Diving in Sharm El Sheikh

Na'ama Bay wakes up early. By 7 AM, minibuses are collecting divers from hotels for two-dive boat trips that cover four distinct diving zones within day range. Ras Mohammed, Egypt's first marine national park, drops as sheer walls where barracuda schools and grey reef sharks patrol in the current. Shark and Yolanda Reef combines an 800m vertical face with the surreal cargo field of a sunken ship, its porcelain bathtubs scattered across the plateau. North of town, the Straits of Tiran push nutrient-rich water through four reef systems. Jackson Reef draws hammerheads between August and October. Thomas Reef's canyon plunges to 52m, a pilgrimage for tech divers.

Closer to shore, the Gardens and Temple offer easy coral pinnacle dives where newly certified divers build confidence alongside clownfish and lionfish. Then there is the Thistlegorm. The WWII cargo ship sits upright at 33m with motorcycles, trucks, rifles, and two locomotives still in its holds. Coral health here outperforms much of the Egyptian Red Sea. Visibility rarely drops below 20m in any season. A beginner and a tech diver can both fill a week without repeating a site.

Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) receives direct flights from across Europe and the Middle East. Most dive centres arrange hotel pickups between 7 and 8:30 AM, returning by late afternoon. Two guided boat dives with tanks, weights, and lunch is the standard day format. Ras Mohammed requires a 7 EUR per day park fee (increasing to 15 USD from June 2026). Tiran adds roughly 15 EUR per trip. The Thistlegorm is a separate excursion with an early start and supplement fee; a liveaboard is the better option if the wreck is your priority. Prices vary and are negotiable for multi-day packages. Spring and autumn give the best balance of conditions. Summer works well for diving despite extreme air heat, and the water is at its warmest. A 3mm wetsuit covers summer; bring 5mm for winter when water drops to 21-23 degrees.

Fringing coral reefs with vertical walls exceeding 800m at Shark Observatory. Sandy plateaux with coral pinnacles at local sites. Four major reef systems rise from the deep in the Straits of Tiran with canyons, drop-offs, and caverns.