Mersa Matruh is protected by a ring of natural rocks some seven kilometres long which acts as a breakwater;the sea,therefore,as well as being spectacular due to its intense turquoise colour, is always calm. Many of the beaches have evocative names:Cleopatra beach, in honour of the beautiful queen who loved to bathe in this sea,Ra-as Al Hakma, Al-Abyad and Agiba,which, not by chance,means wonder,due to its beautiful natural caves and bays just waiting to be discovered.