Diving in Egypt has been a top favorite among divers for years, and rightly so. But what's it like today? Magazine.Travel marveled at Egypt's biodiversity in 2022: hard corals, soft corals, and anemones; reef edges and seagrass meadows; the underwater world of the Red Sea is vibrant and diverse. It still is. You just have to know where. Hurghada was once considered an insider tip, but today, southern Egypt is a diving paradise. Large and small reef fish, rays, sea turtles, dolphins, and manatees will enrich your diving vacation there. Snorkelers will also get their money's worth in Egypt. The area around Marsa Alam offers diverse bays and reefs, and even further south, the waters around Wadi el Gemal National Park beckon. Enjoy Egypt and the Red Sea. Be inspired by Magazine.Travel.
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Im reef From your accommodation you can usually snorkel on your own and see numerous colorful reef fish and various discover corals. Private snorkeling is also sometimes possible on the private beaches of some facilities for an entrance fee. Of the Abu Dabbab Beach for example is known for the Observation of sea turtles close to the beach and therefore a nice snorkeling destination.
Snorkeling tours in Egypt
Egypt is a paradise for snorkelers. Here you can to your heart's content Explore coral reefs. Typical snorkeling tours of the Sinai Peninsula go by boat Tiran Island or in the Ras Mohammed National Park. From Hurghada, for example, the Giftun Island and Paradise Island approached. At Marsa Alam, the snorkeling tour is particularly popular Shaab Samadai Reef (Dolphin House) famous. There the dream of Swimming with dolphins come true.
The way food is Observation of manatees is possible at Marsa Alam. With a little luck you can accompany a dugong on the water surface while snorkeling. Typical areas for this are Marsa Mubarak, Marsa Abu Dabbab and Marsa Egla. In Abu Dabbab, for example, Blue Ocean Dive Dugong tours. Furthermore, trips to the Hamata Islands in the national park Wadi El Gemal or tours in Sataya Reef popular.
Joint excursions for divers & snorkelers
Excursions like this are ideal, especially if not all of your fellow travelers are divers. Some of the two-day tours to Sataya Reef In addition to snorkeling, we also offer 1 to 2 dives for an extra charge. So everyone gets their money's worth. Conversely, some liveaboards also take snorkelers on board. Even easier are trips to bays for shore dives, which are also suitable for snorkeling. Dive resorts such as The Oasis offer diving and snorkeling including equipment and transport around Marsa Alam. Even on a day trip to the popular Dolphinhouse you can go on board together.
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Diving in Egypt
Diving in Egypt for beginners
Slowly sloping beaches and reef edges are perfect for your first diving course. Here you can discover beautiful coral reefs and Watch sea turtles. Egypt also has several shipwrecks to offer that are even suitable for newly qualified open water divers. The wreck of the Sarah near Sha`ab Ali at a depth of just 3 to 15 meters, the wreck of the Hatour near Safaga at 9 to 15 meters and the shipwreck Hamada near Abu Ghusun at 16 meters of seabed are waiting for you.
Diving in Egypt for advanced divers
Offer in the area of the Sinai Peninsula Sharm El Sheikh, Ras Mohammed and the Strait at Tiran interesting diving areas. On the east coast of Egypt there is at Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Shams Alam There's plenty to discover for beginners and pros alike. Shaab Abu Nugar, for example, offers several cleaning stations. Dolphinhouse, Sataya Reef, and Shaab Marsa Alam offer opportunities to encounter dolphins.
Im Shaab Samadai Reef (Dolphin House) There is also a small cave system to discover in a coral block. At Marsa Mubarak, Marsa Abu Dabbab or Marsa Egla, if you are lucky, you can watch a dugong feeding. A night dive in the reef promises new impressions. Advanced Open Water Divers can explore the colorful coral world in the house reef independently with their buddy. Of course, there are also numerous shipwrecks in the Red Sea for advanced divers. The Thistlegorm at Sha`ab Ali lies at a depth of 16 to 31 meters and offers cars and motorcycles as an interesting cargo.
Diving in Egypt for experienced people
Elphinstone, A 600 meter long reef that drops several hundred meters into the depth promises wonderful corals and the chance to see sharks such as oceanic whitetip sharks (Longimanus). Elphinstone can be reached by boat. From Dive Resort The Oasis it is only about 30 minutes away and is approached by zodiac. That Daedalus Reef and the Brother Islands are only accessible by diving safari. They offer good opportunities for diving with sharks. Typical representatives there are hammerhead sharks and whitetip reef sharks. Eagle rays, manta rays and barracudas can also be seen. Due to the current conditions, all three diving areas are only open to Advanced Open Water Divers with around 50 logged dives.
Diving in Egypt for TEC divers
Egypt has a notorious dive site that magically attracts diving professionals: The Blue Hole. It is located on the east coast of the Sinai Peninsula near Dahab. A collapsed karst cave forms a hole in the reef top about 50 meters in diameter. The entrance is right on the coast. The target for TEC divers is a rock arch at a depth of around 55 meters. It connects the Blue Hole with the open sea via a 25 meter long exit. As the most dangerous diving spot in the world, this place has gained notoriety. It is the combination of wall diving in deep blue, cave diving and great depth. According to estimates, 300 people have already lost their lives in the deep intoxication. Be aware of the danger and your limits.
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Magazine.Travel dived Egypt in 2022 with The Oasis Diving Center:
The PADI and SSI certified diving school des Dive Resorts The Oasis is located on Egypt's Red Sea between Marsa Alam and Abu Dabbab. The dive center offers shore dives, boat dives, and diving on its own house reef. Beginners can enjoy their first dives among sea turtles and in colorful coral reefs while completing their diving certification (OWD).
The Nitrox course is particularly popular with advanced divers, because, as with all Werner Lau diving bases Nitrox is free with a valid license. You should also not miss the day trip to the popular Dolphinhouse. Pros look forward to Elphinstone. This challenging dive site with good chances of big fish is only about 30 minutes by zodiac from the dive resort. The Oasis offers a feel-good environment, good equipment, well-trained diving instructors and lots of diving fun.
Snorkeling and diving experiences in Egypt
A special experience!
Coral reefs, colorful fish, sea turtles, dolphins and manatees. Egypt is one of the most popular diving destinations in the world and rightly so.
How much does snorkeling and diving cost in Egypt?
Snorkeling tours are available from 25 euros and guided dives from 25 to 40 euros. Be aware of possible changes and clarify the current conditions personally with your provider in advance. Prices as a guide. Price increases and special offers possible. As of 2022.
Excursion Dolphin House
Dolphin House (Shaab Samadai Reef)
This is probably Egypt's most popular snorkeling tour. The chance to swim with dolphins costs roughly between 40 and 100 euros per person, depending on the provider. It's important to consider group size, reviews of the provider, and respectful treatment of the animals. Magazine.Travel was the first to be featured in 2022. the oasis on a combined diving and snorkeling tour in the Shaab Samadai Reef and very satisfied. The all-day trip including lunch and entry costs around 70 euros for snorkelers. For divers, the price with 2 dives and an additional snorkeling option during the lunch break was around 125 euros. As of 2022. Please note possible changes. You can find current prices here.
Dugong Snorkel Tour
Manatee Tours (Dugong Tour)
Seeing a dugong is one of the most exciting activities in Egypt. These animals are rare, so luck is also a factor. In Abu Dabbab and Marsa Mubarak, snorkeling tours by zodiac are offered specifically to search for dugongs. Prices range from 35 to 65 euros. Magazine.Travel was the first to be featured in 2022. Blue Ocean Dive near Abu Dabbab looking for Dugong and could look forward to a great sighting. The price was $40 per snorkeler for 2 hours. Please note possible changes. You can find current prices here.
Diving without a guide
Unaccompanied diving in Egypt
Two dive buddies with an Advanced Open Water Diver license can dive in Egypt without a guide. Especially if your accommodation has a beautiful house reef, this is a cheap and independent way to explore the underwater world. For house reef packages with scuba tanks and weights for several days, prices of less than 15 euros per dive and diver are possible. As of 2023. Please note possible changes.
Shore dives with guide
Guided shore dives
Many dives in Egypt are shore dives. You will be transported to the starting point, put on your equipment and go straight into the sea from the beach with diving equipment. The Diving Center of The Oasis Dive Resort at Marsa Alam, for example, offers a diving package with 230 guided shore dives (+ 6 house reef dives without a guide) including tank and weights as well as transport and diving guide for around 3 euros. Depending on the dive site, entrance fees may apply. If you don't have your own equipment, you can rent it for an extra charge of around 35 euros per day. As of 2023. Please note possible changes. You can find current prices here.
Boat dives with guide
Guided boat dives
A boat tour is worthwhile for diving areas such as Elphinstone or Dolphinhouse. At some dive sites there is also the possibility to be taken away from the beach by zodiac and then to return by distance dive. Depending on the provider, route, diving area, number of dives and duration of the tour, the boat fee (in addition to the diving fee) is around 20 to 70 euros. As of 2022. Please note possible changes.
Snorkel Ship and Liveaboard
Multi-day tours for snorkelers and divers
For snorkelers, a two-day boat tour to Sataya Reef is ideal for experiencing the underwater beauty of southern Egypt. Some operators also offer diving on such overnight tours. Prices range from around €120-180. A one-week diving safari in Egypt's Red Sea costs between €700 and €1400 per person. Visits include well-known dive sites such as Elphinstone, Daedalus Reef, and Fury Shoals. As of 2022. Please note possible changes.
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Diving conditions in Egypt
What is the water temperature in Egypt?
In summer, the water is very warm, reaching up to 30°C, and 3mm of neoprene is more than sufficient for diving in the Red Sea. In winter, the water temperature drops to around 20°C. 7mm wetsuits are recommended for diving then, and a neoprene hood and undersuit increase your comfort. Diving in Egypt is possible year-round.
What is the usual underwater visibility?
Overall, visibility in Egypt is very good. 15-20 meter visibility in the reef is common. Depending on the weather and diving area, visibility of up to 40 meters and more is possible. If the bottom is sandy, visibility may be reduced due to turbulence.
Are there any dangers in the water?
As you step onto the seabed, keep an eye out for stingrays, stonefish and sea urchins. The lionfish is also poisonous. Its venom is not deadly, but extremely painful. Contact with fire corals can also cause severe burning and allergic reactions. Since you, as a responsible underwater guest, do not touch any living beings, you have nothing to fear. Depending on the diving area, for example at Elphinstone, you should definitely pay attention to currents.
Fear of sharks - is the concern justified?
The "Global Shark Attack File" lists a total of 1828 shark attacks in Egypt since 24. Several incidents were recorded in Sharm el Sheikh between 2007 and 2010. After that it was quiet for a long time. However, in 2022 two women were fatally injured while swimming in Hurghada by an oceanic whitetip shark and in June 2023 a tiger shark killed a young man.
Statistically, shark attacks are very rare. However, the country should urgently take care to protect the waters from waste and animal carcasses so as not to actively feed sharks. Overall, encounters between sharks and divers in Egypt are relatively rare and there is usually more cause for celebration than worry if you do see one of these majestic creatures.
The underwater world of the Red Sea
Egypt is known for its colorful coral reefs made up of hard and soft corals. Numerous reef fish cavort there and larger fish species such as parrotfish, triggerfish, puffer fish, boxfish and lionfish can also be observed regularly. Cute anemone fish, unusual blue spotted rays and impressive large-mouthed mackerel inspire amateur photographers. You can also discover pipefish, shrimp, snails like the Spanish dancer, moray eels or an octopus. In the right places you have the best chance of seeing sea turtles and dolphins. You need much more luck to spot a dugong or seahorse. Sharks are mainly found in diving areas with strong currents for experienced divers, otherwise sharks are rarely seen when diving in Egypt.
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Egypt is located in the northeast of Africa, only the Sinai Peninsula is on the Asian continent. Northern Egypt has access to the Mediterranean Sea. Eastern Egypt borders the Red Sea. Typical diving areas on the Red Sea are Hurghada, Safaga, Abu Dabbab, Marsa Alam and Shams Alam on the east coast and Sharm El Sheikh near Sinai. The official language is Arabic.
For your travel planning
How is the weather in Egypt?
The climate in Egypt is hot and dry, with significantly cooler nights. The coast is more temperate than the interior. On the Red Sea, summer (May to September) brings daytime temperatures of around 35°C. The winter (November to February) remains rather mild with 10 to 20°C. Little rain, lots of sun and the wind blows all year round by the sea.
How to reach Egypt?
There are very good air connections to Egypt, especially via the large international airport in the capital, Cairo. You can also fly to Marsa Alam for a diving holiday. Entry by land is unusual, but possible at the Taba / Eilat border crossing from Israel. Here, however, you only get a 14-day visa for the Sinai Peninsula (as of 2022). You could also enter by ferry. There are regular ferries between Nuweiba in Egypt and Aquaba in Jordan. Less frequently, there is also a ferry between Aswan in Egypt and Wadi Halfa in Sudan. The diving areas Hurghada and Sharm el Sheikh are also temporarily connected by ferry traffic. There are good bus connections between Cairo and Marsa Alam.
The best diving spots in Egypt are: 🌊 Ras Mohammed (near Sharm El Sheikh) – spectacular reefs & fish diversity 🦈 Brothers Islands – for experienced divers, hammerhead sharks & wrecks ???? Elphinstone Reef (near Marsa Alam) – legendary for sharks & steep walls ???? Dahab – Blue Hole – deep, mystical diving hole ⚓ Thistlegorm wreck – one of the most famous wreck dives in the world → Sharm El Sheikh & Marsa Alam are ideal starting points for diving safaris.
Is Egypt good for diving?
Yes, Egypt is one of the best diving destinations in the world. The Red Sea impresses with crystal-clear water, colorful coral reefs, wrecks like the legendary Thistlegorm and a fascinating underwater world – from turtles and colorful schools of fish to dolphins and manatees. Whether beginner or professional: Egypt offers perfect conditions for all divers.
When is the best time to dive in Egypt?
Diving in Egypt is possible all year round. The best time depends on your preferences: Summer (June–September) you can expect water temperatures of up to 30 ° C, ideal for relaxed diving in swimwear. In Winter (December–February) the water is around 20 ° C fresher, but the visibility is excellent and the dive sites are less crowded. We were even in January there and it is an unforgettable experience under water!
Is it possible to dive in Egypt without a diving license?
Yes, in Egypt you can dive without a diving license – for example with a Introductory dive with instructorHowever, for deeper or independent diving, a diving license is required.
This editorial contribution received external support
Disclosure: Magazine.Travel received discounted or free services from The Oasis Diving Center and Blue Ocean Dive Center as part of this report. The content of this article remains unaffected. The press code applies.
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Text and photos are protected by copyright. The copyright of this article in word and image is held entirely by Magazine.Travel. All rights reserved. Content can be licensed for print/online media upon request.
Liability
Magazine.Travel identified Egypt as a special diving destination and therefore featured it in the travel magazine. Should this not correspond to your personal experience, we assume no liability. The content of this article has been carefully researched and is based on personal experience. We assume no liability for any misleading or inaccurate information. Furthermore, circumstances may change. Magazine.Travel does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information.
Source for: Snorkeling and Diving in Egypt
Source reference for text research
Information on site, as well as personal experiences snorkeling & diving in Egypt on the Red Sea around Marsa Alam in January 2022.
Shark Attack Data (n.d.), All shark attacks in Egypt. [online] Retrieved on April 24.04.2022, 17.09.2023, from URL: sharkattackdata.com/place/egypt // Update September XNUMX, XNUMX: Source unfortunately no longer available.
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Snorkeling in Egypt on your own
Snorkeling in Egypt on your own
Dolphin House (Shaab Samadai Reef)
Dolphin House (Shaab Samadai Reef)
What is the water temperature in Egypt? 
What is the usual underwater visibility?
The underwater world of the Red Sea
How is the weather in Egypt?
How is the weather in Egypt?
How to reach Egypt?