Egypt is a diver’s dream, a country where the Red Sea’s crystalline waters hold an abundance of marine life and historic wrecks.

While names like the Blue Hole and Ras Mohammed National Park dominate the popular Sinai diving scene, Egypt’s underwater world extends far beyond the well-trodden sites. Whether you are drawn to vibrant coral gardens, world class shipwrecks, or rare marine encounters, Egypt has something extraordinary to offer beneath the waves.

The Red Sea: A Diver’s Utopia

Egypt’s coastline stretches along the Red Sea, from Sudan in the south to the Sinai Peninsula in the north, creating a diver’s paradise with excellent visibility, warm waters, and a variety of marine ecosystems

The nutrient-rich waters support a huge amount of marine life, from tiny nudibranchs to elusive oceanic whitetip sharks. Thanks to its location, the Red Sea is home to many endemic species found nowhere else in the world, making each dive a unique experience.

The reefs themselves are equally spectacular. Unlike other popular diving destinations, the Red Sea’s corals have been remarkably resilient to climate change, maintaining their vibrant hues and intricate structures. From sheer drop-offs to labyrinthine caves, Egypt offers an astonishing diversity of underwater landscapes

Beyond Sharm El-Sheikh: Discovering Egypt’s Lesser-Known Dive Sites

While Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada are world-famous for their diving opportunities, there are several lesser-known dive sites that offer just as much, if not more, thrill and beauty

• Daedalus Reef (Marsa Alam): Located about 80 km offshore, Daedalus Reef is a remote and exhilarating dive site. It features steep drop-offs and strong currents, making it ideal for experienced divers. The reef is famous for its encounters with schooling hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and even whale sharks. A picturesque lighthouse marks its location, adding to its mystique
• Fury Shoals (Southern Red Sea): This collection of pristine reefs remains largely untouched, with vibrant coral gardens and an abundance of reef sharks, pods of resident dolphins, and turtles. If you’re looking for a dive site that feels like an undiscovered secret, Fury Shoals is the place to be.
• Abu Dabbab (Marsa Alam): A haven for macro photographers and marine life enthusiasts, Abu Dabbab is one of the best places in Egypt to spot the endangered dugong (sea cow) as it grazes on the seagrass beds. The area is also home to large green turtles, guitar sharks, and rays
• The Salem Express (Safaga): This haunting wreck is one of Egypt’s most controversial dive sites. A passenger ferry that sank in 1991, the Salem Express is an emotional and eerie dive, with personal belongings still scattered throughout the wreck. It serves as a solemn reminder of the ocean’s power and the fragility of life.
• Elba Reef (South Egypt): A remote and pristine site located near the Sudanese border, Elba Reef offers untouched coral formations and a rich diversity of marine species. It is a hidden gem for divers seeking adventure off the beaten path

Shipwrecks of the Red Sea: Time Capsules Beneath the Surface

Egypt’s Red Sea is home to some of the world’s most impressive shipwrecks, attracting wreck divers and history enthusiasts alike.

• SS Thistlegorm: One of the most famous wrecks in the world, the Thistlegorm was a British cargo ship sunk by German bombers during World War II. Now, it lies at the bottom of the sea, its cargo of motorcycles, tanks, and rifles frozen in time. Diving here is like stepping into a submerged war museum.
• Rosalie Moller: Often overshadowed by the Thistlegorm, the Rosalie Moller is a fantastic deep wreck dive for advanced divers. This World War 2 coal transport ship rests in near-perfect condition, making it an incredible site for those seeking a dramatic wreck dive.
• The Dunraven: Unlike the other wartime wrecks, the Dunraven was a Victorian-era steamship that sank in the 19th century. Now draped in soft coral, it is a picturesque wreck, perfect for exploring with a flashlight as glassfish and lionfish weave through its skeletal remains
• Abu Nuhas Wrecks: Known as the “Ship Graveyard,” Abu Nuhas is home to multiple wrecks, including the Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K, and Kimon M. These ships, which met their fate on the treacherous reef, now form artificial reefs teeming with marine life. Each wreck offers a unique diving experience, from penetrable hulls to coral-covered remains swarming with fish.

The Liveaboard Experience: The Best Way to Dive Egypt

For those seeking an immersive diving adventure, a Red Sea liveaboard trip is the ultimate way to experience Egypt’s underwater wonders. Liveaboards allow divers to access remote sites like the Brothers Islands, Daedalus Reef, and St. John’s, where encounters with hammerhead sharks, manta rays, and even whale sharks are possible.

Spending several days at sea means divers can experience sunrise dives, night dives, and less crowded dive sites. With the Red Sea’s stable conditions and year-round diving opportunities, there’s never a wrong time to embark on a liveaboard adventure.

Why Egypt Should Be on Every Diver’s Bucket List

Egypt is more than just a diving destination – it’s an underwater adventure filled with diversity, history, and surprises at every turn. Whether you’re navigating coral-encrusted wrecks, encountering rare marine species, or drifting along dramatic drop-offs, the Red Sea delivers unforgettable moments for divers of all levels.

While the well-known sites are certainly worth a visit, the true magic of Egyptian diving lies in its lesser-explored regions. For those willing to venture beyond the crowds, an entirely different underwater world awaits, one filled with hidden reefs, mysterious shipwrecks, and encounters with creatures that will leave you in awe.

For any diver, Egypt isn’t just a trip; it’s an experience that will stay with you long after you surface. And the multi-faceted regions of the Red Sea will encourage you to return to explore more next time.

Maire Brown