Lake Burullus Protected Area is located east of the Rosetta branch of the Nile. The lake is shallow and rather elongated with about 50 small islands are scattered through it. The sand bar separating the lake from the sea varies in width from a few hundred meters to 5km. The only connection with the sea is at the northeast corner and here the water is most saline. Salinity decreases to the south and the water is fresh near the canals and drains that enter the lake. Commercial salt production and fish farming are carried on to the south of the lake.
The southern shore of the lake is bordered by extensive stands of Phragmites and Typha reed swamps and in the lake, abundant aquatic vegetation such as Potamogeton spp. grows.
The lake is one of Egypt’s most important wetlands for wintering waterfowl including Wigeon, Anas penelope, and especially for the threatened Ferruginous Duck, Aythya nyroca. Purple Gallinule, Porphyrio porphyrio, and Little Tern, Sterna albifrons, breed in the area.
The Swamp Cat, Felis chaus, is known from here in considerable numbers and the Mediterranean coast is a potential breeding area for Loggerhead Turtle, Caretta caretta and Green Turtle, Chelonia mydas.