Dahlak Archipelago

Dahlak Archipelago, Eritrea — over 200 largely uninhabited coral islands scattered across the Red Sea off Massawa — pearl-diving history, shipwrecks, and empty white-sand beaches.

Boats leave from the historic port of Massawa; bring your own snorkel gear since infrastructure on the islands is minimal. Some islands still show remnants of Ottoman and Italian-era pearl fishing camps.