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Egypt, a country of ancient wonders, is a marvel beneath the water and is in the top position among the world’s best scuba diving destinations. Scuba diving in Egypt’s Red Sea coastline to see an amazing, vibrant underwater world inhabited by marine life shipwrecks and colourful coral reefs. Whether you are a seasoned diver or a beginner who is keen to explore, Egypt’s diving destinations cater for divers of all skill levels. Its year-round warm waters, fantastic visibility and well-equipped diving centres create a diver’s paradise. This adventure into the mystical underwater world of Egypt is a unique experience that combines adventure, nature, and culture.
10 Best Scuba Diving In Egypt
Experience the magic of the following listed scuba diving Egypt destinations and begin your ultimate adventure in the ancient world.
1. Ras Mohammed National Park
Photo: Sovernigo / Wikimedia Commons
Ras Mohammed National Park is famous for scuba diving and is located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. This protected marine reserve is known for its remarkable biodiversity, unspoiled coral reefs and steep underwater topography. Its most famous of these, Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, provide a magical underwater experience with vertical walls that plunge steeply into the depths, blanketed in dazzling corals and rich in marine life. Look for schools of snappers, jacks and barracudas, as well as the occasional reef shark or turtle.
Location: Southern Sinai, approximately 12 km from Sharm El-Sheikh
Timings: 7 AM – 5 PM
2. SS Thistlegorm Wreck
Photo: Woodym555 / Wikimedia Commons
One of the most iconic wreck diving sites, this British WWII cargo ship was sunk by German bombers in 1941 and sits in just about 30 meters of water in the north Red Sea. You can spot military equipment, including trucks, motorcycles, rifles and even a train carriage that is preserved in the ship’s hold. Corals cling to the outside of the ship, and schools of fish such as batfish, groupers and barracudas visit. The SS Thistlegorm is one of the most famous wreck dives in the world and a bucket-list experience for many because of its historical importance and its wonderful marine life.
Location: Off the coast of Sharm El-Sheikh, Northern Red Sea
Timings: Early morning
3. The Blue Hole
Photo: Ggerdel / Wikimedia Commons
A place between mystique and awe, the Blue Hole in Dahab is a globally known diving site with some of the most challenging dives in the world. This natural submarine sinkhole reaches a depth of more than 100 meters, encircled by a wowing coral wall. The Arch, a famous underwater tunnel at a depth of 56 meters, links the Blue Hole to open water and attracts advanced technical divers. Despite its fearsome reputation, the outer rim of the Blue Hole provides a safe yet breathtaking experience for divers, conferencegoers, and celebrities alike. Shallow coral gardens abound with parrotfish, butterflyfish, and sea turtles.
Location: 8 km north of Dahab, South Sinai
Timings: 8 AM – 4 PM
4. Tiran Island
Photo: Kolyan ilia / Wikimedia Commons
Off the northern coastline of the island of Tiran, perched at the entrance to the Gulf of Aqaba, the waters teem with divers in search of untouched beauty beneath the surface. The area has four main reefs, Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas and Gordon, each providing different diving experiences. Jackson Reef is renowned for its colourful coral formations and pelagic boaters, including hammerhead sharks during the summer months. Thomas Reef is famous for its canyon and strong currents, which draw schools of barracuda and tuna. Cropping around Tiran Island, the aquamarine waters are among the clearest, which is why it’s a favourite spot for underwater photographers.
Location: Northeast of Sharm El-Sheikh
Timings: Accessible via full-day boat trips
5. Elphinstone Reef
Photo: Derek Keats / Wikimedia Commons
Elphinstone Reef is a spectacular offshore site close to Marsa Alam, known for its exciting drift dives and sightings of large marine life. This thin, cigar-shaped reef has steep walls embellished with colourful soft corals and sponges. You can frequently see oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerheads and, less often, manta rays swimming in the deep blue waters. Elphinstone’s northern plateau is especially dramatic, with swirling currents and a kaleidoscope of reef fish. It’s a favourite spot for advanced divers for scuba diving in Egypt because of its difficult conditions and the opportunity to see pelagic life up close.
Location: 30 km north of Marsa Alam
Timings: Accessible via early morning boat trips
6. Abu Nuhas Wrecks
Photo: W.Strickling / Wikimedia Commons
Abu Nuhas, known as the “ship graveyard,” is a wreck diver’s paradise. Home to Giannis D, Carnatic and Chrisoulia K, giving a beautiful experience. The Giannis D, a Greek freighter, sits in 24 meters of water and features open access to the engine room and cargo holds. The Carnatic, a British steamer that sank in 1869, is draped with hard corals and filled with marine life such as glassfish and moray eels. With such a wide range of wrecks, divers can learn about history as well as marine biodiversity.
Location: Northern Red Sea, near Hurghada
Timings: Accessible via full-day boat trips
7. Fury Shoals
Photo: ARTHUR HOW WONG / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Expanded with an even wider range of possible dive sites for every level, Fury Shoals in the southern Red Sea is one of the largest reef systems in the world. Its highlights include Shaab Claudio, which features swim-throughs and caverns bedecked with soft corals, and Sataya Reef, nicknamed Dolphin House for the resident pod of spinner dolphins. Fury Shoal is another must-see shoal with beautiful coral gardens and abundant marine life, including rays, turtles and even reef sharks. Located far away, it also guarantees pristine conditions and fewer crowds.
Location: South of Marsa Alam
Timings: Accessible via liveaboard trips
8. St. John’s Reef
Photo: Maël BALLAND / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
St. John’s Reef is an isolated location for scuba diving in Egypt’s far southern Red Sea area. This reef system offers unrivalled biodiversity and some of the most unspoiled coral formations in the region. Habili Ali and Habili Gafaar are showstoppers, vertical walls dressed in soft corals that shelter sharks, groupers and clouds of fish schools. Night dives here are fantastic, showcasing the lively after-dark world of the reef. Because of its remoteness, you can mainly reach St. John’s via liveaboards, which allows for a full-fledged diving experience.
Location: Southern Red Sea, near the Sudanese border
Timings: Accessible via liveaboard trips
9. Brothers Islands
Photo: Karora / Wikimedia Commons
The Brothers Islands, two little islets in the middle of the Red Sea, attract the more experienced diver, someone who is willing to face difficult conditions to see pelagic species. Big Brother includes a lighthouse and two wrecks, Aida and Numidia, the latter encrusted with corals and swarming with marine life. Little Brother is well known for its sheer walls, laden with soft corals, that are frequented by hammerheads, thresher sharks, and manta rays. Strong currents and deep dive profiles make this site suitable for advanced divers.
Location: Central Red Sea, approximately 70 km off the coast of El Quseir
Timings: Accessible via liveaboard trips
10. Sha’ab El Erg
Photo: Johnmartindavies / Wikimedia Commons
Sha’ab El Erg, known more commonly as Dolphin House, is a large horseshoe-shaped reef that attracts a lot of playful spinner dolphins. Near Hurghada, this location features tranquil and shallow waters, ideal for new divers and snorkelers. Besides dolphins, the reef features vibrant coral gardens and rich marine life, from anemonefish and lionfish to octopuses. The reef opens to the south and connects to other dive spots on the west side and Gota Shaab El Erg. The gently sloping terrain and special chance to swim with wild dolphins make it a hit with families and wildlife lovers alike.
Location: 11 km northeast of Hurghada
Timings: 8 AM – 4 PM
If you want to go scuba diving Egypt, experience the magic underneath the sea by diving in the Red Sea, known for its diverse marine life and fantastic dive spots. Explore the Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, and Dahab, giving a chance to enjoy crystal waters and magical ecosystems and wildlife. With world-class facilities amidst the richness of Egyptian diving culture, it is a diverse destination for all levels. Plan your trip with TripXL and enjoy Egypt’s underwater realm.
Cover Photo: 74papa / Wikimedia Commons
