Diving in Egypt
From the shadows of ancient pyramids to the crystal waters of the Red Sea, Egypt is a land of contrasts — and its underwater world is just as awe-inspiring as its history. With world-class coral reefs, legendary wrecks, and remarkably clear waters, Egypt has become a dream destination for divers of all levels.
Whether you're gliding past vibrant corals in Marsa Alam, exploring the haunting remains of the SS Thistlegorm, or drifting alongside pods of dolphins in Sataya, diving in Egypt is a captivating blend of nature, history, and adventure. The Red Sea offers year-round diving, incredible marine biodiversity, and easy access from Europe, making it one of the most popular dive regions in the world.
Ancient Waters, Timeless Wonders
Whether you're exploring sunken WWII wrecks, watching dolphins dance at dawn, or gliding over candy-colored reefs, Egypt offers a dive experience like no other. With its affordability, excellent infrastructure, and incredible variety — all set against the backdrop of one of the world’s oldest civilizations
Why Dive in Egpyt?
🌊 Exceptional visibility — Often 30m+ (100ft), making for crystal-clear diving experiences
🪸 Thriving coral reefs — Some of the healthiest and most colorful in the world
⚓ Epic wreck dives — Including the iconic SS Thistlegorm, Salem Express & Dunraven
🐋 Big marine life — Oceanic whitetip sharks, dolphins, turtles, Napoleon wrasse and Dugongs!
📷 Photographer’s paradise — From dramatic wrecks to vibrant reef scenes and close-up macro life
🌞 Year-round diving — Warm water temperatures (22–30°C / 72–86°F) and sunny skies
🚤 Easy access — Dive from shore, resort boats, or explore remote sites by liveaboard
🗓️ Best Time to Dive
Year-round diving is possible, but certain seasons offer the best conditions:
March to May: Warming seas, excellent visibility, great for shark sightings
September to November: Calm conditions, warm water, and fewer crowds
June to August: Hot weather, but diving still good (especially early mornings)
December to February: Cooler water, some wind/swell — but still diveable in the south
Last updated: January 2025
Top Dive Destinations in Egypt
SS Thistlegorm – Egypt’s Most Legendary Wreck ⚓
No dive trip to Egypt is complete without visiting the SS Thistlegorm, a British WWII cargo ship sunk in 1941. Lying at 30 meters depth, it’s now one of the world’s most iconic wreck dives.
Divers can explore the holds packed with vintage motorbikes, rifles, and trucks, all now cloaked in coral and patrolled by lionfish, batfish, and the occasional giant moray eel. It's both a historical time capsule and a thriving artificial reef.
The site is best reached from Sharm El-Sheikh by early morning or overnight liveaboard trips. Conditions are generally calm, but the currents can occasionally be strong — making this dive more suitable for advanced or certified wreck divers.
Sharm El-Sheikh – The Gateway to the Red Sea
Located at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Sharm El-Sheikh is one of Egypt’s most famous dive destinations. With easy access to the Ras Mohammed National Park, the Straits of Tiran, and countless local reefs, it offers a wide variety of dive experiences for all skill levels.
The waters here are home to an explosion of marine life — expect to see reef sharks, barracuda, turtles, napoleon wrasse, and massive schools of anthias lighting up coral-covered walls. The diving is mostly done by boat, with half-day or full-day trips taking you to vibrant drop-offs and drift sites.
Sharm is also well-equipped for divers, with modern resorts, dive centers, and direct flights from many European cities. The best time to dive is March to May or September to November, when the water is warm and visibility can stretch beyond 30 meters.
🐬 Marsa Alam – Wild, Untouched, and Full of Surprises
Far from the crowds, Marsa Alam is a quieter alternative to Egypt’s northern dive hubs and a haven for marine megafauna. The reefs here are incredibly healthy and less frequented, with famous sites like Elphinstone Reef drawing divers from around the world.
Elphinstone is known for thrilling wall dives, vibrant soft corals, and encounters with oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerheads, and turtles. Nearby, you’ll also find Dolphin House (Sha’ab Sataya) — a huge lagoon where divers and snorkelers often swim with wild spinner dolphins.
Marsa Alam is accessible via its own airport or by road from Hurghada. The dive season runs year-round, but conditions are best between April and June or September to November.
Hurghada – Accessible and Adventure-Packed
As one of Egypt’s original dive towns, Hurghada offers a great mix of easy reef dives, wrecks, and colorful marine life, making it a popular spot for beginner divers and families.
The nearby reefs are filled with butterflyfish, parrotfish, blue-spotted stingrays, and the occasional turtle. It’s also the jumping-off point for wreck dives like the Salem Express, a tragic but historically significant site.
Hurghada’s international airport makes it incredibly convenient to reach, and the city is well-stocked with dive shops, resorts, and PADI schools. Diving is possible all year, but the best conditions are in the spring and autumn months.
Dahab – Laid-Back Vibes & the Famous Blue Hole
A short distance north of Sharm, Dahab is a bohemian dive town known for its chill vibes and iconic dive sites. The most famous of these is the Blue Hole, a deep sinkhole that has become legendary among technical divers.
Dahab also features excellent shore diving, with sites like The Canyon and Lighthouse Reef offering a great mix of marine life and topography. This is a perfect spot for relaxed dives, night dives, or taking your open water certification in a peaceful setting.
Dahab is reachable by road from Sharm El-Sheikh and ideal for divers looking to escape the resort scene. You can dive year-round, though spring and fall bring the best balance of weather and visibility.
Travel Tips for Divers
✈️ Fly into Cairo, then connect to Sharm El-Sheikh, Hurghada, or Marsa Alam depending on your dive base.
🚤 Liveaboards are perfect for reaching the Brothers Islands, Daedalus Reef, and other remote dive spots.
🧳 Bring a 5mm wetsuit for most of the year — waters can cool in winter.
📷 Underwater cameras are a must for Thistlegorm or Elphinstone — don’t forget red filters and backups.
🌊 Check your skill level — some sites have strong currents and deeper profiles (especially in the south)
🌞 Pack reef-safe sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat — the sun is intense year-round.
Diving in Egypt is where history and marine wonder meet. Whether you’re hovering above a sunken WWII ship, watching a reef shark cruise past a coral wall, or drifting beside clouds of tropical fish, every dive tells a story.
With warm hospitality, easy logistics, and epic underwater experiences, Egypt is more than a dive trip — it’s a deep dive into one of the world’s richest marine environments.
Conservation & Responsible Diving in Egypt
Egypt’s Red Sea is one of the most biodiverse and beautiful marine ecosystems on the planet — but it's also under pressure from tourism, plastic pollution, and coral damage. Protecting these reefs is crucial for the future of diving in this region.
💙 Master your buoyancy to avoid damaging fragile coral formations
🚫 Never touch, chase, or feed marine life — let them thrive naturally
♻️ Reduce your plastic use — bring a reusable water bottle and bag
🌱 Choose eco-conscious dive centers that support marine conservation (look for those involved with Project AWARE, HEPCA, or Green Fins Egypt)
🐢 Respect marine parks and protected zones — they’re essential for reef recovery
Watch the full diving experience video here
How Divers & Travelers Can Help Protect Coral Reefs
🌱 Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen – Avoid sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate, which harm corals. Opt for mineral-based sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
🐠 Follow "Look But Don’t Touch" Rules – Never touch, stand on, or break coral. Even slight contact can cause damage.
⚓ Practice Responsible Diving & Snorkeling – Avoid stirring up sand, as it can smother corals. Always secure dive gear to prevent accidental contact.
🚤 Support Eco-Friendly Tourism – Choose dive operators committed to sustainable practices, such as reef restoration and responsible waste management.
🗑️ Reduce Plastic Use – Plastics break down into microplastics, which are harmful to marine life. Always dispose of waste properly and participate in beach cleanups.
🐟 Eat Sustainable Seafood – Overfishing depletes reef fish populations. Use seafood guides (like the WWF Seafood Guide) to make responsible choices.
🔬 Support Coral Restoration Efforts – Many organizations, like Coral Restoration Foundation and REEFCheck, are working to plant and restore corals. Consider volunteering or donating.
Where Can You Still See Healthy Coral Reefs?
While some reefs are suffering, many still thrive, especially in marine-protected areas. Here are a few of the best places to see vibrant coral reefs:
Raja Ampat, Indonesia – One of the most biodiverse marine areas in the world.
Tubbataha Reefs, Philippines – A UNESCO World Heritage Site with pristine coral.
The Maldives – Home to spectacular coral atolls and marine life.
The Great Barrier Reef, Australia – While parts have suffered bleaching, conservation efforts are helping reefs recover.
The Red Sea, Egypt – Warm, clear waters and incredible reef diversity.
Coral reefs are fragile but resilient—with the right actions, they can recover and thrive. As divers and ocean lovers, we have a responsibility to protect them for future generations.
Let’s keep our reefs alive! 🌊🐠
✅ Must-Haves (Don’t Skip These)
Reef-Safe Sunscreen – Regular sunscreen damages coral reefs. Go reef-safe (and it actually works in the humidity). This one’s great https://amzn.to/426EeAr
Universal Travel Adapter – A universal adapter is a lifesaver if you’re bouncing to other countries.
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Portable Power Bank – Keep your phone alive during long bus rides or power cuts.
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Reusable Water Bottle (with filter if possible) – Stay hydrated without buying endless plastic bottles.
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Bug Repellent – Jungle + dusk = mosquitos. Go DEET-free or natural if you prefer.
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Microfiber Towel – Sand, sweat, waterfalls… you’ll use this daily. This one dries fast: https://amzn.to/45Whe8x
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Essential Packing For Your Upcoming Adventures 🎒
✨ Nice-to-Haves (Make Your Trip Way Easier)
Waterproof Camera (GoPro) – For underwater snorkeling, surf footage, and waterfalls.
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📸Why it’s worth it: If you're all about waterfalls, snorkeling, and surfing — aka places you don’t want to risk a regular camera. A GoPro is waterproof, durable, and perfect for capturing underwater adventures or strapping onto your surfboard. The newer models also have killer stabilization, so even jungle hikes look smooth on video.
Camera (Good but Affordable) – If you want better photos without going pro-level, something like the Canon EOS R50 or Sony a6400 with a kit lens is a solid travel pick: https://amzn.to/3HAU67w
📷Why it’s worth it: Not everyone wants a bulky DSLR. If you want high-quality photos without spending thousands, something like the Canon EOS R50 or Sony a6400 is a great balance. Both are lightweight, great in low light (hello, jungle sunsets), and come with decent kit lenses for beginners.
DJI Mini Drone – Capture epic coastlines and jungle views without carrying a giant drone.
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✈️Why it’s worth it: Imagine flying over the jungle canopy or filming a sunset on the Pacific coast — a drone completely changes how you capture your trip. The DJI Mini series is lightweight (under 250g, so no license hassle), packs easily in a day bag, and gets amazing shots without pro-level skills.
Headlamp / Compact Flashlight – Jungle nights get dark fast.
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Earplugs – Between howler monkeys and surf towns with late-night music, you’ll want them.
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Travel Hammock (lightweight packable) – Perfect for chilling on the beach or jungle stays.
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Sun Hat/Cap – Foldable ones pack easily. This one works well: https://amzn.to/4pfaAmP
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