Tiran Island, Red Sea island in Tabuk Governorate, Saudi Arabia
Tiran is an island in the Red Sea off the coast of Tabuk Province in Saudi Arabia, forming the entrance to a narrow strait between the Sinai Peninsula and the Arabian mainland. The roughly 80 square kilometer (31 square mile) landmass consists mostly of rocky, uninhabited terrain surrounded by extensive coral reefs stretching several kilometers into the water.
The landmass was part of the Ottoman Empire for centuries before passing to Egyptian control in the early 20th century. In 2017 it was formally transferred to Saudi Arabia through a bilateral border agreement, ending a longstanding dispute over sovereignty.
This coral atoll has long served as a checkpoint for ships entering the gulf, monitored by international peacekeepers who live in small camps scattered across the arid terrain. The remote outpost remains largely closed to casual visitors, with access restricted to military and scientific personnel authorized by both neighboring countries.
Landing on the landmass is not permitted without official authorization, as it remains a restricted military zone. Divers and snorkelers can explore the surrounding waters from boats, with most excursions organized from Egyptian coastal towns across the strait.
The waters around the landmass contain four major coral formations named after 19th-century British cartographers: Gordon, Thomas, Woodhouse, and Jackson. These reef systems are popular among divers because they host remarkable biodiversity at relatively shallow depths.
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