Egypt's Red Sea offers some of the world's best diving with over 1,000 fish species, spectacular coral walls, and famous wreck dives including the SS Thistlegorm near Ras Mohammed. PADI courses available for beginners from $350.
Egypt's Red Sea coastline is among the world's premier scuba diving destinations, hosting more than 1,000 fish species, 200 coral species, and some of the most celebrated wreck dives on the planet. The underwater environment stretches along approximately 800 kilometres of coast, with major diving hubs at Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, and Marsa Alam — each offering distinct marine habitats and access to different dive sites.
The most famous dive in Egypt is the SS Thistlegorm, a British World War II cargo wreck sunk in 1941 near Ras Mohammed National Park in the Sinai Peninsula. Lying at depths of 15–30 metres, the wreck is accessible from Sharm el-Sheikh on day trips and contains intact military vehicles, motorcycles, and munitions that form an extraordinary underwater museum. Ras Mohammed National Park itself protects some of the healthiest coral reefs in the northern Red Sea, with sheer walls dropping hundreds of metres alongside schools of barracuda, reef sharks, and eagle rays.
Around Hurghada, Giftun Island's protected waters host vibrant shallow reefs suited to beginners and snorkellers, while the Brothers Islands — a liveaboard journey north of Marsa Alam — deliver pelagic encounters with oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerheads, and manta rays in their seasonal passages. Marsa Alam is home to Marsa Abu Dabbab bay, where dugongs graze on sea grass beds year-round, and Elphinstone Reef, rated among the top dive sites globally for shark encounters.
Beginners can obtain a PADI Open Water certification from accredited dive centres in Sharm el-Sheikh, Hurghada, and Dahab in three to five days for approximately EGP 16,000–22,000. A try-dive experience for complete novices costs around EGP 1,500–2,500 and includes confined water training before a supervised open-water dive. Certified divers can book two-dive day trips from EGP 1,800–4,500 depending on site distance and equipment rental.
Visibility in the northern Red Sea averages 20–30 metres year-round, peaking in October through February when water temperatures drop to around 22°C. A 5mm wetsuit is recommended from November through April; a 3mm suit or shorty suffices in summer when surface water reaches 27–30°C. Dive centres on the Egyptian Red Sea coast are required to hold Egyptian Tourism Authority licences; reputable operators also maintain PADI or BSAC centre affiliations.
Activity facts
- Where
- Red Sea coast, Egypt — Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh, Dahab, Marsa Alam
Highlights
- SS Thistlegorm wreck dive near Ras Mohammed — intact WWII cargo ship at 15–30 m depth with military vehicles and munitions
- Ras Mohammed National Park: sheer coral walls, barracuda schools, and reef sharks in Egypt's best-protected marine reserve
- Elphinstone Reef at Marsa Alam — oceanic whitetip sharks and dramatic vertical wall dives
- Dugong encounters at Marsa Abu Dabbab bay — sea grass flats near Marsa Alam, accessible year-round
- PADI Open Water certification available in 3–5 days from EGP 16,000 at accredited centres across the coast
Tips for visiting
- Book Thistlegorm day trips at least 48 hours in advance from Sharm el-Sheikh — spaces fill quickly in peak season (October–February).
- Bring or rent a 5mm wetsuit for dives between November and April when water temperature drops to 22°C.
- Verify the dive centre holds an Egyptian Tourism Authority licence before booking; PADI or BSAC affiliation is a further quality indicator.
- Liveaboard trips to the Brothers Islands and Daedalus Reef require a minimum of 50 logged dives and an Advanced Open Water certification.
- Morning dives typically offer better visibility and calmer conditions on reef edges; afternoon seas can be choppy in Sharm from April to June.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need prior diving experience to dive the Red Sea?
No prior experience is required for a try-dive at any major hub, which includes a safety briefing and confined water practice before an accompanied shallow reef dive. Certified divers can access all sites appropriate to their certification level.
Is the Red Sea safe for solo travellers diving at night?
Night dives are offered by established centres with guides; solo night diving is not permitted by reputable operators. The guide accompanies all participants throughout the dive, and surface cover is maintained by the boat crew.
What is the best dive site for beginners in Egypt?
Giftun Island near Hurghada and Naama Bay in Sharm el-Sheikh both offer calm, shallow reefs with excellent fish life that are well-suited to first-time divers and those completing try-dive experiences.
Are there dive sites accessible from Dahab?
Dahab is home to the Blue Hole, one of Egypt's most famous but also most dangerous dive sites, suitable only for advanced divers. Nearby Eel Garden and Canyon are safer, exceptionally scenic alternatives for intermediate certified divers.
What documents do I need to bring when diving in Egypt?
Certified divers must present their certification card (physical or digital) and a log book showing recent dives. Try-dive participants need only their passport or national ID. Medical conditions should be disclosed on the dive centre's health form prior to entering the water.