Diving and snorkelling in Egypt

The Egyptian Red Sea is one of the world’s great diving destinations: warm, clear water, coral reefs that start metres from the shore, and famous wrecks. Most reefs suit beginners and snorkellers, while the offshore sites draw experienced divers looking for sharks and strong currents.

Where to dive

• Sharm El Sheikh: day boats reach Ras Mohammed National Park, known for its walls and big schools of fish, and the four reefs in the Straits of Tiran, including Jackson Reef. The wreck of the SS Thistlegorm, a British supply ship sunk in 1941 and still loaded with motorbikes and trucks, is a long day trip or a liveaboard stop.
• Dahab: relaxed shore diving. The Blue Hole is beautiful along its rim, but its arch lies at around 55 metres, beyond recreational limits. Many divers have died there, so stay within your training.
• Hurghada and El Gouna: easy reefs around Giftun island, and the wrecks of Abu Nuhas to the north.
• Safaga: quieter reefs and the wreck of the Salem Express, a ferry disaster site to be dived with respect.
• Marsa Alam: Elphinstone Reef, with a chance of oceanic whitetip sharks in autumn, and Abu Dabbab bay, where green turtles graze the seagrass and dugongs are occasionally seen.
• Liveaboards: the offshore Brothers, Daedalus and St John’s reefs are reached on week-long boat trips. Expect currents, deep walls and sharks; operators usually require an advanced certificate and a minimum number of logged dives.

Snorkelling

You do not need to dive to see the reef. Many resort hotels in Sharm, Dahab and Marsa Alam have house reefs reached from a jetty, and day boats to Ras Mohammed, Tiran and Giftun carry snorkellers too. Wear a rash vest and reef-safe sunscreen.

When to go

You can dive all year. Water is coolest from January to March, around 20 to 23°C, when a 5 or 7 mm wetsuit is needed and winds can be strong. It warms through spring and peaks at about 28 to 30°C in August and September. Spring and autumn offer the best balance of water temperature, milder air and fewer crowds.

Certification and dive centres

Beginners can start with a try dive or an entry-level open-water course; certified divers should bring their card and logbook. Choose a centre affiliated to an international training agency such as PADI or SSI, look at the state of its boats and equipment, ask about group sizes, and check it carries oxygen and first aid on board. Make sure your travel insurance covers diving, or take specialist cover, for example from DAN Europe.

Marine-park rules

Ras Mohammed, Tiran and much of the coast are protected. A park fee is charged per person on boat trips and is usually collected by your dive centre, so ask for the current amount. Do not touch, stand on or take coral or shells, do not feed fish, and keep your fins off the reef. Boats should tie up to mooring buoys rather than drop anchor; the conservation group HEPCA maintains many of them.

Safety

Divers Alert Network recommends waiting at least 12 hours before flying after a single no-decompression dive, and at least 18 hours after several dives or several days of diving. Hyperbaric chambers for treating decompression sickness operate in Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and Marsa Alam. Drink plenty of water, respect depth limits and always dive with a buddy.

Last checked October 2026. Marine-park fees and rules change; check with your dive centre. Sources: dive-the-world.com, alertdiver.eu, emperordivers.com, dan.org, divernet.com.