List of 13 Major Lakes in Egypt

The lakes of Egypt are blessed tears that fell from the heavens to bring life to the lands of Egypt. Out of all the many treasures and exceptional beautiful attractions, landscapes, and landmarks to witness in Egypt, among them are the gorgeous lakes in Egypt that are known for their crystal water and their ability to reflect the amazing natural beauty of Egypt. Across the vast lands of Egypt are beautiful paintings of divine allure that change the face of the sahara of Egypt from harsh yellow to rich green signifying the natural wealth of plants, fishes, and animals that took these wonderful lakes as the ultimate shelter.

You will find a guide below to some of the most captivating Egyptian lakes to have a clear idea about them and never lose the chance to head to one of them whenever you find yourself close to them.

1- The Magic Lake

The magic lake in Fayoum is considered one of the most impressive lakes in Egypt and it is surrounded by lots of Rocky Mountains and sand dunes. The magic lake is located in the Fayoum Oasis specifically in the Wadi El-Hitan area and it has got its name due to the magnificent changing colors of its water that happens during the day. The lake is famous for offering a magical view of the sun dunes of Wadi El Hitan, Mudawara mountain, and an enchanting waterfall where everyone can catch the most magnificent and eye-catching sunsets across the magnificent tops and landscapes of Fayoum.

The lake is blessed with an incredible amount of minerals which has many medical purposes which include treating rheumatism through a native practice called sun bath. In addition to this, there are lots of amazing activities that visitors can enjoy while being there just through being a part of a number of different magical and thrilling activities which include sandboarding, horseback riding, desert safaris, and some other interesting things that can’t be missed.

Jun 27, 2021

Wadi El Hitan & Desert Safari Tour From Cairo

Enjoy the extraordinary Wadi El Hitan & Faiyoum Safari tour from Cairo

Read More

2- Lake Nasser

Lake Nasser in Aswan is considered one of the largest lakes in the world ever that were made by man which acted as a gigantic reservoir found in southern Egypt in Aswan. The reason behind its creation is the construction of the High Dam of Aswan. That lake was named after the Egyptian president Gamal Abd El-Nasser since he was the one responsible for the beginning of the project of the High Dam of Aswan. It came into existence between 1958 and 1970 with the efforts of the Egyptian governments and local businesses plus the help of the soviet union.

This great artificial lake has a Surface area of 5,250 km2 (2,030 sq mi) that spans 479 km in length and 16 km in width plus 132 cubic kilometers of water. There are so many fabulous attractions in the area in addition to Lake Nasser like the glorious Abu Simbel Temple through boarding a Nile cruise across this magnificent lake. That is why lots of tourists come from all over the world to visit the amazing city of Aswan during the whole year.

3- Lake Moeris

Lake Moeris known as Qarun Lake came into existence a long time ago due to a number of natural processes like the overflow of the Nile and the Fayum basin was established by wind erosion during the days of the ancient Egyptian Pharaohs of the 12th dynasty. It is found under the labyrinth of Egypt across the magnificent ancient city of Crocodilopolis. The lake’s history across the ages is connected with the geological changes as the lake was created by being overflow of the waters of the Nile river thus filling this empathy Fayum hollow thus forming the lake around 3000 BC. It used to be a very clear lake with freshwater but it is now a smaller one with saltwater and it covers about 202 square kilometers of the land.

The name "Lake Moeris" is a Greek translation of the name "mr-wr" meaning "Great Canal" and the word moeris is a Greek name of the great pharaoh Amenemhat III. Birket Qarun has a space of 202 square kilometers which serves as an ideal source of fresh fish for consumption called tilapia. One of the greatest discoveries found in the area is the prehistoric mammal Moeritherium. The lake played a great role in transportation as it holds the world's oldest known paved road which was used to move the rock used in the construction projects of the Giza Necropolis. There, you will find tens of the most amazing ancient monuments, landmarks, and treasures that definitely worth to be visited during your Egypt vacation.

4- Lake Timsah

Lake Timsah is the Arabic meaning of crocodile and it is located in the governorate of Ismailia on the Nile delta, occupying a great depression that extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf of Suez. Its surface covers about 5.4 square miles of shallow marshy lands which exceeds about three feet in depth. The lake has a long history which dates back to 4,000 years during the middle kingdom of Egypt where a canal was built.

The salinity of the lake has risen with time due to the waters of the Red Sea and the changes made by human interference like the creation of the Aswan High Dam. The lake became a part of the Suez Canal. There are so many beaches that overlook the lake including Melaha, Fayrouz, and Bahary beaches.

5- The Salt Lakes of Siwa

The magical Siwa Oasis is without a doubt one of the most astonishing oases in Egypt. It is located in the Western Desert, stretching for over 1200 hectares, and it is highly recommended for travelers who want to enjoy the amazing landscape and the incredible hot springs of the area. It is made of 4 main salt lakes which are Zeitoun Lake in the east stretch for an area of 5760 acres, Aghormy Lake in the north-east which covers an area of 960 acres, Siwa Lake which covers an area of 3,600 acres, and Maraqi Lake in the western side that covers an area of of 700 acres.

Aug 07, 2023

Best Siwa Oasis Tours & Packages 2026 for Canadian Travelers

Join an enchanting Siwa Oasis tour and explore Egypt's historical treasures.

Read More

The Zeitoun Lake is by far the biggest with a number of smaller lakes within it that gained popularity with its healing factors like Aghormy Lake and Fatnas Lake. What makes the waters of the Siwa unique is the high concentration of salt in the waters that reaches 95% salt which is known for its profound healthy medical properties for eye, skin, and sinus conditions. There are lots of desert activities that tourists can enjoy there just like Quad biking & camping in the desert. Because of the salty water of the area, it is best chosen for medical treatment for both skin & eyes.

6- Lakes of Wadi Al-Rayan

Among the amazing famous oasis of Fayoum are those interesting lakes which are even more fascinating than the Magic Lake. Lakes of Wadi Al-Rayan are surrounded by captivating landscapes and amazing sand dunes and it is the best place to relax, take amazing pictures, and enjoy your vacation in a very impressive way. The lakes have attracted travelers from all over the world due to the magical natural waterfall that runs between the lower and upper lakes.

The Wadi el Rayan has acted as a reserve made of two separate lakes which are made of a lower lake with a space of 62.00 km2 and an upper lake with an area of 50.90 km2 with many waterfalls between the two. There are a number of sulphur springs on the southern part of the lower lake which also have an extensive number of sand dunes making Wadi El Rayan one of the best sandboarding places in Egypt. All the waterfalls of Wadi El Rayan are by far the biggest waterfalls in all of Egypt. On the southeast parts of the springs and lakes is Gabal Manqueer Al Rayan are archaeological remains and marine fossils like Tutcetus rayanensis.

7- Lake Burullus

Lake Burullus is the second-largest lake & one of the best national parks in Egypt and it is located in the governorate of Kafr El-Sheikh on the eastern side of the city of Rosetta. It was connected by the Mediterranean Sea which served as a defensive frontier settlement during the early Islamic period. The bureaus lake was separated by a very narrow strip of land which held a home of around 50 Islands on an area of .7 square kilometers.

The lake is considered a protected area and also an environmental site due to its sand plains, and salt swamps, and also as a historic site for the great historical settlement that is located under its water. There are hundreds of different 3 species of fish, 112 species of birds, 23 species of reptiles, and 18 species of mammals in the area and it would be amazing to explore the area while being in Egypt.

8- Lake Mariout

The magnificent lake Mariout is the biggest fresh lake in Egypt which is connected to the heavenly Nile River through canals which was the source of irrigation and drinking water in the entire region. It has an area of around 200 sq km (77 sq mi) and in the 21st century, the area is around 50 square kilometers (19 sq mi). At the start of the 12th century, the lake started to shrink all the way to the late middle ages which has dried up completely. A seawater lake known as Lake Abu Qir was created by a storm around 1770 and in 1801 the seawater was rushed into Lake Mariout by the British who destroyed 150 villages and made the lake too shallow for any navigation.

Lake Mariout is a magnificent brackish lake that has been separated from the Mediterranean Sea. Today the lake shore is home to a number of saltworks and fisheries. The town of Abusir can be found on the magical shore of the great Lake Mariout which contains ruins of an ancient replica of a great lighthouse and a magnificent ancient temple. Many believe the surroundings of the lake were the burial ground of Mark Antony and Cleopatra.

9- Great Bitter Lake

The enchanting Great Bitter Lake and the Small Bitter Lake is a magnificent part of the Suez Canal near the Ismailia that was used as a dry salt valley which is connected to the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea which acts as a passing lane for ships. The history of the lake dates all the way to the old kingdom of Egypt (2700 – 2200 BC) where it was mentioned in the ancient pyramid texts.

The current name of the lake originated from Greek symbolizing the high level of salinity at 41‰ and 45‰ in 2017 because of the increase of seawater that originated from the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The lake has a length of 24 km (15 mi), a width of around 13 km (8.1 mi), and a Surface area of around 194 km2 (75 sq mi). The lake is home to 31 gastropods and 19 bivalve species plus a high biodiversity of Molluscs.

10- Bardawil Lake

The striking lake of Bardawil is found on the northern coast of Sinia near the Zaranik protected area, known to be a high saline lagoon and one of the three biggest lakes in that area which is 30 kilometers long and 14 kilometers wide plus a surface area of 59,500 ha (147,000 acres). The lake is shallow with a maximum depth of about three meters and is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a narrow sandbar thus allowing it to increase its salinity. This legendary lake has a diverse ecosystem that holds interdune depressions, wet salt marshes, sand dunes, saline sand flats, and mobile sand dunes.

Across its wetland and harbors are 30% of the recorded species in the Mediterranean Coast of Sinai which was vital for the survival of many threatened plant species and six threatened flora species like the Iris mariae. The lake area is home to many incredible sea turtles and bottlenose dolphins. The history of the lake dates back to the time of Baldwin I, a Crusader king based in Jerusalem the lake is named after him who raided Egypt to protect his glorious kingdom and passed away in El-Arish while fishing in 1118 CE.

11- Toshka Lakes

The incredible Toshka lakes were created as a result of periodic overflow from the marvelous lake Nasser which has played a very pivotal role in the creation of the initiation of the Toshka New Valley project. The lakes of Toshka were established by a high water level from the Nile floods that overflowed within the Toshka region around 1988 which was seen forming by astronauts while being onboard the International Space Station.

Toshka Lakes has a surface area of 1,450 km2 (560 sq mi) (2000) and the lowest area of around 307 km2 (119 sq mi) plus a water volume of around 25.26 km3 (10 cu mi) (2000). The Toshka lakes cannot flow to the sea and are known to have high saline levels. The area over the years and the water have changed between 2006 to 2019 due to natural and manmade changes in order to improve agriculture and the local economy.

12- Lake Manzala

The phenomenal Lake Manzala is a massive Brachkish found in the northeastern part of Egypt on the Nile delta which is the biggest among Egypt's northern deltaic lakes and measures 47 km in length and 30 km in width. The name of the lake comes from the Coptic word meaning the descend. The lake is shallow because it was altered because of the Suez Canal's construction. It is one of the northernmost of three natural lakes intersected by the Suez Canal to accommodate international ships.

The lake is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a great sand strip. The lake for many years has acted as a powerful source of affordable fish but its productivity has decreased because the water of the lake was used for irrigation to many farming projects which failed because of the salty soil. The lake across the later years has lost about 80% of its original area due to many drainage efforts.

13- Edko Lake

The delightful Idku Lake is one of the most magnificent lakes that has a freshwater area of 62.78 square kilometers (24.24 sq mi) that is connected to the Mediterranean Sea. The lake and its coasts have an incredibly diverse ecosystem found west of Rashid branch which is surrounded by fine sand dunes which create a magical landscape filled with the most magnificent wildlife of plants and wildlife.

Lake Idku possesses a distinguished ecosystem where fresh water meets saline sea water which explains why it is rich in many resources. Many human activities are competing to exploit it.

Hidden Gems of Egypt: Off the Beaten Path Adventures

The natural waters of Egypt come in different shapes & colors offering every traveler an Abundis of miraculous wonders to fully explore. Take part in our special Out of Ordinary Egypt tours & create some amazing memories across our one-of-a-kind lakes & Saharah in Egypt.