Hanish Islands

The Hanish Islands are an archipelago of three main islands located in the Red Sea, off the coast of Yemen. They were formed through volcanic activity and consist of Great Hanish in the south, Little Hanish in the middle, and Zuqar Island to the north.

A territorial dispute with Eritrea was settled in 1998 when an international arbitration court awarded the islands to Yemen. This decision resolved decades of disagreement over control of this strategic area in the Red Sea.

Fishing remains the foundation of life for people living on these islands, with traditional methods passed down through families over centuries. The sea provides not just food but also shapes how communities here connect with each other and their surroundings.

These islands lie roughly 30 to 70 kilometers west of the Yemeni coast and can only be reached by boat. Visitors should expect limited facilities and must plan travel carefully, as conditions can be difficult.

Mount Jabal Zuqar on the northernmost island rises to 624 meters, making it taller than any other mountain in the entire Red Sea region. This isolated peak served historically as a landmark for sailors navigating these waters.