Egypt is a great country for diving and sightseeing. It has a depth of culture and history like no other country and underwater wonders to match ! A perfect adventure combines land based or liveaboard diving with the splendours of visiting the Pyramids at Giza and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Nile Cruises are a perfect way to explore the ancient Temples of Luxor and Abu Simbel as well as the magnificent Tombs of the Kings and Queens of ancient Egypt. Most of the Scuba diving activities in Egypt take place near the Red Sea.
Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada’s Northern Red Sea clear blue waters hide some of the Red Sea's biggest surprises, such as stunning reefs and mysterious shipwrecks, the legacy of the maritime trade that has flowed through the region for millennia. Strewn across the Straits of Gubal, gateway to the Suez Canal, the reefs of this region are as rich in history as they are in natural beauty.
This area includes dive sites in Shaab Mahmud and Shaab Ali, the Straits of Gubal and Hurghada, spread across 74km (40 nautical miles) of open sea between the tip of Ras Muhammad and the Egyptian mainland at Hurghada. The sites can be reached form either Sharm El SheSudanikh or Hurghada.The range of coral species is astounding, and while the occasionally rough sea conditions in these open waters can cause some damage to the reefs, most of the coral growth is in excellent condition. The area boasts some extensive reef systems, incorporating branching Acropora, vast fields of cabbage coral, bommies and outcrops of massive species such as Favites and Porites and gently waving dendronephthiid soft corals.
One of the real highlights of diving in this region is the well-preserved, accessible shipwrecks that litter the seabed across the entrance to the Gulf of Suez. At least six major wrecks lie in easy reach of Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada. There are 19th century mail steamers, modern cargo ships and historic spice traders lying on the bottom of this stretch of sea, all waiting to be explored. Sharm el Sheikh and diving in the Red Sea can compare with the best in the world - experience thrills of diving world renowned sites – like the Ras Mohammed Marine Park, Ras um Sid, the mysterious Thistlegorm wreck and Tiran island with its sharks. These sites can also be visited on liveaboard safari boats. Nuweiba, Dahab, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Soma Bay are other popular scuba diving locations in Egypt.
Dahab - From here you can dive along the deepest section of the African rift- the giant crack on the earth's crust near the Red Sea. The mountains on the mainland continue at much the same angle underwater consequently forming a beautiful and enthralling seascape of caves, valleys and canyons. Among the major dive sites that the scuba divers can explore in this region are the Blue Hole and the Canyon.
Marsa Alam Southern Red Sea in Egypt has it all - picture perfect reefs, pinnacles, steep drop-offs, huge pelagics, mysterious caves and coral covered shipwrecks. A scuba divers paradise, Marsa Alam is fast becoming an important name among the international scuba diving community. Marsa Alam is the gateway to the exciting Southern Red Sea and its myriad pristine reefs. Once the sole preserve of liveaboard boats, this area is now accessible directly from the shore. Diving is a combination of shore dives along the 100km of coastal reef, reached by jeep and truck, or boat day trips to the legendary Elphinstone Reef and Sha’ab Samadai, otherwise known as ‘Dolphin House’. This is virgin diving away from the crowds at its very best.
Some of the highlights of the Southern Red Sea include :
The Brothers : It is easy to become overwhelmed by the shark action here and forget to enjoy the islands amazing walls, which are covered in gigantic soft corals. There are two excellent shipwrecks on Big Brother, while shark sightings are guaranteed on Little Brother. Here greys, white tips, silver tips, hammerheads and threshers are all present when conditions are right. Whale Sharks and Manta's are also frequently spotted.
Deadelus : The small, isolated Reef, also known as Abu el-Kizan lies nearly halfway to Saudi Arabia. Its walls are equally as good as the Brothers Islands, carpeted in softcorals, hard corals & enormous sea fans . Some of the hard coral is awesome and and the underwater scenery is just as spectacular as Little Brother. Dived less often and more unspoiled this place is our pick of all the Southern sites. Expect to see schooling Baraccuda, Jacks, Tuna, Rainbow runners, Grey Reef Sharks and Hammerheads. Threshers and Dolphins can also be seen on occasions as can Mantas and Whale Sharks. A large field of beautiful anemones/clownfish, easily ranks with Anemone City at Ras Mohammed.
Elphinstone : Strong currents will take you on one of the most adrenaline charged drifts of your life! along amazing sheer walls covered in soft corals and teaming with fish. The place to get the real buzz is on the North plateau you'll need motorised fins to reach it, but when you do you will find yourself surrounded by white tips, grey reefs or even hammerheads. On the south plateau there is a deep archway at 55m where thresher sharks can often be seen.
Rocky & Zabagard: These Islands lie just a few Km north of Sudan and offer very different dives. At Rocky the walls drop sharply from just a few metres below the surface, tall dangling sea whips sprout from deeper water, while several great caves and overhangs offer a great place to watch the sharks go by. Zabagard is the largest island for miles around and has the most fantastic turquoise lagoon. Underwater on the southern side a sandy slope with a lovely coral tower leads to the drop off where hammerheads and manta rays can sometimes be encountered cruising up and down. There are several wrecks round the island most have yet to be identified.
St Johns Reef : This massive reef system is located furthest south and is the most remote, There are dozens of excellent dives, some on tiny circular reefs which come to just below the surface such as four metre reef! Huge shoals of fish congregate around spectacular vertical underwater gardens full of soft corals. Fusiliers, surgeon fish and unicorn fish often swarm together, in one big feeding frenzy! Turtles are common as are Napoleons and grey reef sharks. Hammerheads and other shark species are possible
Best Time to Travel : Tempered by sea breezes from the gulfs of Suez and Aqaba, temperatures are mild in winter and blazing hot in summer, often reaching 40 degrees or more in June, July and August. Rainfall is minimal and limited to the winter months. Beware of the danger of fierce sunlight and cover up, using a good sunscreen. Water temperatures range from the upper twenties in the summer Apr to Sep to winter lows Oct – Mar as cold as 19 to 20 degrees .You may be comfortable enough in just a swim skin in summer, particularly if you normally dive in cold water. Conversely, in the wintertime, some locals use dry suits!
