Discover the Diving Wonder of Egypt’s Red Sea Coast

These days, Egypt’s Red Sea Coast is mostly known for its sun-and-sea family holidays. However, this world-class diving destination is more than just beach relaxation. This famed shoreline offers access to the wild and remote landscapes of the Eastern Desert while the underwater realm showcases vibrant reefs, which initially put the Red Sea Coast on the tourism map.

Easy Diving Day Trips

For novice divers or travelers looking to incorporate a diving day into their resort holiday, the dive sites around the Giftun Islands and the Straits of Gubal present easy day-trip options from Hurghada or El Gouna.

Divers can explore the stunning outcrops of brain coral in the horseshoe-shaped reef of Sha’ab Al Erg in the Straits of Gubal. Keep your fingers crossed to catch a glimpse of the friendly bottlenose dolphins that often visit this area.

Moreover, heading further north in the Straits leads to the sites around Siyul Island, where you might spot a variety of marine life such as leopard sharks, turtles, glassfish, and moray eels while diving Siyul Kebira.

The Gota Abu Ramada oval reef is among the most sought-after dive sites in the Giftun Islands, teeming with parrotfish, triggerfish, and butterflyfish darting between colorful soft corals. For exhilarating drift dives, Small Giftun Island is unmatched, where hawkfish navigate through impressive spiny gorgonian fans on the reef.

Diving the Straits of Gubal Wrecks

One name stands out when it comes to Red Sea wreck diving: the Thistlegorm. Renowned as one of the world’s top five wreck dives, this WWII ship was sunk by German bombers in 1941, leaving behind a time capsule of supplies once destined for the Allies.

Exploring the seabed littered with military vehicles, motorbikes, and trucks offers an unforgettable glimpse into history.

Consequently, for those pressed for time, diving the Thistlegorm from the Red Sea coast, as opposed to from Sharm El-Sheikh in the Sinai, can be feasible. Some dive operators in El Gouna and Hurghada offer it as a long day-trip, providing greater flexibility.

Additionally, another excellent day-trip wreck diving site is Sha’ab Abu Nuhas, boasting four recreational dive wrecks. Notably, the Carnatic, a steamship that ran aground in 1869, and the Giannis D, a freighter that perished in 1983, can be explored.

Explore the Brothers Islands

Accessible primarily by liveaboards, the Brothers Islands offer some of Egypt’s best diving experiences free from crowds. Divers can encounter the Numidia, a cargo ship encrusted with soft corals, originally wrecked in 1901 and now inhabited by barracuda and trevally.

Also, wall dives off Little Brother Island feature vibrant corals, and there is the chance to spot silvertip reef sharks or occasional hammerheads.

Deep South Diving

For avid diving enthusiasts, Marsa Alam has solidified its reputation as Egypt’s hidden gem. Recent developments have opened the area to beach-goers combining leisure with recreational diving opportunities.

Only 20 minutes from shore is the famed Elphinstone Reef, home to vibrant shoals of anthias and mesmerizing black corals.

Moreover, opting for a liveaboard from Marsa Alam (or Hurghada and El Gouna) grants access to secluded dive sites in the deep south showcasing magnificent pelagic action.

For the best chances of encountering manta rays or whale sharks, consider diving Daedalus in April or May. The dive sites of Fury Shoals and St John’s Reefs feature awe-inspiring coral canyons, tunnels, and caves where reef sharks prowl.

Organizing a Dive

Most large resorts have onsite dive operators. However, it is essential to research as the quality and pricing of dive trips may significantly vary. Many reputable dive companies also provide transfers from other hotels.

With bases in El Gouna and Marsa Alam, Emperor Divers offers a diverse range of dive day-trips and multiday liveaboard excursions. Furthermore, they provide PADI courses catering to everyone, from beginners to advanced divers.

In Hurghada, both Dive Hurghada and Simsim Dive offer excursions for all experience levels, from novices to seasoned divers, as well as liveaboard options.

Kitesurfing on the Red Sea

Although diving is a major attraction, numerous activities also thrive above the water. Kitesurfing, in particular, flourishes year-round in both El Gouna and Safaga due to favorable wind conditions and gently sloping shorelines.

While both destinations cater to all skill levels in kitesurfing, El Gouna, with its array of dining and entertainment options, makes it ideal for those wanting to add water sports to their vacation.

For kitesurfing enthusiasts, both Red Sea Zone and KBC offer a comprehensive selection of courses from beginner to advanced levels.

Additionally, for wakeboarding, El Gouna’s massive Sliders Cable Park is one of the largest globally, catering to wakeboarders. Meanwhile, Safaga is known among seasoned windsurfers for its exceptional conditions.

Exploring the Eastern Desert

Sunrise or sunset excursions through the desert by jeep, ATV, horseback, or bicycle provide travelers a glimpse into Egypt’s rugged landscapes inland from the coast. Resorts and hotels in El Gouna, Hurghada, and Marsa Alam can arrange these trips; nevertheless, deeper exploration can enhance the experience.

The Red Sea Mountain Trail, which opened in 2019, is a 170km (106 mi) circuit traversing the jagged mountain core of the Eastern Desert. This trek is organized by the local Maaza Bedouin tribe, who also provide guidance and full support for hikers.

The trail offers several day-hiking routes, ranging from moderate hikes through valleys to more challenging mountain ascents, all within a short drive from Hurghada.

Fees for hiking may include transfers, permits, a guide, lunch, and water. Complete trail thru-hikes are expected to become available from 2022.

Visiting the Eastern Desert’s Coptic Monasteries

While soaking up the sun, the Red Sea region is rich in history waiting to be explored. If you’re willing to venture off the beach, the remote Coptic monasteries of St Anthony and St Paul in the northern Eastern Desert offer a worthy contrast to the natural scenery.

Hidden within formidable walls and craggy cliffs, these monasteries are pivotal in Christianity’s monastic traditions, serving as significant pilgrimage sites for Coptic Egyptians.

Both complexes date back to the 4th century CE, housing churches, shaded gardens, and monk cells. The Monastery of St Anthony, in particular, is renowned for its remarkable collection of Coptic art.

Best Times to Visit the Red Sea Coast

Diving can be enjoyed year-round, with peak seasons running from March to June and October to November. Spring and autumn are also the ideal times for Eastern Desert excursions. While the summer months offer stunning diving conditions, many find the land temperatures uncomfortable.

From December to February, Red Sea resorts become a winter sun getaway for northern Europeans. Particularly in January and February, winds can be strong, and sea conditions may be rough; hence, it is advisable for first-time divers to choose spring or autumn.

Hurghada is the main transport hub of the Red Sea, with regular bus services to Luxor (4.5 hours inland), making it easy to combine several days of diving with a Nile Valley adventure.

Hurghada Airport offers multiple daily flights to Cairo with EgyptAir, along with direct connections to Europe via budget airlines. El Gouna is approximately a 30-minute taxi ride from the airport, while Marsa Alam features an airport served by two weekly flights with EgyptAir from Cairo and several low-cost European airlines.