Little Bitter LakeLittle Bitter Lake at a Glance
About Little Bitter Lake
Little Bitter Lake is a saline lake in Egypt’s Suez Governorate that forms part of the Suez Canal corridor. It sits adjacent to the canal and functions as part of the shipping route between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
The area is primarily maritime and industrial in character rather than a recreational destination; shipping traffic, anchorages and canal infrastructure dominate the shoreline. Views are typically of commercial vessels and canal works rather than tourist amenities.
Little Bitter Lake was a natural depression that became integrated into the Suez Canal system when the canal was completed in 1869. Since then the lake has served as part of the canal’s transit and anchorage system.
The lake lies on the Suez Canal roughly between Port Said and the city of Suez in northeastern Egypt, connected directly to the canal and to the nearby Great Bitter Lake.
- Role in shipping: Forms part of the Suez Canal transit system and is used as a passage and anchorage area for commercial shipping transiting between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.
- Canal history: A natural saline depression that was incorporated into the Suez Canal when the canal was completed in 1869, altering its shoreline and connections.
Best Time to Visit Little Bitter Lake
The lake is best seen outside the high-summer heat; most visitors experience it as a pause on the long Suez-Ismailia drive or as a feature of canal-watching trips.
Weather & Climate near Little Bitter Lake
Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 9°C to 35°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 9° - 20° | 14° | 5 mm | mostly sunny | 61% | 2.8 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 10.3h |
| February | Excellent | 10° - 21° | 15° | 4 mm | some cloud | 57% | 3.2 m/s | 1.0 moderate | 11.0h |
| March | Ideal | 12° - 23° | 18° | 3 mm | mostly sunny | 54% | 3.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 15° - 28° | 21° | 3 mm | mostly sunny | 48% | 3.4 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.8h |
| May | Ideal | 18° - 32° | 25° | 0 mm | mostly sunny | 44% | 3.0 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.6h |
| June | Ideal | 21° - 34° | 27° | 0 mm | clear | 46% | 3.5 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.9h |
| July | Ideal | 22° - 35° | 29° | 0 mm | clear | 46% | 3.3 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.8h |
| August | Ideal | 23° - 35° | 29° | 0 mm | clear | 50% | 3.0 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.1h |
| September | Ideal | 21° - 33° | 27° | 0 mm | clear | 56% | 3.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 19° - 30° | 24° | 1 mm | clear | 60% | 3.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.3h |
| November | Ideal | 14° - 25° | 20° | 5 mm | mostly sunny | 61% | 2.6 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.5h |
| December | Excellent | 10° - 21° | 16° | 2 mm | mostly sunny | 62% | 2.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.1h |
How to Get to Little Bitter Lake
Visible from the Suez-Ismailia desert highway (the main Suez Canal road). The lake is commonly observed from the roadside or on organized canal-length drives between Suez and Ismailia; direct shoreline access is limited and subject to security controls.
Tips for Visiting Little Bitter Lake
- View the Little Bitter Lake from the desert highway between Suez and Ismailia - close access to the shoreline is limited and some areas are restricted.
- Avoid photographing military or industrial facilities along the Suez Canal; security presence is common.
- Plan visits in the cooler months (October-April) to avoid intense summer heat.