Egypt’s reefs are brimming over with life; bright corals and clouds of fish dazzle with a kaleidoscope of colour. Stating that the waters here are calm and clear seems like a bit of an understatement.There are sites that do experience current and in some locations operators do use drift diving protocols. Egypt offers the full gambit of diving opportunities; wrecks, walls, drifts, pinnacles, shore dives, day boats and liveaboards too. There are sites suitable for all levels and some good areas to learn as well as exciting open ocean sites for the more advanced diver. Due to the excellent visibility and the easy access to excess depths it’s an attractive location for technical diving and training.Many of the diving destinations offer access to famous Egyptian historic sites, but it’s also easy to arrange a holiday split over a couple of places to take in some diving and some culture too.
The reefs and marine life here are plentiful, estimates are around 800 fish species alone with at least 10% of them not found anywhere else. Expect to see dolphins on the way to dive sites. If you are lucky you may see a manatee, whale sharks are seen and so are a range of sharks. Apart from grey, white and black tip reef sharks, oceanic whitetips, hammerheads, tigers and thresher sharks can also be encountered. Sea turtles frequent the area as do many varieties of moray eels. Bluespotted stingrays are everywhere, scorpionfish and crocodilefish blend in, lionfish hover and there are many nudibranchs, flatworms, Spanish dancers and pipefish to entertain the critter hunters.
Divers ususally enter at Hurghada, Sharm el Sheik or Marsa Alam International airports. You can also fly through Cairo and connect to your destination from the same terminal.
Diving around Alexandria can be categorized by four different dive types.In the Eastern Harbor and near to the shore, divers can discover ancient ruins from the pharaohs, Romans and Greeks. The most popular dive site in the area in Cleopatra’s Underwater City which is full of sphinx statues and Roman columns. This city, which was built by Alexander the Great in...
The Straits of Tiran are often sought after by advanced divers in Sharm el-Sheikh. This is due to the fact that the area features strong currents and deeper sites than found elsewhere around the Sinai Peninsula. That doesn’t mean there isn’t also plenty for beginners to explore. Everyone is bound to enjoy the crystal clear visibility and colorful underwater world...
Mostly diving here is from the shore with a transfer via jeep to take you to different locations for you to walk in. Diving like this is perfect for making many dives a day and also if you don’t like boats. If you travel with non-divers, then this is very time efficient for making the most of your time too. For something different some centres offer transfer to shore...
As the most southerly of Egypt’s Red Sea dive destinations, not many divers make it to St. John’s, Zabargad and Rocky Island. Those who do, often iterate their belief that this is the best diving in the Red Sea. With abundant marine life, uncrowded dive sites and crystal clear visibility, it’s easy to understand why.St. John’s is a healthy reef system lying 25 miles...
Hurghada offers daily diving as well as being a favourite leaving point for many liveaboards. Liveaboard trips leave from here to explore a greater range of sites either north or south. There are many itineraries to choose from; some specialise in wrecks whereas others offer a mix of wrecks and reefs. There’s a range of boats available with some of the most luxurious...
There’s plenty of shore diving here; dive centres arrange minibuses to other shore diving spots too, so it’s great choice if you really don’t like boats. Large comfortable boats make day trips, and Elphinstone excursions leave regularly. Some operators use smaller inflatable zodiac boats to zip you to dive sites. The shore diving is relaxed and calm and suitable for...
Because of Egypt’s accessibility and proximity to Europe, the Red Sea suffers from over exposure. Many of the reefs are showing signs of too many annual visitors. Therefore, it has become increasingly important to explore new dive sites in order to relieve the pressure put on those around Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. This search has resulted in the discovery of...
Safaga and Makadi Bay constitute the third most popular scuba diving area in Egypt after Hurghada and Sharm al-Sheikh. Divers here are rewarded by shallow reefs, coral gardens and steep walls. Several controversial wrecks add intrigue to this Red Sea dive resort. Makadi Bay is often overlooked in favor of nearby Safaga or Hurghada, but it is a worthwhile dive...
Sharm el-Sheikh is home to some great local diving as well as being your gateway to many liveaboard boat and itinerary options. Wrecks, walls and reefs, it’s all here. Some of the sites do experience strong current, making them unsuitable for beginners, but a rich swirling dive of colour and life for those a little more advanced. Liveaboard operators...
The Strait of Gubal has been long sought after by advanced and technical divers because of its plethora of deep wrecks. Traditionally, the Strait has only been accessible by liveaboard from Hurghada or Sharm el-Sheikh. However, with the introduction of a new resort at El Gouna, divers can easily access the Strait of Gubal as well as a healthy variety of dive sites on...