
23/08/2025
Discover the Marine Biology Museum at the National Institute of Oceanography in Hurghada
Inside the National Institute of Oceanography in Hurghada lies the Marine Biology Museum, one of the city’s earliest and most unique tourist attractions. The museum showcases a remarkable collection of rare and preserved marine creatures in impressive sizes, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich biodiversity of the Red Sea and beyond.
Among the highlights are a giant preserved mako shark, a sawfish, various species of turtles including the green turtle and dugong, different types of dolphins, as well as numerous fish and marine specimens from the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The museum also features a historic photograph of the first technician who carried out fish preservation at the institute.
The museum proudly houses the research vessel Hamed Gohar, named in honor of the renowned Egyptian scientist Dr. Hamed Abdel Fattah Gohar. The ship is still used for scientific expeditions to collect samples and conduct marine studies in the Red Sea.
One of the most intriguing exhibits is the preserved manta ray, famously known as “the devil fish.” This specimen carries a unique story—it was caught by Field Marshal Abdel Hakim Amer in 1954 during a Red Sea voyage, after he spotted it gliding above the water’s surface for a short distance.
With its rare marine life, scientific legacy, and fascinating stories, the Marine Biology Museum stands as a must-visit destination for tourists and researchers alike in Hurghada.