Scuba Diving in the Red Sea: The Best Five Spots to Stay in Egypt

The Red Sea has long been a popular scuba diving destination thanks to its vibrant coral reefs and marine life. It’s home to several cities and towns that are well-suited to sunny package holidays.

If you’re interested in curating exceptional diving packages for your clients, check out our guide on the Red Sea’s premier destinations below.

Sharm El Sheikh: Gateway to Ras Mohammed National Park

Located on the south of the Sinai Peninsula, Sharm el-Sheikh is famous for its proximity to the Shark and Yolanda reefs in Ras Mohammed National Park, as well as the Thistlegorm wreck. Its sheltered sandy beaches and diving spots make it the highlight of many Egypt Holidays packages.

The area boasts numerous dive resorts to cater to various client budgets. The Four Seasons Resort Sharm el-Sheikh is a luxury option with over 3,000 palm trees and a mile-long private beach. The Mövenpick Resort Sharm el-Sheikh offers private balconies with sea views for a quieter, more affordable alternative. After a day in the water, clients can relax in the bars and restaurants of palm-tree-lined Naama Bay.

Hurghada: Access to Abu Nuhas Shipwrecks

Hurghada has quickly become a major watersports destination, with kitesurfing, windsurfing, snorkelling, and scuba diving facilities. Its waters are home to numerous shipwrecks, including the Giannis D and the Carnatic.

Clients new to diving will enjoy Hurghada’s shallow, sheltered bays, while more experienced divers can visit wrecks at El Gouna. Nature enthusiasts can spot Napoleon wrasse and barracuda on a day trip to the Giftun Islands. The Kempinski Soma Bay is a hotel surrounded by the Red Sea on three sides, with a golf course, spa, professional dive centre, and multiple bars and restaurants for clients looking for a luxurious experience.

Marsa Alam: Gateway to Elphinstone Reef

Marsa Alam is the closest town to Elphinstone Reef, a 375-metre-long offshore reef that features abundant soft corals and sea life. Divers can spot several shark species, including grey reef, silver tip, scalloped hammerhead, and oceanic white tip.

The town is a quieter alternative to Hurghada, authentically representing everyday Egyptian life. Just 45 kilometres south of town is the vast Wadi el-Gemal National Park, where clients can spot gazelles, wild donkeys, and over 1,200 types of fish across several islands. Families can stay at the JAZ Lamaya Resort for an all-inclusive experience and private beach.

Dahab: Home to the Blue Hole

Dahab is celebrated for the Blue Hole, a world-famous submarine sinkhole and dive site that attracts advanced divers. Close by is a deep, rocky crevice home to green turtles and schools of bannerfish, and Lighthouse Bay, an area more suited to beginners with hard and soft corals and parrotfish.

Clients can also try windsurfing in Dahab. Its reliable winds, with over 300 days of wind a year, create flat water conditions inside the sand pit. The Safir Dahab Resort, on a sheltered natural lagoon on the outskirts of town, is an ideal base to explore the area.

The Brothers Islands: Liveaboard Adventures

El Ikhwa Islands, or the Brothers Islands, are accessible by liveaboard trips. Clients will travel to the islands 150 kilometres southeast of Hurghada on well-equipped vessels and explore multiple dive sites over several days.

Once they arrive at these marine parks, they’ll discover healthy coral reefs full of pelagic sharks and the Aida and Numidia wrecks. The area has impressive visibility, making spotting reef fish swimming along the corals easy.