Best Scuba Diving Sites in Egypt for an Unforgettable Adventure

If you’re looking for adventure beneath the waves, Egypt should be at the top of your scuba diving bucket list. With clear waters, vibrant reefs, and marine life that will leave you in awe, the best scuba diving sites in Egypt offer experiences that rival anywhere in the world.

From iconic shipwrecks like the SS Thistlegorm to the mysterious depths of Dahab’s Blue Hole, Egypt’s Red Sea coast is a haven for both novice and experienced divers. Whether you’re after pelagic encounters, coral gardens, or historic wrecks, this guide to the top 10 diving sites in Egypt has something for you.

Why Dive in the Red Sea?

Before we dive into the list, it’s worth highlighting why the diving sites in the Red Sea are so special:

Year-round warm water (22–30°C)
Incredible visibility (up to 40 meters)
Rich coral reefs and diverse marine life
Some of the world’s most famous wrecks
Ideal conditions for both beginners and technical divers

Top 10 Best Scuba Diving Sites in Egypt

Here’s a detailed look at the best scuba diving sites in Egypt, covering North to South—from Dahab to Marsa Alam—with two of my personal favorites included.

1. Blue Hole (Dahab)

My Favorite Dive Site in Egypt

The Blue Hole is not just one of the best scuba diving sites in Egypt, but also one of the most iconic dive spots in the world. This vertical underwater sinkhole offers a thrilling experience for advanced and technical divers alike.

Highlights: Deep vertical drop, “The Arch,” wall diving
Depth: 5m–100+m
Best For: Advanced and technical divers

For me, there’s something serene and spiritual about floating over that deep, dark void. It’s peaceful, surreal, and unforgettable.

2. SS Thistlegorm (Sharm El Sheikh)

Best Wreck Dive in the Red Sea

The SS Thistlegorm is a sunken WWII cargo ship resting at the bottom of the Red Sea, and it tops almost every list of the best scuba diving sites in Egypt.

Highlights: WWII relics, preserved motorbikes, rifles, trucks
Depth: 18m–30m
Best For: Wreck enthusiasts, photographers

Swimming through her holds is like diving through a museum frozen in time—absolutely fascinating.

3. Elphinstone Reef (Marsa Alam)

Shark Encounters and Dramatic Walls

One of the southern Red Sea’s most exhilarating dive sites, Elphinstone Reef is known for oceanic whitetip sharks and even hammerheads.

Highlights: Big pelagics, strong currents, drop-offs
Depth: 5m–70m+
Best For: Experienced divers

For thrill-seekers, Elphinstone is easily one of the top diving sites in Egypt.

4. Ras Mohammed National Park (Sharm El Sheikh)

Best Marine Biodiversity in Egypt

Located at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Ras Mohammed is Egypt’s first marine national park—and home to some of the best scuba diving sites in Egypt like Shark Reef, Yolanda Reef, and Anemone City.

Highlights: Schooling barracuda, colorful corals, reef walls
Depth: 10m–40m
Best For: All levels of divers

It’s a vibrant dive playground teeming with life.

5. Abu Nuhas Wrecks (Near Hurghada)

Egypt’s Underwater Ship Graveyard

Abu Nuhas is a reef notorious for wrecking ships—but it’s a goldmine for wreck divers. Four well-known wrecks lie here: Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K, and Kimon M.

Highlights: Multiple wrecks in one location
Depth: 10m–30m
Best For: Intermediate to advanced divers

You could spend multiple days here and still feel like you’re discovering something new.

6. Brothers Islands (Liveaboard Only)

Remote Diving at Its Wildest

These two islands—Big Brother and Little Brother—are reachable only by liveaboard and are considered among the best scuba diving sites in Egypt for shark sightings.

Highlights: Hammerheads, thresher sharks, steep walls
Depth: 20m–60m+
Best For: Advanced divers, shark lovers

It’s intense, remote, and magical.

7. Daedalus Reef (Liveaboard Only)

Shark Central in the Red Sea

Located far offshore, Daedalus Reef is famed for schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks and pristine coral gardens.

Highlights: Big fish action, rare pelagics, manta rays
Depth: 10m–60m+
Best For: Advanced divers, liveaboard travelers

The early-morning shark dives here are the stuff of legends.

8. The Canyon (Dahab)

Personal Favorite for Unique Topography

Close to the Blue Hole, The Canyon is an exciting underwater crevice with swim-throughs that create a unique and moody atmosphere.

Highlights: Cavern diving, dramatic lighting, lunar landscape
Depth: 20m–35m
Best For: Intermediate to advanced divers

Every time I dive here, I feel like I’m on a different planet.

9. Yolanda Reef (Ras Mohammed)

A Surreal Wreck + Reef Combo

Part of the Ras Mohammed marine park, Yolanda Reef combines lush coral walls with scattered wreckage—including bathroom fixtures from a sunken cargo ship.

Highlights: Coral gardens, quirky wreck remains, strong currents
Depth: 15m–30m
Best For: All levels, especially photographers

It’s beautiful, strange, and totally memorable—one of the best diving sites in Egypt.

10. Marsa Mubarak (Marsa Alam)

Relaxed Diving with Big Animals

If you want something easier but still rewarding, head to Marsa Mubarak. You might meet dugongs (sea cows), green sea turtles, and plenty of colorful reef fish.

Highlights: Dugongs, turtles, seagrass beds
Depth: 5m–18m
Best For: Beginners, snorkelers, macro lovers

It’s proof that you don’t always need depth to have an amazing dive.

Final Thoughts: Why These Are the Best Scuba Diving Sites in Egypt

The best scuba diving sites in Egypt aren’t just photogenic—they’re full of life, color, and adrenaline. Whether you’re wreck diving in the north or exploring pristine reefs in the south, the top 10 diving sites in Egypt offer endless variety and unforgettable underwater moments.

From my personal favorite, the Blue Hole in Dahab, to the haunting ruins of the SS Thistlegorm, Egypt’s diving sites in the Red Sea are unmatched for beauty, history, and biodiversity.

So pack your gear, choose your dive center or liveaboard, and get ready to experience the best diving spots in the Red Sea—one bubble at a time.