The narrow north end of the Red Sea is the best developed for tourist ferries, which may be fast hydrofoils for foot passengers only. These ply between Jordan and Egypt bypassing the 7 km coastline of Israel. Slower ferries carry coaches and trucks, and some pilgrims cross to Aqaba then head south into Saudi Arabia.
The October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel by Hamas led to a number of lines canceling port calls (see below), while the latest attacks on cargo vessels in the Red Sea in early 2024 has led to cruise lines canceling itineraries in that region.
The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments. It is used to transit between Egypt's Suez Canal and the Gulf of Aden, allowing ships to avoid the much costlier and longer route across the southern coast of Africa.
Fearing that their vessels would be struck, big shipping companies have avoided the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, taking a much longer route around the southern tip of Africa to travel between Asia and Europe.
After You See This Map, You’ll Never Doubt The Exodus Again
Is it possible to swim in the Red Sea?
The Red Sea is renowned for its stunning underwater ecosystems and some of the best swimming spots in the world. Many resorts along the Red Sea have private beaches with calm, shallow waters perfect for swimming. You can often snorkel right off the beach to spot colorful marine life almost instantly.
Can ships get from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea?
The Suez Canal is a 120-mile-long artificial waterway in Egypt that allows ships to transit from the Atlantic Ocean to the Indian Ocean via the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea without having to sail around Africa.
In the place of the Red Sea Rift, Africa moves away from Asia (exactly the African plate from the Arabian plate) - the depth in this place exceeds 3000 meters. The maximum depth of the Red Sea is about 3040 meters. The average depth is about 490 meters.
Since late 2023, the Red Sea and Suez Canal have been at the centre of a major shipping crisis. Following the outbreak of conflict between Israel and Hamas, Houthi rebels began targeting commercial vessels in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
So, historically, the length of time has never been months but within a week at absolute most. However, Josephus and tradition do not contradict the text necessarily. It could have taken Israel a night to cross the sea itself, but a week or less to get there.
On 25 November 2024 the tourist boat Sea Story sank in the Red Sea. In the immediate aftermath, sixteen people were confirmed missing, including twelve foreigners and four Egyptians, while 28 others were rescued.
The Red Sea has become a critical zone for these attacks. The Houthis have targeted ships linked to the U.S. and U.K., disrupting international trade. These incidents include missile strikes and drone attacks on vessels, causing significant damage and risk to crew members.
What is the difference between the Red Sea and the Suez Canal?
The Suez Canal is a human-made waterway that cuts north-south across the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt. The Suez Canal connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, making it the shortest maritime route to Asia from Europe.
The Red Sea contains some of the world's hottest and saltiest seawater. With its connection to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal, it is one of the most heavily traveled waterways in the world, carrying maritime traffic between Europe and Asia. Its name is derived from the colour changes observed in its waters.
The average surface water temperature of the Red Sea during the summer is about 26 °C (79 °F) in the north and 30 °C (86 °F) in the south, with only about 2 °C (3.6 °F) variation during the winter months. The overall average water temperature is 22 °C (72 °F).
In a coral crevice off Hurghada in the Red Sea, a 100- million-year-old skeleton with fins and gills was reportedly exhumed. Preserved by saline waters, this relic ignites intrigue: Did it inspire ancient maritime myths? Why the global blackout?
Do Muslims believe in the crossing of the Red Sea?
As to specifics, the Qur'an does not support the idea that the Red Sea split into two enormous walls of water through which Moses crossed. Instead, the Quran (44:25) states that Moses took advantage of the changing of tides – crossing at ebb tide, when the water recedes so much that one can cross by foot.
