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Diving in Egypt is a bucket-list experience for underwater enthusiasts around the world. From the northern wrecks near Hurghada and the Sinai to the vibrant reefs of the southern Red Sea, Egypt offers an unmatched variety of dive sites. The Red Sea is famous for its clear waters, rich marine life, and world-class dive locations, making it an ideal destination for divers looking to explore coral walls, pinnacles, wrecks, and open water encounters with sharks and manta rays.
Understanding when and where to dive in the Red Sea is crucial for making the most of your trip. Seasonal conditions, water temperature, currents, and visibility all play a role in shaping your underwater adventure. Whether you want to swim with hammerhead sharks at Daedalus Reef or explore the wrecks at Abu Nuhas, knowing the best times and locations ensures a safe and unforgettable experience.
This guide breaks down the seasonality and dive conditions throughout the Red Sea and offers actionable tips for planning your trip. We will also cover practical information about liveaboard trips, popular dive sites, and where to book scuba diving holidays with equipment rental to make your diving in Egypt as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
The Red Sea features a warm and dry climate with low rainfall, making it suitable for diving throughout the year. However, water temperatures, visibility, and currents change with the seasons. Summer months from June through September bring high water temperatures up to 86 °F in southern areas and calm seas in the north, while northern waters may be slightly cooler at 82 °F. Winter brings cooler air and water, especially in the north where temperatures can drop to 70 °F, although southern waters remain in the mid-70s °F range.
Seasonal changes also influence visibility, which ranges from 65 to 100 ft. Spring and fall are considered shoulder seasons, with moderate air and water temperatures and fewer crowds. During these periods, currents are generally manageable, making the Red Sea ideal for drift diving along walls and wrecks. Divers can expect good visibility for photography, coral observation, and pelagic encounters in both northern and southern locations.
Key Points
The Red Sea’s seasonal patterns make it possible to plan trips around personal preferences. Whether you want warm water, strong marine life encounters, or quieter dive sites, understanding climate and seasonal changes is essential for a safe and enjoyable experience for diving in Egypt.
Northern Red Sea dive sites include Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Ras Mohamed, Dahab, and the Tiran Straits. These areas are famous for calm waters, excellent visibility, and diverse marine life. Divers can explore historical wrecks like the SS Thistlegorm and the multiple wrecks at Abu Nuhas, which lie between 65-105 ft and attract schools of barracuda, jacks, and glassfish. Reef walls are abundant with colorful soft and hard corals.
Northern currents are generally moderate, which makes drift dives more predictable and enjoyable. Visibility ranges from 65 to 100 ft, with cooler winter water at around 70°F and summer highs reaching 84°F. These conditions make the north ideal for scuba divers looking for accessible, safe dives with the opportunity to see reef fish, pelagic species, and wrecks without the challenges of strong currents.
Key Points
The best time to dive in the northern Red Sea is March through May and September through November. Summer offers pelagic encounters but warmer temperatures and more crowded sites. Planning around these conditions ensures a productive, safe, and memorable diving in Egypt experience.
Southern Red Sea dive sites include St. John’s Reefs, Fury Shoals, the Brothers, Daedalus Reef, Rocky Island, and Zabargad. These remote locations are exposed to stronger currents, attracting larger pelagic species such as hammerhead sharks, oceanic whitetips, manta rays, and turtles. Coral walls are pristine, with vertical drop-offs, black coral trees, and abundant marine biodiversity.
Water temperatures in the south range from 77-86°F depending on the season. Visibility is excellent but can vary due to currents and upwelling. These conditions make southern sites more challenging, which is why divers need at least 50 logged dives to explore the Brothers, Daedalus, Zabargad, and Rocky Islands safely. Liveaboard trips typically offer 3 to 4 dives per day, ensuring adequate time to see both shallow and deep reefs.
Key Points
The prime time for southern diving is June through September, with summer offering active marine life and vibrant coral. While winter dives are possible, currents can be unpredictable. Understanding these conditions helps divers plan for safe, exciting, and rewarding diving in Egypt adventures.
The Red Sea offers a wide variety of dive sites that cater to different interests and diving experiences. Brothers Islands are 2 prominent sites in the south, famous for vertical walls covered in sponges, gorgonians, and hard corals. Divers often encounter hammerhead sharks, grey reef sharks, silvertips, and thresher sharks, while Big Brother Island also features wrecks like the Numidia.
Daedalus Reef and Elphinstone provide spectacular drift diving with rich marine life, including manta rays, schools of fusiliers, trevallies, and colorful reef fish. Fury Shoals is a vast reef system with swim-throughs, coral gardens, and resident spinner dolphins, while Rocky Island offers strong currents, black coral trees, and opportunities to spot turtles and oceanic whitetips.
The northern wrecks, such as the SS Thistlegorm and Abu Nuhas wrecks, are historically significant and easily accessible, providing dives between 65 and 105 ft. Ras Mohamed and the Straits of Tiran offer nutrient-rich waters attracting pelagics like barracuda and jacks, with occasional encounters with hammerheads. Divers can expect 3 to 4 dives per day, with detailed briefings and support from experienced divemasters.
Currents in the Red Sea vary significantly depending on location and season. Northern sites generally have gentle to moderate currents, ideal for drift diving along walls and wrecks. In the south, currents can be strong, particularly around exposed reefs like Daedalus Reef and Rocky Island. Planning dives with your guide ensures safety and allows you to make the most of current-assisted drift dives.
Visibility in the Red Sea is consistently high, averaging 65 to 100 ft. Northern sites typically provide clearer conditions, while southern reefs can have variable visibility due to upwelling and nutrient-rich waters. Night dives in both regions reveal a different underwater world, with nocturnal fish, shrimps, and coral activity adding unique experiences.
Water temperatures range from 70 to 86°F across the Red Sea. In the north, winter temperatures drop to the low 70s°F, whereas the south remains warmer, often reaching mid-80s°F in summer. Wearing the appropriate exposure suit is essential for comfort, with 3 mm to 5 mm wetsuits suitable for most conditions, and thicker suits recommended for longer dives in cooler months.
Booking a scuba diving holiday in Egypt is simple with the right provider. Dive The World offers comprehensive liveaboard packages, including cabin accommodation, meals, soft drinks, and 3 to 4 dives per day. Their cruises operate throughout the Red Sea, covering northern wrecks, southern marine parks, and deep south reefs like St. John’s Reefs and Fury Shoals.
Dive The World tour operators provide experienced English-speaking divemasters to guide your dives, with a target ratio of 1 divemaster per 8 divers. Equipment rental is available on board, including tanks, weights, and other scuba essentials. Nitrox fills and optional extras like 15-liter tanks and underwater torches are also provided for advanced divers who want to extend their underwater adventure.
Additional services include airport transfers to Hurghada or Marsa Alam, personalized assistance for dietary requirements, and advice on diving conditions and safety protocols. By booking with Dive The World, divers benefit from expert knowledge, well-maintained equipment, and carefully planned expeditions to ensure the best possible diving experience in Egypt.
Diving in Egypt offers an unforgettable mix of coral reefs, wrecks, and big pelagics in the clear waters of the Red Sea. Whether exploring the historical wrecks in the north or swimming alongside hammerhead sharks and manta rays in the south, divers can find a variety of experiences tailored to their skill level and interests. Understanding seasonal conditions and water temperatures helps ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
Timing your visit according to the best conditions enhances your chances of seeing iconic marine life. The north offers calm seas and excellent visibility most of the year, while the south provides vibrant coral gardens, challenging currents, and abundant pelagic encounters during summer months. Visibility, currents, and water temperature vary enough that careful planning is essential for maximizing each dive.
If you are planning a Red Sea adventure, we encourage you to get in touch with us at Dive The World. We can help you select the right liveaboard safari, provide guidance on equipment rental, and ensure you experience the very best that Egypt’s underwater world has to offer. Let’s make your next diving trip in Egypt truly unforgettable.
