Dahlak Islands

Although not the easiest or cheapest of destinations, the islands of the Dahlak Archipelago have to count among the most beautiful, unspoilt and spectacular in the world. Located in the Red Sea off the coast of Massawa, Eritrea, the complete absence of industry or commercialism and a miniscule tourist trade means the reefs are undamaged and the amazing fish are twice the size of those in Egypt. Camp overnight - or better still for a week - in splendid isolation (other than the odd fisherman) safe in the knowledge there is too much fish life for sharks to bother you and pirates can't get up this part of the coast because of the well guarded narrow entrance to the Red Sea.