The Gulf of Suez is the northern arm of the Red Sea that reaches Egypt’s Suez Canal region.
It runs northwest between mainland Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula, ending near the city of Suez. The gulf is entirely within Egypt, unlike the Gulf of Aqaba, whose shores include Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
The modern Suez Canal begins at Port Tewfik near Suez and travels north to the Mediterranean. The canal therefore connects with the Red Sea through the Gulf of Suez, making this gulf a crucial link in the sea route between Europe and Asia.
The Gulf of Suez is also a geologically active rift basin associated with the Red Sea Rift. A common mix-up is calling the Gulf of Aqaba the Red Sea’s northern arm; Aqaba is the narrow northeastern branch, while Suez is the northwestern branch leading toward the canal.