Tiran IslandTiran Island at a Glance
About Tiran Island
Tiran Island sits at the southern mouth of the Gulf of Aqaba, at the junction between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. It occupies a strategic maritime position between the Sinai Peninsula and the Arabian Peninsula.
The island and surrounding reefs are notable for marine life and coral reefs and are popular with diving operations in the wider Straits of Tiran area. The island itself is sparsely inhabited and has limited infrastructure.
Control of Tiran has been strategically important because of its position controlling access to ports on the Gulf of Aqaba; sovereignty and administration have been the subject of international agreements in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Tiran lies at the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba, between the Sinai coast and northwestern Saudi Arabia, off the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula and near the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
- Strategic location: Occupies a strategic position at the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba and controls maritime access to the ports of Eilat (Israel) and Aqaba (Jordan).
Best Time to Visit Tiran Island
For diving and comfortable visits, aim for the cooler season from about October through May when sea visibility and temperatures are most favorable.
Weather & Climate near Tiran Island
Tiran Island's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with very hot summers (peaking in August) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 13°C to 36°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Excellent | 13° - 21° | 17° | 0 mm | mostly sunny | 49% | 3.5 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.5h |
| February | Excellent | 14° - 22° | 18° | 1 mm | mostly sunny | 46% | 3.5 m/s | 1.2 high | 11.1h |
| March | Ideal | 16° - 25° | 21° | 1 mm | clear | 43% | 3.9 m/s | 1.7 very high | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 20° - 29° | 24° | 0 mm | mostly sunny | 38% | 4.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.7h |
| May | Ideal | 23° - 33° | 28° | 0 mm | mostly sunny | 35% | 4.1 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.4h |
| June | Ideal | 26° - 35° | 31° | 0 mm | clear | 33% | 3.9 m/s | 2.6 extreme | 13.7h |
| July | Ideal | 27° - 36° | 31° | 0 mm | clear | 35% | 3.6 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 13.6h |
| August | Ideal | 27° - 36° | 32° | 0 mm | clear | 37% | 3.8 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 13.0h |
| September | Ideal | 26° - 35° | 30° | 0 mm | clear | 40% | 4.3 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 22° - 30° | 26° | 1 mm | clear | 44% | 3.6 m/s | 1.5 high | 11.4h |
| November | Ideal | 18° - 26° | 22° | 0 mm | clear | 46% | 3.3 m/s | 1.0 high | 10.7h |
| December | Excellent | 15° - 23° | 19° | 1 mm | clear | 49% | 3.5 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.3h |
How to Get to Tiran Island
Tiran Island sits at the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba and is normally visited by boat. Most tourist access is by day trips or dive/snorkel boats that depart from Sharm El Sheikh (Naama Bay or other marina piers) or from nearby Taba; there is no regular public ferry from the Saudi side. Book a licensed boat tour from Sharm El Sheikh or Taba - the island is reached by a short boat ride and landing/visits depend on current maritime and border regulations.
Tips for Visiting Tiran Island
- Access Tiran Island and its surrounding reefs via licensed dive or boat operators based in Sharm El‑Sheikh or Aqaba-day trips are the normal way to reach the diving sites around the island.
- Best diving and boating conditions are in the cooler months (roughly October-April); check dive-operator schedules and local marine-park regulations in advance as routing and permits can change.
- Plan early‑morning departures to make the most of calmer seas and fewer boats on popular reefs such as Jackson and Gordon-these sites attract most operators later in the day.