Red Sea Diving: Best Sites in Egypt

Red Sea Diving: Best Sites in Egypt

The Red Sea is one of the world's top diving destinations, famous for crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and incredible marine life. With visibility often exceeding 30 meters and water temperatures between 21-28°C year-round, Egypt offers perfect diving conditions for beginners and experts alike.

Why the Red Sea is Special

The Red Sea is a unique body of water. It has:

• No rivers flowing into it (keeping water clear)


• High salinity (more buoyant for divers)


• Over 1,200 species of fish (10% found nowhere else)


• 200+ species of soft and hard coral


• Warm water year-round

Top 10 Dive Sites in Egypt

1. SS Thistlegorm (Sharm El Sheikh)
The world's most famous wreck dive. This WWII British supply ship sunk in 1941 still carries motorcycles, trucks, and military supplies. Suitable for Advanced divers.

2. Ras Mohammed National Park (Sharm El Sheikh)
Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef offer spectacular wall diving with sharks, turtles, and massive schools of fish. The famous "toilets" from the Yolanda cargo ship rest on the reef.

3. The Blue Hole (Dahab)
A 130-meter deep sinkhole famous (and infamous) for free diving. Recreational divers explore the shallow reef around the edges. Beautiful but demands respect.

4. The Brothers Islands (Offshore)
Remote islands with pristine reefs, hammerhead sharks, and thresher sharks. Accessed by liveaboard only. For experienced divers.

5. Elphinstone Reef (Marsa Alam)
One of the best sites for oceanic whitetip sharks. Dramatic walls covered in soft corals. Strong currents possible.

6. Jackson Reef (Tiran Strait)
Part of the Tiran Island group with strong currents bringing big fish. Excellent for shark sightings and coral gardens.

7. Abu Nuhas (Red Sea)
Known as the "Ship Graveyard" with four shipwrecks including the Giannis D and Carnatic. Great for wreck diving enthusiasts.

8. Dolphin House (Marsa Alam)
Sheltered bay where spinner dolphins rest. Amazing snorkeling and diving with wild dolphins.

9. Rocky Island and Zabargad (Offshore)
Remote southern sites accessed by liveaboard. Pristine reefs and pelagic action.

10. Salem Express (Safaga)
Controversial but stunning wreck of a ferry that sank in 1991. Now an artificial reef teeming with life.

Best Diving Areas by Experience Level

Beginners: Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh (protected bays), Dahab (shore diving)
Intermediate: Ras Mohammed, Marsa Alam, Tiran Strait
Advanced: Brothers Islands, Elphinstone, Daedalus Reef, St. John's

When to Go

• Best Overall: March-May and September-November
• Big Fish: June-September (mantas and whale sharks)
• Warm Water: June-September (28°C)
• Calm Seas: April-May and September-October

What You'll See

• Dolphins (spinner and bottlenose)
• Sea turtles (green and hawksbill)
• Sharks (whitetip reef, oceanic whitetip, hammerhead, whale shark)
• Manta rays and eagle rays
• Moray eels and octopus
• Napoleon wrasse and barracuda
• Colorful reef fish and nudibranchs

Practical Information

• Certification: PADI, SSI, and NAUI courses available everywhere
• Costs: Expect $40-60 per boat dive, liveaboards from $150/day
• Equipment: Most centers have rental gear, bring your own mask
• Tip: The Red Sea is excellent for learning to dive - warm, clear, and calm