Utopia Island is a famous tourist destination in Egypt’s Red Sea Governorate. It is one of the islands located along the coast of the Red Sea.
Location of Utopia Island
Utopia is a small island located in Soma Bay, along the coast of Safaga in Egypt.
Utopia Name
Of course, there is a reason behind calling this tiny island “Utopia”. As many culture readers know, Utopia is an imagined community or society with highly desirable or perfect qualities for its citizens. Sir Thomas More coined this term for the book he wrote in 1515. Sir More compounds Utopia from the Greek words ou (not) and topos (place) and thus means “nowhere”. The Utopia book describes a fictional island society in the South Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South America. Book II Utopia describes a pagan and communist city-state that governed the institutions and policies entirely by reason.
Undoubtedly, Sir Thomas More was seeking an imaginary and indefinitely remote place. In other words, More was seeking perfection in an ideal location.
The Egyptian Utopia Island is similar to the fiction by Sir Thomas More in two aspects. The first aspect is that it is an isolated island. The second aspect, the alternate rising of the tide, completely overwhelms the island by night. When it is the day, the tide goes down. Thus, Utopia appears clean and new every day. This process of renewal matches with the perfection demanded by Sir Thomas More. Of course, it is enough of a reason why they call that island “Utopia.”
Tourist Destination
Currently, Utopia appears to be a famous tourist destination. Tourists in Safaga and the neighbouring resort of Hurghada make boat trips to this island. Snorkelling, diving, and body healing are various activities tourists do around Utopia. It is also a place for recovery from skin diseases.
Utopia! the name itself creates a mystery! Being a literature student, I have read about Utopia-the land which does not exist. Or where everything is just perfect. But coming here on vacation, I am extremely delighted to see that the Island of Utopia does exist. Wow! I was so super excited. This island here besides the Red Sea is very similar to Sir Moore’s description of Utopia. The first reason is this island is completely isolated and the second with the rise of the tide, it is completely submerged by night. During the day, it again surfaces and appears to be perfectly clean and clear. Hence the name Utopia. Very famous tourist attraction for snorkeling, swimming, and lazing on the sands of the beach. It is a must-see on your list!