If you plan to dive actively then May-October is the perfect time to discover the diverse underwater world of Egypt. Though diving is available year round and every season has its own advantages.
In summer when the water is already warm rarely visited dive sites in winter become available. The plankton blooming ends in summer and water becomes clearer but the main thing is that the large predators appear here at this time. It is possible to see here rare whale sharks only in summer.
In autumn October is a high season among tourists. For diving it’s also a good time – it’s not so hot already but the water is still warm and full of marine life. The only bad thing is that there are lots of people at the most popular reefs.
Winter in Egypt is well-known for discounts and hot offers. Winter season is famous for a perfect visibility and some rare species such as thresher sharks.
Since December the water becomes colder so you should warm up, in February there could be old wind and storms .
In spring the water is still about 22-23C and the weather could be unpredictable at this time. Usually February – May are the coldest months. Since April it becomes warmer but still the perfect time for diving is in May.
What to see
Among the best dive sites in Egypt are: St.Johns, the Brothers Islands, Ras Mohammed National Park dive sites (Anemone City, Shark & Yolanda Reef, Shark Observatory), Thistlegorm, Blue Hole, Great Canyon and Straits of Tiran.
St. Johns is located not far from the border with Sudan. At this dive site you can see coral forest, tuna and sharks, turtles and mantas. You can get to this reef by boat from Marsa Alam.
The best way to dive the Brothers Island is liveaboards. This area is famous for coral reefs, walls and sharks. But diving here is recommended to more experienced divers because of a strong current.
In Ras Mohammed you can see about 200 different corals, thousands fish species, crabs, starfish and lots of divers. Here are many dive sites and the depth is around a kilometer. Here comes to dive from Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada and divers should have PADI Open Water or Advanced Open Water certificate.
Dive site Great Canyon is located not far from Dahab and is well-known among divers. But only few people know that the perfect time to dive here is at night. Diving here isn’t dangerous, the most beautiful and the deepest place here is only 25m.
The Blue Hole is also near Dahab and it is among the most beautiful dive sites in Egypt and in the world as well. This cavity is 107m deep opening on the surface of the reef at a depth of 58 m. However, it is worth remembering that the Blue Hole is also recognized as the most dangerous place to dive.
Thistlegorm with its difficult destiny has become one of the most popular wrecks in the world. It was sunken by a German torpedo in 1941 when transporting munitions to the British troops in North Africa. It was studied by Jacques-Yves Cousteau.
From Sharm El Sheikh by boat divers can get to the Tiran Island where many great dive sites such as Jackson Reef, Gordon Reef, Woodhouse and Thomas reefs. It is possible to see here mantas and whale sharks.
Open Water Courses