Red Sea Atlas Dispatch, September 2026

Welcome to the first edition of the Red Sea Atlas monthly newsletter.

Every month, we will bring together the stories, events, sightings, conservation work and developments shaping life across the Red Sea.

From watersports and marine life to new regulations, environmental projects and places worth knowing, this newsletter is our monthly record of what has been happening along the coast and offshore.

September was a busy month.

El Gouna hosted major kitesurfing, wakeboarding and open water swimming events. Whale sharks were spotted around Giftun. Conservation teams were working on Abu Minqar, while Hurghada hosted discussions around blue carbon, mangroves and the future of coastal ecosystems.

There was also movement behind the scenes, with new support for reef focused businesses and fresh discussions around how marine vessels are licensed and regulated.

The newsletter goes out by email once a month, and you can opt out at any time using the link at the bottom of any edition.

September at a Glance

Here is what happened around the Red Sea in September.

El Gouna Water Sports Festival

The El Gouna Water Sports Festival returned for its sixth edition from 17 to 26 September, bringing several disciplines together across El Gouna.

The program included Big Air kitesurfing, twin tip racing, wing foil and cable wakeboarding, with competition taking place across some of the town's main watersports venues.

More than EGP 300,000 in prizes and rewards were announced across the festival.

El Gouna already has one of the strongest kite communities on the Egyptian Red Sea, and the festival brought riders, schools, brands and spectators together for one of the busiest watersports weeks of the year.

Hundreds of swimmers take on the Red Sea

OCEANMAN El Gouna brought around 800 swimmers from more than 38 countries to the Red Sea in September.

Distances ranged from 2 km to 10 km, alongside relay, kids and fins categories.

Between OCEANMAN and the Water Sports Festival, more than 1,000 athletes were reported to have taken part in events around El Gouna during the period.

Open water swimming still gets far less attention on the Red Sea than diving or kitesurfing, but the numbers around OCEANMAN show there is clearly a growing scene around it.

Whale sharks spotted around Giftun

Red Sea Protectorates reported several whale shark sightings around the Giftun area during September, including observations between Hamda and Sabina reefs.

At one point, two whale sharks were reportedly seen together.

Whale sharks are occasional visitors to the Egyptian Red Sea, and sightings around Hurghada always get people talking.

They are the largest fish in the ocean, but despite their size, they feed mainly on plankton and other small organisms.

As with any major wildlife sighting, giving the animal space and avoiding chasing or crowding it makes for a better encounter and causes less disturbance.

Abu Minqar gets a cleanup

Environmental teams, Red Sea Protectorate rangers and Green Hurghada carried out a cleanup on Abu Minqar Island during September.

The operation focused on plastic and other waste that had built up along the island.

Abu Minqar sits just off Hurghada and forms part of the wider coastal ecosystem around the city. Like many islands in the northern Red Sea, currents can carry waste onto its shores from elsewhere.

Removing that waste before it breaks down further or returns to the water is still an important part of keeping these areas clean.

Blue carbon takes the stage in Hurghada

Hurghada hosted the 14th Coastal Environment Conference from 22 to 25 September.

Around 150 young participants from 15 Arab and African countries reportedly attended, with discussions focused on blue carbon, coastal ecosystems, mangroves and the blue economy. Activities also included mangrove planting.

Blue carbon refers to carbon stored by coastal and marine ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrass meadows.

For the Red Sea, these habitats matter for far more than carbon. They provide nursery grounds for marine life, help protect coastlines and support the wider ecosystem around coral reefs.

As development continues along the coast, the pressure on these habitats will only increase.

A new incubator focused on Red Sea reefs

September also saw the launch of the REEFS Business Incubator.

The initiative, launched with support from UNDP, is designed to support businesses and ventures that can help protect or restore Red Sea coral reefs. Selected businesses can receive mentoring, scientific support and funding of up to USD 20,000.

REEFS is part of a broader shift toward involving businesses in conservation, monitoring, education and sustainable use of the marine environment, rather than leaving reef protection entirely to governments, NGOs and researchers.

Marine vessel regulation under discussion

The Red Sea Governorate also held discussions during September around marine vessel licensing and the organisation of boat activity.

Topics included vessel replacement rules, licensing procedures and the creation of a more complete database of boats operating in the governorate.

For operators, captains, dive centres, liveaboards and charter companies, these decisions can have a direct effect on day to day operations.

As marine tourism grows, clearer systems around vessels, routes, licensing and safety are becoming more important.

Atlas will keep track of any changes that affect people operating or travelling on the water.

Coming in October

October already has a full calendar.

The El Gouna Boat Show takes place from 8 to 10 October, bringing boats, marine brands and businesses together at Abu Tig Marina.

IRONMAN 70.3 Sharm El Sheikh follows on 16 October, while the Aquaman Somabay World Final is scheduled for 29 October.

From the Atlas

September was another month of building Red Sea Atlas.

We continued expanding the platform across diving, marine life, fishing, wind sports, boating, coast destinations and Red Sea knowledge, while adding more places, businesses and useful information across the site.

We also launched our first commercial partnership with RUGA, bringing their outdoor gear onto the Atlas and opening the door for more partnerships with brands and operators around the Red Sea.

If you run a business, brand or service that belongs on the Red Sea, we would be happy to hear from you.

Red Sea Atlas is about bringing the people, places, wildlife, activities, businesses, stories and information around this coastline into one place.

See you next month.