Dahlak Archipelago

The Dahlak Archipelago is a chain of islands and islets in the Red Sea off the coast of Eritrea, in the Northern Red Sea region. The group comprises on the order of a hundred islands, with a few larger inhabited islands and many uninhabited islets.

The islands are known for shallow coral reefs, clear waters and relatively undeveloped beaches; many people visit for snorkelling, scuba diving and boat trips between islands. Settlement and services are concentrated on only a handful of islands, so trips are typically day excursions or simple overnight stays on the larger islands.

The islands have a long maritime history and were involved in Red Sea trade for centuries; they formed the core of the local Dahlak maritime polity in the medieval period and were visited by traders from the Arabian Peninsula and Indian Ocean. Control and use have shifted over time with changing regional powers, but traditional fishing and island livelihoods have remained important.

The archipelago lies offshore from Eritrea’s northern Red Sea coast, east of the port city of Massawa. The islands sit in the central Red Sea and are spread along the coastal shelf of Eritrea.

• Getting there: Access is by boat from the Eritrean coast, most services operate from Massawa and departures can be irregular outside peak season.
• Marine life and activities: The archipelago includes coral reefs and clear water that are suited to snorkelling and diving, with marine life visible close to shore