Unveiling the Underwater Paradise: Scuba Diving in Egypt’s Red Sea

The Red Sea in Egypt is an incredible scuba diving destination famous for its vibrant coral reefs, intriguing wrecks, and abundant marine life. Exploring the Red Sea is best done on a liveaboard so you can maximize your diving time. With a liveaboard, you can spend most of your day diving. No more spending precious vacation time commuting between your hotel and the dive sites. You can enjoy multiple dives per day, allowing you to explore a wider variety of marine life and underwater landscapes. Join our scuba diving Egypt and enjoy the colorful underwater world of the Red Sea.

Here are some of the highlights of scuba diving Red Sea. 

Abundant marine life in Egypt

Thanks to its clear waters and thriving coral reefs, the Red Sea is a haven for underwater creatures. Here are some possible marine life encounters during your Egypt liveaboard.

• Dolphins – These playful creatures are known for their intelligence and curiosity, and seeing them in their natural habitat is a great highlight for many divers. The  Red Sea is a perfect location to see dolphins in action, such as bottlenose and spinner dolphins.
• Sharks – The Red Sea is home to several species of sharks such as gray reef sharks, hammerhead sharks, and oceanic whitetip sharks. 
• Turtles – The Red Sea is an important habitat for sea turtles, including the green sea turtle, loggerhead turtle, and hawksbill turtle which frequent the area. You might spot them grazing on seagrass meadows or resting on the reef.
• Fish – The vibrant coral reefs of the Red Sea teem with colorful fish. You may encounter angelfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, damselfish, surgeonfish, tang, clownfish, pufferfish, grouper, and a vast array of other fish species.
• Rays – Keep an eye out for graceful rays such as the Manta Ray, Eagle Ray, and Stingrays which often rest on the seafloor. The Manta Ray never fails to impress divers with their immense size and smooth gliding action through the water.
• Moray eels – Moray eels are common residents of the Red Sea, dwelling in crevices and holes in coral reefs and rocky walls. They typically stick their heads out from their hiding spots, with the rest of their slender body remaining concealed. 
• Other marine life – You might come across a cuttlefish, an octopus camouflaged against the reef, and a multitude of interesting invertebrates like nudibranchs, shrimps, crabs, and lobsters.

World-class wreck diving in Egypt

• SS Thistlegorm – Advanced scuba divers can explore the legendary wrecks of the Northern Red Sea starting with the SS Thistlegorm. This World War II-era British cargo ship was mistaken for a troop carrier and was bombed by a German aircraft in October 1941. Most of the SS Thistegorm’s cargo, including motorcycles, trucks, locomotives, and guns are still inside the ship. The wreck which lies at a depth of 20-30 meters (65-100 feet) is home to eels, batfish, and barracuda. Turtles are sometimes spotted in the wreck. 

• Numidia – The Numidia was a British freighter built in 1901. During its second voyage, the Numidia hit the north side of Big Brother Island. Despite efforts to save the vessel, the damage was too severe and it sank. The wreck which lies at a depth ranging from 8 – 90 meters (26 – 300 feet) has become an artificial reef for colorful fish and other marine creatures. Advanced divers can explore the Numidia’s cargo. The holds and superstructure require penetration dives that are ideal for more experienced divers while the deeper sections are for technical divers only. 

• Aida – The Aida wreck is another great dive site near Big Brother Island. The ship was en route to deliver supplies to the island’s lighthouse station when it hit the reef in 1957. Thankfully, all the crew members were able to evacuate before it sank. The shipwreck has become an artificial reef with a depth ranging from 33-65 (108 – 213 feet) meters. The Aida requires advanced training so only more experienced divers and technical divers can explore the wreck which features a cargo area, engine rooms, and the captain’s bridge. 

• Yolanda – This former commercial ferry sank in Shaab Quais Island in the southern Red Sea in 1987. The wreck has been ranked as one of the top ten dives around the world according to PADI. It is popular among underwater photographers who love unique subjects. This wreck is completed as a drift dive and ideal for advanced divers.

• SS Carnatic – This British passenger liner sank in the northern Red Sea in 1869 after hitting Shaab Abu Nuhas coral reef. The captain of SS Carnatic was convinced that the ship was salvageable but after 34 hours stuck on the reef, the Carnatic broke apart, taking 31 lives with it. The survivors were eventually rescued from a nearby island. The SS Carnatic is a deep wreck dive, suitable for experienced divers only. The wreck is known for its boilers and engine room.

The Red Sea and other parts of Egypt are home to a huge variety of wrecks, from ancient warships to modern cargo ships. These featured wrecks are teeming with marine life and offer a unique opportunity to explore a piece of history.