Between the north of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula lies the Red Sea. This inland sea is particularly known for its breathtaking underwater world in many Egyptian seaside resorts. Many tourists who want to spend a relaxing holiday in North Africa and switch off from everyday life dare to dive and look forward to unforgettable adventures below sea level.
The water temperature at the Red Sea
On the coast of the Red Sea in Egypt, there are pleasant temperatures all year round. Holidaymakers can expect a water temperature of at least 20°C at any time. In midsummer, especially in July and August, these often rise to 30°C degrees. From September onwards, temperatures slowly drop until they reach around 25°C degrees in many places in December. It is coolest from February to about the beginning of April, when the water temperatures drop to 22°C or 21°C degrees (depending on the region). From May they rise again and in June they are already back at a pleasant 28°C degrees.
Tips for your diving holiday
A diving holiday in Egypt promises a warm climate, varied beaches with various underwater highlights and all this in just one place: the Red Sea. Just the right holiday destination to spend the whole day in the sea on a liveaboard in Egypt and experience sharks and manta rays in their natural habitat. Less than five hours separate most European tourists and the varied holiday destination Egypt with its diverse landscape, imposing pyramids and exciting and colourful life below sea level.
If you would like to take your own diving equipment with you on holiday, you should make sure not to exceed the regular baggage allowance. The various dive centers and shops along the coast of the Red Sea also offer very good rental equipment, so it is not absolutely necessary to bring it with you. The cost of a dive in Egypt is reasonable – the price-performance ratio is right.
The best dive sites
Along the Egyptian coast of the Red Sea are numerous popular seaside resorts, which are not only suitable for sunbathing and relaxing, but also have a breathtaking underwater world that invites you to snorkel and dive. The beautiful corals, countless reefs with small and large inhabitants – all this makes a dive in Egypt charming and unforgettable. Nevertheless, there are differences in the different regions from north to south and everyone has their own ideas and wishes when it comes to diving.
The “Blue Hole” in Dahab
Not only the Egyptian mainland itself, but also the Sinai Peninsula to the east offers unique diving spots. For example, the “Blue Hole” ten kilometers north of Dahab is considered one of the best – and also most dangerous – dive sites in the world. This dive spot, located in the Gulf of Aqaba, is a huge hole in the fringing reef on the coast and looks simply spectacular not only under water, but also from land. The Blue Hole is about 50 to 65 meters wide and measures a good 110 meters in depth. Due to the depth as well as the strong current, this dive site is only suitable for experienced divers.
Brother Islands
In the middle of the Red Sea between Saudi Arabia and Egypt lie two extraordinary islands: the Brother Islands. Due to the combination of soft and hard corals, huge colorful schools of fish, barracuda, a variety of shark species and various shipwrecks, they are considered top diving spots in Egypt and around the world. The islands can only be reached by liveaboard and are only suitable for experienced divers.
Hurghada
In Hurghada , in addition to a leisurely day of swimming on the approximately 40-kilometre-long beach, you can also come into contact with the underwater world. Hurghada is one of the most popular diving destinations – nowhere else are there as many dive centers as here. Every day, curious snorkelers and divers are taken by day boats to the most beautiful dive spots to spend a varied day in and on the sea. Probably the most famous coral reef in Hurghada is the “Carless Reef”. There, you’ll find moray eels, bannerfish, groupers, black corals, and whitetip reef sharks. But also the wreck “Carnatic”, which sank in 1869, and the island “Abu Ramada” offer great opportunities for diving. A special highlight: Dolphins and large water turtles are not uncommon in Hurghada!
Marsa Alam
In the south of Egypt on the Red Sea lies the resort of Marsa Alam. There are many dive sites in the vicinity that are suitable for both beginners and professional divers. The most beautiful diving spots are Abu Dabbab, Shaab Sataya (“Dolphin Reef”) and Elphinstone Reef. You can look forward to dolphins, a manatee, turtles, colorful soft corals, whale sharks and unusual drop-offs.
Rocky Island and Zabargad Island
In the very south of Egypt are the two very different islands “Rocky Island” and “Zabargad Island”. The latter offers extraordinary cave systems, seagrass meadows as well as a Russian shipwreck. Around “Rocky Island” there are fringing reefs and divers can look forward to manta rays and various sharks, including tiger sharks. The special highlight, however, lies at a depth of a good 100 meters: the wreck of the passenger ship “Maiden”.
Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm El Sheikh to the north is also home to exceptional dive sites with a magnificent variety of coral and fish species. The underwater world in Ras Mohamed National Park and in the Strait of Tiran are particularly worth seeing: fringing reefs, steep rock faces, encounters with hammerhead sharks, Napoleon wrasse, butterflyfish, surgeonfish and parrotfish guarantee a perfect diving experience. The “Shark Reef” at the southern tip of the national park is particularly exciting: On the steep wall at a depth of 10 to 25 metres, divers come across batfish and surgeonfish.
You can also admire the wreck of the “Thistlegorm”. The British cargo ship sank in 1941 and lies at a depth of a good 30 meters. In addition to the ship’s impressive cargo, divers can also get a closer look at large tuna, barracuda and other coral fish.
