommended transport mode is short boat transfer. Ticket data status is transport and site fees need current confirmation; reconfirm any variable or unverified charges before travel.