Scuba diving in Egypt: Best spots and prices

Besides visiting the famous pyramids and their enigmatic desert, did you know you can also dive in Egypt? It’s one of the world’s most popular destinations for scuba diving in Egypt, where you can admire the vast marine ecosystem that thrives beneath its warm and crystal-clear waters. So, if you travel through this country, don’t miss the chance to enjoy one of the most impressive water adventures.

To help you stay informed about everything you need before diving in Egypt, we’ve prepared a guide with the most recognised centres and their main courses, from beginner level to professional training. You’ll also discover the top spots for your dives and how much they may cost. Get ready to dive from Sharm El Sheikh to Hurghada, Dahab and Marsa Alam.

Dive centres and courses in Egypt

In regions near the Red Sea, such as Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab and Marsa Alam, and on the Mediterranean coast in Alexandria, you’ll find a wide variety of dive centres in Egypt. Most of them hold certification from PADI or SSI, the leading international diving organisations that ensure high-quality training and safety in their courses around the world. Here are the country’s most recognised centres:

• Emperor Divers (Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh and Marsa Alam): This operator ranks among the oldest and most trusted, offering courses from Discover Scuba Diving to Divemaster level. It also organises liveaboard cruises across the main reefs.
• Blue Ocean Dive Centers & Resorts (El Quseir, Marsa Alam, Sahl Hasheesh): The team shows strong environmental commitment and runs marine conservation programmes. It’s ideal for divers interested in marine biology.
• Sinai Divers (Sharm El Sheikh and Dahab): This centre pioneered diving in Sinai and offers PADI courses, technical dives and daily trips to the reefs inside Ras Mohammed National Park.
• Dahab Divers Lodge (Dahab): The centre teaches in small groups, which suits travellers who want calm certification while exploring iconic spots like the Blue Hole or The Canyon.
• Subex Dive Club (El Gouna and Sharm El Sheikh): This club blends Swiss expertise with Egyptian hospitality and offers modern equipment and personalised programmes for families or beginners.

Each dive centre offers several diving courses in Egypt for complete beginners, intermediate divers who want certification or experienced professionals aiming to work as instructors or rescue divers. Check the following list and choose the course that suits you best:

Types of diving courses in Egypt.

The 5 best places to dive in Egypt

Diving in this country offers an experience we fully recommend if you want new emotions during your trip. It doesn’t matter whether you start now or already have experience, because every level finds suitable areas with warm, clear waters full of marine life.

Besides the well-known diving areas in Egypt, such as the famous Red Sea or the Sinai Peninsula, we’ll also show you a less touristy type of diving with strong historical value in the waters of Alexandria. Note these five top spots and dive into their depths.

1. Sharm El Sheikh – Sinai Peninsula

This place sits at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. It acts as Egypt’s diving hub, thanks to reefs inside Ras Mohammed National Park, a protected marine reserve. The most famous dive sites include Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, both known for their schooling fish, gorgonians and colourful corals.

If you want something different, you can dive the SS Thistlegorm wreck, a British shipwreck that mixes wartime history with rich marine life at around thirty metres. Meanwhile, Sharm El Sheikh offers many hotels and internationally certified PADI dive centres, which makes it ideal for beginners and divers who want to keep improving.

2. Dahab – Sinai

About two hours from Sharm El Sheikh, on the country’s north-eastern coast, you’ll find this small Red Sea town. It’s another well-known diving spot in Egypt thanks to its deep waters and shore-accessible reefs. The most famous site is the Blue Hole, a sinkhole over one hundred metres deep, suitable only for experienced divers. You’ll also find a volcanic rock passage full of marine life, such as lionfish, moray eels, eagle rays and turtles, called The Canyon.

3. Hurghada – Red Sea coast

Another coastal city on the western shore of the Red Sea is Hurghada, just one hour by plane from Cairo and only five kilometres from the airport. It offers several resorts, many hotels and a wide choice of dive centres.

You can dive the reefs of Giftun Island, Abu Ramada and Shaab El Erg, which offer clear waters, colourful corals and dolphins. The city also acts as a departure point for wreck-diving trips, including El Mina and the Rosalie Moller, two popular wrecks for intermediate and advanced divers. It’s a great spot for beginners and for travellers who want to combine a resort holiday with their first diving experiences in Egypt.

4. Marsa Alam – Southern Red Sea

Marsa Alam feels quieter and less crowded than other coastal cities. It sits around seven hundred and forty kilometres from Cairo and offers unspoilt reefs, calm waters and abundant marine life, including dugongs and green turtles. You can dive famous reefs such as Elphinstone Reef or Sataya Reef, where dolphins, hammerheads and oceanic sharks often appear. Certified divers love this region, although beginners also find shallower areas.

5. Alexandria – Mediterranean Sea

As you’ll notice, around ninety-five percent of diving in Egypt takes place in the Red Sea. Even so, Alexandria offers another interesting diving option, especially for history lovers. Here, you can dive the Eastern Harbour to see the remains of Cleopatra’s ancient palace, or descend deeper to explore the British wreck SS Rosalie Moller.

This region stands out because its waters feel colder than those of the Red Sea, usually between 18 °C and 26 °C. Visibility also drops to roughly five or fifteen metres. Because of these conditions, we recommend Alexandria only if you already hold diving experience and feel curious about archaeological diving, rather than colourful reef life.

Connectivity while you dive in Egypt

A trip to Egypt brings many plans to organise and several cities to explore. Because of that, you really need a stable internet connection that lets you check essential information within seconds, such as GPS, nearby hotels, dive centres or sea conditions. So, Holafly becomes your best digital partner while you dive in Egypt.

For short trips of up to three weeks, your best option is Holafly’s Egypt eSIM with unlimited data and reliable coverage that you can activate only for the days you need. Meanwhile, for longer stays, the Holafly monthly plans offer a monthly subscription with 25 GB or unlimited data, depending on your needs, without long-term commitments. You can also connect several devices at the same time and travel to over one hundred and seventy countries using the same eSIM and plan.

Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍

How much does diving in Egypt cost?

After exploring Egypt’s most recognised dive centres, the available courses and the best open-water sites, it’s time to look at prices. Diving in Egypt usually costs less than in international destinations such as the Maldives or Thailand, so check the following price guide:

Price range for diving courses in Egypt.

Frequently asked questions about diving in Egypt

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Belén Grima

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