Dive in Egypt – Ten of the Best Dive Sites

Egypt is blessed with some of the best diving sites in the world, both in the Mediterranean and on the Red Sea Coast. For those who have always wanted to learn there are dive schools, and for the more experienced diver a wide range of wrecks, reefs and walls to explore. There is a whole world underwater and the colours and variety of marine fish is mesmerising.

The main diving centers are in Sharm el Sheikh, Hurgada, Taba and Alexandria. Visitors can choose from a hotel based holiday or visit sites using a liveaboard facility. Here are ten of the best dive sites in Egypt.

The Brothers Islands

The Brothers Islands, Big Brother and Little Brother, are halfway out in the Red Sea and home to some mesmerising diving. These are best dived in good weather as there is little shelter in this area. The Brothers have excellent wall dives, the wreck of the Aida which sank in 1957, reefs, and one of the best places to see hammerhead sharks in the Red Sea.

The Blue Hole, Dahab

Dahab can be reached from Sharm El Sheikh and the Blue Hole is exactly that. A 200 metre wide and 80 metre deep hole that is entered through a gully to come out alongside reefs and with a plethora of stunning marine fish including turtles and lionfish. There is also a canyon in the area and the famous Eel Garden.

Dunraven

The Dunraven lies 12 nautical miles west of Ras Mohammed and was a ship carrying a cargo of wool that sank in the 1870’s. It lies upside down and is approached through the stern. There are lots of fish here including wrasse, groupers and shoals of glass fish.

Elphinstone

Elphinstone is 6.5 nautical miles from shore and is best reached by a liveaboard boat from Marsa Alam. The rock is 300 metres deep and is covered in coral. With strong currents in the area this is a great place for a drift dive. With pinnacles on the north side of Elphinstone white tip and reef sharks are often seen here. The eastern face is a steep drop off with the western aspect more of a plateau. On the south side the Elphinstone arch contains a rock resembling a sarcophagus.

Thistlegorm

Known as one of the top ten wreck dives in the world, Thistlegorm is in the Northern Red Sea area. It is a British ship and was sunk in 1941 whilst carrying motorbikes, trucks and equipment to allied forces in North Africa. There are strong currents here but the vehicles still within the wreckage are worth seeing.

Carnatic

Located on the northern side of Sha’ab Abu Nuhâs Reef the Carnatic was a steamship that hit the reef in 1869. She stayed like this for two days until breaking in two as the abandon ship order was given. A beautiful wreck with lots of corals and shoals of fish in the area.

Ras Mohammed Marine Park

The Ras Mohammed Marine Park is focused on the magnificent wall dive in this area but there are many other smaller reefs. The strong currents bring in barracuda and jacks as well as other pelagics, and there are beautiful coral formations to see on dives here.

Daedalus Reef

Daedalus Reef is located in the middle of the Red Sea around 52 miles east of Marsa Alam and near a large lighthouse. Huge corals, whale sharks, hammerheads, rays and other beautiful fish can be found in this area. The steep walls are some of the best in the Red Sea.

Cleopatra’s Palace, Alexandria

One of the best Mediterranean dives, the ruins of Cleopatra’s Palace can now be dived off this great Egyptian city. Just offshore the city of Alexandria is a fascinating archaeological dive and one worth experiencing to get a glimpse of the past.

Shark and Yulanda Reef

Located at the tip of Sinai the Shark and Yulanda Reef is a stunning coral wall with a drop off and sholas of barracuda and scorpionfish. Nearby the wreck of the Yulanda is interesting with rows of toilets and bathroom fittings. This is an area where pelagics are often seen so divers are likely to spot tuna, and the odd hammerhead shark.

Egypt is a great place to dive and these are just ten of the best to kick start any holiday planning.