The five best diving spots in Egypt
Egypt has some of the best diving sites around, not only for the magnificent marine life it houses, consisting of exotic fish and beautiful coral reefs, but also for the awe inspiring historical artifacts sunken deep underwater. Exploring old ship wrecks in waters teeming with huge fish is the reason so many scuba divers flock to Egypt, hoping to experience all the wonders its underwater world has to offer.
In this blog post we will be covering some of the best spots to visit in order to embark on your next great diving journey!
The diving sites :
1- Alexandria :
We start this list off with Alexandria. With most diving centered around Egypt’s Red Sea resorts, it’s easy to forget that the northern coast lies along the shores of the Mediterranean, and diving in Alexandria gives visitors the chance to immerse themselves in Egypt’s historic past. From the ancient remains of Cleopatra’s palace around the sunken island of Antirhodos, and the lighthouse of Alexandria (one of the seven wonders of the ancient world), to more contemporary historical artifacts like the ones from Napoleon’s Battle of the Nile and the second World War.
Visitors can also dive into the clear waters of the Siwa Oasis on a three-hour desert safari dotted with ancient Roman ruins. This is not a dive site for bright corals and fish as they are few and far between. The water is often murky and the temperatures are much cooler, but for those who are interested in history and are looking for an exciting adventure, the city of Alexandria is the place to do so.
2- The Brothers Islands :
 Big Brother and Little Brother are two island reefs, approximately 70 km from the port city of El Quseir. These are some of the best diving sites in the Red Sea, but their remoteness and the currents surrounding them make the reefs suitable only for advanced divers. However those who are brave enough to challenge the ever changing conditions will be greeted with spectacular sights, especially for those who are fans of big fish as sharks and other large pelagic species are regularly sighted.
Big Brother is about 400 m long, there are a plethora of diverse corals littered around it, and shipwreck enthusiasts will be delighted with the Numidia, sunk in 1901, and the Aida, sunk in 1956.
Little Brother is located approximately 500m from Big brother. Schools of hammerhead, thresher, and whitetip sharks are often spotted there, as well as an equally spectacular array of coral formations.
3- Dahab :
    Dahab is one of Egypt’s most loved destinations. A mix of great diving in a cool and laid-back atmosphere contrast to the largely touristy vibe of Sharm el-Sheikh. Almost all dive sites are easily accessible from the shore, including the hugely popular Blue Hole.
There is plenty to see there, and relaxing in Bedouin cafés is a nice way to spend a break on land. The central part of Masbat is full of beach bars and restaurants. As well as comfortable, and affordable accommodations, with larger hotels south of Mashraba. If you don’t mind an early start, day trips to Tiran, Ras Mohamed and Thistlegorm are available.
4- El Gouna :
 El Gouna is a private, purpose-built resort located approximately 25 km north of Hurghada. It is very well designed with a wide range of boutique hotels, spas, and private villas available for rent. The resort is popular with kitesurfing enthusiasts and boasts an 18-hole golf course, all in a much quieter setting than the hustle and bustle of Hurghada.
Visitors can enjoy the freedom to wander around without being constantly pestered to buy souvenirs, and the nightlife is much more subdued than in some of the flashier parts of Sharm. The Abu Tig waterfront is a great place to spend the evening, with some excellent restaurants being there. El Gouna is a favorite destination for wreck divers due to its proximity to Sha’ab Abu Nuhas, home to some famous ship wrecks.
5- El Quseir :
El Quseir is an ancient city that’s approximately 5,000 years old. it used tp be one of the most important ports in Egypt due to how close it is to the Nile. Lying roughly halfway between Hurghada in the north and Marsa Alam in the south, El Quseir has remained relatively untouched by the touristic development that has shaped the resorts of Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. Most diving is done from shore, with plenty of shallow spots for beginners and training divers.
Large pelagic species are only occasionally seen, but the pristine and vibrant reefs are still filled with all sorts of marine life, from lionfish and blue-spotted rays to sea snakes and guitarfish. Divers looking to find bigger things can take a day boat to the legendary Elphinstone Reef, famous for frequent encounters with oceanic whitetips, or visit the captivating wreck of the Salem Express.
Thank you for reading and hopefully this blog post helped you pick out a location to dive in. Be safe, practice caution, and have fun!
