Location and Geography
Location and International Classification
Bardawil Lake (or Bardawil Salt Flat) is a coastal saline lake/lagoon located on the northern coast of the Sinai Peninsula, separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a narrow sandbar.

It is listed as a Ramsar site for wetlands in Egypt, designated as an ecologically important site.

Official geographic location: approximately 31°05’ N, 33°05’ E according to Ramsar documents.

The declared area of ​​the site in the Ramsar documents is 59,500 hectares (approximately 595 km²) within the protected area.

First: Geographical Location
Lake Bardawil is located in the northern Sinai Peninsula, along the Mediterranean Sea.

It stretches along a coastline of approximately 90 kilometers west of the city of El Arish.

It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea, separated from it by a relatively narrow sandy coastal strip (the width of the sand barrier may be less than or around one kilometer at its widest point).

Geography, Dimensions, and Depth

The lake is relatively shallow, with depths ranging from approximately 0.5 meters to 3 meters in its deeper sections.
The sandbar separating the lake from the sea varies in width from about 100 meters to approximately 1 kilometer and is sometimes submerged during storms or high tide.

The “Egypt Heritage” document states that the bottom is sandy, and patches of Ruppia spiralis plant are found in some areas.

In recent press sources and articles, it is noted that the total length of the lake is about 90 kilometers, and the width in some areas ranges to about 20-22 kilometers.

It is also mentioned that it is one of the largest saltwater bodies in Egypt, and different estimates may be used in some sources (because some areas are included within the basin or surrounding salt marshes).

Second: Area and Depth
Area
Approximately 165,000 acres (equivalent to roughly 680 km²)

Depth
Relatively shallow – from 30 cm to 3 meters

Lake length:
Approximately 90 km
Lake width:
15 to 22 km

Third: The Nature of the Lake
Its water is saline but not excessively so.

It is separated from the Mediterranean Sea by a sandbar.

It is connected to the sea via three inlets/straits:
Inlet 1 (main)
Inlet 2
Inlet 3 (recently opened to improve water exchange)

Fourth: Types of fish produced
Lake Bardawil is distinguished by the production of high-quality fish that are exported to European and Gulf markets.

Sea bream is among the best types, rich in protein. Sea bass is highly sought after for export. Mullet is of very high quality. Local shrimp is available in good quantities. Eels were available and are gradually returning. Sea bass, grouper, and snapper are available in limited quantities.