Depth: 0-18 meters

El Erg is just made for all levels of divers, you will just love it here! Come and enjoy the acrobatics of the spinner dolphins who live at the Dolphin House, part of Sha’ ab El Erg,

Sha’ab Erg is north of the Giftun area, sort of parallel with El Gouna, 90 minutes sailing from Hurghada. Expect a very large coral garden with huge brain corals and table corals, visited by masked masked pufferfish, crown butterflyfish and the Red Sea bannerfish

Depth: 0-20 meters

Umm Gamar Sha'abruhr is your place to be to meet grey reef sharks in the afternoon hours. Giant morays, large blacktip groupers and napoleon wrasse are certainly not uncommon here, as are tuna and big-eyed and bluefin trevallies.

This exciting and oval shaped reef is located in the open sea and does require some experience. It’s 90 minutes sailing from Hurghada. It’s 20 meter deep plateau drops into nowhere with sheer drama.

Depth: 0-20 meters

Marine life is remarkably intense here. Its frequent visitors are napoleon and moon wrasses, big silver sweetlips, peppered morays, the disk-shaped orbicular batfish, redmouth groupers and scores of Red Sea bannerfish. This sha’ab also attracts marine life from the open sea, like the pelagic jackfish, goldbody or orangespotted trevallies, tuna and barracuda.

Umm Gammar means ‘mother of the moon’ because of the shape of the reef. Umm Gammar is a coral heaven, about 90 minutes sailing from Hurghada.

Depth: 12-25 meters

White tip reef sharks, giant sea turtles, Red Sea bannerfish, tuna, giant trevallies, huge redmouth groupers, nudibranch, scalloped hammerheads. You name them, Carless Reef has got them.

This superb reef lies in the vicinity of Sha’abruhr Umm Gammar, 60 minutes sailing from Hurghada and has a fine reputation because of the presence of many diver-friendly moray eels as a result of prolonged fish-feeding. It’s really great fun for photographers and videographers with the residential eels almost performing like extras.

Depth: 0-25 meters

El Fanadir is your underwater studio to capture the yellow-edged moray, the yellow mouth moray, the giant moray, the yellowfin goatfish, sweetlips, pipefish, devil stonefish, clearfin lionfish and even hump-back scorpionfish.

El Fanadir is around 45 minutes sailing, north from Hurghada and north-west of Big Giftun. El Fanadir has become a popular destination for practice sessions and trainings of all levels.

Depth: 8-14 meters

Triggerfish such as the picasso, the orange-striped, the redtooth and the giant are likely to nest during the august-september period and this would be a very good time to visit Fanous West.

This intimate scene is set at Fanous East & West, 30 minutes sailing from Hurghada, its depths varying from 8 to 12 meters and from 0 to 14 meters. It is not unusual for dolphins to pass by during late afternoons. Turtles are no real exception here, as are anglerfish. Schools of blue-spine and sleek unicornfish,scores of black and sailfin surgeonfish and blue sailfin tangs make for a lively marine life.

Depth: 25-32 meters

The Mina is a painful momentum and relic from the lasting and delicate Israeli-Egyptian feud. Its remains rest just east of Hurghada harbour.

The El Mina was an Egyptian minesweeper, brought down by Israeli fighter jets in either 1967 or 1969; the exact year is still open to debate. Irony and cynicism dictate the wreck is an alternative dive for those who return from a vain journey to ship graveyard at Abu Nuhas, in the event weather has not permitted descending there. The site isn’t exactly ‘festooned’ with flora or gifted with lavish fauna.

Depth: 18-30 meters

Giftun Islands are the stomping grounds for the aptly named longnose hawkfish, the napoleon wrasse, moray eels of every kind and for sea turtles. The entire site is patrolled by pelagic species like barracuda, jacks, goldbody trevallies and tuna. Please also meet the crocodile fish, the devil stonefish, the bearded scorpionfish, the Forskall’s goatfish and the circulating Red Sea fusiliers.

With depths ranging from 0 to 18 meters, this is a fine choice, coming in two versions, only 45 minutes sailing from Hurghada. The two versions are Big, kebeir in local parlance and Small, sughayer or saghir in Egyptian lingo.

Depth: 8-14 meters

Sha’ab Sabina is nothing less than a coral labyrinthine treat. It’s underwater landscape is just phenomenal; as if one got lost in a maze of coral gardens, including a Japanese version.

When descending, one feels dwarfed and taken in by cascading gardens of soft and hard coral, plummeting to almost 15 meters. Sha’ab Sabina near Hurghada, is approximately 90 minutes of sailing time. Don't be surprised if you see bluecheeked butterflyfish and the residential broomtail wrasses flirting with you.Well, almost...

Depth: 5-60 meters

‘Teeming’ or ‘profusion’ is a popular term to indicate the abundance of marine life. Well, here we go. Orbicular batfish, barracuda, tuna, jackfish, Spanish mackerel, napoleon wrasse,s, peppered morays, blacktip groupers and harlequin filefish.

One can find the reef of Erg Somaya on the east site of Small Giftun after some 75 minutes sailing from Hurghada. Since it is relatively exposed, it does require a certain extent of experience, specifically when descending down the dramatic drop-off during prominent currents.

Depth: 8-20 meters

To the rich marine life of Turft el Shahed belong stonefish. We also spot gobies here, living in close harmony with shrimps.

Turft el Shahed lies in the corridor between Small Giftun and Big Giftun. It is therefore often referred to as being between two mountains, as in Ben el Gebel. Its main attraction are ‘erug’, coral pinnacles and its sandy bottom, littered with coral blocks. One pinnacle conjures up visions of an umbrella with its impressive overhangs.

Depth: 0-40 meters

Gota Abu Ramada is famed for the abundance of fish, such as the Red Sea bannerfish, the bluecheek and masked butterflies, yellow snappers, titan triggerfish, Forskalls goatfish, sweetlips, alongside giant morays, barracuda, jacks, turtles and crocodilefish.

Gota Abu Ramada is a holy grail for photographers. It is located south of Big Giftun, around 60 to 90 minutes sailing from central Hurghada. Since the current is gentle to moderate and the site is sheltered, it is fit for divers of all levels. It doesn’t require profound experience.

Depth: 20-35 meters

The sight at Abu Ramada Island of billowing clouds of countless anthias, is simply stunning, creating a nice background for giant morays, napoleon wrasse, malabar groupers and blue-spine unicornfish.

You will hit upon Abu Ramada Island after 60 to 90 minutes of sailing from Hurghada. It has to be mentioned that Abu Ramada is exposed and open to elements, requiring attention, although it does have its days of calmness.

Depth: 9-18 meters

Marine life is almost inexhaustible. You just don’t know where to begin. Dea turtles roam and silvery glassfish are being closely ‘monitored’ by predators such as bearded scorpionfish,devil stonefish, trevally, lionfish and groupers.

All levels of divers are more than welcome at Ras Disha, in spite of the sometimes strong current. It is a sheltered, fringing reef, positioned pretty south of Big Guftun and 90 minutes sailing from Hurghada.

Depth: 6-25 meters

This is seaweed territory, ‘hashish’ referring to the non-addictive variety of weed. It has to be said although that local legend dictates that Abu Hashish was once a contraband drop-off for smugglers.

The reef is 90 minutes from Hurghada and a favourite hotspot for big fin reef squid, leopard and coral groupers, mackerels and cornetfish. Regardless of the sometimes choppy conditions, Abu Hashish is kind to all level of divers, as well as for training sessions. Abu Hashish cannot be mentioned without a reference to its amazing caves you have to descend for some 30 meters. They are truly remarkable.

Depth: 0-20 meters

Red Sea Bannerfish, steep-headed parrotfish. sulphur damselfish, clownfish, sea turtles. Marine life in abundance!

Marsa Mubarak has crystal clear blue waters and the shape of a bay. It's easy accessible, being in the close vicinity of the airport of the Marsa Alam region. Divers will notice that Marsa Mubarak is home to sea turtles. It isn’t called Turtle Bay for nothing…They are really amazing. Some even have the size of a man!

Depth: 0-19 meters

Magnificent coral gardens in all sorts of shapes and in a riot of rolours.

Coral Garden takes it name from the magnificent gardens, adorning the reef. This is orange pipe coral and rose coral territory. Visibility is excellent at the reef with a diving depth, up to 19 meters. It’s only a 10 minute zodiac trip from Abu Dabbab Beach. The garden is open to the elements, yet it suits all levels since currents are usually week.

Depth: 0-30 meters

Home of the bi-colour chromis damsel.

Marsa Shuni is a moderate sized bay, south of Port Ghalib and comfortably protected from the winds. These conditions ensure ideal circumstances for all levels of divers and snorkelers, even on windy days when the sea stays relatively calm. Expect the presence of crocodilefish, blue spotted rays, schools of Forskall's goatfish, devil scorpionfish and truly beautiful corals in every size and shape.

Depth: 0-30 meters

Residence for devil scorpionfish, stonefish, Red Sea bannerfish, redmouth groupers, moon groupers, royal angelfish, emperor angelfish, crocodilefish, half-and-half chromis and bluespotted rays.

The area of Abu Saile belongs to a range of sites where one just effortlessly wades in from the shore to enjoy the unrivalled flora and fauna of the Red Sea.

Depth: 0-25 meters

An attractive ‘bouquet’ of soft and hard corals and exciting coral rock boulders and formations., containing mushroom corals, star corals fire corals and brain corals.

The Marsa Murain Bay comprises a northern and a southern reef, separated from each other by a sandy bottom, moderately decorated with patches of sea grass. It is halfway between Haig Shoni and Abu Babbab Bay.

Depth: 0-35 meters

The intriguing scenery of dugongs and turtles, parted by two magnificent house reefs.

Abu Dabbab Beach offers truly fine unlimited diving. The bay here is marked by two fascinating reefs in a riot of colours, one on your left hand site and one on your right hand side, separated by a sandy bottom, decorated with meadows and patches of sargassum. They are very easily accessible from the beach. It is as if you are effortlessly wading into an aquarium.

Depth: 0-25 meters

The Abu Dabbab reef comprises six separate sections, conjuring up visions of flagstones protruding from the sea, looming like ‘stepping stones’

You will find this most famous, yet remote reef sites of Egypt at about 30 kilometers North of Marsa Alam. If you happen to be engaged in underwater photography, you won’t be disappointed with the vibrant underwater panoramas at Abu Dabbab.

Depth: 0-25 meters

The Abu Dabbab reef comprises six separate sections, conjuring up visions of flagstones protruding from the sea, looming like ‘stepping stones’.

You will find this most famous, yet remote reef sites of Egypt at about 30 kilometers North of Marsa Alam. Sha’ab Abu Dabbab isn’t limited to these ‘stepping stones’. It also features reefs, rising pinnacles and a maze of caves, grottoes and tunnels.

Depth: 0-25 meters

The Abu Dabbab reef comprises six separate sections, conjuring up visions of flagstones protruding from the sea, looming like ‘stepping stones’.

You will find this most famous, yet remote reef sites of Egypt at about 30 kilometers North of Marsa Alam. Abu Dabbab is also home to beautiful species of the ‘smaller size’, such as the ghost pipefish, the intriguing hairy pygmy pipehorse and the relatively rare thorny seahorse.

Depth: 0-17 meters

This is your Red Sea fish tank.

The visibility is excellent, with depths not exceeding 17 meters. It’s fit for both snorkeling and diving. Divers will appreciate the ‘drifting’ conditions and the excellent photogenic scenery, due to an impressive palette of enchanting pinnacles. Om Halhalla has a fish tank reputation with the presence of devil scorpionfish, nudibranchs, morays and wrasses all sorts. Om Halhalla also boasts sightings of dolphins, sea turtles and oceanic white tip sharks.

Depth: 0-25 meters

The Abu Dabbab reef comprises six separate sections, conjuring up visions of flagstones protruding from the sea, looming like ‘stepping stones’.

You will find this most famous, yet remote reef sites of Egypt at about 30 kilometers North of Marsa Alam. Here you will see a grand palette of vibrant corals, butterflyfish in all sorts, clearfin lionfish, devil scorpionfish, yellowfin goatfish, etc, etc.

Depth: 0-30 meters

Spectacular marine life with a profusion of fish and marvellous drop-offs.

The Elphinstone Reef is one of the Red Sea’s best shots for encounters with sharks, in particular the large oceanic white tip. The Elphinstone Reef is home to spectacular variety of sea life, including jacks, tuna, blue lunar fusiliers, napoleon wrasse, black snapper and the odd giant barracuda, spying from a distance. The reef is carpeted in healthy soft and hard corals of all shapes and sizes.

Depth: 0-18 meters

The tug of Abu Galawa. Going down to a wreck.

The Fury Shoals in Marsa Alam are the home of the Abu Galawa reefs. There’s a wreck of a small tug on the north side of the reef. It rests on a sandy surface, some 18 meters down the surface. Coral shaping and sculpting into garish bouquets has started to set in, making this small vessel pretty photogenic. The visibility at the site is excellent with the current being weak, making diving comfortably easy. The wreck is in an excellent state of conservation.

Depth: 20-30 meters

Home of octopus, giant morays, malabar groupers, Arabian boxfish, crocodilefish, bearded scorpionfish, clearfin lionfish, bluespotted stingrays and sometimes frequented by the dugong, the odd endearing seacow.

Marsa Egla is a natural bay, some 11 kilometers north of Marsa Alam. You just wade in from the beach, so the bay makes for an easy entry for snorkelers and divers alike. The shallow bay boasts very good visibility, with depths dropping to 20 to 30 meters.

Depth: 0-130 meters

Love the Dolphin House! See how entertaining dolphins are in the flesh!

The Dolphin House in the region of Marsa Alam is also known as Sha’ab Samadai. Come and enjoy the acrobatics of the dolphins who reside at the Dolphin House. Dolphins are very funny and entertaining to watch! And if you're lucky you can even hear them communicate with each other underwater.

Depth: 0-14 meters

Moray eels, butterflyfish from the crowned to the lined and orangehead variety, steepheaded and rusty parrotfish, lionfish, sailfin and Sohal surgeonfish and napoleon wrasses.

The wreck of Abu Ghosun is also known as the Hamada. It rests at 14 meters of water at Abu Ghosun reef. The Hamada was a 500 tons coastal cargo vessel. Its wreck lies south of Marsa Alam and the Wadi El Gamal National Park entrance. She went down in June 1993, en route from Jeddah to Suez.

Depth: 12-24 meters

Domicile for nudibranchs, humpback snappers, yellowfin goatfish, redtooth triggerfish, steepheaded parrotfish and the shortnose unicornfish. A fascinating sight at Claudia, aka Claude, are cascading hard and soft corals conjuring up visions of a giant underwater waterfall, plummeting to a depth of 20 meters.

The reef system of Fury Shoals, south of Marsa Alam, is home to Sha’ab Claudia, aka Sha’ab Claude, a beloved liveaboards destination. It’s a tiny reef and, although protected from the wind, the current can be fierce, which can make this dive demanding.

Depth: 20-32 meters

Close encounters of the dolphin kind. Watch the dolphins getting close to you at Dolphin Reef!

Sha' ab Sataya is a great crescent-shaped reef and features an intriguing, huge coral lagoon. Since Sha’ab Sataya is exposed to the elements, divers are, apart from our jolly friends, likely to see pelagic species such as sea turtles, trevallies, barracudas and oceanic white tip sharks.