Foul Bay

23°41′N 35°37′E / 23.683°N 35.617°E / 23.683; 35.617Ocean/sea sourcesRed SeaBasin countriesEgyptMax. length30 km (19 mi)Max. width28 km (17 mi)IslandsMukawwa Island,
St. John's IslandSettlementsBerenice^[1]

Foul Bay (Greek: Akathartos Kolpos, "uncleaned bay"; Latin: Sinus Immundus, Arabic: خليج برنيس, romanized: khalij Baranis, lit. 'Berenice Bay') is a bay on the Egyptian side of the Red Sea, in the Red Sea Governorate.

Geography

Foul Bay is located slightly north of the Tropic of Cancer. The town which lies at the most inland section of the bay is Berenice (Arabic: برنيس, Barnīs). The northern part of Foul Bay is a peninsula called Ras Banas.^[2]

The ancient ruins of Berenice Troglodytica are located on the bay.

Islands

Foul Bay has many islands that were formed by an upthrust of rock near the mantle during the convergence of two continental plates under the Red Sea. Some of the most noteworthy are:

• Mukawwa Island
• Rocky Island
• St. John's Island

Recreation

Foul Bay is popular among tourists for its diving opportunities. Strong and dangerous currents limit only experienced divers to some places where they can observe corals.

References