Scuba Diving in the Red Sea
SCUBA DIVING in THE RED SEA & EGYPT HIGHLIGHTS
As one of the seven wonders of the underwater world, the Red Sea & Egypt offer scuba divers some of the world's most beautiful coral reefs, plentiful marine life, and a wide variety of diverse dive sites. Both northern and southern Red Sea areas offer excellent diving, with the former offering amazing wrecks, including the world-renowned SS Thistlegorm, and the latter, including the islands of Big Brother, Little Brother, and Daedalus, offering dramatic encounters with manta rays and various shark species.
Egypt's RED SEA DIVE RESORTS / LIVEABOARDS
The Red Sea is a great destination for exploring, both from a resort or a liveaboard. Dive resorts are clustered around the northern towns of Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab, however, inshore reefs can get busy during peak tourist season. Most divers choose to explore the Red Sea by liveaboard, and this is the best option for avoiding the crowds and seeing as much as possible in a short time.
LOOKING FOR A Liveaboard IN THE RED SEA?
Master Liveaboards Blue Melody yacht explores the stunning dive sites of the Red Sea, catering to 26 divers with 13 air-conditioned cabins, a spacious dive deck, and many more features to make your trip unforgettable. This superb vessel was once awarded the prestigious Diver Award for ‘Liveaboard of the Year‘ and the Sport Diver ‘Best Liveaboard‘ award.
Check out some other great liveaboard destinations.
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Intro to the diving in the Red Sea
Located in the Middle East, the Red Sea is a northern offshoot of the Indian Ocean. While these bodies of water share many of the same habitats and marine life, the Red Sea has evolved to provide unique habitats for numerous endemic species. Due to little rainfall, high evaporation, and a relatively isolated location, the Red Sea has one of the world's highest rates of salinity. These same factors also provide excellent diving conditions, and the Red Sea boasts a phenomenal 360 dive days a year. Furthermore, the Red Sea has few river tributaries feeding into it, which means limited microalgae allowing excellent visibility.
The Red Sea is easily accessed from Europe; the main tourist hubs are centered around the north and the crowds thin as you explore further south. While there are small resort areas in Israel, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates, the vast majority of scuba diving in the Red Sea is facilitated through Egypt and a handful of liveaboards in Sudan.
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Check out our article "Red Sea Diving and Topside Egypt."
For another great destination offering Red Sea liveaboards, read about scuba diving in Saudi Arabia.
WHEN TO GO diving in the Red Sea
Scuba diving in the Red Sea is possible year-round, although many liveaboards take a break in January.
New to liveaboard diving? Check out our article on Liveaboard Diving or our list of the Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners.
RED SEA DIVING INFORMATION
RED SEA DIVE AREAS
THE NORTH
The northern reaches of the Red Sea offer hugely varied diving and conditions suitable for all levels of diver. From world-class wrecks to colorful reefs teeming with life, this region is also home to exciting deep walls and drift dives, all of which can be accessed by day boat or liveaboard.
If you enjoy wall and drift diving but fancy somewhere further afield, have you considered scuba diving Bunaken?
Liveaboards exploring the northern reaches generally depart from Hurghada or Sharm El Sheikh and head northeast through the shallow lagoons of El Gouna and the Straits of Gubal to explore the renowned Abu Nuhas reef, known as the Red Sea’s ‘ship graveyard’. Wrecks that appear regularly on liveaboard itineraries include the Carnatic, the Chrisola, and the Giannis D, known for her fascinating engine room. Dolphin House Reef is also a popular start or finish to a liveaboard trip, where a local pod of dolphins is sometimes encountered flitting between shallow coral heads on the white sandy seabed.
To the east, there is plenty to explore around the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, including the specially protected Ras Mohammed Marine Park, the wrecks of the world-famous SS Thistlegorm, and the wooden-hulled Dunraven. The reefs here are spectacular, teeming with life and healthy corals. Even though mild currents can be expected, sheltered sites favoring calm conditions make this an ideal destination for new divers. Northeast, in Dahab, is the famous Blue Hole dive site, known for the highest diver fatality rate.
RAS GHAREB
Although relatively unheard of on the Egyptian diving scene, the wrecks around Ras Ghareb in the Gulf of Suez are developing a reputation as exciting new dive spots, prime for exploration by divers who have had their fill of the standard northern itineraries. To date, four wrecks have been charted; the best known is the SS Scalar, a former WWII oil tanker. It is believed there are many more wrecks still to be discovered in this frontier location and the area is now starting to appear on northern liveaboard schedules.
RAS MOHAMMED MARINE PARK
One of the best protected marine areas in Egypt, Ras Mohammed Marine Park is located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula where the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez meet. This 330 square mile area has been a national park since 1983 and boasts some of the Red Sea’s healthiest reef habitats. Medium to strong currents bring a variety of pelagic species in to mix with the local reef life, with steep drop-offs and walls adding drama to the diving.
Ras Mohammed is home to famous sites such as Shark & Yolanda Reefs, littered with bathroom porcelain from the Yolanda wreck, and Jackfish Alley where it’s not uncommon to spot barracuda, jack, and snapper lingering out in the blue. Both dives feature regularly on liveaboard itineraries, and they are accessible by day boat from Sharm el Sheikh.
STRAITS OF TIRAN
On the eastern side of the Sinai Peninsula, the Straits of Tiran are an 18-mile stretch that separates the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aqaba. More suited to experienced divers, many sites feature strong currents and deep drop-offs in dramatic contrast to the shallow reefs and coral gardens of the west.
The four keys sites in Tiran are Jackson Reef, Woodhouse Reef, Thomas Reef, and Gordon Reef, named after the cartographers that first mapped them. Lined up across the strait, these four reefs are home to several wrecks, but are best known for exciting drift dives along colorful walls smothered in gorgonians, corals, and algae. Many small critters and fish can be spotted sheltering in cracks and crevices, while looking out into the blue may afford a lucky glimpse of a hammerhead or tiger shark.
A popular stop on many liveaboard itineraries, these sites are also within day-trip distance of Sharm el-sheik, and so become very busy during peak season.
THE BROTHERS ISLANDS, DAEDALUS REEF, AND ELPHINSTONE REEF
Sixty miles from shore, the two small pinnacles that make up The Brothers offer legendary pelagic diving and are a highlight on many liveaboard itineraries. Both islands feature sheer walls and deep drop-offs covered in dense populations of hard and soft coral, huge gorgonians, and vast schools of anthias, glassfish, and sweepers. Little Brother plateau is a fantastic dive for shark sightings, promising a good chance for spotting oceanic whitetips, threshers, silky, and the occasional hammerhead shark. Big Brother Island also boasts two wrecks that are now vibrant artificial reefs covered in colorful corals and swimming in bright anthias. The Brothers are only accessible via liveaboard from Hurghada or Marsa Alam.
If big fish diving is your thing, check out our guide to diving Sipadan.
Elphinstone Reef is known for its rich diversity of marine life, huge gorgonian fans, and sea whips characterizing the reef plateau. It covers a quarter-mile lying from north to south off the coast of Marsa Alam and is easily accessible by day boats and liveaboards. At each end of the reef system, wide plateaus reaching a depth of 131ft are covered in corals and Cnidaria, and feature hunting barracuda, giant trevally, and reef sharks. The southern point is popular with oceanic whitetips, especially between October and December. Elphinstone’s Eastern Wall offers some awesome drift wall diving, while the Western Wall features steep ledges and caverns, home to titan triggerfish, soldierfish, and squirrelfish.
Farthest south, Daedalus Reef is an isolated outpost 50 miles from the nearest coast, sporting pristine reefs along its steep walls. At the island’s northern tip, large schools of hammerheads are not uncommon in the strong currents, with trevallies and tuna also making regular appearances. The southern tip is also known for occasional thresher shark sightings. Similar to The Brothers, Daedalus is only accessible by liveaboard from Marsa Alam.
All three sites are best suited to experienced divers as they have strong currents and deep drop-offs. The open-ocean locations of The Brothers and Daedalus mean rough surface conditions and surge can often be a contributing factor.
You might also want to check out other destinations for shark diving.
THE DEEP SOUTH
The most southerly of the Egyptian Red Sea areas, referred to as the Deep South, features relaxed and very varied diving on colorful reefs with plenty of marine and macro life. Roughly speaking, the Deep South can be split into three key areas; Fury Shoals, Zabargad and Rocky Islands, and St. John’s Reef.
The vast reef and plateau system of Fury Shoals offers a plethora of gentle drift dives through abundant coral gardens featuring turtles, dolphins, sharks, and bumphead parrotfish. Depths ranging from 30 to 120ft offer diving for all abilities, with some wrecks, caves, and the chance of spotting a hammerhead shark if conditions are favorable. Sometimes dived from day boats out of Hamata, Fury Shoals is usually visited via liveaboard on itineraries out of Marsa Alam.
Just south of the Tropic of Cancer, turquoise blue lagoons feature a multitude of wildlife both above and below the surface of Zabargad and Rocky Islands. Sitting around 50 miles from the town of Berenice, both islands are surrounded by shallow fringing reefs covered in healthy corals, sea fans and stunning black coral trees. Zabargad is home to the ‘Russian Wreck’ thought to be The Khanka, while Rocky’s strong currents attract a wide range of pelagics such as sharks, dolphins, manta rays, and turtles.
Right on the border with Sudan, the St. John’s Reef system is isolated, unexplored, and in excellent condition. Underwater topography features caves, tunnels, and overhangs smothered in a patchwork of soft corals and patrolled by schooling pelagics. Best explored by liveaboard, strong winds from October to April can sometimes cause choppy surface conditions.
SUDAN
Diving in the Sudanese Red Sea is wild and relatively untouched, with far fewer visitors exploring these exotic waters. Pristine reefs, huge shoals of fish, and plentiful pelagics attract experienced divers who are seeking a step up from the Egyptian itineraries. There is also an interesting mix of unusual topography including huge coral pinnacles, caves, and mysterious drop-offs. Additional challenges like deeper dives and wreck penetrations are available. Diving in the Sudanese Red Sea is almost exclusively from liveaboards departing from Port Sudan or Marsa Alam in Egypt.
Find out more about diving in Sudan.
Red Sea’s Best Diving Spots
See the top 10 dive sites in the Red Sea or read the entire list:
- 1. SS Thistlegorm
- 2. Blue Hole
- 3. The Brothers
- 4. Shark and Yolanda Reef
- 5. Jackson Reef
- 6. Fury Shoals
- 7. Ras Mohammed
- 8. Elphinstone Reef
- 9. Abu Dabbab
- 10. Dunraven Wreck
1. SS Thistlegorm
When scuba diving the Red Sea, you must not miss diving the SS Thistlegorm wreck. It is without a doubt one of the best wrecks to dive and also a favorite dive spot for many scuba divers. One of the most exciting parts of this wreck is that it still holds military supplies and you can see things like motorbikes, ammunition, guns or even wellington boots. The structure itself is very interesting but also the hard and soft coral formed have brought some macro objects with it.
2. Blue Hole
Even though the Blue Hole in Dahab is notoriously known as the dive site with a high diver fatality rate, it is also an incredibly beautiful dive site. This deep sinkhole with a huge drop is rich with marine life and beautiful corals. The water is very calm and visibility is usually excellent.
3. The Brothers
The two islands, the Little Brother Island and the Big Brother Island, offer some unforgettable diving. You can spot a variety of marine life, like barracudas, colorful reef fish, tuna, trevallies, and even manta rays. Many shark species, especially around the Big Brother Island, can be encountered here as well.
4. The Shark and Yolanda Reef
These two dive sites are often dived as one, and both are equally spectacular. The Shark Reef has amazing marine life, while the Yolanda Reef is home to a sunken merchant ship. Combining the beautiful reefs with an exciting wreck makes up a memorable dive site.
5. Jackson Reef
Home to a shipwreck named Lara and to some of the best coral gardens, this site must not be missed. You can spot big pelagics like jackfish, tuna, or barracuda or macro objects like anemonefish and butterflyfish.
6. Fury Shoals
Some of the most pristine reefs in the Red Sea can be found here. Fury Shoals has a mix of hard and soft coral and excellent marine life including various shark species. The dive spot is also known for spotting dolphins.
7. Ras Mohammed
The Ras Mohammed National Park has been declared a protected area and offers some of the best scuba diving in the Red Sea. Beautiful coral reefs with overhangs, big pelagics and various shark species and numerous reef fish all can be seen here.
8. Elphinstone Reef
This dive site is known for its great drift and wall diving, healthy reefs, and even caverns. Colorful soft corals cover the walls that are surrounded by a variety of fish.
9. Abu Dabbab
Abu Dabbab is one of the very few places where you can dive with dugongs, which also makes this spot very famous. Besides the rare sea cows, scuba divers can also see turtles, ghost pipefish, guitar shark and seahorses.
10. Dunraven Wreck
Red Sea Diving is known for excellent wrecks, thus the list must end with another fantastic wreck dive site. What makes this wreck special is that it lies upside down. It is easy to explore and you can find beautiful black coral among some moray eels.
MARINE LIFE AND PHOTOGRAPHY SUBJECTS
Scuba diving in the Red Sea boasts a prolific marine life, home to over a thousand fish species, one-fifth of which exist exclusively in this body of water. The region’s extremely sunny conditions are ideal for coral growth, and over 200 soft and hard corals can be found in extensive gardens lining the Red Sea’s shallow shelves. Beyond these lively reefs, the median central trench drops to depths of over 7000 feet, facilitating a water circulation system that supports a healthy marine environment.
For fantastic corals and unique marine life, check out our guide to diving Fiji.
Outer pinnacles and islands such as The Brothers and Daedalus are a magnet for big pelagic animals, including manta rays, dolphins, and several shark species. Oceanic whitetips, hammerheads, and threshers can all be spotted alongside healthy reef shark populations.
For those looking to photograph wrecks, the Red Sea has the full range, from traditional wooden-hulled sailing vessels to iron steamships and even a modern liveaboard. These have been overgrown by the Red Sea’s abundant marine life, adding variety and drama to the already exciting reef system.
If you love spotting new and unusual species, consider diving Raja Ampat, where you will find the highest biodiversity in the world!
where is the best diving in the red sea
One of the great things about the Red Sea is the variety of diving on offer. And so the best diving in the Red Sea depends on what you enjoy. Our favorite area is in the north around Ras Mohammed National Park. Dramatic walls and sloping reefs are festooned in gorgonians and topped by coral gardens, while huge quantities of small fish life seem to explode with color in the mild to medium currents. There is less chance of spotting larger visitors here, but the sheer quantity of life is exceptional. Ras Mohammed is one of the most accessible dive areas in the Red Sea. It is visited by the day boats from Sharm and is also on the itinerary of most northern liveaboard cruises.
TYPICAL DIVE IN THE RED SEA
Shore dives from the northern dive resorts and beaches are generally organized by the in-house resort dive centers, and many offer unlimited diving on their house reef. Day trips out to Ras Mohammed and Tiran tend to involve two or three dives from a large day boat, often at busy sites with a lot of other divers and snorkelers.
Many divers opt for a liveaboard trip, which gives better access to remote areas, making the most of the quieter times of the day. Dives are generally from the back of the liveaboard or tenders that take divers close to the reefs. Many Red Sea dives are drift dives, so using an SMB is mandatory.
Diving Conditions
- Water temperature: Temperatures in the Red Sea reach 84°F (29°C) in the summer months, with temperatures as low as 70°F (21°C) in the cooler months
- Visibility: Visibility is excellent, reaching up to 200 feet (60m)
- Depth Range: 16-131ft (5-30m)
- Diving Difficulty: Suitable for all levels
BEST TIME TO go DIVing in THE RED SEA
Diving in the Red Sea is possible year-round. However, March to May and September to November are often cited as the best times to add some diving into an Egypt Itinerary. Topside weather conditions are comfortable and the sea temperature isn’t too cold during these months, but this also attracts many other tourists, and dive sites can be extremely busy.
During June, July, and August, uncomfortably hot topside temperatures mean resorts are quieter, but it's still worth considering since you may encounter hammerhead sharks on the outer sites.
For another amazing year-round dive destination in Africa, read our guide to diving Mozambique.
If you want to visit a popular dive destination closer to the US, consider diving in Honduras.
Travel Information
How to Get To the Red Sea
There are regular flights directly to Egypt's Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport (SSH) from the UK and other European hubs, and some direct flights from the US. To reach Hurghada or Marsa Alam where many liveaboards depart from, it may be easier to connect at Cairo International Airport (CAI).
Looking for some great diving closer to home? Read about the best diving within easy reach for Americans.
How to Dive the Red Sea
There are hundreds of tourist resorts around the northern Sinai coast, in particular from Sharm el Sheikh north up to Dahab in Egypt that will suit all types of people looking to go diving in the Red Sea. Many beachfront resorts have great house reefs and offer day-trips out to Ras Mohammed Marine Park, but day boats tend to get very busy in peak season.
The Red Sea diving is known for its wide range of high-end yet affordable dive liveaboards, offering a wide variety of itineraries. Similar to the Maldives, you can enjoy luxurious amenities at a lower price than you might find in other world-class dive destinations. Also, there are a good number of budget liveaboards that still maintain comfortable accommodations and excellent service at lower rates. To give you an idea, almost all liveaboards in the Red Sea cost around $150/night or less.
For a fantastic liveaboard destination further afield, check out our guide to diving Tubbataha Reef.
Most liveaboards depart from the Egyptian ports of Hurghada or Marsa Alam (Port Ghalib), however, it is also possible to dive the Sudanese coastline, departing from Port Sudan. The Red Sea is diveable year-round, with liveaboard boats taking a break in January when the water is at its coldest.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN EGYPT AND THE RED SEA
How safe is Red Sea diving
Do I need a wetsuit to go diving in the Red Sea?
red sea diving packages
red sea liveaboards
Red Sea diving liveaboards offer some of the best value for money anywhere in the world. There is a huge variety to choose from, ranging from affordable, budget boats to exclusive luxury options. Boat sizes vary too, from small 6 or 8-berth up to larger 24 or 32-berth boats. Diving tends to be done by small tenders that transport divers close into the reef and then pick them up again at the end of the dive.
Find available Red Sea liveaboard trips.
The rates shown below are per person in USD. Some of the operators quote in EUR. The pricing at the time of booking may vary depending on the latest EUR/USD exchange rate.
Got questions? Send us an email or write to us in the live chatbox. Our experienced travel advisors can help you book your dream dive vacation at the best price!
Other Useful Information
- Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)
- Language: Arabic
- Time Zone: Eastern European Standard Time (GMT+2)
- Electricity: 220 V
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