Hurghada Dive Sites

Shaab El Erg is a stunning reef famous for frequent dolphin encounters. Located north of Hurghada, this horseshoe-shaped coral reef offers vibrant coral gardens, sandy plateaus, and diverse marine life. Divers can spot turtles, moray eels, lionfish, and a variety of reef fish. With mild currents and excellent visibility, Shaab El Erg is perfect for both beginners and experienced divers. Normally. that's where we conduct our check-dives on the first day of our Northern itineraries.

The El Mina Wreck is a sunken Egyptian minesweeper located near Hurghada, offering an exciting dive for wreck enthusiasts. This vessel was reportedly sunk during an air raid and now rests on the seabed at a depth of around 30 meters.

The wreck lies on its port side and is covered with marine life, including schools of glassfish, lionfish, scorpionfish, and moray eels. The hull is still well-preserved, with visible gun mounts and other military features, making it a fascinating site to explore.

Due to its depth and occasional strong currents, the El Mina Wreck is best suited for advanced divers. However, for those with the required experience, this dive offers a unique glimpse into history combined with rich marine biodiversity.

Abu Ramada Bayad is undoubtedly the most colorful and photogenic dive site in Hurghada, yet it remains a hidden gem known to only a few boats. One of our favourite sites of the region. This shallow site bursts with life, offering vibrant coral formations and massive schools of reef fish that create a mesmerizing underwater spectacle.

The site’s relatively shallow depth allows for extended dives, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced divers who want to take their time and fully absorb the breathtaking scenery. The explosion of colors, thanks to an abundance of soft corals and densely packed fish, provides endless opportunities for underwater photography. Expect to see countless anthias, butterflyfish, angelfish, and even curious napoleon wrasse cruising through the reef.

Abu Ramada Bayad is a true hidden paradise, proving that you don’t need to dive deep to experience the magic of the Red Sea’s marine life in all its glory.

The Boleina wreck is one of Hurghada’s lesser-known but fascinating dive sites. This sunken vessel lies at a shallow depth, offering divers an exciting mix of wreck exploration and marine life encounters. Over the years, the wreck has become an artificial reef, attracting a variety of marine species and covering itself with soft corals and sponges.

The structure of the wreck is still recognizable, making it an interesting site for both wreck enthusiasts and photographers. Schools of glassfish, lionfish, and groupers have made it their home, while moray eels and scorpionfish can often be spotted hiding among the wreckage. The surrounding sandy seabed is also a great place to look for rays and other bottom-dwelling creatures. What makes Boleina special is the amount of nudibranches here. You'll find at least 10 on a bad day, while on some dives we counted more than fifty! Different shapes, colours and sizes - this place is a must-visit for any macro photographer!

Thanks to its accessible, the Boleina wreck is a great choice for divers of all levels looking to explore a hidden part of Hurghada’s underwater history.

Ben El Gebel is a hidden gem among Hurghada’s dive sites, known for its striking underwater topography and rich marine life. The name translates to "Between the Mountains," referring to its location between two islands.

The site features a mix of shallow coral gardens and deeper walls, offering diverse dive experiences. Large coral formations provide shelter for schools of fusiliers, snappers, and bannerfish, while moray eels and octopuses hide within the reef's crevices. The sandy bottom areas are often home to blue-spotted stingrays, and lucky divers might even spot an eagle ray passing by.

Banana Reef is a small but vibrant dive site near Hurghada, named for its curved, banana-like shape, ;ocated right next to Ben El Gebel. Despite its modest size, it offers a rich underwater experience with colorful coral gardens, towering pinnacles, and an abundance of marine life. The shallow depths make it an excellent spot for relaxed dives, while the reef’s structure provides shelter for countless species, including angelfish, butterflyfish, and moray eels. Occasional visits from blue-spotted stingrays and even eagle rays and turtles add excitement to the dive. With its calm conditions and scenic beauty, Banana Reef is a fantastic site for both beginners and experienced divers.

North Abu Ramada is a deep dive site known for its currents and dramatic underwater topography. The wall starts at 15 meters and drop well beyond 40, making it a great site for experienced divers.

Exposed to open-water currents, this reef attracts pelagic life. Schools of barracudas, tunas, and trevallies are common here, and lucky divers may even spot giant rays and elusive hammerhead sharks cruising through the blue.

North Abu Ramada features impressive walls that descend into the deep, along with large coral formations where moray eels, groupers, and lionfish find shelter. Every dive here is unpredictable, as changing currents bring in different marine species, making it an exciting and dynamic site.

Erg Somaya is a reef wall on the eastern side of Small Giftun island, offering excellent conditions for a variety of dives. Depths range from 10 to 30 meters, with underwater landscapes featuring vertical walls, small caves, and overhangs that shelter abundant marine life.

Schools of barracudas, snappers, and trevallies frequently patrol the open water, while the reef itself hosts octopuses, crocodile fish, and scorpionfish camouflaged among the corals. Moray eels hide in crevices, and on calm days, sea turtles can be seen resting among the soft corals.

Compact yet full of life, Erg Somaya is suitable for both beginners and experienced divers. The site is particularly breathtaking in the morning when sunlight filters through the clear water, illuminating the vibrant colors of the coral reef.

Hurghada Underwater Museum is a unique dive site featuring sunken military vehicles, including tanks and armored personnel carriers. This artificial reef was established to attract marine life and reduce the diving pressure on natural coral reefs.

The vehicles rest at a depth accessible to divers of different levels and have already become encrusted with corals, providing shelter for a variety of marine creatures. Divers can encounter crocodilefish, scorpionfish, lionfish, and moray eels. Schools of glassfish and snappers swirl around the tanks and armored vehicles, creating an impressive underwater scene.

This site offers a fascinating blend of history and marine life while serving as an alternative dive location that contributes to coral reef conservation.

Shaab Pinky is a drift dive site on the eastern side of Giftun Island, where no mooring options are available for yachts. The site features a plateau that transitions into a steep wall, descending into the depths. Due to its exposed location, divers have the chance to encounter large marine life such as tunas, barracudas, eagle rays, and occasionally sharks. The reef is adorned with vibrant hard and soft corals, attracting a variety of reef fish. Strong currents make this an exciting dive, best suited for experienced divers looking for drift dives and encounters with pelagic species.

Giannis D is one of the most thrilling wreck dives in the Red Sea, located at the famous Abu Nuhas Reef, often called the "Ship Graveyard." This 100-meter-long Greek cargo ship was en route from Croatia to Saudi Arabia carrying timber when it struck the reef in 1983 and sank shortly after, breaking into three sections.

Resting at a depth of 5–28 meters with a dramatic tilt to the port side, Giannis D offers an exciting and slightly surreal diving experience. The wreck remains remarkably well-preserved, allowing divers to explore its spacious cargo holds, swim through the engine room, and get a close look at its massive diesel engine. The bridge is still intact, with windows providing eerie glimpses into the past.

Over time, the wreck has become an artificial reef covered in soft corals and sponges, attracting a variety of marine life. Schools of glassfish shimmer around the structure, while lionfish, stonefish, moray eels, stingrays, and barracudas patrol the wreck. Giant groupers can sometimes be spotted resting in the shadows of the hull. With great visibility, moderate currents, and an accessible depth range, Giannis D is an ideal dive site for both experienced wreck divers and those exploring sunken ships for the first time.

The Carnatic is one of the oldest and most intriguing wrecks in the Red Sea. This British steamship, built with a wooden hull, sank in 1869 on Abu Nuhas Reef while carrying a cargo of cotton, copper, gold, and bottles of wine—earning it the nickname “the wine wreck.”
En route from Suez to Bombay, the Carnatic struck the reef at full speed during a night crossing. Despite staying afloat for over 24 hours, the captain chose to wait for help instead of evacuating. Eventually, the ship broke in half and sank, tragically claiming 31 lives.
Today, the wreck rests between 20 and 27 meters and is considered one of the most beautiful shipwrecks in the Red Sea. Its skeletal frame is now covered in vibrant soft corals, and its open structure makes for a safe and visually stunning dive. Inside, divers can swim through clouds of glassfish, while outside, giant moray eels, lionfish, and even turtles are often spotted. With its rich history, breathtaking coral growth, and diverse marine life, the Carnatic is a must-visit dive site at Abu Nuhas.

Umm Gamar is a diving site near Hurghada in the northern part of the Red Sea. It is a long-isolated reef formed by an underwater mountain, with a crescent-shaped island at the top. Umm Gamar means Mother of the Moon in Arabic. The site offers a variety of dive experiences, from coral gardens to steep walls, from canyons to caves, and from reef fish to pelagic predators. Umm Gamar is about 90 minutes away from Hurghada by boat, and it has a maximum depth of around 30 meters. The site has a plateau on the south, at a depth of 14 to 24 meters, where divers can see a beautiful coral garden with turtles, batfish, moray eels, and Napoleon fish. The site also has several large coral pinnacles that rise from the sandy bottom, creating a maze of canyons and swim-throughs. The pinnacles are covered with colorful soft corals and fan corals, and host a variety of marine life, such as glassfish, lionfish, angelfish, butterflyfish.

Shabruhr Umm Gamar is a smaller reef located near the famous Umm Gamar dive site, north of Hurghada. This site is known for its vibrant marine life, coral-covered pinnacles, and exciting topography, making it a favorite among divers.

The reef features steep drop-offs, coral gardens, and small caves, providing shelter to a variety of marine species. Divers can encounter moray eels, groupers, lionfish, and schools of snappers and fusiliers. With some luck, pelagic species such as tuna and barracudas may also be seen.

One of the highlights of Shabruhr Umm Gamar is the wreck of a small research vessel, resting at a depth of around 15-30 meters. The wreck has become an artificial reef, attracting a rich array of marine life.

Shabruhr Umm Gamar is an excellent dive site for both recreational and advanced divers, offering a mix of shallow and deep diving experiences. With its crystal-clear waters and diverse underwater landscape, this site promises an unforgettable diving adventure.

Carless Reef is the most famous coral reef in the coastal area of Hurghada. This dive site is situated north of Hurghada, it is a mid sea reef plateau pushing up from the Abyss.
The reef itself centers on two peaks or pinnacles which brush the surface in an otherwise open sea. The plateau between these pinnacles is about 12 m deep, and offers a wide range of dive possibilities for those not interested in deep diving. A few meters east of the saddle, a steep wall drops well beyond 40m, with a contoured profile offering many caves and coverlets for the more experienced diver. Large gorgonians, pushing black corals, coral fish and moray eels (large population of semi-tame moray eels), and some white tip sharks.
Due to the absence of a protective lagoon, Carless Reef is exposed to strong currents and waves, making it best suited for experienced divers and only available on a calm day.

Fanous East is a popular dive site near Hurghada, known for its vibrant coral formations and frequent encounters with bottlenose dolphins. The site features a shallow reef plateau with depths ranging from 5 to 15 meters, making it ideal for both beginner and experienced divers.
One of the main attractions of Fanous East is its coral pinnacles, covered with colorful soft and hard corals, providing shelter for a variety of marine life. Divers can spot moray eels, lionfish, scorpionfish, and schools of snappers and fusiliers. The sandy seabed surrounding the reef is home to blue-spotted stingrays, while the open water often brings sightings of trevallies and barracudas.
Thanks to its relatively shallow depth and clear waters, Fanous East is a great site for relaxed dives and underwater photography. It is also a well-known location for dolphin encounters, adding a special highlight to any dive.

Fanadir is one of our favorite dive sites in Hurghada, and for a good reason. At first glance, it may seem unremarkable, but beneath the surface, it offers an astonishing abundance of marine life unmatched by any other site in the area.

This long reef provides endless diving opportunities, from shallow dives along the coral formations to deep wall dives for more experienced divers. The sloping sandy bottom transitions into a vertical drop-off, creating a perfect habitat for various species. Divers can encounter large schools of fish, moray eels, scorpionfish,octopuses, crocodile fish and even the occasional eagle ray gliding past. The reef itself is covered with colorful soft corals and sea fans, while the sandy patches are home to blue-spotted stingrays and garden eels.

Whether you prefer a relaxed exploration of the reef or an exciting deep dive along the wall, Fanadir always delivers a memorable underwater experience.

Abu Nugar is a vast reef system located northeast of Hurghada, consisting of several shallow reefs and coral formations. It is known for its stunning coral gardens, vibrant marine life, and excellent visibility, making it an ideal site for both beginner and experienced divers.

The reef features sandy lagoons, coral pinnacles, and sloping walls covered in hard and soft corals. Schools of fusiliers, snappers, and butterflyfish are common here, along with blue-spotted stingrays, moray eels, and sometimes even turtles. The shallow depth and calm conditions also make Abu Nugar a great spot for snorkeling and relaxed diving.

This site offers a variety of dive profiles, from easy reef explorations to deeper dives along the edges of the coral formations. With its rich biodiversity and beautiful underwater landscapes, Abu Nugar is a favorite among divers looking for a colorful and peaceful dive experience.

Small Giftun is one of Hurghada’s most popular dive sites. Located within the Giftun Islands marine park, it features a mix of sloping reefs, coral gardens, and impressive walls.

The site is known for its rich coral formations, large gorgonians, and a variety of caverns and swim-throughs. Marine life includes turtles, moray eels, Napoleon wrasse, barracudas, rays, and an abundance of reef fish. Divers may even encounter passing dolphins, adding to the magic of the dive.

With its calm conditions and moderate currents, Small Giftun is great for both relaxed reef dives and thrilling drift dives along its walls. It is also a fantastic spot for night dives, offering protection from waves and unique nocturnal marine life.

Abu Ramada South is a fantastic dive site located on the southern side of Abu Ramada Island, offering a mix of sloping coral formations, sandy patches, and a vibrant reef wall. This site is known for its excellent visibility, moderate currents, and diverse marine life, making it an exciting choice for divers of all levels.

One of the highlights of Abu Ramada South is its beautiful coral garden, home to an array of marine species, including butterflyfish, angelfish, and anthias. Schools of jacks, barracudas, and even tuna can often be spotted in the blue, while closer to the reef, divers might encounter moray eels, blue-spotted stingrays, and octopuses hiding among the corals.

For those interested in deeper dives, the site offers dramatic drop-offs. With its rich biodiversity and scenic underwater landscapes, Abu Ramada South is a must-visit for anyone diving in the Hurghada region.

Gota Abu Ramada is one of Hurghada’s most famous dive sites, often referred to as "The Aquarium" due to its incredible marine life. This small oval-shaped reef is surrounded by a shallow sandy bottom scattered with coral pinnacles, creating a stunning underwater landscape.

The site is home to huge schools of yellowtail snapper, barracudas, groupers, rays, and even eagle rays. On the sandy bottom, divers often spot blue-spotted stingrays, while moray eels and scorpionfish hide among the coral formations.

With mild currents and excellent visibility, Gota Abu Ramada is perfect for divers of all levels. It is also a great spot for night dives, revealing a different side of the reef’s vibrant marine ecosystem.

El Arouk Talata is a picturesque dive site near Hurghada, featuring a series of coral pinnacles rising from a sandy bottom at a depth of 10–15 meters. This reef is ideal for beginner divers, training dives, and underwater photography. Currents are generally weak, making dives comfortable and enjoyable. Marine life includes schools of glassfish, moray eels, lionfish, octopuses, cuttlefish, and blue-spotted stingrays. Boxer shrimp and scorpionfish hide within the coral formations. El Arouk Talata is a popular spot for daily diving trips from Hurghada, offering a relaxed dive experience and great opportunities for exploring the underwater world.

Gota Abu Galawa is a beautiful coral reef near Hurghada, part of Abu Galawa reef system, offering an exciting dive experience with its rich marine biodiversity and stunning underwater scenery. The site features a mix of coral gardens, pinnacles, and sandy patches, providing shelter for a variety of reef fish, moray eels, and blue-spotted stingrays. With excellent visibility and mild currents, Gota Abu Galawa is suitable for divers of all levels. The vibrant coral formations and occasional encounters with turtles and eagle rays make this site a fantastic choice for underwater photography and exploration.

Hamda, or Stone Beach is a lesser-known but intriguing dive site on the eastern site of Giftun island, featuring a rocky reef with sharp depth changes and a diverse underwater landscape. The dive begins on a gently sloping plateau scattered with coral blocks, where scorpionfish, moray eels, and cuttlefish often find shelter. At depths of 10–15 meters, large schools of fusiliers, snappers, and the occasional barracuda can be seen swimming close to the reef.

As you go deeper, the terrain becomes more pronounced. At 20–25 meters, large coral formations rise from the sandy bottom, leading to a gentle slope where bluespotted stingrays can often be spotted buried in the sand. Occasionally, sea turtles glide past, adding to the charm of this dive site. Due to open nature, some rare encounters like manta rays and whale sharks are also possible.

This location is suitable for both beginner and experienced divers who enjoy relaxed dives focused on exploring marine life. With minimal diver traffic, Hamda offers a peaceful opportunity to take in the beauty of the reef and capture excellent macro photography shots.

Sabina Reef is a small yet charming dive site near Hurghada, offering a mix of coral gardens and sandy patches teeming with marine life. The site is also excellent for drift diving, as dives here are typically conducted in this mode, allowing divers to glide effortlessly along the reef with the current.

The reef consists of a series of coral formations interspersed with sandy areas, creating a perfect habitat for numerous reef fish and invertebrates. Divers can expect to see schools of goatfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish, as well as blue-spotted stingrays resting on the sand. Curious moray eels and octopuses often hide among the corals, while larger predators like trevallies occasionally pass by. Eagle rays can pass by and whale sharks are frequent guests during summer period.

With its shallow depths, minimal currents, and vibrant marine life, Sabina Reef is a fantastic choice for both beginners and experienced divers. The combination of beautiful coral scenery and effortless drift diving makes it a relaxing yet exciting experience.

Sakhwa Abu Galawa is a lesser-known yet remarkable dive site near Hurghada, part of Abu Galawa reef system, offering a mix of coral gardens, sandy plateaus, and small pinnacles teeming with life. With its shallow depths and gentle conditions, it is suitable for divers of all levels, making it a great location for both relaxing explorations and exciting drift dives.

The site is home to a variety of marine species, from colorful reef fish to larger predators patrolling the blue. Schools of snappers and fusiliers move gracefully above the corals, while moray eels and octopuses hide among the reef crevices. The sandy patches are often visited by blue-spotted stingrays and garden eels, adding to the diversity of the underwater landscape. Thanks to its mix of terrain and marine biodiversity, Sakhwa Abu Galawa is a fantastic dive site that remains a hidden gem for those looking to explore beyond the well-known spots.

Erg Abu Galawa is a stunning dive site featuring a series of coral pinnacles rising from the sandy seabed. These formations create a breathtaking underwater landscape, with vibrant coral growth and an abundance of marine life. The site offers depths ranging from shallow coral gardens to deeper sections, making it suitable for divers of all experience levels.

The ergs are covered in colorful soft and hard corals, attracting a variety of reef fish, including angelfish, butterflyfish, and schools of fusiliers. Hidden among the coral formations, divers can spot moray eels, scorpionfish, and nudibranchs. The sandy areas surrounding the pinnacles often host stingrays and garden eels. With its fantastic visibility, diverse marine life, and opportunities for both relaxed and drift diving, Erg Abu Galawa is a site that promises unforgettable underwater experiences.

Fanous West is a well-known dive site near Hurghada, offering a mix of shallow reef diving and exciting marine life encounters. The site consists of a coral plateau with depths ranging from 5 to 18 meters.
The reef features large coral pinnacles covered in vibrant soft and hard corals, creating a picturesque underwater landscape. Schools of fusiliers, snappers, and goatfish are commonly seen around the pinnacles, while moray eels, lionfish, and scorpionfish hide among the coral formations. The sandy seabed is home to blue-spotted stingrays and garden eels, adding to the site's biodiversity.
One of the biggest attractions of Fanous West is its frequent dolphin encounters. Bottlenose dolphins are often spotted in the area, making this site a favorite for divers hoping for an unforgettable experience. With its shallow depth and clear waters, Fanous West is also ideal for underwater photography and snorkeling.

Mohamed Hasabella Wreck (Fishing Boat) is a small wooden fishing trawler that sank in the waters of Hurghada, right next to the better-known El Mina. Resting on a sandy seabed at a moderate depth, it is easily accessible for experienced divers.

Despite its modest size, the wreck attracts an abundance of marine life. Schools of snappers and glassfish often swirl around the hull, while shrimp, lionfish, and small moray eels find shelter in its nooks and crannies. The deck is covered with corals and sponges, creating a vibrant underwater scene, especially in good lighting conditions.

This dive site is perfect for leisurely exploration, underwater photography, and observing reef inhabitants up close.

El Fanadir South is an extension of the long El Fanadir reef but has unique features that set it apart. Unlike the northern section, this area offers a variety of underwater landscapes: sandy patches transition into coral formations, and in some areas, the reef forms small vertical walls.

Depths range from 5 to 35 meters, making it suitable for different types of dives—from shallow exploration to deeper drift dives along the reef. The marine life here includes butterflyfish, emperor angelfish, cuttlefish, moray eels, and large schools of glassfish. Eagle rays, barracudas, and snappers are also frequent visitors.

El Fanadir is a fantastic site for drift diving, as the moderate currents allow for a relaxing dive without the need to return to the starting point. Morning dives here are particularly stunning, as the sunlight penetrates the water, illuminating the reef beautifully.

Shaab Iris is a scenic reef in the Abu Nugar reef system, named after the rich palette of colors found in its underwater landscape. This relatively small reef features a sandy plateau surrounded by coral formations that descend into deeper waters.

The site offers diverse diving experiences, from shallow areas perfect for beginners and macro photography enthusiasts to deeper drop-offs where barracudas, eagle rays, and large groupers can be spotted. Angel fish, trumpetfish, and moray eels roam among the corals, while shrimp and cuttlefish hide in the reef's crevices.

Shaab Iris is particularly stunning in the morning when the sunlight filters through the clear waters, creating a magical display of light and shadows on the corals. This site is ideal for those who appreciate relaxed dives with rich marine life and excellent visibility.

Marsa Abu Galawa is a stunning and diverse dive site near Hurghada, offering a perfect mix of coral gardens, sandy patches, small pinnacles, and a deeper wall that reaches depths of up to 30 meters. This variety makes it an excellent spot for all levels of divers, from beginners to those seeking deeper explorations. The site is well-sheltered, providing calm conditions ideal for underwater photography, long relaxed dives, and even night diving.

Marine life here is abundant, with schools of fusiliers, butterflyfish, and angelfish weaving through the vibrant coral formations. Moray eels hide within the reef, while blue-spotted stingrays glide over the sandy bottom. The deeper wall is often visited by larger pelagic species, adding an extra thrill for experienced divers. Lucky ones might even spot a turtle gracefully swimming along the reef edge. A school of batfish can be spotted below the boats almost on every dive. With its combination of easy diving, colorful marine life, and an impressive drop-off, Marsa Abu Galawa is a hidden gem of the Red Sea that should not be missed.

Turtle Bay is a scenic bay well known for frequent encounters with sea turtles. This tranquil site features a gently sloping sandy bottom surrounded by coral reefs, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced divers looking for relaxed dives.

Depths range from 5 to 18 meters, allowing for long, enjoyable dives with excellent visibility. Among the soft coral gardens and small coral blocks, divers can spot green turtles, hawksbill turtles, crocodile fish, stingrays, cuttlefish, and octopuses. Eagle rays and barracudas occasionally pass through the area.

Turtle Bay is particularly popular with underwater photographers due to its soft natural lighting and the vibrant colors of the corals. It is also an excellent spot for snorkeling, as much of its marine life can be observed in shallow waters.