The port of call during a cruise holiday is the exciting element for cruisers. The idea of pausing at a port town after a few days at sea and exploring a brand-new shore has something fascinating about it. On a Middle Eastern and African cruise, if you are sailing through the Red Sea route, Safaga, a beautiful port town in Egypt, welcomes you to come and spend some time exploring its stellar scenery, exciting adventures, sampling local cuisines and more. Here’s everything you need to know about Safaga Egypt, a coastal gem on the Red Sea.
Where is Safaga Located?
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If you take a look at the world map and zoom in on Egypt, you will spot Hurghada on the eastern coast. Follow the shoreline south, and you will find a quaint seaport township tucked at the edge of the Red Sea. As it is close to Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh, this scenic town is often overshadowed by their popularity. Once you explore it, however, you will not want to miss it for the world and will surely want to visit again. Luxor is around a three-hour drive from this seaport. Safaga is also quite close to Jeddah, making it an important stop for cruises from Jeddah. This laid-back spot is an interesting destination for a shore excursion, as the port township is a perfect blend of underwater wonders, ancient treasures, and a chilled-out, scenic vibe.
Top Things to Do in Safaga on a Cruise Stop
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There are plenty of things to do in Safaga – from taking camel rides at Safaga Port, going on a desert safari, to taking a day trip to Luxor. But these activities might not fit into the limited time you get to spend in Safaga during your cruise holiday. If you are docking at this port of call for a limited time, then focus on getting a gist of the township with some of the most popular things to do here that won’t take up a lot of time.
Explore the beaches
Safaga’s beaches are a heaven of otherworldly scenery, which is hard to describe in a travel guide for Safaga. Just to give you an idea of how it looks, the sandy beaches taper into a vibrant turquoise-green hued waters, but as you cast your eye away from the shores, the shades deepen into a breathtaking spectrum of blue, from aquamarine to sapphire blue. You really have to visit this place to witness the enchanting panorama in person to appreciate its beauty. A stroll on Safaga beach and Sharm El Naga beach is enough to de-stress your mind and soul. But, Safaga is more than just pristine beaches. Its black sands and mineral-enriched hot springs have therapeutic properties to heal skin disorders and soothe a weary soul. Hence, it has gained significance as a therapeutic spot for locals and tourists alike in Egypt to enjoy relaxing dips and mud baths. So, when you disembark for a shore trip, add a therapeutic soak in the hot springs as well to rejuvenate in the authentic Egyptian way.
Gear up for underwater adventures in the Red Sea
Not many know about this, but Safaga is a world-class diving and snorkelling spot. The azure waters are teeming with vibrant coral reefs and sea creatures that make you wonder why this place isn’t discussed more often as a destination when considering popular spots to explore the underwater world. For cruise passengers, Safaga acts as a strategic spot that offers easy access to the Red Sea’s beautiful coral reefs and marine life, making it a diver’s paradise. Popular dive sites like Panorama Reef, Middle Reef, Shaab Sheer, and Ras Abu Soma offer stunning underwater landscapes with colourful marine life. For non-divers, snorkelling trips to Tobia Island or glass-bottom-boat tours are wonderful ways to see the underwater realm.
Shop at Egyptian Markets
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How can a trip to Egypt be deemed complete without shopping for some Egyptian souvenirs? Safaga Market is a famous spot to indulge in retail therapy on your Safaga shore excursion. Shopping in Safaga comes with the added perks of wandering around without elbowing through crowded alleys. Haggling is accepted, so make sure you give your bid for that Egyptian handicraft, intricate jewellery, textiles, aromatic spices, or perfumes you are eyeing. However, do haggle, keeping the interests of the vendors in mind, and respect their trade while being graceful.
Visit the Historic Sites
Like most Egyptian cities, Safaga, though a small township, preserves its cultural heritage and relics. It was once a humble fishing village back in 282 BC. Over time, it transformed into a picturesque port city. For a quick dose of history in Safaga itself, check out the centuries-old Ottoman Fort. It’s a glimpse into the town’s past as a trading hub and offers scenic views of the coastline.
Where to Eat in Safaga During Your Cruise Stop
While you do get a lot of options to relish multifarious flavours onboard your cruise ship during sea days, a pause at Safaga is an opportunity to explore the Egyptian delicacies. During your shore day at Safaga, head to the local food stalls or restaurants to sample some of the freshest seafood dishes you have ever come across on your travels. Delve into grilled fish or a grand seafood platter to test this theory. Also, try Koshary, Fatir, and Hawawshi during your shore trip to Safaga. It is a promise that you will want to come back for more of these irresistible flavours.
Cruise Port Information – Good to Know
Safaga Port is a broadway port that edges the Red Sea and is around 10 kilometres from Safaga City. The port is predominantly an industrial port rather than a commercial and leisure cruise docking port. Hence, you wouldn’t find many services like shaded seating areas, ATMs, cafes, and shops that you get at dedicated leisure cruise terminals.
As it isn’t as bustling with departures and hosting cruises as Alexandria, the port town is a great spot for those who want to explore the Egyptian flair, natural beauty and watersport adventures in a less-congested alternative port. Also, due to its proximity to Saudi Arabia, it is a key gateway for Islamic pilgrims preparing their Hajj journey. It is also the main spot for cruise vacationers to explore Luxor if they have more days to spend in Safaga on their cruise holiday itinerary.
Best Time to Visit Safaga
Whether on a cruise or just taking a tour while visiting Egypt, Safaga is best experienced during the months of November to March. It’s winter at this time of the year, with temperatures hovering around 20 to 28 degrees Celsius, creating a misty, chilly ambience pleasant for outdoor excursions. April and May are also ideal months to visit, with the winter ebbing away and transforming into spring before summer arrives in June. This is the shoulder season. Hence, you can take advantage of low costs and fewer crowds. If you are planning a diving session, then April to June and September to November are better months to visit for crystal-clear waters and vibrant marine life spotting.
Essential Travel Tips for Cruise Visitors
- When exploring Safaga on a port day, make sure to dress modestly, as Safaga is a conservative place and you should respect the local customs and norms, which means following the dress code as well.
- Do ensure you have all the necessary travel paperwork and valid visas in proper order to visit Safaga.
- Keep yourself well-versed with common phrases in the Arabic language, as language can be an issue since the locals converse heavily in Arabic and aren’t fluent in English.
Conclusion
Safaga’s allure lies in its versatile experiences. It is a port town that welcomes all – be it thrill seekers, family holidaymakers, history buffs, or solo travellers. It’s no wonder that this coastal township is stealing the hearts of cruise holidaymakers. We hope this Safaga travel guide broadened your world a bit more for you to consider more enticing destination options while on a cruise vacation. You can travel through Egypt on Aroya Cruises from Jeddah or Istanbul, but we recommend you take the Red Sea route from Jeddah to explore this little-known wonder of the Red Sea.
