Sa'ad ad-Din Islands

Small archipelago offshore with coral reefs and seabird colonies

A small archipelago about 12 kilometres offshore from Saylac, the Sa'ad ad-Din Islands are among the most pristine marine environments on the Horn of Africa. The reefs support hard and soft corals, reef fish, sea turtles, and large numbers of breeding seabirds — gulls, terns, and ospreys nest on the rocky outcrops.

There are no facilities. You will need to arrange a boat with a local fisherman in Saylac, bring all your own water and food, and ideally have basic snorkelling gear. The reefs have not been systematically surveyed, and divers who have visited describe them as in close to virgin condition.

things to do sight
A story
The islands are named after Sa'ad ad-Din II, sultan of the Ifat Sultanate, who was killed here by Ethiopian forces in 1402 after taking refuge on the largest island. His death triggered the migration that established the Adal Sultanate further inland at Harar.