The Red Sea remains one of the top scuba diving destinations in the world. Its crystal clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and diversity of marine life make it a bucket list destination for many divers. A liveaboard trip through the Red Sea offers the chance to explore some of the best dive sites this region has to offer. Read on to learn everything you need to know to plan your own underwater adventure in the Red Sea.
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Overview of the Red Sea
The Red Sea separates Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti from Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Spanning over 1,200 miles in length, this narrow sea is home to over 1,000 invertebrate species and 200 soft and hard corals. The northern portion of the Red Sea runs along Egypt’s eastern coastline. Here you’ll find popular resort towns, ports for liveaboard departures, and access to renowned dive sites. The reef systems run the entire length of the Red Sea and are considered some of the most pristine in the world.
Why It’s a Top Diving Destination
Several factors make the Red Sea a top global dive destination:
- Abundant coral and marine life
- Excellent visibility up to 150 feet
- Accessible from shore and liveaboards
- Variety of dive sites for all experience levels
- Chance to see large pelagic species like sharks, mantas, and whale sharks
- Interesting wreck dives
- Stable, warm water temperatures year-round
- Minimal currents at many sites
The healthy reefs are the star of any Red Sea diving trip. The diversity of coral and fish species is extraordinary. No matter how many dives you log, you’ll always encounter new marine creatures.
Getting There
The easiest way to dive the Red Sea is booking a liveaboard departing from Egypt. These Red Sea liveaboards embark from ports in Hurghada and Marsa Alam. If you want to fly into the region, the closest international airports are in Cairo, Marsa Alam, and Sharm El Sheikh. From here you can connect to Hurghada.
If travelling from Europe, EgyptAir offers direct flights into these cities. From North America, you’ll need to connect through Cairo or European hubs. Allow plenty of time for visa processing and COVID protocols before departure.
When to Go
The best time to dive in the Red Sea is during the winter and spring months of December to May. Water visibility peaks during this time, reaching up to 150 feet. During the summer, visibility drops due to phytoplankton blooms. The summer months also bring very hot temperatures, making diving uncomfortable.
While diving is possible year-round, aim to travel during the season offering the most ideal conditions. Keep in mind liveaboards operate on set schedules, so book well in advance to secure your preferred travel dates. Optimal visibility will enhance your chances of unforgettable dive encounters.
Dive Sites to Explore
The northern Red Sea offers an array of legendary dive sites. No two dives are the same in this region. Here are some of the top spots to include on your Red Sea itinerary:
The Brothers Islands
These two small islands located about 60 miles offshore from El Quseir offerWall dives, pearl white coral beaches, and excellent marine life encounters. Expect to see reef sharks, napoleon wrasses, and gorgonian fans. Strong currents call for drift dives.
Daedalus Reef
One of the Red Sea’s southernmost dive sites, this large, circular coral reef has steep walls, lagoons, and caves to explore. The biodiversity is fantastic with chances to spot oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerheads, barracuda, tuna, and whale sharks.
Elphinstone Reef
Regarded as one of the best Red Sea dives, this reef’s north and south plateaus are covered in pristine coral and teeming with reef fish. The site is frequented by reef sharks and hammerheads. Time your dives with the current at slack tide for the easiest navigation.
Thistlegorm Wreck
Sunk during World War II, this impressive 120m-long British freighter is one of the Red Sea’s most famous wreck dives. Penetrate inside to view tanks, trains, and trucks full of ammunition. Avoid strong currents by diving at slack tide.
St. John’s Reef
Off the coast of Marsa Alam lie numerous offshore reefs. St. John’s features sheer walls blanketed in corals and frequented by pelagic fish species. Dive along the walls or explore the many swim-throughs cutting through the reef.
Ras Mohammed National Park
At the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, this marine park protects vibrant reefs teeming with life. Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef offer the park’s best diving. Expect to see sharks, rays, turtles, jacks, and schools of snappers.
Marine Life
Some of the amazing marine creatures you may encounter while diving in the Red Sea include:
Corals
Over 200 species of hard and soft corals inhabit the Red Sea. Dive sites burst with coral growth, providing a playground for smaller reef species. Keep an eye out for bubble coral, brain coral, table coral, and sea fans.
Sharks
Several shark species reside in or pass through the Red Sea. Spot gray reef sharks, whitetip reef sharks, hammerheads, threshers, and even whale sharks if you’re lucky. Approach cautiously and don’t touch.
Turtles
Green and hawksbill turtles are resident along many reefs. You might even catch a rare loggerhead turtle sighting. Watch them gracefully flap their flippers as they cruise by.
Schools of Fish
Massive schools of crevalle jacks, barracuda, batfish, and snapper frequent many sites. Watching them swim synchronously makes for mesmerizing encounters.
Diving Conditions
When diving the Red Sea, you’ll experience:
Visibility
Excellent visibility makes the Red Sea legendary. Expect 60-150 feet in normal conditions. The lack of river runoff keeps the water pristine.
Currents
Currents are site dependent. Locations like the Brothers Islands and Daedalus Reef require timing dives around slack tides. Other sites like Elphinstone have minimal currents.
Temperatures
Water temperatures average 70-80°F year-round. You’ll be comfortable in a 3mm wetsuit. Shorty wetsuits or dive skins work during summer.
Depths
Reef diving is best between 60-130 feet. Many reefs have steep drop-offs exceeding over 1,000 feet, but remain within recreational limits. Only venture deeper if properly trained.
Choosing a Liveaboard
Booking a liveaboard is the easiest way to dive the Red Sea. Consider:
Length of Trip
standard trips are 5-10 nights. A shorter itinerary saves costs, while longer trips allow you to dive farther offshore sites.
Number of Dives Offered
Most liveaboards offer 3-5 dives per day (4 dives being standard). Trips should average 15-25 dives to maximize your underwater time.
Onboard Facilities
Look for comfortable staterooms, indoor saloons for relaxing, sun decks, tasty food options, freshwater showers, and diving equipment like compressor, tank storage, and camera tables.
Booking Your Trip
Start planning your liveaboard dive trip 6-12 months in advance for peak seasons.
Choosing a Dive Operator
Select operators with pristine safety records. Emperor Divers, Blue O Two, and Camel Dive Club are top choices. Read reviews carefully.
Required Certifications
At minimum, you’ll need an open water diver certification. Advanced open water is preferred for some sites. Specialty wreck or deep diving certifications are needed for certain wrecks or deep dives.
Travel Insurance
Purchase insurance covering scuba diving activities in case of cancellations, dive accidents, or medical issues. This protects you in unforeseen circumstances.
Underwater Photography Gear
If wanting to photograph your trip, bring an underwater camera system or GoPro with lighting and accessories to capture the reefs’ beauty.
Staying Safe
Refresher your dive skills and follow these protocols:
Following Dive Briefing
Listen closely to dive briefings detailing each site’s conditions. They are for your safety and enjoyment.
Watching Air Supply
Monitor your air frequently. Ascend and end dive with 500 psi remaining. Adjust air consumption to dive depths and conditions.
Decompressing Properly
Make mandatory decompression stops when required regardless of remaining air. Never rush or skip stops to avoid decompression illness.
Respecting Marine Life
Maintain proper buoyancy to avoid contacting the reef. Never touch, chase, or disrupt marine creatures. Keep a safe distance.
Conclusion
A Red Sea liveaboard trip offers the adventure of a lifetime. You’ll be rewarded with pristine reefs, excellent visibility, incredible marine life encounters, and memories to last a lifetime. Take time to properly plan your liveaboard, diving certifications, travel arrangements, dive gear, and underwater photography equipment for a smooth trip. Diving in the Red Sea is a dream fulfilled for many divers wanting to experience some of the best scuba diving this planet has to offer.
FAQs
What is the best time of year to dive in the Red Sea?
The prime diving season is December to May when air and water temperatures are cooler and visibility is at its best, often exceeding 100 feet.
What dive certifications do I need?
At minimum, divers must have an open water certification. Advanced open water certification is highly recommended for deeper dives. Specialty certifications like wreck diver may be needed for certain sites.
How warm is the water temperature?
The Red Sea maintains consistently warm temperatures of 70-80°F throughout the year. Most divers are comfortable with 3mm wetsuits.
What marine life is common to see?
Some highlights are sharks, manta rays, eagle rays, turtles, bumphead parrotfish, moray eels, frog fish, seahorses, and a huge diversity of smaller reef fish and invertebrates.
What should I pack for a Red Sea liveaboard?
Recommended items to pack include dive computer, regulator/BC/wetsuit if not renting, dive lights, safety tools, logbook, underwater camera gear, motion sickness remedies, towel, hat, sunscreen, and medications.