Abu el-Kizan / Daedalus

RED SEA PROJECT™
May 20, 2020
2 min read

Updated: May 2

Abu el-Kizan / Daedalus Abu Kazan or Daedalus Reef is an isolated coral off-shore reef in the middle of the Red Sea. Situated around 52 Nautical Miles from Marsa Alam City. This tiny island has a manned lighthouse. This light station is one of a series established by the French to safeguard navigation in the Red Sea after the opening of the Suez Canal.

The lighthouse is still in use because the island is in the middle of the shipping route. Rising up towards the surface from great depths around 450m, the reef is roughly circular, with a small plateau at its southern end.

The reef is richly developed with good coral growth from the surface to the depths. Hard and soft coral species are both well represented. Fish life is as dense as you would expect on an isolated reef pinnacle, with the usual reef species complemented by large concentrations of schooling species, such as snapper, longnose unicornfish and a variety of surgeonfish.

There is a high chance to spot lots of sharks and charismatic mega fauna of the open sea such as a school of hammerheads, manta and all kinds of other sharks. Very soon we'll be introducing you to each species of them and more details and tips for diving activities but this time we want to turn the spotlight on this beautiful lighthouse and the out of water panorama.

The Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety (EAFMS)

1931 (station established 1863). Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); three white flashes, in a 1+2 pattern, every 12 seconds. 30 meters round stone tower with lantern and gallery, rising from a 2-story crew quarters complex. Tower painted with black and white horizontal bands.

The present lighthouse, refurbished in 1993, is staffed by personnel from The Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety (EAFMS), ex-Ports and Lighthouses Administration (PLA) and Egyptian Navy. Daedalus Reef is a very popular stop for scuba divers and it is part of Egypt's Red Sea Marine Park. Sometimes we're allowed to climb the tower. If you ever get the chance to do so don't think twice.