When to dive in Egypt?

Egypt has one of the most developed diving offers in the Red Sea. Its destinations stretch from the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula to the reefs near the Sudanese border. Sharm el-Cheikh, Dahab, Hurghada, Safaga, and Marsa Alam are the main diving bases.

This length of coastline allows for a wide variety of experiences: shore dives in Dahab or Marsa Alam, boat dives around Sharm el-Cheikh and Hurghada, wrecks in the north of the Red Sea, or liveaboard cruises to oceanic reefs like Brothers and Daedalus.

Diving is possible all year round, but the choice of area remains essential. Water temperature, exposure to wind, currents, and the presence of certain species are not the same in different areas of the country.

Climate and Seasons

The Egyptian Red Sea coast enjoys a desert climate, hot and very dry, with very little rainfall.

Winter offers pleasant outdoor temperatures, while July and August can become stifling.

Underwater, the differences are less pronounced but still noticeable. Around Sharm el-Cheikh, the Strait of Tiran, and Hurghada, the water temperature usually ranges from 21 to 22°C during the cooler months and approaches 27 to 28°C in the summer. Further south and on some offshore reefs, it can reach 29 to 30°C during the hottest periods.

February is usually one of the months with the coolest water, while August and September correspond to the highest temperatures.

For many divers, spring and then September to November offer a good compromise between water temperature and surface comfort. This does not mean that it is always the best season. Each season has its advantages and allows for diving throughout the year in Egypt.

Diving Conditions

Visibility is one of the major advantages of diving in Egypt. It often ranges from 20 to 40 meters and can exceed these values when conditions are favorable.

Currents are more dependent on the site than on the season. Many bays, coastal reefs, and coral gardens allow for accessible dives at different levels.

On the other hand, some sites in Ras Mohammed and the Strait of Tiran, as well as the large offshore reefs like Elphinstone, Brothers, and Daedalus, can present moderate to strong currents.

This diversity allows for Egypt to be considered for both a first-time experience in the Red Sea and for more technical, deep, or exposed dives.

Marine Life and Fauna

The Egyptian reefs are home to a particularly rich coral fauna all year round: butterflyfish, angelfish, clownfish, moray eels, napoleons, barracudas, carangues, rays, and turtles are some of the possible encounters depending on the region.

In the south, the seagrass beds of some bays around Marsa Alam offer a very different environment from the oceanic drop-offs. Abu Dabbab is particularly famous for its large green turtles and the possibility of observing dugongs in the shallow seagrass beds. Their presence is well established, but their observation remains random.

Dolphins can also be encountered in several sectors of the south, particularly around Marsa Alam, Fury Shoals, and Sataya.

At Ras Mohammed, summer brings a particularly spectacular phenomenon. Shark & Yolanda Reef is known for its large gatherings of trevally, platax, barracudas, and other fish, with a particularly remarkable peak in July and August, the famous "fish soup".

Sharks

The offshore reefs of central and southern Egypt are among the most famous sites in the country for shark encounters.

Depending on the sites, it is possible to encounter:

• hammerhead sharks;

• whale sharks;

• reef sharks;

• thresher sharks.

However, it is essential to avoid searching for a single shark season in Egypt.

At the national scale, the period from June to September is often considered favorable for hammerhead shark encounters. Daedalus is one of the most famous reefs for this species, but observations can vary from year to year, depending on water temperature and oceanic conditions.

For whale sharks, the seasonality varies more depending on the sites. Elphinstone is particularly famous for autumn observations, particularly from September to November. On Brothers, Daedalus, or some more southerly itineraries, the observation periods can be wider and different.

Therefore, it is recommended to consult specialized guides for each zone and reef rather than relying on a single calendar for the entire country.

Where to Dive in the Red Sea in Egypt?

The different regions of the Egyptian coast offer experiences that are distinct enough that the choice of area counts almost as much as the choice of season.

Sharm el-Cheikh and Ras Mohammed

At the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Sharm el-Cheikh provides access to local reefs, Ras Mohammed National Park, and the Strait of Tiran.

The region is particularly famous for its drop-offs, drift dives, and large fish gatherings in Ras Mohammed. It also allows access to the SS Thistlegorm, one of the most famous wrecks in the Red Sea.

Dahab Consult our Dahab page

Dahab has a completely different identity, with a large part of the dives organized directly from the shore.

Blue Hole, Canyon, Lighthouse, and Eel Garden allow for dives that range from accessible to much deeper or more technical profiles. The destination also attracts freedivers and technical divers.

Hurghada and El Gouna

Hurghada is one of the main diving bases on the Egyptian coast, with a large number of accessible reefs during day trips by boat.

Coral gardens, relatively accessible reefs, and proximity to tourist infrastructure make it a region suitable for many types of divers. Further north, El Gouna also allows access to some areas of the Strait of Gubal and several wrecks.

Safaga and Soma Bay

South of Hurghada, Safaga and Soma Bay offer a combination of coral gardens, shallow reefs, drop-offs, and wrecks.

The region maintains a relatively simple logistics from the shore while providing access to more distant and sometimes more exposed sites. It thus constitutes an interesting transition between the large northern stations and the more southerly regions.

Marsa Alam and Port Ghalib

Further south, Marsa Alam combines protected bays, seagrass beds, coastal reefs, and much more challenging dives.

Abu Dabbab is particularly famous for its turtles and the possibility of observing dugongs, while Elphinstone offers deep drop-offs, stronger currents, and possible encounters with several shark species.

Marsa Alam and Port Ghalib also serve as departure points for various liveaboard cruises to offshore reefs and the southern Red Sea.

Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone

The famous BDE : Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone regroup three major sites of Egyptian liveaboards.

Brothers and Daedalus are isolated reefs accessible by liveaboard, with deep drop-offs, currents, and encounters with large pelagic species. Elphinstone is much closer to the shore and can be dived by liveaboard or during day trips from the Marsa Alam region.

These dives are generally more challenging than coastal reefs and are aimed at more experienced divers and those comfortable with currents.

Hamata, Fury Shoals, and the Deep South

South of Marsa Alam, the infrastructure becomes progressively less numerous, and the diving areas more isolated.

Hamata and Wadi Lahami provide access to the Fury Shoals, a vast ensemble of reefs, pinnacles, and coral lagoons.

Further south, liveaboard itineraries reach St John’s, Rocky Island, and Zabargad. At this point, one enters a wilder Red Sea, more focused on liveaboards, isolated reefs, and that thrilling feeling of being on an expedition.

FAQ

What is the best time to dive in Egypt?

The best time is obviously when you go! Period. Because as long as you're not there, it's always less good.

More seriously, there is no ideal time for all divers. Spring and autumn usually offer a very good compromise between water temperature and surface comfort. Summer brings the warmest water and can be particularly interesting for some large pelagic species, while winter allows for much milder temperatures on land.

The best month depends mainly on the region and what you want to see.

Where to dive in Egypt to see sharks?

Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone are among the most famous Egyptian reefs for shark encounters.

However, the choice of site must be associated with the season and the species sought: hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, or thresher sharks do not have the same periods or preferred zones.

North or South Egypt: which to choose for diving?

The north offers Sharm el-Cheikh, Dahab, Ras Mohammed, Tiran, and many wrecks. It allows for a combination of reefs, drop-offs, and historical dives.

The south, around Marsa Alam and then Hamata, offers more opportunities for less urbanized areas, large offshore reefs, liveaboards, and some pelagic encounters.

However, there is no real frontier between "easy diving in the north" and "difficult diving in the south": the required level depends mainly on the chosen site.

Where to dive in Egypt for beginners?

Hurghada, Sharm el-Cheikh, Dahab, Safaga, and Marsa Alam all have sites suitable for beginner divers. The best solution is still to ask the center you are going to. They will have the best expertise and be able to advise you based on your level and preferences.

Should you choose a land-based stay or a liveaboard dive in Egypt?

These are two quite different ways to discover the Red Sea, and the choice depends mainly on the sites you want to explore and how you like to dive.

A land-based stay allows for more flexibility in the diving schedule and the possibility of combining diving with land-based exploration. However, in Egypt, a land-based stay can also mean an intense diving schedule!

A liveaboard offers a more immersive diving experience, with an organization centered around the boat and access to isolated reefs like Brothers, Daedalus, or some Deep South itineraries, which are difficult or impossible to reach from the shore.

There is no real better choice: it all depends on the sought-after sites, the desired pace, and the type of support that suits you. And then the simplest solution remains to try one on the first trip... and come back to try the other on the next one!