Top Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Egypt

The Canyon is one of the most amazing dive sites from Egypt, it's a crack that has been formed after a earthquake that touched the Gulf of Aqaba. The entrance of the Canyon is at 18 meters and you drop down until 30 meters. It's partially a overhead environment and from there the recreational divers can go through the crack and exit at a depth of 14 meters. Qualified Technical divers have the possibility to make the dive with a technical Instructor down to 52 meters where is another exit. This dive site is 10 minutes from Dahab in direction Israel and is located in the Gulf of Aqaba. The city Dahab is located 95 km North from Sharm el Sheikh and is accessible by car or bus.

The majority have died because they attempted to do this dive on a single cylinder of air. Forget it, this is suicide, when you find the arch you will have to swim through a 30 meters long tunnel about, IT does take a few minutes remember!!! Use mixed gas for this dive and you need a proper equipment, torch and a good BCD and don't forget that is a decompression dive. Anyway if you need further information you can mail me and I will tell you everything I know about the "Blue Hole" and Dahab. You can have a visit at my homepage: www.divewaterworld.com -- Tom Steiner The famous "blue Hole" of Dahab is a great dive, but only for experienced diver, take note that the Blue Hole is about 200 m large at the top and the bottom is at 106 m. You reach the arch at 52 m and then you can dive through it right into the Gulf of Aqaba. Be aware of Nitrogen Narcosis, at this depth and an arch over your head it's a very serious problem if you have a nitrogen narcosis. I know by experience and you can see it right at the blue hole all the people who tried the dive and never came back, it is a dangerous dive and you need the right equipment and the right person to do this dive. So just don't walk in any dive center and ask to do the blue hole, they might say yes, but.

Right across the Israeli border- which is easy to cross from Eilat- is Taba's Hilton hotel. It is very good value for Hilton, because they had terrorist attacks a few years back. But now it feels extremely safe (your luggage gets screened at check in: a bit odd but understandable). The hotel has nice bungalows facing a white sand beach, and a dive center which is operated on both sides of the border (Israel and Sinai/Egypt). In front of the beach are 3 small reefs, and a local dive master takes you out for up to 3 shore dives a day. It's the red sea, with all its beauty. Even though the site is less spectacular than Dahab etc. it is very easy convenient, and wonderful because there's plenty of time to take pix. Easy relaxed dives. The dive master was also outstanding, pointing to marine life we never would have seen (octopus, sea horses, garden eels etc.). Two minor drawbacks: since it's in the gulf of Aqaba, there aren't many big creatures around. Also, because you are literally swimming at the border of 4 countries (Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan), night dives were not allowed unfortunately. The dive center also operates daily dive trips to Dahab etc. and it's also easy to go on a live-aboard e.g. Sharm El Sheik straight from Taba. Much cheaper and far less crowded than Eilat!

Sandy bottom. Visibility may be affected by fines suspended in the water even in winter. Coral reef with variety of small fish. By boat from Sharm El-Sheikh coast

Sandy plateau with eels! mainly for biologists. 100 meters from the wall at the bottom of the reef hill. Where the canyon. The depth of the canyon 50 meters, top of the hill 30 meters. Find without knowing the exact orientation is practically not possible North from Shark Observatory.

A true vertical wall, full of overhangs and fissures, with lots of swimthroughs and cavelets. Towards the Blue Hole, in the south, the reef profile softens to a steep slope. The dive begins in a small slot in the reef table, around 100m (328ft) north of the Blue Hole lagoon; after reaching your maximum depth on the sheer wall section just south of the entry, ascend slowly and follow the reef south to the lip of the Blue Hole lagoon, in about 6m (20ft) at the top of the reef. This is your exit point.

Ras Muhammad, south of Ras Za'atir. Jackfish Alley is also known as Fisherman's Bank, Stingray Alley.

Anemone city dive site is located at Ras Muhammad, just inshore from Shark Reef.

This is a big coral head comming from 17m to 6m. It is covered of wonderfull soft corals. Located southeast of Sha'ab Sheer.

This is an excellent dive site for night dive. Take care of the current at the entry point: It can be very strong, and waves does not help! N from Dahab, just before the Canyon dive site. Abu Helal is also known as Abu Hilal, Abu Helal Drift.

It is a fault/crack that has been formed after a earthquake that touched the Gulf of Aqaba. The entrance of the Canyon is at 18 meters and you drop down until 30 meters. It's partially a overhead environment and from there the divers can go through the crack and exit at a depth of 52 meters. The Canyon is located 10 minutes N from Dahab.

The Blue Hole is 200m in diameter and plunges to uncharted depths. Enter the water from the north bridge. Dive down to the arches (55m+) ONLY if you are a very advanced AND technical diver !!! NO single tank dives to the arch! A few kilometres north of Dahab. Go to the blue hole lagoon...

Abu Nugar is a big reef system in north Hurghada. Very nice hard coral (one of the best for coral in Hurghada) but not so much fish. Shallow and quit easy, visibility sometimes bad. North from Hurghada Gota Abu Nugar North is also known as Erg Iris, Gota Abu Nugar.

Just northeast of Ras Mohammed, across the mouth of Mersa Bereka from Ras Ghozlani. Ras Za'atir is also known as Ras Za'atar, Ras Atar.

One of the nicest drifts in Hurghada. Beautiful hard coral and one of the best places to spot sharks and Napoleon fish in Hurghada. The current can be anything from mild to horrible, so this is not a site for beginners. Good for the rest of us, though, as you seldom find more than one or two groups of divers there. West side of Small Giftun Island Erg Somaya is also known as Small Giftun Drift, Erg Samaya, Giftun erg.

Approx 12 km to the north of Sharm el Sheikh. Râs Nasrani is also known as Râs Nusrâni.

Southeast tip of Dahab laguna.

In front of the lighthouse, Dahab bay.

El Mina was a 70m long Egyptian minesweeper. She was bombed in 1969. Hurghada harbour. El Mina Wreck is also known as The Harbour Wreck.

Very nice dive with a lot of tiny creatures. This is also a good place to meed dolphins ! This dive site has many names, including "Dolphin Reef" and "Turtle Bay". Small reef located northeast of Giftun Island. 45min from Hurghada. Torfa Fanous East is also known as Fanus East, Torfa Fanus, Dolphin Reef, Turtle Bay.

South of Abu Ramada islet! Sha'ab Abu Ramada is also known as Abu Ramada South, Shab Abu Ramada.

Farun Island is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Egypt, Taba which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Northeast of Na'ama Bay

South Dahab

Small passage with a coral boulder in the middle. Sha'ab Mahmud, northwest of the Dunraven wreck (north of Ras Mohammed). Small Crack is also known as Small Passage.

North Dahab

Dahab city

Great dive site for macro photographers: seahorses etc. Dahab city; just right of the lighthouse (same entry point).

Southernmost dive site of Dahab

Starts from the shore with dropoff on 5 meters. All site looks like a valley between upland with a light slope going down. At a start (20 meters max) - 2 overhangs from both sides of the walley. Next is cave at a right side - entrance at depth about 30 meters. Then if going down with slope - valley starts widen (50 m). Nice landscape and eel garden from 50 to 70 meters. Don't know much about the cave configuration. South Dahab

Northeast of Abu Sha'r harbour; nothwest of El Fanadir.

Shark's bay is a popular place for dive trainings. It is also a good location for night dive. Manta Ray may be seen when summer afternoon dive. Next to Piramisa Hotel.

A 16th-century Turkish galleon that was transporting amphoras of mercury lies on the bottom here. Ras Um Sid, in front of the Hotel Gran Sinai. Amphoras is also known as Mercury.

I very good dive. The canyon is very impressive and the current very low compared to other dive sites of the area. Tower Bay, south of Hotel New Tower.

Godd switch when Ras Za'atar is crowded. Just south of Ras Za'atar

Gentle slope running down to 25m. Na'Ama Bay. In front of El Fanar.

Sandy slope then a mini-wall between 18 and 22m. Northeast of Tower.

Large crack. Manta ray can be encountered during summer afternoon dives. Just in front of Hotel Savoy. White Knight is also known as Noose One.

El Aruk reef is located north of Gota Abu Ramada. The dive site may be splitted into 3 areas: Aruk Diana (southwest), Aruk Giftun (central), Aruk Gigi (northeast). El Aruk - Aruk Giftun is also known as Aruk Tweil.

Very nice drift dive Western side of Giftun Kebir. This is inside the marine park ($ 2.00 tax)

El Aruk reef is located north of Gota Abu Ramada. The dive site may be splitted into 3 areas: Aruk Diana (southwest), Aruk Giftun (central), Aruk Gigi (northeast).

Divesite is in front of the blue beach hotel. Access from shore

Sharm Fugani is the house reef of the mangrove bay hotel, also called "aquarium" Sharm Fugani is also known as Erg Fugani, Aquarium.

Utopia Bay is also known as Ras Alas Salad Bay.

Oberoi Housereef is also known as Swal Hasheesh, Oberoi Sal Hashesh Housereef.

Jackson reef

Ras Peter is also known as Tank Reef, Panzer Riff, Kahraba.

Naama bay Ghazala Beach Housereef is also known as Ghazala Beach Hausriff.

South Abu Ramada is also known as Abu Ramada South.

Drop from Boat next to the "Police Staion" on the island. Than Drift-Dive to boat at dive site "Small Giftun" Police Station is also known as Small Giftun drift.

Ain Sukhna

North Dahab

After the drop off from the boat you can go down to a cave about 10 meters in length that is open at both ends. The top to the cave it at about 38 meters, and goes down to about 48 meters. after you go through, it is a great swim back up along the reef to the surface. Abu Ramada Cave is also known as Diver's Alley, Sha'ab Abu Ramada Cave.

In a national park, ensure that your dive group has all of the necessary permits prior to diving. Park services do visit boats to verify.

Special Gotta cos the top iof the reef is at 5m deep and you can swim across the gotta. Very nice corals. Sha'ab Abu Kalawa is also known as Shaab Abu Galawa, Sha'ab Abu Galawa.

Sha'ab Khanzir is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Egypt, Dahab which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

The wreck is just two minutes by boat from Emperor Divers' marina. It is just to the south of El Mina wreck. Mohammed Hasabella wreck is also known as Mohammed Hasabella wreck.

From shore El Quadim Bay is also known as Movenpick.

Magnificent mix of coral heads and table corals, fish life is very good big schools of trigger fish, frog fish is possible to be found there, different types of morays, many blue spotted rays, turtles and ........ as it is not spoiled by many divers nor snorkellers - the actual dive site is too deep for snorkellers any way. Near Waterworld Angels net is also known as Angel's Net, Angel net.

Sandy bottom surrounded by sea grass contains Beautiful table coral forest, nice pinnacles, biggest table corals you may see in Taba may be even in the red sea, great chance to see turtles, sting rays, frog fish, in general the fish life is amazing there, I've seen a sail fish in that site my self.

Marsa Ghozlani is also known as Marsa Ghazlani.

An extension to the island towards the shore south west side from the Island Location, best pinnacle in whole Taba, very rich with the fish life, has some resident Frog fishes, big cloud of glass fish, stone fish, devil scorpion fish, sting rays, blue spotted rays, small Napoleon some times, Best to be dropped off on top of the pinnacle then descend to the 13m deep pinnacle and after 25mins on the pinnacle or a 100bar head back to the Island where your boat should wait for you at the moor line there. Pharao's Island Pinnacle is also known as Coral Island pinnacle.

Very colourful shallow reef great for intros and snorkelling, the deep part is a bit faded but still reasonable amount of fish life and some pinnacles

Sandy bottom surrounded by sea grass plenty of pinnacles and coral blocks amazing fish life nobody dives it and calls it other than real Aquarium use the moor line Aquarium is also known as Aquarium.

Submerged island, between 12 and 16m is an under water paradise, a sharp slope down to 45m and deeper gives a great chance to surprises -big eagle rays, Turtles, sting rays, etc. (no chance for snorkelling,, could often have a strong surface current. Mooring line or Drift if not a available

Helioland is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Egypt, El Queseir which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Good coral reef, some pillars far from the reef and sometimes turtles and little sharks. If you are very lucky you can see the Dugongo, he eat in this bay. :)

head fist, it will be your best technique to start your dive, follow the lead line out, north will be a good idea to for this dive site which have a walls with drop off nature great variety of fish and snales Shore dive, possible with wind up to 12 knots,with experienced divers with 20 dives min

From Shore, you jump in a 4m diameter hole 2~3m deep, a rope will lead you outside, south part sounds always like a good idea, depth near by the wall reef is around 12~14m out side will be more than 25m, after 20 min you will find a big pinnacle surrounded with snappers and big eye emperor, top of the pinnacle is around 11m, bottom around 37m (only good weather site) Mainly a shore dive which can be accessed by boat, the name mean the hole of snappers, has a very nice swines though with ropes for security against current, which make it a good weather only dive site :)

Abu Sawatir is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Egypt, El Queseir which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

the blue dive. can be done only when sea allows. if it is high then the captain will not allowed it. Hammerheads only Mid July till end of September. and also the only time of the year this dive is possible due to sea conditions. it a deep dive and is recommended only for experienced divers. This could be a great dive if you find the sharks - or one of the most boring just swimming & drifting through the bottomless blue. jump at the blue on the north - it is worth doing in July - October as there are hammerheads about 50 meters from the reef at 30 meters. at 15:00 u almost always see them.

Harris Rock is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Egypt, Ain Sukhna which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Abu Nugar reef, north of Hurghada. Access from Hurghada or El Gouna.

Nice site, but sometimes enter is impossible...

Stella Beach Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Egypt, Sharm el Sheikh which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Aquarium Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Egypt, Ain Sukhna which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Dolphin reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Egypt, Ain Sukhna which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Kurkle reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Egypt, Ain Sukhna which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Oasis Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Egypt, Dahab which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Fjord is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Egypt, Taba which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Diving around the reef of Beacon Rock, where the Dunraven hot and sank. The shallower reef area is good for a night dive, where many Lionfish and eels can be found. By liveaboard

Flamenco housereef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Egypt, El Queseir which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Gota El Dir is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Egypt, Strait of Gubal which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Fleck Reef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Egypt, Wadi El Gamal National Park which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

Mashraba is also known as El Mashraba, El Mamsha.

Sha'ab Adel is also known as Shaab Adel.

Citadel housereef is a 0-star rated scuba dive and snorkel destination in Egypt, Hurghada which is accessible from shore based on 0 ratings.

A true vertical wall, full of overhangs and fissures, with lots of swimthroughs and cavelets. Towards the Blue Hole, in the south, the reef profile softens to a steep slope. The dive begins in a small slot in the reef table, around 100m (328ft) north of the Blue Hole lagoon; after reaching your maximum depth on the sheer wall section just south of the entry, ascend slowly and follow the reef south to the lip of the Blue Hole lagoon, in about 6m (20ft) at the top of the reef. This is your exit point.

This is one on the greatest dive site of Safaga. In a single dive, you can visit the seven pilars (huge coral structure on a sandy floor), between 12 and 18m deep. The last west pilar hosts may lionfishes. Take care of them on night dive, they use your light beam to hunt ! Early divers may see turtle which lives there. Dive best before lunch. Many snorkler boats turn up later in the day. This site is located NNE from Safaga, just before Ras Abu Soma. The Seven Pilars is also known as Tobia Arba, The Seven Pinnacles.

access from dive centre of the beach

interesting dive but you need an experienced zodiak crew; very strong current and high waves - not an easy one!

Ras Murat is the name of the reef from the Hotel Magic Life Club in Nabq Bay

Banana shaped reef in the middle of the Giftun Strait. Northen side of Giftun Soraya Banana Reef is also known as Dragonfly Reef, Gota Torfa El Shait, Sha'ab Farasha.

This dive site is highly sensitive and important and tottaly not allowed to use by boat or by land, one of only three nesting areas of turtles nusting in the whole red sea, turtles act to performe site chick at the day time before Lay on their eggs at the night so daily boats motion results severe diturbance and Propable encountring of boats propellers to the turtles. NOT ALLOWED TO EVEN PASS BESIDE Not Allowed all the year Turtle beach is also known as ras ghuzlani inside (still forbidden), Turtles Nesting Area.

dive site is accessed by boat only. it is a drift dive and better be done very early morning or at late afternoon. u jump at the south east point and sweem north with the reef on yr left side, an amazing coral garden, with a sand pool with sharks sleeping on it (sometimes). amazing reef with lots of soft cprals in any color u can think of.

The Thistlegorm was built in 1940 as a merchant vessel being 126m long and 17.5m wide. It was commandeered by the navy during the World War II. It sunk in 1941 (6th October) by long range bombers from German occupied Crete. It lays on a sandy floor at 30m deep. The top of the wreck is 17m. The wreck is exposed to the tidal currents and the prevailing winds, which can make this dive inaccessible at times. Since the current can be quite string and there can be lots of silt in the water visibility can be quite bad. These conditions and the depth of the dive means that this is only open to experienced divers. Her deck cargo of railway wagons and holds full of trucks, jeeps, motorcycles and tyres is all there. You can do penetration diving, but ask your dive guide, all easy to find openings are well covered. This is the most visited wreck of all Red Sea. There will be lots of dive boats and many many divers. Best dives are early in the morning, before all day dive tour comes to the wreck. The Thistlegorm is located 5 miles north from the Sinaï peninsula, 1.5 miles SE from Sha'ab Ali reef.

Type: Cargo Vessel size: 174.6m x 24.8m Located 3 miles N of Sharm El Sheikh, on the E coast of Sinai peninsula. Much of its superstructure is still out of the water, so it's easy to find it! Million Hope Wreck is also known as Millon Hope, Ryusei Maru.