Egypt Diving in Red Sea
Egypt’s Red Sea coast runs from the Gulf of Suez to the Sudanese borders. Its mineral-rich red mountain ranges inspired the mariners of antiquity to name the sea Mare Rostrum or the Red Sea.
The Red Sea is known for offering some of the best diving in Egypt experiences. With over 800 fish species, including the stone-fish, butterfly-fish, surgeonfish, and sharks, diving Red Sea Egypt provides a unique underwater adventure.
Relax on white-sand beaches or explore the vibrant reefs through snorkeling. The rich marine life and coral formations attract those seeking scuba diving trips and unforgettable encounters.
Historically, the Red Sea has been a key route for traders and explorers, adding depth to today’s diving trip in Egypt options. Whether you are in Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh, the diving sites here offer a mix of calm waters and challenging currents. Always dive with experienced guides familiar with local conditions.
For divers of all levels, from beginners to advanced, there are diving in Egypt packages designed to suit your experience. Choose from shore-based boats or liveaboard options for the ultimate diving adventure. A trusted travel agent in Egypt can help you plan the perfect scuba diving Hurghada experience, ensuring a safe and memorable trip.
Check out our diving programs: Egypt, Hurghada Soma Bay Golf
North Sinai
The term North Sinai means the northern coast of the Gulf of Aqaba. There is a big chunk of Sinai that lies further to the north, traditionally referred to as north Sinai, but it does not reach the Red Sea. The North Sinai coast stretches from Taba to the northern section of Ras Muhammad National Park at Nabeq. It encompasses the towns of Dahab and Nuweiba and includes some of the Gulf of Aqaba’s finest diving sites.
The area’s reefs are home to a dazzling array of Red Sea reef species, from huge Napoleon wrasse to tiny, glittering anthias. The range of pelagic species is also more than respectable. Besides, sea turtles and dolphins frequent North Sinai reefs, lending every dive the excitement of a possible encounter.
The Bells
The Bells is located a few kilometers north of Dahab village, just north of the Blue Hole, making it a unique spot for diving in Egypt. This site features a true vertical wall, filled with overhangs, fissures, and swim-throughs, making it an exciting dive. The average depth is 20m, with a maximum depth of 50m, and visibility typically reaches 20m.
The reef profile softens towards the Blue Hole in the south, where it becomes a steep slope. The reef is particularly rich in hard corals, especially to the south of the lagoon, where you’ll find Acropora, brain, and star corals. Soft corals are less abundant here.
Marine life around The Bells is diverse, with triggerfish, jacks, unicorns, parrotfish, angels, grouper, and surgeonfish frequenting the outer reef. Inside the lagoon, where coral growth is sparse, marine life is minimal. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, diving Red Sea Egypt offers a remarkable experience at this stunning location.
Check out our diving programs: Diving In Hurghada
Blue Hole
The Blue Hole, located a few kilometers north of Dahab village, is a popular spot for diving in Egypt. Its average depth is 20m, with a maximum of 50m and visibility around 20m. While the Blue Hole itself is attractive, the real gem lies in the rich sloping reef outside.
The reef is rich in hard corals, especially in the southern section near the lagoon, with Acropora, brain, and star corals. Soft corals are less common. On the outer reef, you’ll encounter triggerfish, jacks, unicorns, parrotfish, angels, grouper, and surgeonfish, offering a vibrant diving experience. However, inside the lagoon, where coral growth is sparse, marine life is minimal. Diving Red Sea Egypt offers an unforgettable underwater adventure at this site.
Check out our diving programs: Diving In Sharm El Sheikh
The Caves
The Caves, located on the Dahab coast next to the Lagona Hotel, is a fascinating site for diving in Egypt. Its average depth is 20m, with a maximum depth of 50m and visibility around 20m, making it an exciting destination for divers. The site is centered around a large, open-fronted cavern that deeply undercuts the reef table near the shore, offering a unique diving experience.
Accessing the site involves jumping off the reef edge into deep water at the top of the cavern. Due to frequent strong waves, it’s advisable to put on your fins in the water to avoid losing balance on the surf. When exiting, it’s important to judge the wave patterns and let the swell carry you onto the reef top.
Whether you are looking for scuba diving trips or a more specific diving trip in Egypt, The Caves is a great location. This site offers a perfect combination of adventure and beauty, ideal for scuba diving Hurghada enthusiasts who want to explore more of diving Red Sea Egypt. Many diving in Egypt packages can include this site as part of a comprehensive diving tour.
Check out our diving programs: Diving In Hurghada
Sharm El Sheikh to Hurghada
The clear blue waters between Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada hide some of the Red Sea’s biggest surprises, such as stunning reefs and mysterious shipwrecks. These are the legacy of the maritime trade that has flowed through the region for millennia. The reefs in the Straits of Gubal, a gateway to the Suez Canal, are as rich in history as they are in natural beauty, making diving in Egypt a truly unique experience.
This area includes diving sites in Shaab Mahmud and Shaab Ali, as well as the Straits of Gubal and Hurghada, spread across 74km (40 nautical miles) of open sea. The sites are easily accessible from either Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada, offering a variety of dive experiences.
Marine life in this location thrives due to isolated reefs, large tidal movements, and minimal nearby fishing, creating perfect conditions for reef and schooling fish. Sharks, including hammerheads, are frequently spotted here, while sea turtles are common. This area is also one of the best places in the northern Red Sea to swim with wild dolphins.
A true highlight of diving Red Sea Egypt is the well-preserved, easily accessible shipwrecks scattered across the entrance to the Gulf of Suez. There are at least six major wrecks, including 19th-century mail steamers, modern cargo ships, and historic spice traders, all waiting to be explored. Whether you’re booking diving in Egypt packages or organizing scuba diving trips, this region offers some of the most exciting and historically rich diving sites.
For those considering a diving trip in Egypt, the area between Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada should be at the top of the list, especially for divers interested in both natural beauty and historical exploration.
Check out our diving programs: Diving In Sharm El Sheikh
Shag Rock
Shag Rock is located at the southern tip of the Shaab Ali reef complex in the northern Straits of Gubal, making it an exciting spot for diving in Egypt. The reef has an average depth of 15m, with a maximum depth of 25m and visibility around 20m. The top of the reef is marked by a light beacon and the wreck of a fishing boat, with the Sarah H wreck lying in the shallows just offshore.
Check out our diving programs: Diving In Hurghada
The Small Crack
The Small Crack is located halfway along the Shaab Mahmud reef system, northwest of Beacon Rock and the Dunraven. It offers an excellent spot for diving in Egypt, with an average depth of 15m, a maximum depth of 22m, and visibility of around 20m. This site features a crack or passage in the Shaab Mahmud reef, which separates the Sinai coast from the open waters of the Straits of Gubal. It is one of the two navigable passages into the sheltered lagoon behind the reef, making it a popular location for live-aboard vessels that anchor for the night in the calm waters.
The coral growth here is exceptional, especially on the outer reef wall, where divers will find a variety of hard and soft corals, with an impressive range of stony coral species. Soft corals form stunning formations, adding to the site’s appeal. At this site, divers can witness the full range of Red Sea reef fish species, making it ideal for scuba diving trips and diving Red Sea Egypt enthusiasts.
Check out our diving programs: Diving In Sharm El Sheikh
BEACON ROCK (DUNRAVEN WRECK)
Beacon Rock is located on the south side of the Ras Muhammed Peninsula, within the boundaries of Ras Muhammed National Park. This site is home to the wreck of the Dunraven, a steam freighter from the early 20th century, which is believed to have been a spy ship for T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia. Diving in Egypt at Beacon Rock offers an exciting experience with a wall dive leading down to the wreck. The return is the same way, but the dive may be canceled or stopped if the current is strong.
A cruise in the Red Sea is considered one of the ultimate dreams for many divers. Whether you’re on a liveaboard or a shore-based trip, diving in Egypt allows you to explore historical sites like Beacon Rock and enjoy the diverse marine life of the region. This location is perfect for those seeking adventure in diving Red Sea Egypt.
We can arrange a variety of diving trips for underwater enthusiasts.
Check out our diving programs: Hurghada (8 Days/7 Nights) – Sharm El Sheikh (8 Days/7 Nights)
