10 Best Dive Sites in Hurghada
Hurghada is surrounded by some of the most beautiful diving in the Red Sea. From colourful shallow reefs full of marine life to dramatic walls, pinnacles and wrecks, there is something here for almost every diver.
But at Dive Tribe Hurghada, we believe a great dive is about more than simply choosing a famous dive site.
It’s about choosing the right dive for you.
Your experience, confidence, interests and the conditions on the day all matter. That’s why our approach is based around small groups and personalised diving experiences tailored to the people we’re diving with.
Here are 10 of our favourite dive sites and areas to discover around Hurghada.
1. Gota Abu Ramada – The Aquarium
There’s a reason Gota Abu Ramada is often called The Aquarium.
This beautiful reef is packed with marine life and offers the kind of diving that reminds you why you fell in love with the Red Sea in the first place.
Colourful reef fish move around the coral while the sandy areas give you the chance to slow down and search for some of the Red Sea’s more cleverly camouflaged residents.
Its relatively accessible diving also makes it an excellent choice for less experienced divers when conditions are suitable.
2. Giftun Islands
The Giftun Islands provide some of Hurghada’s most memorable underwater scenery.
Rather than being one individual dive site, the area offers a variety of diving environments, with beautiful reefs, coral formations, walls and opportunities to look out into the blue.
This variety means dives around Giftun can feel completely different from one another.
It’s exactly what diving in Hurghada should be about — exploring rather than simply following the same route every day.
3. El Fanadir
El Fanadir is a lovely site for divers who enjoy taking their time.
The long reef provides plenty to explore, with coral formations, sandy areas and deeper sections.
But don’t be tempted to race along the reef.
Some of the most interesting Red Sea creatures are the ones you almost swim past. Look carefully around the coral and sand for scorpionfish, moray eels and other well-camouflaged marine life.
4. Careless Reef
Careless Reef offers a more dramatic style of Hurghada diving.
Rising from deeper water, its coral formations create an impressive underwater landscape with plenty of marine life to look for.
Depending on conditions, this can be a more demanding dive, which is why we believe it’s important to match the site to the experience and confidence of the diver.
We don’t choose a dive site simply because it’s famous.
The right dive site is the one that’s right for you on the day.
5. Umm Gamar
Umm Gamar is another site that demonstrates the variety of diving available from Hurghada.
Coral formations, walls and different depths give you plenty to explore, while the reef supports the wonderful mixture of marine life we associate with the Red Sea.
It’s the sort of dive where there’s no need to rush.
Take your time, look into the reef and remember to occasionally turn around and look into the blue. You never know what might be passing.
6. Sha’ab El Erg – Dolphin House
Dolphin House is understandably high on many divers’ wish lists.
The area is associated with wild dolphins, and encountering dolphins underwater can be one of those diving experiences you remember for the rest of your life.
But these are wild animals, not an attraction performing to a timetable.
There can never be a guarantee that dolphins will appear, and we believe they should always be treated with respect and given the freedom to choose whether they interact with us.
Even without dolphins, there is still a beautiful Red Sea reef to explore.
7. Erg Somaya
Erg Somaya offers beautiful coral scenery and a different experience from Hurghada’s gentler shallow reefs.
With its coral formations, wall and deeper water, it’s a site where experienced divers can enjoy the landscape while keeping an eye on both the reef and the blue.
It’s a wonderful reminder that Hurghada isn’t simply a destination for beginner divers.
There’s plenty here for experienced divers too.
8. Erg Sabina
Not every great dive needs to be deep.
Erg Sabina is a perfect example.
Its coral formations surrounded by sand create a beautiful environment for a relaxed dive. Good natural light and colourful marine life can also make it particularly enjoyable for underwater photographers.
It’s the sort of place where moving slowly pays off.
Instead of trying to cover as much distance as possible, spend time looking closely at one area.
You’d be surprised how much life you’ll find.
9. Abu Ramada
The Abu Ramada area gives divers plenty of variety.
Different sections can provide different diving experiences, from more relaxed reef diving to options for those with greater experience.
And that’s one of the things we particularly love about Hurghada.
You don’t have to dive deep or tackle difficult conditions to have an incredible dive.
Sometimes a beautiful reef, good visibility and plenty of time to explore is all you need.
10. El Mina Wreck
For experienced and appropriately qualified divers, El Mina offers a completely different side of Hurghada diving.
Instead of following a coral reef, you’re exploring a piece of history beneath the Red Sea.
Wreck diving requires different considerations from an ordinary reef dive, which makes good planning, appropriate experience and staying within your training particularly important.
For divers who are ready for it, however, exploring a wreck can add another dimension to a Hurghada diving holiday.
