The Best Places to Dive in the Red Sea — Why Hurghada Deserves a Top Spot

The Red Sea is one of the world’s most iconic diving destinations, renowned for its year-round warm waters, stunning coral reefs, and high biodiversity. From Egypt’s bustling resort towns to the remote reefs of Sudan, there’s something for every type of diver—from curious beginners to seasoned underwater explorers.

In this guide, we’ll explore the best places to dive in the Red Sea—and show you why Hurghada remains one of the most accessible and rewarding places to dive in the region.

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1. Hurghada, Egypt – The Perfect Balance of Access, Beauty, and Variety

Once a sleepy fishing village, Hurghada has grown into one of Egypt’s premier dive destinations—and for good reason. With easy access from Europe and an abundance of coral reefs just offshore, the scuba diving in Hurghada offers everything a diver could want:

• Warm water (22–30°C year-round)

• Excellent visibility (20–30 meters)

• Diverse marine life including clownfish, stingrays, moray eels, turtles, and even dolphins

• Variety of dive sites: shallow reefs, coral gardens, drift dives, and wrecks

Must-Dive Sites in Hurghada:

• Fanadir North & South: Wall dives, coral gardens, and macro life

• Gota Abu Ramada: Nicknamed “The Aquarium” for its dense marine life

• El Mina Wreck: A 30-meter-deep WWII-era Egyptian naval vessel

• Small Giftun: A great drift dive with gorgonian fans and coral slopes

• Marsa Abu Galawa & Sachwa Abu Galawa: Shallow reefs, stingrays, and seasonal batfish sightings

Whether you’re getting PADI certified or logging your 100th dive, scubadore hurghada offers expert-guided trips to all the top sites—with personalized service and attention to safety.

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2. Ras Mohammed National Park – Untouched Natural Beauty

Located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Ras Mohammed is Egypt’s oldest marine park and one of its most celebrated dive destinations. Protected since 1983, this area boasts dramatic reef walls, steep drop-offs, and vibrant coral ecosystems.

Highlights:

• Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef: Known for pelagic encounters and strong currents

• Jackfish Alley: Coral shelves, swim-throughs, and schools of jacks and barracuda

• Excellent visibility and nutrient-rich currents attract a variety of marine life

Best accessed via day trips from Sharm El-Sheikh or liveaboards, Ras Mohammed is a favorite among underwater photographers and experienced divers seeking deeper, current-swept dives.

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3. Dahab, Egypt – The Laid-Back Diver’s Haven

For those looking to escape the crowds and embrace a slower pace, Dahab offers relaxed charm paired with world-class diving. This bohemian town is famous for its shore diving, making it budget-friendly and easy to explore without boats.

Top Spots:

• The Blue Hole: Notorious and beautiful—best for experienced divers

• The Canyon: A dramatic crack in the reef with unique topography

• Lighthouse Reef: Ideal for training and night dives

With calm conditions and vibrant coral reefs, Dahab is especially popular among freedivers, macro photographers, and independent travelers.

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4. Brothers Islands, Egypt – Remote and Rewarding

If you’re after advanced diving and potential shark encounters, head to the Brothers Islands. Located about 70 km offshore in the middle of the Red Sea, these two small islands are surrounded by steep walls and strong currents.

What to Expect:

• Oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerheads, and sometimes thresher sharks

• Aida II and Numidia wrecks covered in soft coral

• Deep wall diving, best accessed via liveaboard

Because of the remoteness and depth, the Brothers are recommended only for experienced divers.

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5. Elphinstone Reef, Egypt – Big Fish Territory

Another liveaboard-accessed site off Marsa Alam, Elphinstone Reef is famous for its pelagic sightings, including sharks, tuna, and giant trevally.

With steep walls covered in soft coral, caverns, and sometimes strong currents, it’s an exhilarating site for intermediate and advanced divers.

Ideal between October and December, when oceanic whitetips are most frequently spotted.

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6. Port Sudan, Sudan – Pristine and Untouched

For the truly adventurous, Port Sudan offers remote diving without crowds—and reefs in near-pristine condition. While more logistically complex and expensive than diving in Egypt, the payoff is exceptional.

Why Divers Go:

• Untouched coral reefs with minimal diver impact

• Cousteau’s Precontinent II underwater habitat site

• Possible sightings of hammerhead shark schools

Liveaboards are the only way to access these sites, and trips often include multiple crossings of open sea.

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7. Safaga, Egypt – Wrecks and Healthy Reefs

A quieter alternative to Hurghada and close by, Safaga offers stunning dive sites like Abu Kafan (a dramatic drop-off reef) and the Salem Express wreck—one of the Red Sea’s most somber but important wreck dives.

Less developed than Hurghada or Sharm, Safaga provides uncrowded reefs and good options for both recreational and technical diving.

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Why Hurghada Remains a Top Choice

While all of these destinations offer something special, Hurghada stands out because of its accessibility, affordability, and sheer variety of diving experiences—without needing to travel far or commit to a liveaboard.

Here’s what makes Hurghada uniquely appealing:

• Daily boat dives to a wide variety of reefs and wrecks

• PADI training options, from beginner to Rescue Diver, with experienced instructors

• Family-friendly and group-friendly dive planning

• Affordable accommodation, food, and travel compared to more remote areas

• Access to marine life year-round—including stingrays, dolphins, morays, and vibrant reef fish

At scubadore hurghada, we specialize in making the Red Sea accessible to every diver—from those getting certified to experienced divers seeking stress-free reef exploration.

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Planning Your Dive Trip

If you’re wondering where to dive in the Red Sea, here’s a quick comparison to help guide you:

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Final Thoughts

From shallow coral gardens to steep offshore drop-offs, the Red Sea is one of the most diverse diving regions on the planet. Whether you want big pelagics or colorful reef scenes, there’s a destination that matches your dream.

And if you’re looking for a place that combines great conditions, excellent value, stunning dive sites, and easy logistics, then Hurghada should be at the top of your list.

Let scubadore hurghada be your gateway to the Red Sea. Whether you’re training, fun diving, or exploring Egypt for the first time, we’ll help you dive safely, comfortably, and with a smile.