Hurghada's Very Best

Shaab El Erg Dolphin House Hurghada diving is one of the most popular dive sites near Hurghada, best known for its frequent dolphin encounters. Located north of Hurghada, this horseshoe-shaped reef features vibrant coral gardens, sandy plateaus, and rich marine biodiversity. Divers can encounter turtles, moray eels, lionfish, and large schools of colorful reef fish. With mild currents and excellent visibility, Shaab El Erg is ideal for both beginners and experienced divers. It is typically used for check dives on the first day of Northern itineraries.

El Mina Wreck is one of the most well-known Hurghada wreck dive sites, offering an exciting underwater experience for wreck diving enthusiasts. This sunken Egyptian minesweeper lies close to Hurghada and was reportedly sunk during an air raid, now resting on the seabed at a depth of around 30 meters.

El Mina Wreck Hurghada 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 one of the most colorful and photogenic dive sites around Hurghada, yet it remains a hidden gem visited by only a limited number of dive boats. This stunning location is a long-time favorite within the region, known for its healthy coral formations and exceptional underwater scenery. Its relative seclusion adds to the site’s charm and appeal for divers seeking something truly special.

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.

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.

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.” Check the Hurghada dive sites map below! 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 is one of the best dive sites in 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. Check out the dive sites Hurghada map below!

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.

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.