The reefs
Turquoise water.
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center — Public domain · Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center — Public domain · Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center — Public domain
The Dahlak Archipelago is an Eritrean island group in the Red Sea covering about 643 square kilometres, some 58 km east of Massawa. Wide coral reefs and clear water surround it, making it one of the best and least-visited diving areas of the Red Sea. The name Dahlak is old and of obscure origin, used by Arab geographers such as al-Hamdani, al-Idrisi and Yaqut. Scholars note that the Dahlak islanders were among the first in the Horn of Africa to embrace Islam, as tombstones in Kufic script on the islands attest. It was the seat of the Dahlak Sultanate in medieval times. From space you see low pale sandy islands ringed by broad bands of shallow turquoise water over coral reefs, then deep blue sea. On the ground are empty white sand beaches, mangroves and small fishing villages. Under water are colourful fish and coral. The heart of the archipelago is about 90 km from Massawa in a straight line. Visits need a permit and a boat from Massawa, so arrange them in advance. The UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Eritrea, and all travel near its land borders, so read the current advice before you plan.
Turquoise water.
Empty.
Colourful fish.
Red Sea, east of Massawa, Eritrea
Yes, arrange the permit and boat ahead from Massawa.
Yes, the UK Foreign Office advises against all but essential travel to Eritrea.