Bigeh

Islands Small Nile island near Philae with ancient ruins

Small Nile island near Aswan with archaeological remains reached by short boat trip; included on river itineraries for temple fragments, views of Nile navigation and close-up encounters with Aswan’s island landscape.

Main image
Ile de Begheh - rive orientale - vue de l'Ile Fîleh du point K - Félix Teynard. LCCN2001695349.jpg
Antiquities at Biggeh - Opposite Philae, RP-F-F25401-P.jpg
The Island of Philae (1905) - TIMEA.jpg
Philae (1906) - TIMEA.jpg
Philae Before the Assouan Dam Was Built (1906) - TIMEA.jpg
Antiquities at the island of Biggeh - Frith 1857. LCCN00652598.jpg
Aswan, Temple of Philae, 19th century pictures, 1870-1888, photo 2 of 38 - Archivio fotografico Museo Egizio, Turin INV08 001.jpg
Aswan, Temple of Philae, 19th century pictures, 1870-1888, photo 3 of 38 - Archivio fotografico Museo Egizio, Turin INV08 002.jpg
Aswan, Temple of Philae, 19th century pictures, photo 38 of 38 - Archivio fotografico Museo Egizio, Turin Album2 085.jpg
BigaTemplePylonGate.jpg

Bigeh is a small island in the Nile River in the Aswan region of southern Egypt, located among the cluster of islands near Philae and Elephantine. It is notable in the river landscape for its archaeological remains and its proximity to better-known temple islands.

The islet contains traces of ancient structures and historically served ritual and local functions tied to the riverine and island cult landscape of the First Cataract. Modern visitors encounter the island as part of boat tours that call at several Nile islets in the Aswan area.

The island lies in the Nile close to Aswan and the island temples at Philae/Agilkia; it is part of the dense archaeological and island geography of the First Cataract region.

  • Access: Located among the Nile islands near Aswan, it is reached by short boat trips from the Aswan quayside and neighbouring archaeological sites.
Bigeh
Bigeh (Bigeh Island), Nile River, near Philae/Aswan, Aswan Governorate, Egypt
24.0167, 32.8833

How to Get to Bigeh #

Bigeh Island is approached from Aswan by boat. Nile feluccas and motor launches that run excursions to Philae Temple often pass by Bigeh; arrange a private stop with a licensed boat operator in Aswan. Access is by water only; check with local authorities about access restrictions before planning a visit.

Tips for Visiting Bigeh #

  • If approaching by felucca, ask the crew to circle the island for a view of its northern shore and the ruined temple foundations.
  • Bring sun protection and plan for a short visit - the island is small and fragile.
  • Respect local regulations: the island is archaeological and access may be restricted at times by the Egyptian antiquities authorities.

Best Time to Visit Bigeh #

Best visited in the cool, dry winter months when Nile excursions are most pleasant; avoid the summer heat.

Winter
November-February · 15-25°C
Cool, dry days - the most comfortable time for river trips.
Autumn/Spring shoulder
March-April / Sept-Oct · 20-30°C
Moderate temperatures and fewer day-tour crowds compared with peak winter.

Weather & Climate near Bigeh #

Climate

Bigeh's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in July) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 10°C to 42°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.

Best Time to Visit
AprilOctoberFebruary
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
49°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 10°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

90 Ideal

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
10° 23°
42%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
10.7h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 10°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
11° 25°
33%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.5
UV Index
Very High
11.2h daylight

March

March is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 14°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
15° 30°
23%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.7 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.0
UV Index
Very High
11.9h daylight

April

April is warm with highs of 36°C and lows of 20°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

100 Ideal

Comfort

28°
Feels Like Warm
28°C
Temperature
20° 36°
18%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.4
UV Index
Extreme
12.6h daylight

May

May is hot with highs of 39°C and lows of 24°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

32°
Feels Like Hot
32°C
Temperature
24° 39°
15%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.6
UV Index
Extreme
13.2h daylight

June

June is hot with highs of 41°C and lows of 26°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

34°
Feels Like Hot
34°C
Temperature
26° 41°
15%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
13.5h daylight

July

July is the hottest month with highs of 42°C and lows of 26°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

91 Ideal

Comfort

34°
Feels Like Hot
34°C
Temperature
27° 42°
17%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.7
UV Index
Extreme
13.4h daylight

August

August is hot with highs of 41°C and lows of 26°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

91 Ideal

Comfort

34°
Feels Like Hot
34°C
Temperature
26° 41°
18%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.5
UV Index
Extreme
12.9h daylight

September

September is hot with highs of 39°C and lows of 24°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

92 Ideal

Comfort

32°
Feels Like Hot
32°C
Temperature
24° 39°
20%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.2h daylight

October

October is hot with highs of 36°C and lows of 21°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

99 Ideal

Comfort

29°
Feels Like Hot
29°C
Temperature
21° 37°
26%
Humidity
Dry

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.5h daylight

November

November is mild with highs of 30°C and lows of 15°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

98 Ideal

Comfort

22°
Feels Like Mild
22°C
Temperature
15° 30°
37%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.2
UV Index
High
10.8h daylight

December

December is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.

97 Ideal

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Mild
18°C
Temperature
11° 25°
44%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

0 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
10.5h daylight

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