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Scuba Diving · Red Sea

Red Sea Scuba Diving

Explore 52 operators across Red Sea. Maps, contact info, photos, and verified operator profiles, all in one place.

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About Red Sea

The Red Sea is a rift valley filled with seawater, and that geology shapes every dive in it. Thousands of species live here and nowhere else, packed onto coral walls that drop straight into blue water so clear it can disorient a first-timer. Reef fish swarm the shallows; sharks and other pelagics patrol the drop-offs. Egypt's Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh anchor the busy northern end with dive centers on every corner, while liveaboards push south into the remote reefs of the Egyptian deep south and Sudan. There is an entry point here for every certification level.

How you reach the famous sites depends on where they sit. Ras Mohammed National Park and the Straits of Tiran are day-boat runs from the Egyptian resort towns. The offshore pinnacles (the Brothers Islands, Daedalus Reef, Elphinstone), are liveaboard territory, and they're where the oceanic whitetips and hammerheads show up. The same boats run the wreck routes, including the SS Thistlegorm, a WWII supply ship that ranks among the most dived wrecks on earth.

Egypt gets the headlines, but the Red Sea keeps going. Jordan's Aqaba puts desert mountains behind every surface interval, with the Cedar Pride wreck and healthy reef close to shore. South of Egypt, Sudan is the quiet frontier: intact coral, thick shark populations, and the remains of Jacques Cousteau's Conshelf II habitat still sitting on the seabed. Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast is beginning to open to divers as well. Each country diving this sea does it a little differently, and that variety is part of the draw.

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Quick facts

Water temp
22–28°C (72–82°F)
Visibility
20–30m+
Best season
Year-round
Highlights
Wrecks, walls & reef
Skill level
All levels
Operators listed
52
Countries
Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan
Dive areas
4

By region

4 regions in Red Sea

Region 01 / 04

Northern Egyptian Red Sea

The SS Thistlegorm and the coral gardens of Ras Mohammed National Park headline this stretch. Day boats run from Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada, and shorter liveaboard itineraries cover the wreck routes.

Region 02 / 04

Southern Egyptian Red Sea

Daedalus, Elphinstone, and the Brothers Islands, the names divers cross the world for pelagic action. The reefs down here see far less traffic, and almost all of it arrives by liveaboard out of Marsa Alam or Port Ghalib.

Region 03 / 04

Sudanese Red Sea

The sea's quiet frontier: intact coral, serious shark populations, and Jacques Cousteau's Conshelf II still on the bottom. Best suited to experienced divers, reached almost entirely by specialized liveaboards from Port Sudan or sometimes from Egypt.

Region 04 / 04

Jordan (Aqaba)

The Gulf of Aqaba trades remoteness for character: the Cedar Pride wreck, a submerged C-130 Hercules, and healthy reef, all against a backdrop of desert mountains. Works for every level of diver.

Dive Site Explorer

Dive sites across Red Sea

Tap a dive site to pinpoint it on the map, then open it for depth, entry, and the nearest operator.

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52 operators

across Red Sea

All regions

Plan your trip

Plan your trip to Red Sea

Certification and Experience Levels

Many of the Red Sea's signature dive sites, particularly offshore reefs and deeper wrecks like the SS Thistlegorm, require or strongly recommend Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent. Some liveaboard itineraries for challenging sites such as the Brothers Islands may also stipulate a minimum number of logged dives (e.g., 50 dives) and recent diving experience due to potential currents and depth. Confirm specific requirements with your chosen dive operator.

Marine Park and Conservation Fees

Many of the Red Sea's most pristine dive sites are located within protected marine parks, especially in Egypt. Visitors should anticipate paying marine park entry fees, which are typically collected by dive operators and are not always included in the initial package price. These fees contribute to conservation efforts and vary by park and country. Always confirm what fees are included or additional with your dive center or liveaboard.

Liveaboard vs. Day Boat Access

While numerous excellent dive sites are accessible via day boats from shore-based dive shops in popular areas like Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, and Marsa Alam, many of the Red Sea's world-renowned, remote sites are exclusively accessible by liveaboard. Planning for a liveaboard trip is essential for experiencing destinations such as the Brothers Islands, Daedalus Reef, St. John's, and the Sudanese Red Sea. Consider the type of diving experience desired when choosing between options.

Currents, Depth, and Nitrox

The Red Sea can present varying conditions. Offshore reefs are often exposed to strong currents, which can make for exhilarating drift dives but require good buoyancy control and experience. Many sites involve dives beyond 18 meters (60 feet). Nitrox is widely available on liveaboards and at most reputable dive centers, which is highly recommended for extended bottom times and repetitive dives, particularly on multi-day trips.

Dive Insurance and Emergency Evacuation

Comprehensive dive insurance, including coverage for medical emergencies and emergency evacuation, is highly recommended for all divers visiting the Red Sea. While local emergency services exist, specialized dive-related medical facilities and evacuation capabilities vary by country and region. Some dive operators may even require proof of insurance before allowing participation in diving activities. Review policy details to ensure adequate coverage for the specific activities planned.

Confirm current requirements with the state agency before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

  • Proof of Certification and Logbook

    All divers must present valid proof of their scuba diving certification (e.g., PADI, SSI, CMAS card) and often a logbook demonstrating recent dive activity. Dive centers and liveaboards require this to ensure divers meet the necessary experience and training levels for planned dives. Requirements vary by country – confirm with your operator.

  • Dive Medical Statement

    A dive medical statement or a recent medical certificate from a physician indicating fitness to dive is often required. While some operators may accept self-declaration for recreational diving, it is prudent to have a medical clearance, especially for those with pre-existing conditions. Requirements vary by country – confirm with your operator.

  • Marine Park Fees and Permits

    Diving in protected marine areas throughout the Red Sea, particularly in Egypt, necessitates the payment of marine park fees. These fees are usually collected by dive operators and contribute to conservation efforts. Some remote areas or specific wreck sites might also require special permits. Requirements vary by country – confirm with your operator.

  • Environmental Protection Guidelines

    Strict environmental protection guidelines are enforced across the Red Sea to preserve its fragile coral ecosystems. Divers must adhere to responsible diving practices, including maintaining neutral buoyancy, avoiding contact with marine life, and refraining from collecting souvenirs. Violations can lead to significant fines. Requirements vary by country – confirm with your operator.

  1. 01

    1. Define Your Diving Objectives

    Decide what you're actually here for: wrecks, sharks and pelagics, untouched coral, or a certification course. That one decision does most of the work of narrowing down which region and which kind of operation fits.

  2. 02

    2. Choose a Red Sea Region and Season

    Match the region to the goal: Northern Egypt for wrecks, Southern Egypt for pelagics, Sudan for reefs that see almost no one. Then check the calendar, the right season for your destination makes a real difference in conditions.

  3. 03

    3. Research and Select Dive Operators

    Compare dive shops for day trips or liveaboards for multi-day runs: itineraries, vessel condition, safety records, reviews. Make sure the operator's site list matches your certification level, not just your ambitions.

  4. 04

    4. Confirm Travel and Diving Requirements

    Check visa rules for your nationality, make sure your certification cards are in order, and buy dive insurance with evacuation coverage. Ask the operator directly about medical or minimum-experience prerequisites.

  5. 05

    5. Book Your Trip and Prepare

    Lock in flights, accommodation, and the dive package. Pack for the water temperature and the currents you expect, get your gear serviced, and have your documents sorted before you're standing at a check-in desk.

01What marine life can be seen in the Red Sea?
A lot, and much of it found nowhere else. Expect dense soft and hard coral, walls of reef fish (angelfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish), plus the big draws: hammerheads, oceanic whitetips, grey reef sharks, manta rays, dugongs, dolphins, and several turtle species.
02Is the Red Sea suitable for beginner divers?
Yes, it's one of the better places in the world to start. The shallow reefs around Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada, and Aqaba offer calm, clear water with little current and plenty to look at, ideal for courses and early logbook pages. The advanced sites will still be there when you're ready for them.
03What is the typical water visibility in the Red Sea?
Famously good, commonly 20 to 40 meters (65 to 130 feet). With almost no freshwater runoff feeding the sea, the water stays clear, which is why photographers love it and why the big reefscapes read so well from a distance.
04Are liveaboards essential for diving the Red Sea's best sites?
For some of them, yes. Day boats cover plenty of excellent diving from shore, but the Brothers Islands, Daedalus Reef, and the Sudanese Red Sea sit too far out for daily runs. A liveaboard is how you reach them, and it stacks up far more dive time along the way.
05What is the water temperature range throughout the year?
In the northern Red Sea, roughly 21-23°C (70-73°F) in winter up to 28-30°C (82-86°F) in summer; the south runs slightly warmer year-round. A 3mm or 5mm wetsuit handles most of the year, but pack a 7mm or semi-dry for northern winters.
06Is solo diving permitted in the Red Sea?
Generally, no. Operators here follow standard recreational protocols: you dive with a buddy or a certified guide. Expect the rule to be enforced, not negotiated, it's a matter of both safety and local regulation.

When to go

Season by season in Red Sea

Spring (March - May)

A comfortable window in the northern Red Sea, Egypt and Jordan, with mild air and water temperatures, typically high visibility, and moderate wind. Both liveaboards and shore-based operations run at full tilt in these months.

Summer (June - August)

On land, the northern Red Sea bakes. Underwater, conditions stay superb, and the calmer seas make this the working season for the deeper southern Egyptian sites and Sudan, where remote offshore reefs and pelagic encounters, including manta rays, become reachable.

Autumn (September - November)

The consensus peak for the whole sea. Air and water temperatures land in the sweet spot, visibility holds, and the wind drops below its levels the rest of the year. Everything works in this window: northern Egyptian wrecks, southern reefs, Sudanese sites.

Winter (December - February)

The coolest water of the year, most noticeably in the north, where a thicker wetsuit earns its packing space. The diving stays excellent, particularly in the southern regions, and Djibouti's whale shark season runs through these months.

Watch & learn

Watch & learn, Red Sea

  • YouTube

    Diving in Egypt, Sharm El Sheikh. Shark & Yolanda Reef, 2021. 4K

    Scuba Notes by Dmitry

    0
  • YouTube

    Ras Mohamed Full Diving Experience | 4K | GoPro |Sharm El Sheikh 2025

    Slothy Vlogs

    0
  • YouTube

    SCUBA DIVING at the Magical BLUE HOLE in Dahab, Egypt

    Ayaan Chitty - Scuba Diving, Travel & Adventure

    0

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