There are many reasons why the Red Sea is one of the world's premier dive destinations. Ample year-round sunlight illuminates colorful coral reefs that sustain rich populations of marine life; no silt-laden rivers flow from the arid shorelines of this 170,000 square-mile body of salt water; there are few shoreline settlements and only modest fishing activity; the best airport to fly into is Hurghada connecting from US flights through Cairo. Learn more about diving in the Red Sea.
The Egyptian shores of the Red Sea are home to several clusters of dive resorts, and a trio of ports launch a world-class fleet of liveaboards. This is a number-one destination for the European dive market, as countries such as Germany, France and the United Kingdom are just a few hours flight away from the warm waters and bright corals. But the Red Sea is also near the top of many North American divers' bucket list.
Many Red Sea divers consider a liveaboard dive trip to be the best way to take in the full breadth of Red Sea diving experiences but after making the initial decision to go by sea rather than remain on land, there are still more choices to make, as there are some six dozen liveaboards boats operating from four different ports on Egyptian shores, each offering numerous distinct itineraries. The best way to avoid becoming overwhelmed by this variety of options is to plan a trip based on your diving interests rather than by boat or port of origin. Once you know what to expect in each region, sorting the choices becomes easier.
Spectacular Coral Gardens
At the northern end of the Red Sea, just off the tip of the Sinai Peninsula lies Ras Mohamed Marine Park. Established in 1983 as Egypt's first National Park, this underwater preserve is a realm of vibrant coral reefs nurtured by the meeting and mixing of waters from the Gulfs of Aquaba and Suez. More than 200 varieties of corals thrive within the park, along with more than 1,000 species of fish including huge schools of barracuda, jacks and snapper. In addition to colorful shallow reefs, Ras Mohamed offers some dramatic wall diving and the chance to see reef sharks and an assortment of pelagic hunters that venture in from blue water.
Liveaboard itineraries to Ras Mohamed may also visit the equally stunning coral reefs in the nearby Straits of Tiran. These trips are often considered a good introduction to Red Sea diving, as sea conditions are typically calm, and there are a variety of sites sheltered from strong currents. A number of liveaboards visit this area from the port of Hurghada.
A Wreck Diving Mecca
The same coral reefs that wow divers once spelled peril for mariners plying the busy waters of the Red Sea. The sea floor near Ras Mohamed and Tiran is strewn with dozens of shipwrecks. These are not stripped-bard hulks put down for divers' amazement, they are working vessels sunk by waves, war and impact with unforgiving reefs, sent to the bottom with cargoes intact. Most famous of these wrecks is the SS Thistlegorm, a British armed Merchant Ship sunk by German aircraft during the Second World War. Still partially intact and rising from a maximum depth of 100 feet, the wreck site showcases a museum-like collection of war materiel that includes tanks, trucks, guns and a pair of locomotives thrown from the wreck as it went to the bottom.
The Thistlegorm is the undisputed crown jewel of the northern red seas wreck collection, but there are many more equally fascinating historic vessels to visit, some sitting in relatively shallow depths and easily accessible to even novice divers, others lying at depths best left to technical diving enthusiasts. The wrecks of the northern Red Sea are often visited in conjunction with trips to Ras Mohamed, but there are also itineraries devoted entirely to wreck diving.
Offshore Excitement
Some 100 miles to the south of Ras Mohamed, a pair of small islands known as The Brothers rise from depths of nearly two miles to create exciting opportunities for divers who feel comfortable sharing the water with sharks and feel comfortable negotiating moderate to sometimes strong currents. Precipitous walls and reef crests are covered in thick coral growth and dense gorgonian groves where white-tip reef sharks prowl, but the real excitement lies on on the edge of blue water. Small Brother is renowned for the frequent appearance of silky, thresher and oceanic white tip, along with occasional appearances by whale sharks and hammerheads. Big Brother Island adds an excellent collection of historic shipwrecks to the mix, along with massive schools of fish.
The Brothers are an exceptional destination by themselves, but liveaboards that venture another 100 miles to the south take in two more mid-sea reefs that see far fewer divers, and deliver some of the finest diving in the Red Sea. Elfstone and Dadelus reefs are huge underwater plateaus offering steep walls and prolific coral growth. Strong currents make this region best suited for divers with at least the equivalent of at least advanced certification and a fair number of dives in the logbook. In addition to a bounty of sharks — a dozen-plus species in all — there are manta rays, numerous sea turtles, clouds of barracudas, giant trevallies and tuna.
Liveaboard trips to The Brothers often begin at the port of Hurgada. Itineraries that include Elfstone and Dadelus Reef may launch for the more southerly port of Marsa Alam or nearby Port Ghalib.
Dolphin Delights
The reef system known Fury Shoals is an extensive maze of coral formations and coastal lagoons that lies south of the port of Marsa Alam. This area and St. John's Island are the southernmost regions regularly visited by Egypt-based liveaboards. Here divers will find all the expected attractions of Red Sea diving — brilliant reefs, walls, pinnacles, sharks and lots of fish life — plus two additional rewards: an abundance of macro life and plenty of dolphins. While there's a chance of seeing one of several species of dolphin in other areas of the Red Sea, few encounters come as close to a guarantee as the appropriately-named Dolphin Reef, which is home to a resident pod of gregarious spinner dolphin.
Farther to the south and some 30 miles offshore, St. John's Island also has its share of dolphin, along with hammerhead sharks and some truly stunning underwater terrain. While some southern sites are known for calm waters and gentle currents that provide relaxing drifts, other areas may not be suited for relatively novice divers. Before planning a visit to Egypt's southern dive sites, it's best to get more detailed information on the chosen liveaboard's itinerary.
Caradonna Adventures offers customized extensions pre or post to Cairo, Luxor, as well as several Nile cruises to visit the Antiquities. Visit Diving Egypt and our Egypt Overview pages for more information. Our agency also represents a number of the Red Sea's finest liveaboards, and can create a customized itinerary to match your individual diving preferences. We can also handle all details of flights and land transfers, including add-on excursions such as Nile River cruises and visits to Egypt’s many historical sights. To learn more, give us a call at 800-330-6611 or send us an email to sales@caradonna.com.