The Red Sea in Egypt is now a firm favourite with scuba divers from around the world. Named as one of the Seven Underwater Wonders of the World’, the Red Sea is superb for diving here we feature 5 of the best places to dive in the Red Sea. The Red Sea is the habitat of over 1,000 invertebrate species, and 200 soft and hard corals. It is the world’s northernmost tropical sea.
1. Sharm El Sheikh
The Thistlegorm was a British Merchant Navy ship sunk on 6 October 1941 near Sharm el Sheikh and is now a well known and popular dive site. Combine that with a dive or 2 on the Ras Mohammed reef and you have got some of the best boat diving in Egypt.
2. Dahab
Numerous options for shore dives combined with warm, clear water make Dahab a popular spot in any dive itinerary. The Blue Hole and the Canyon have to be the top 2 advanced and technical dive sites and The Islands is an awesome dive for all levels of qualification. Boat trips to southern dive sites are becoming more popular.
3. Sha’ab Abu Nuhâs Reef in the Straits of Gubal
This great reef is also known as the “ships graveyard”. Numerous wrecks are within 40m of the surface and the top 3 have to be the Carnatic, Ghannis D, and Chrisoula K. These wrecks are spectacular and make fantastic material for the underwater photographer. Liveaboards out of Hurghada will get you there.
4. Hurghada
The Giftun Islands has been a marine reserve for a few years now and this has to be one of the best boat dives in the Hurghada area with the chance to swim with dolphins in their natural habitat. Explore picturesque coral formations sticking out from the main reef wall decorated with soft corals. Good drift diving abounds.
5. Marsa Alam
A relatively new dive spot, the dives and bays around Marsa Alam are home to excellent corals, large turtles, Guitar sharks and occasionally pods of dolphins. The coral reefs along the Marsa Alam coast are a real treasure trove for any diver. Well worth the extra effort needed to get there.
A word of caution. Watch out for the sharks!
