The best spots for scuba diving in Egypt!

Ashraf Fares • January 29, 2023

Egypt has lots of sea access, making scuba diving a delight if you can find the right spots. With that in mind, there are many different places where you can go scuba diving in Egypt, some of which are better than others. That is why it is a perfect idea to check out some of the top scuba diving spots worldwide. That said, here you have a list of the top places where you can enjoy diving in Egypt in all its glory. It’s a great idea to check them out if you are passionate about scuba diving in Egypt and want lots of fun.

Ras Mohamed Nature Reserve

This reserve is a great place that you can find between the gulfs of Aqaba and Suez. The reserve itself has a stunning location, and that’s the main reason why a lot of people love this location in the first place. The gulfs have water with different salinity, and the advantage here is that you can explore and have fun at your own pace. There’s a great sense of fun and excitement to be had here, and the quality of this location is among some of the best.

You can also add to that the fact that there are different fish and reefs to see here. The area is downright beautiful, and it’s also the reason why you want to visit it. The reserve has been declared to be a protected area since 1983. So if this is a protected area, why is this available for scuba diving in Egypt? The reason is simple: you can only dive in specific locations and can’t dive after sunset. Everyone has to leave before sunset. The Yolanda and Shark reefs are the best options, especially if you want to see hammerheads, tuna fish, and other great types of fish.

Red Sea Anemonefish

Safaga

You can find Safaga around 70km south of Hurghada. What makes it great is that it has a lot of corals, and it can be great if you want to do some wall dives. You will like the wreck of the Salam Ferry that you can explore and check out without a problem. Ras Abu Soma is the best place where you can go diving in Egypt here, and it’s a lot of fun. You can see plenty of corals, fish, and a variety of other different things. Makadi Bay is another great option since it’s 30 KM to the North. It’s easy to access, and the main advantage is that you can fully explore it and enjoy the experience at your own pace. Safaga is one of the top spots to explore if you enjoy diving in Egypt. You will have a lot of fun trying it and seeing all the incredible places here.

El Gouna

Another excellent place for scuba diving in Egypt is El Gouna. Many consider it the paradise of Egyptian waters because it gives you a way to experience the serenity and downright luxury in the region. The resort itself is very close to Hurghada city, in the North. Unlike many other diving Egypt spots, this one is a famous private resort.

You can find chalets for renting, private villas, boutique hotels, and so on. Why do people come here? The location itself is known for its quietness and incredible style. People also love this place because it delivers a sense of peacefulness, unlike many others. There are many wrecks in the region, like Giannis D, Carnatic, or Chisola K. You can find these near Sha’ab Any Nuhas, all of which are extremely popular among shipwreck enthusiasts. But that’s not all. You can find a lot of local fish and plenty of other things too. That’s what makes it such a great option and an item you need to consider.

Sharm El Sheikh

It’s a prevalent destination in Egypt, especially among all the scuba divers. Many people love exploring Sharm El Sheikh because it’s an amazing place to dive, relax and unwind. On top of that, it’s great for many diving levels, which is always a major plus.

You can go on a boat trip with various professional divers, and everyone is welcome, whether you are a newcomer or an expert. There are many fish types here, and the reefs are spectacular. So if you want some diving Egypt experiences, this is one of the top places to check out. Extremely interesting and creative, not to mention innovative too. You can even visit the SS Thistlegorm near the Ras Mohamed Nature Reserve, so it’s a plus if you go here and want to enjoy a fun and creative diving experience. It’s something that you do not want to miss, so use that to your advantage.

Marsa Alam

For many people, Marsa Alam is the best place to go scuba diving in Egypt. It’s a lot of fun, and you are close to Port Ghalib. Plenty of spots, like the Satayeh Dolphin Reef, are well worth exploring at your own pace. You will love the exceptional location and incredible attention to detail that you can see here. And on top of that, many people like it because it’s so unique and engaging. You will appreciate that you have the Hamata National Park nearby too.

Then they also have a place like the Marsa Abu Dabab where you can see the dugong population. This spot is one of the few places in the region where you actively see those animals. So for that alone, it’s worth exploring the location and visiting it the way you want. That alone makes it relaxed and very enjoyable at the same time. You can see hammerheads and sharks in Marsa Alam too, so it’s an unforgettable experience for all divers. It just makes the experience fun and very engaging as well.

Hurghada

Hurghada is one of the most famous destinations in Egypt for various reasons. It has terrific nightlife, diving spots, corals, fabulous beaches, and everything. It was a fishing village during the 80s, but tourism happened, and now it’s one of the top scuba diving Egypt locations. It’s cool to visit this place, and there are many amazing things to explore. The coolness factor is unlike anything else, and you will be amazed by the quality and uniqueness of the experience. That alone truly makes it stand out of the crowd.

The corals at the bed of the Red Sea are gorgeous, and the marine life is vibrant too. It makes Hurghada a great location for anyone that loves marine life and wants to start diving in Egypt at their own pace. The Giftun Islands, in particular, are a great diving spot, and it’s one of those places that everyone loves and enjoys checking out, which is why you have to try it for yourself.

Dahab

We can’t talk about scuba diving in Egypt without mentioning Dahab. It’s one of the top diving places in Egypt, with a blue hole and three poles. The community here is very welcoming, the beaches are cool, and you will also like the numerous regional diving places. We can tell from the start this is a sight to behold, and you will be incredibly impressed with the style, visuals, and location as a whole. It stands out unlike any other place, and you will appreciate its uniqueness and unique features. That alone makes it well worth visiting.

Another advantage is that the Canyon and Blue Hole are great diving spots where you can explore the water in all its glory and have tons of fun. The location also has bars, restaurants near the beach, and anything in between that you may need. You can go from Sharm El Sheikh to Dahab, and it will be a lot of fun. That’s why we think it’s a cool location to explore and certainly one of those places you do not want to miss. It’s impressive and well worth visiting, for sure.

Straits of Tiran

The prominent place where you can go diving in Egypt is the Jackson Reef, and many people love it because you have crystal-clear water. That means you can see everything without a problem. It doesn’t have any vision-related issues, which is incredible. On top of that, you will also see the fire coral that brightens up the water.

Whether you are a newcomer or an expert in diving in Egypt, you can see a lot of stuff here. Reef sharks are in the region too, and you will also find much other marine life. It’s a cool place for anyone who likes scuba diving in Egypt, but you must be careful with the sharks if you venture too far from the shore. Nevertheless, it’s still a lot of fun to explore and worth your time.

El Quseir

This one is an ancient town that has been documented to be over 5000 years old. Aside from the historical significance, this is also a good diving site. You will like the vibrant reefs that are not spoilt, which is rare for a region like this. Not only that, but you will also see a lot of great underwater locations that will impress with their style and marine life. This place is worth visiting, especially if you want something unique and different from the many other diving spots you can find in this region.

The Deep South

What’s great about the Deep South diving Egypt spots is that they are primarily unspoiled, which alone can be extremely interesting. There are some great places here, like Rocky Island, Zabargad, or St John’s, that are widely known for their fantastic appeal and the fact that you can access them with ease. Granted, this is more of a remote location, but it does stand out with its amazing style and the fact that you can do drift dives.

These are rare in other regions. Combine that with the underwater reefs and the fact that you can see a lot of amazing marine life, and you can see why this is one of the better diving Egypt spots you can find. It’s certainly a lot of fun to explore underwater life, and you will surely enjoy the process quite a bit. That’s what makes it so exciting and creative at the same time.

Alexandria

Alexandria is also a great scuba diving Egypt spot, especially if you are interested in history. You can find ancient ruins, not to mention great fish life and bright corals. Go to Omu Sukan in particular. In addition, you will be able to find eagle rays, white-tip reef sharks, triggerfish, and many others. It’s a cool place to explore, with lots of fun things to uncover.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is plenty of scuba diving Egypt spots that you can check out now. You can have a lot of fun, and the experience will always be exciting and creative. Of course, there’s some trial and error as you narrow down the best diving Egypt spot based on your preferences. Yet there are plenty of sites to choose from, so you have to pick the one that fits your needs. Rest assured that all of them are great if you want some fantastic scuba diving experiences in Egypt!

Ashraf Fares — Founder of Pyramids Land Tours
Written by

Ashraf Fares

Founder & Lead Egyptologist Guide,

Ashraf has led private tours through Egypt's archaeological sites for over 25 years. Based in Cairo, he works with licensed Egyptologist guides to create itineraries that connect travelers directly with 5,000 years of history — from the Pyramids of Giza to the tombs of the Valley of the Kings. Every article on this blog draws on firsthand knowledge of the sites, the history, and the practical realities of traveling Egypt.

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