Wadi el Gemal Island

Wadi el Gemal Island is the most important island of Wadi el Gemal: it has a large patch of mangroves, and nine species of birds nest on it, among them seagulls and terns. The island has been designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International. Wadi el Gemal means Valley of camels, and the area was declared a national park in 2003. In the region there are several islands of international importance for the breeding of birds and sea turtles.

Underwater, gardens of hard and soft corals shelter shoals of banner and angelfish, moray eels, lionfish, triggerfish, clownfish, parrotfish and wrasse. The park's seagrass meadows are a food source for dugongs and large green turtles, characteristic animals of the park.