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Egypt is a transcontinental country extending to the northeast corner of Africa and southwest corner of Asia. Diving in Egypt is centred in the Red Sea where some of the best dive sites in the world can be found.
The Red Sea sports maximum visibility and the calmest waters perfect for diving. What makes it very interesting to divers is that is also considered as one of the 7 Wonders of the underwater world sporting more than 1,000 species of invertebrates and over 200 species of soft and hard coral thus forming a marine ecosystem teeming with rich marine life such as white and red snapper, barracuda, titan triggerfish, mantas, whale sharks, oceanic whitetip sharks, and grey reef sharks to name a few of 1,100 species of fish.
For beginner divers or those with minimal logged dives, the northern itinerary is preferable as the southern itinerary is for experienced divers only with at least 50 logged dives.
The northern itinerary includes wreck diving and wall diving with clear waters for spotting rich marine biodiversity. One of the best wrecks is the Rosalie Moller, a 360-foot cargo vessel that was sunk by German bombers in 1941. Sitting upright at the depth of 51 metres of murky waters, this large wreck is now smothered in marine life. Some fishes that thrive in the artificial reef are silversides and glassfish often seen in huge numbers limiting the visibility even further. There are also lionfish, trevally, jacks and tuna.
The southern itinerary sports beautiful reefs and coral seamounts and larger fishes such as hammerheads sharks and thresher sharks feeding on a smorgasbord of smaller fishes.
Many popular dive sites such as the Elphinstone, famous for its hammerheads sharks and Dolphin Reef that were once only accessible to southern Red Sea liveaboards can now be accessed by day boat rides from Marsa Alam.
Ras Muhammad National Park is Egypt’s answer to marine conservation efforts encompassing two islands: Tiran and Sanafir. This park protects a diverse marine biodiversity in the area which are now slowly being filled with more tourists that are contributing to the degradation of corals in the area affecting several species of fish.
Egypt is a desert with hot and dry summers and moderate winters.
The water temperature in Red Sea waters varies considerably. The water reaches 30°C from June to August and falls to a chilly 22°C in February.
The depths of the dives can reach 5 metres to 40 metres with visibility ranging from 20 metres to 40 metres. The surface conditions are generally calm but choppy in some areas.
Natural hazards include occasional droughts, frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides and hot driving windstorms.
Egypt is a major tourist destination so getting there is relatively easy. The primary point of entry is in Cairo International Airport which is the hub of Egypt’s national carrier Egyptair.
There are ferries going to Egypt from other countries as well such as Israel.
Those who are coming from Israel can easily accessed Egypt by bus.
Be forewarned that gas is very expensive in Israel if you’re planning to rent a car.
There are also trains and taxis that offer relatively lower fares.
The general transportation system in Egypt is exceptional.
Use the following links for more information about;
- Decompression Chambers in Egypt
- Foreign Travel Advice for Egypt (UK Government)
- More about the Egypt (Wikipedia)
Dahab, Egypt
Dahab is quickly establishing itself as the go-to destination for laid back travelers. The town has its roots as a Bedouin outpost, which was transformed over the years into a backpacker’s paradise. Located between the desert and the sea, the activities here...
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El Gouna, Egypt
A self-contained town on the beautiful Red Sea coast, El Gouna offers an unrivalled lifestyle. Built on 10 km of beach, the town of over 20,000 residents spreads across islands and lagoons. Boasting a superb infrastructure and excellent services, the destination is...
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El Quseir, Egypt
El Quseir is an ancient Egyptian town, located on the edge of the Red Sea. Today, it is a quiet resort town that draws in guests with its stunning beaches, clear waters, coral reefs and the remnants of the Ottoman Empire....
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Hamata, Egypt
Hamata is Red Sea’s best kept secret, an unspoilt hidden paradise in Egyptian waters where superb diving is guaranteed. Hamata is a small tropical island located 180km south of the nearest airport Marsa Alam. A secluded part of Red Sea with scenic...
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Hurghada, Egypt
A gateway to some of the most exciting and diverse diving for all levels of divers, Hurghada is a good place to base yourself or to board a Liveaboard to explore the best that the Red Sea offers. It is set...
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Marsa Alam, Egypt
One of Egypt’s fastest growing holiday destinations, until recently Marsa Alam was just a small fishing village, then since the introduction of the new international airport in 2001 its popularity is growing, and is soon expected to rival the larger resorts in...
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Marsa Ghalib, Egypt
Marsa Alam is an Egyptian town located on the western side of the Red Sea and is home to the luxurious integrated resort community of Port Ghalib. This premier waterfront property is situated on 18 kilometres of its very own virgin...
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Nuweiba, Egypt
Nuweiba is a great place to get away from the crowds, go for the diving, beaches and a relaxing time. It’s a great place for children to learn to dive or get some experience, but there is little other in the...
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Safaga and Soma Bay, Egypt
The main attraction here is watersports, if not diving then wind or kite surfing. The black sand dunes make sunbathing a different experience. Visitors also come for the 'curative' properties in the areas local resources. Safaga is particularly renowned as a ‘curative centre’...
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Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt
The most popular diving destination in the Red Sea, the waters around Sharm El Sheikh offer some of the most stunning and famous dive sites not just in the Red Sea but also the World. Sharm el Sheikh is located on Egypt’s...
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Taba, Egypt
Taba is a small Egyptian town located at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, between the Egyptian Sinai and Israel. Known as Egypt’s busiest border crossing, Taba acts as a frequent vacation spot of the Red Sea Riviera. There are...
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