Great Bitter Lake
Lake Saltwater lake on Suez Canal, strategic shipping basin
A saltwater lake forming part of the Suez Canal system in northeastern Egypt, used by transiting ships and visible on canal passages; travelers encounter it on boat transits and learn about its role in Suez navigation.
.JPG?width=1200)
.jpg?width=1200)
_rotated1.jpg?width=1200)
The Great Bitter Lake is a saltwater lake in northeastern Egypt that forms part of the Suez Canal’s system of lakes and basins. It functions as a navigational and anchorage area on the canal route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
The lake’s shores and waters are used for maritime operations associated with the canal, and it is hydrologically linked to surrounding canal sections. The lake’s salinity and marine conditions reflect its direct connection to the canal and nearby seas.
The lake has been involved in notable 20th-century maritime events and is occasionally referenced in discussions of Suez Canal history and operations.
Geographically the Great Bitter Lake lies in the Ismailia Governorate in northeastern Egypt, roughly midway along the Suez Canal corridor between Port Said and Suez.
- Maritime role: The lake forms part of the Suez Canal system and serves as an anchorage and passing basin for transiting vessels.
- Historical incident: During the 1967 Arab-Israeli conflict several commercial ships became trapped in the lake and remained there for years, an episode widely known in shipping history.
How to Get to Great Bitter Lake #
Great Bitter Lake lies along the Suez Canal corridor between the northern and southern sections of the canal, near the city of Ismailia. It is reached by road from Ismailia, Suez or Port Said using the canal‑side highways; if coming from Cairo expect a long drive east along the Cairo-Suez route and the Suez Canal roads (Cairo to the canal region is commonly a drive measured in the low hundreds of kilometres).
There is limited or no regular public transit directly to the lakeshore; visiting is normally done by private car, arranged tour, or via local roads from Ismailia - expect short local drives from the nearest towns to reach the lake shores.
Tips for Visiting Great Bitter Lake #
- Approach the Great Bitter Lake from Ismailia's corniche for the easiest public access and the best views of the canal traffic and anchored ships; Ismailia provides the most developed visitor amenities nearby.
- Plan visits in the cooler months (roughly October-April) and go early morning or late afternoon to avoid the region's summer heat, which makes shoreline walking and viewing uncomfortable.
- Combine a shoreline visit with the local Suez Canal viewpoints and museums in Ismailia to better understand the lake's role in canal navigation and the historic 'Yellow Fleet' interruption rather than expecting extensive interpretation at the lake itself.
Best Time to Visit Great Bitter Lake #
Visit in spring or autumn to avoid the region's intense summer heat and enjoy more comfortable daytime temperatures.
Weather & Climate near Great Bitter Lake #
Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 10°C to 32°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
February
February is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Almost no rain.
Comfort
Weather
March
March is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 13°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
April
April is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
May
May is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
June
June is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
July
July is warm, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
August
August is the hottest month, feeling like 28°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
September
September is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. The driest month with just 0 mm and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
October
October is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Almost no rain and clear sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
November
November is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 16°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
Comfort
Weather
December
December is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain and mostly sunny skies.
.jpg?width=600)
