If you have dived in Red Sea before, please share your experiences: Dive spots you would recommend, which Dive Center you used, Fishes & Diving, Visibility, Currents, etc. Please post your comments in the section below, by doing so you will help fellow divers to plan their next trip
A WORLD WORTH DIVING INTO
Your next dive
starts here.
One sea. Many ways
to fall for it.
What do divers love about Egypt’s Red Sea—and what would they do differently? Here are the guest reviews and trip stories behind the postcards, brought together to help you find your kind of diving holiday.
Our focus: Egypt’s Red Sea coast and South Sinai. Booking reviews, specialist feedback and firsthand reports stay clearly labelled. Their scores describe different experiences, so there is no combined “Red Sea rating”.
What comes through in the stories
Our editorial reading of the sources below: the variety is the great draw. The details of the trip—where you enter the water, who you dive with and how the day runs—make the difference.
The reasons divers come back
A lot of diving in one holiday. Coral scenery and wreck variety stand out in liveaboard feedback and the Boston club’s trip report. [1] [5]
A rhythm that suits you. Dahab’s café-and-shore-dive days and Marsa Shagra’s house-reef routine offer an appealing alternative to a week at sea. [4] [6]
The people around the dive. Welcoming staff matter in the Hurghada excursion and Marsa Shagra accounts. [2] [3]
The details worth weighing up
Famous does not mean quiet. Recent liveaboard guests mention boats and crowds at some sites. [1]
A great headline score is only a start. Day-trip comments include reservations about extras and photo time; resort feedback includes arrival information and food preferences. [2] [3]
The route changes the experience. Current and bumpy Zodiac rides feature in the northern club report. A shore-reef stay and a wreck safari deserve separate expectations. [5]
The sources, side by side
Each card shows what was reviewed, the platform’s own score where available, and a short reading of selected accounts. The full stories remain with their original publishers.
Showing all 6 sources.
LiveAboard.com
Egypt · liveaboard diving
The liveaboard view of the Red Sea
Gert V. praises the coral variety in May 2026; Jamie N. celebrates reef scenery in November. Isabelle S. and Fabian K. also describe busy sites in November. The appeal is clear, but a popular reef can feel crowded.
Examples: May–November 2026
What this source covers
This is the platform’s Red Sea diving score from liveaboard guests. LiveAboard.com labels these reviews as verified bookings followed by travel; Divezone has not independently verified each stay.
Read the original on LiveAboard.com
Affiliate link: Divezone may earn a commission if you book.
Viator
Hurghada · one beginner day trip
A first taste of diving from Hurghada
Slaven_B enjoyed the welcoming crew on a first dive. Ricardo_G preferred the second dive to a photo-focused first session; Patryk_S reported dissatisfaction with extra charges. These accounts make the briefing, actual dive time and full price useful questions.
Examples: September–November 2025
What this source covers
Score for Delight Trips’ “Scuba Diving Full Day Boat Trip for beginners With Lunch & Transfer”. Viator combines Viator and Tripadvisor feedback here; this is one review pool, not two independent totals.
Scuba-Advisor
Marsa Alam · Marsa Shagra resort
The resort experience at Marsa Shagra
Jack Montforts praises the buffet and helpful staff after a July stay. Anna Lea, also travelling in July, wanted a clearer arrival briefing and more vegetarian choice. Karin Nyffenegger describes helpful staff after a September visit.
Examples: July–September 2026 stays
What this source covers
This is the overall Ecolodge Marsa Shagra Village rating, covering the stay as well as diving. It is not a score for every Marsa Alam reef. Some displayed comments are automatically translated.
PADI Blog
South Sinai · Dahab & Sharm
Dahab’s shore rhythm, Sharm’s boat days
Dahab resident Cecily Russell describes shore entries, cafés between dives and the town’s relaxed feel, then contrasts this with boat diving around Sharm and Tiran. It gives a useful sense of the holiday beyond the underwater highlights.
Published 17 January 2022 · updated 20 January 2025
What this source covers
One author’s perspective on PADI’s commercial diving website, not a guest-rating database. Its older observations about conditions are not a forecast for your trip.
Boston Sub Aqua Club
Northern reefs & wrecks · liveaboard
A week of wrecks, reefs and deck conversations
Andy Willis reports a Blue Horizon week combining Thistlegorm, Abu Nuhas wrecks and Tiran reefs. The club enjoyed the variety and crew support; the account also mentions current, negative entries and bumpy Zodiac rides.
Published 17 September 2026
What this source covers
One club report about one itinerary, not a separate review for every participant. It describes the character of that week rather than guaranteed stops or wildlife.
EWDR
Marsa Alam · Marsa Shagra house reef
A house reef that sets the pace of the holiday
A Utrecht club’s account describes varied shore and Zodiac dives from Marsa Shagra, practical equipment storage and a sociable dive–eat–rest routine. It also recounts a separate Elphinstone outing with current and drop-offs.
Trip date not specified on the page read
What this source covers
A positive first-person report published by a travel seller. It complements guest feedback, but is not an independent rating or evidence that every nearby dive has the same conditions.
How Divezone puts this review collection together
We read selected public reviews and firsthand accounts, retain the original rating scale and count, and link to the source. This is an editorial synthesis, not a statistical analysis of every review. Figures were checked on 9 November 2026 and may change.
Scores for a liveaboard destination, a single excursion and a resort are not interchangeable. We neither average them nor add their counts. Viator’s Tripadvisor content is already included in its displayed pool; cross-platform overlaps have not been audited. Trip reports have no invented score, and one club report remains one report.
Booking sites and travel sellers have commercial interests; those source types are labelled. PADI’s article dates back to 2022 with a 2025 update; EWDR’s page did not state its trip date. Older Divezone stories are shown separately. Coverage is selective and does not represent every operator, site or country on the Red Sea.
Divezone may earn a commission from eligible booking links on this page. A source’s inclusion here is not a paid ranking, and the ratings above belong to their named publishers. The stars in the page header are separate Divezone visitor votes.
Which experience sounds like yours?
A useful starting point from these accounts—not a league table of destinations.
| Holiday style | What the accounts suggest | A useful question |
|---|---|---|
| Dahab shore diving | A relaxed town-and-reef rhythm. PADI story | Which entries and sites fit my experience? |
| Sharm & northern wrecks | Reef-and-wreck variety by boat. Club report | How much boat time and current does this route involve? |
| Hurghada day trips | Some first-timers love the welcome; extras and photo time draw mixed feedback. Excursion reviews | What is the total cost and actual dive programme? |
| Marsa Alam house-reef stays | Marsa Shagra accounts highlight a dive-focused routine. Trip report | What is included on the house reef, and which outings cost extra? |
From the Divezone logbook
Three stories from this page’s own conversation. These are historical reader contributions, paraphrased below—not freshly verified trips or a current operator assessment.
A liveaboard week linked several wrecks with Ras Mohammed and Abu Nuhas. Keith enjoyed the variety and remembered a strong current at Thistlegorm.
A returning Red Sea diver singled out St John’s and Fury Shoals for colourful reefs and walls, while noting that the hoped-for large pelagics were scarce on that trip.
Veronia remembered Dahab’s corals and visibility, with the Blue Hole among the highlights of her stay.
The conversation also contains questions and replies. It is not counted as a collection of verified reviews. All community comments →
A little saltwater obsession
The Red Sea is home to reefs with teeming marine life, pelagic fish, reef sharks, dolphins and the elusive dugong. But the real joy is the variety: a morning among reef fish, the outline of a historic wreck, or a wall disappearing into deep blue. There is plenty here to fill a logbook—and plenty of reasons to come back.
This guide focuses on Egypt’s Red Sea coast and South Sinai. The nicest trip starts with the kind of holiday you enjoy: a shore-based stay with time to wander, or a liveaboard where the days revolve around diving, meals and conversations on deck.
What’s your Red Sea mood?
Reef days
Colourful reef life, coastal bases and time ashore between dives. The local sites shape the rhythm of the holiday.
Wreck adventures
Thistlegorm, Abu Nuhas and stories beneath the surface, with dive plans matched to training and conditions.
Offshore escapes
Days built around diving and evenings on deck. Exposed reefs and longer crossings call for suitable experience.
Reef photo: prilfish · CC BY 2.0 (cropped). Wreck and boat photographs from the existing Thistlegorm and MY Blue guides.
Which Red Sea base feels like you?
- Northern reefs and wrecks: Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada are established boat-diving bases. Ras Mohammed brings reef scenery and dramatic walls; Thistlegorm and Abu Nuhas add the fascination of wrecks. The famous names are exciting, though depth, current and travel time still shape which dives suit you.
- A slower shore-diving rhythm: Dahab suits divers who like local transfers and shore entries. Its Blue Hole deserves a little context: recreational routes and the deep overhead arch are very different dives, with different training and equipment requirements.
- Southern reefs and blue-water possibilities: Marsa Alam combines coastal diving with access to southern itineraries. Elphinstone, Brothers and Daedalus bring exposed walls and possible current. Dugongs, dolphins and sharks are wonderful possibilities, never promised encounters.
In this page you will find more detailed information about scuba diving in Red Sea.
Table of contents
Best Dive Review
Wreck enthusiast, reef wanderer or lover of big blue views? These sites show just how many personalities the Red Sea has. Terrain, access and experience help narrow the choice; the list spans several different itineraries.
- SS Thistlegorm Wreck
- Abu Nuhas
- Blue Hole
- The Brothers
- Elphinstone Reef
- Dolphin House (Sha’ab Samadai Reef)
- Fury Shoals
- Abu Dabbab
- Rosalie Moller Wreck
- Daedalus Reef
- Ras Mohammed
- Dunraven Wreck
- Kingston Wreck
Wrecks, walls and reef life
Thistlegorm’s wartime cargo gives the wreck a distinctive character; Abu Nuhas offers several separate wrecks, while Rosalie Moller is a deeper undertaking. Depth, current, visibility and any overhead section need to fit your training and the day’s conditions. Wreck penetration requires appropriate specialist training and equipment.
Offshore walls at Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone contrast with the coastal reefs and bays around Marsa Alam. Samadai and the Fury Shoals reef system are separate places; a trip advertised as “Dolphin House” needs an exact site name.
Macro diving
Big fish may steal the headlines, but the smaller cast deserves some attention too. Nudibranchs and pipefish add another layer to wreck and reef dives—a good reason for photographers to enjoy the details as well as the wide-angle view.
Photo credit: prilfish (silkebaron), “Red Sea Anemonefish in Anemone”, on Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
The northern Red Sea on film
Nino Del Duca’s Red Sea North, published in January 2017, brings together underwater scenes from Ras Mohammed and Tiran. It illustrates the northern Egyptian reefs, rather than every destination around the Red Sea. The wildlife montage records past encounters; it is not a forecast for a particular season, site or departure.
Film and preview: Nino Del Duca · Red Sea North on Vimeo.
Explore Red Sea liveaboard route families
Sharm el Sheikh is a useful starting point for Sinai-focused trips, Hurghada for many northern departures, and Port Ghalib for many southern programmes. Some offshore weeks run one way between Hurghada and Port Ghalib. Both ports and the assigned marina matter when arranging flights; a boat’s usual home port does not establish your departure’s transfer.
Routes can be selected independently. Solid connections follow a published sample sequence; routes without a confirmed order show numbered destination references only. Connections are indicative, not navigational tracks or guaranteed stops. Reverse trips and weather changes alter the plan. Port pins identify areas, not boarding jetties.
Routes in words
Grand Tour · 7 nights
Royal Evolution’s published seven-night Grand Tour; Port Ghalib return. Offshore crossings and southern reefs.
- Port Ghalib — embarkation area
- Marsa El Shouna
- Elphinstone
- Brothers — Big Brother reference
- Daedalus
- Rocky Island
- Zabargad Island
- St John’s reefs — Gota Kebiera area reference
- Port Ghalib — embarkation area
Elba · 7 nights
Royal Evolution’s seven-night Elba programme; Port Ghalib return. Border permissions and insurance require separate confirmation.
- Port Ghalib — embarkation area
- Marsa El Shouna
- Elphinstone
- St John’s reefs — Gota Kebiera area reference
- Elba reef region — approximate reference
- St John’s reefs — Gota Kebiera area reference
- Port Ghalib — embarkation area
Daedalus & Elba · 7 nights
Royal Evolution’s seven-night Daedalus–Elba programme; Port Ghalib return.
- Port Ghalib — embarkation area
- Marsa El Shouna
- Elphinstone
- Daedalus
- Rocky Island
- Zabargad Island
- Elba reef region — approximate reference
- St John’s reefs — Gota Kebiera area reference
- Port Ghalib — embarkation area
Brothers–Elba · 10 nights
Royal Evolution’s ten-night programme; Port Ghalib return. A longer trip, not a seven-night fare comparison.
- Port Ghalib — embarkation area
- Abu Dabab — reef area reference
- Elphinstone
- Brothers — Big Brother reference
- Daedalus
- Rocky Island
- Zabargad Island
- Elba reef region — approximate reference
- St John’s reefs — Gota Kebiera area reference
- Elphinstone
- Port Ghalib — embarkation area
Special Wrecks · 7 nights
Royal Evolution’s published Special Wrecks programme; Hurghada return. Availability depends on the departure.
- Hurghada — embarkation area
- Abu Nuhas reef
- Gubal — Small Gubal reference
- Rosalie Moller
- Brothers — Big Brother reference
- Salem Express / Safaga area
- Hurghada — embarkation area
Sinai reefs & wrecks · Sharm
King Snefro’s Sinai Classic programme includes Thistlegorm, Ras Mohammed and Tiran. Sailing order varies; markers are numbered references, not a daily sequence.
- Sharm el Sheikh — port-area reference, not assigned marina
- Thistlegorm
- Shark and Yolanda — Ras Mohammed reference
- Jackson Reef
- Sharm el Sheikh — port-area reference, not assigned marina
BDE · offshore islands
Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone. Port Ghalib-return Aggressor IV example; other boats and dates can use different ports. Sailing order unconfirmed.
- Port Ghalib — embarkation area
- Brothers — Big Brother reference
- Daedalus
- Elphinstone
- Port Ghalib — embarkation area
South & St John’s · Fury Shoals
Emperor’s Port Ghalib-return southern programme. Habili Ali represents St John’s; Claudia and Abu Galawa represent Fury Shoals. Daily order varies.
- Port Ghalib — embarkation area
- Habili Ali
- Claudia Reef
- Small Abu Galawa
- Port Ghalib — embarkation area
Daedalus, Rocky & Zabargad
Tala’s 28 February–7 March 2027 Port Ghalib-return DRZ example. Geographic references only; final sequence unconfirmed.
- Port Ghalib — embarkation area
- Daedalus
- Rocky Island
- Zabargad Island
- Port Ghalib — embarkation area
Programme sources, checked 25 October 2026: Royal Evolution · King Snefro Sinai Classic · Aggressor IV · Emperor South & St John’s · Tala calendar. Elba extends towards Sudanese waters: a marketed route does not settle entry permissions or your insurer’s cover.
Where are the principal dive sites?
| Site | What the pin represents |
|---|---|
| Thistlegorm | Famous northern wreck; certification and logged-dive rules apply. |
| Abu Nuhas reef | Reef with several wrecks; the pin does not identify every wreck. |
| Rosalie Moller | Northern wreck near Gubal; inclusion depends on the departure’s actual programme. |
| Shark and Yolanda — Ras Mohammed reference | Ras Mohammed reef reference; walls and current-sensitive diving. |
| Jackson Reef | Tiran reef reference; conditions determine the dive plan. |
| Brothers — Big Brother reference | Big Brother reference; nearby Small Brother is a separate site. |
| Daedalus | Remote offshore reef; exposed conditions and crossings. |
| Elphinstone | Offshore reef near the mainland; current and depth matter. |
| Rocky Island | Remote island; visited only on suitable southern routes. |
| Zabargad Island | Southern island; not a guaranteed addition to every St John’s week. |
| Habili Ali | Habili Ali reference within the wider St John’s reef system. |
| Claudia Reef | Claudia Reef reference within Fury Shoals. |
| Small Abu Galawa | Small Abu Galawa; another Fury Shoals site. |
| Sataya — southeast reef reference | Sataya reef reference; wildlife encounters are not guaranteed. |
Geography: CDWS dive-site references and the retained operator programmes. Daedalus uses Red Sea Diving’s Daedalus reference (approximately 24.931167° N, 35.870389° E), checked 26 October 2026. Port-area references: Port Ghalib; Hurghada. Coordinates are planning references, not dive-entry instructions.
How to dive Red Sea?
Local dive centres and shore diving
Land-based diving leaves room for non-diving days and activities ashore—a lovely balance when your holiday is about more than filling a logbook. The useful details are the sites reached from your hotel, shore or boat access, and the time spent travelling. Those small practicalities make a big difference to the rhythm of your day.
Liveaboards
For a holiday built around diving, a liveaboard has a special appeal: your accommodation travels with you, and a reef group can become the focus of several dives. Early starts sometimes bring quieter moments at popular sites, although early access and empty moorings are never guaranteed. Between dives, the deck becomes the place for swapping stories.
Northern wreck-and-reef programmes and the offshore Brothers–Daedalus–Elphinstone circuit offer different diving. Farther south, Fury Shoals, St John’s and Rocky–Zabargad programmes vary by boat and week. The departure and arrival ports, along with the detailed programme, reveal far more about your week than “Red Sea” on a booking page.
Sea Serpent has several distinct programme families; Golden Dolphin I also lists northern and longer southern trips. Their reviews separate dated cabin fares from compulsory extras. A vessel’s route calendar does not mean every trip suits every diver.
Egypt liveaboard departures and prices. We may earn a commission from bookings through this link.
Photo credit: Nick Grosoli (sushy99) on Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0. Original image displayed without cropping.
Where to stay?
I usually use this website to book in advance my hotels in Red Sea as they usually have the lowest rates I find. I like it because it's free to cancel and change the dates.
Best time to dive in Red Sea
It is possible to dive all year round in the Red Sea. Water temperature, wind, sea state and the length of the journey between sites can change the comfort of the trip.
- Winter: cooler water and wind between dives make a warm layer on deck especially welcome. Repetitive diving can feel cold even when the afternoon is sunny.
- Summer: warmer water comes with greater heat ashore and on deck. Shade, drinking water and suitable exposure protection matter.
- Spring and autumn: often a practical compromise for air and water comfort, but no season guarantees calm crossings or uncrowded sites.
PADI’s Egypt overview gives a broad water-temperature range of 21–28°C and visibility often around 20–50 metres. These are broad planning ranges rather than a forecast for your dates. Recent local reports and advice on thermal protection are especially helpful for a week of repeated dives.
For a shark-focused trip, suitable habitat and diving conditions matter more than a month-by-month promise. Wildlife timing varies with conditions from year to year.
Red Sea liveaboards: boats and diver reviews
A smaller group, more cabin choice or a particular route? These profiles help turn a tempting boat photo into a useful shortlist.
MY Blue
A choice of cabin styles and comfortable shared spaces for the hours between dives. The full profile covers life aboard, routes and practical booking details.
MV Snefro Pearl
A twelve-guest boat with a sociable, smaller-group feel, suited to exploring northern Red Sea programmes from Sharm el Sheikh.
Blue Storm
Shaded deck space and a choice of northern wreck and offshore programmes. The route, rather than the boat name alone, shapes the week.
Top liveaboards in Red Sea according to divers reviews
Dive courses
A first diving course in the Red Sea can be the start of a very happy obsession. A centre with suitable confined-water training and sheltered open-water sites offers a more comfortable introduction than a demanding offshore itinerary. The same thoughtful match matters after a long break from diving.
Your certification, recent diving history and logged dives help the operator suggest a suitable programme. Route requirements, refresher options, guide arrangements and rental equipment deserve a place in that conversation. A northern route is not automatically a beginner route, and an offshore marine-park safari is a different commitment from a coastal training stay.
Nitrox requires appropriate certification and does not replace depth or decompression planning. A clear course quote also spells out materials, certification fees and equipment, so the final cost brings no surprises.
Scuba Diving conditions
Conditions vary from protected bays to exposed walls with strong current. A sheltered bay and an offshore wall can call for very different experience, even on the same holiday. An agreed site, entry, exit and maximum depth help the operator match the dive to your training and recent experience.
Offshore trips can involve drift diving, tender pickups and surface swell. Current is not simply a feature that makes a dive more exciting: it changes the skill and recovery plan needed. The dive needs to remain within your training, recent experience, equipment and insurance limits.
Before boarding a liveaboard
The MAIB Red Sea safety bulletin advises booking through vendors able to explain the boat’s safety standards and obtaining a thorough safety briefing before departure. Emergency arrangements and insurance need to cover the actual trip; reviews and photographs are not a safety inspection.
Time between the final dive and the flight belongs in the holiday plan. The relevant references are DAN flying-after-diving guidance and the operator’s more conservative requirements where applicable; the travel guide explains the planning intervals.
Snorkelling in Red Sea
Travelling with a non-diver?
A shore-based holiday usually gives mixed groups more freedom. Red Sea Diving Safari explicitly offers snorkelling stays as well as diving, with separate accommodation and activity prices. Its Wadi Lahami winter 2026–27 tariff lists inshore and offshore snorkelling options; the travel guide sets out an accommodation example and the main extras.
For a liveaboard, acceptance and the non-diver fare must be confirmed for the actual boat, cabin and departure. Skipping dives does not necessarily bring a discount, and “snorkelling-friendly” does not necessarily include a guide, equipment or shore visits.
Shallow reef access still depends on wind, current, entry and exit conditions, swimming ability and local restrictions. An offshore shark-diving stop is not automatically a snorkelling opportunity. A dedicated supervised outing can be a better fit; space around wildlife and good clearance above coral protect the very things everyone has come to enjoy. Dolphins are not guaranteed at sites sold as Dolphin House.
Fishes and Coral
The reef is worth enjoying in its own right. Fish weaving around coral, a turtle passing by, or small life tucked into the scenery can make a dive just as memorable as an offshore encounter. The Red Sea’s appeal is in that mix, from colourful reef life to the possibility of larger visitors.
Napoleon wrasse
A prominent forehead and thick lips give this large reef fish an unmistakable profile. One of the Red Sea’s most memorable reef encounters.
Red Sea anemonefish
Two pale bands distinguish this Red Sea favourite. Its anemone home makes a lovely subject for patient, unhurried observation.
Anthias
Clouds of small, colourful fish bring movement to the reef. These are part of the everyday spectacle, rather than a big-animal bonus.
Moray eels
A head peeping from a reef crevice is a classic Red Sea sight. A little space makes it easier to enjoy the encounter without disturbing the animal.
Lionfish
Striped bodies and spreading fins give lionfish their striking silhouette. Their venomous spines make this a strictly hands-off encounter.
Hammerhead sharks
The distinctive head is a highlight of some offshore dives. Encounters are occasional, never guaranteed, and exposed sites require suitable experience.
Representative images show the featured fish or fish group, not guaranteed sightings. Anemonefish photo: prilfish (silkebaron), CC BY 2.0. Marine-life references: PADI’s Red Sea overview and Aquarius marine-life guide.
Hard and soft corals form part of the underwater scenery, with different communities around reefs, walls and wrecks. Turtles, sharks or a dugong may turn up in suitable habitat, but wildlife remains wonderfully unpredictable: no package includes a guaranteed encounter.
Diving Safety
If you are planning an upcoming dive trip or travelling to Red Sea, it is a really good idea to invest in travel insurance for scuba diving, because you never know what could happen and when you might need it (because accidents do happen!). I recommend this diving insurance as they offer worldwide coverage and focus on providing scuba divers a quality insurance and medical assistance service.
Red Sea diving questions
A few answers to the questions that tend to come up while the trip starts taking shape.
Is Egypt suitable for a first diving holiday?
Yes, with an appropriate training centre and sites matched to your ability. That does not make every wreck or offshore safari suitable for a new diver.
Should I choose a hotel or a liveaboard?
A hotel gives more freedom ashore and for mixed groups. A liveaboard suits a fixed diving programme, provided the itinerary and requirements fit your experience.
Are Brothers, Daedalus and Elphinstone beginner sites?
They are exposed offshore reefs, with potential current and challenging surface conditions. Suitability depends on your experience and the operator’s requirements for that exact route.
Are Samadai and Fury Shoals the same place?
No. They are separate reef areas. The exact destination matters when an excursion is sold under the broad name Dolphin House.
Can I expect sharks or dugongs?
They may be encountered in suitable habitat, but neither a route nor a season guarantees wildlife.
What should a liveaboard quote include?
The dated cabin fare, occupancy and duration, compulsory fees, nitrox and equipment terms, transfers and any hotel arrangements. Like-for-like totals make the choice much clearer.
Is there one overall rating for Red Sea diving?
No. The sources here rate different things: liveaboard diving, a particular day excursion and a resort stay. Their scales and audiences differ. Keeping those scores separate gives a more useful picture than creating one misleading average.
How recent are the reviews and stories?
Source figures were checked on 9 November 2026. Each card dates the selected examples or article where available. Divezone’s featured community stories are from 2012–2015 and are labelled as historical; publication dates and trip dates are not assumed to be the same.
Presentation and wording refreshed 9 November 2026. Factual references retain their stated checking dates; local conditions and departure terms can change.
Your Red Sea story belongs here.
A memorable reef, a helpful guide, or something you wish you’d known: the details of your own trip help the next diver find their way.
This prepares your story in the comment form below. You can edit it before posting. No booking receipt or private travel documents are needed; contributions follow the site’s normal moderation.
Photos Red Sea
Travel Guide
Now that you know all about the underwater world, you might want to start planning your scuba holiday! Check out our Red Sea Travel Review for information about how to get there, activities and excursions, where to stay, and more.
Diving Reviews for this region
Hamata
Hamata gives land-based divers access to Fury Shoals: coral gardens, small wrecks and exposed outer reefs, with outings matched to experience and sea conditions.
Eilat
Eilat offers mainly shore-based Red Sea diving, with coral gardens, the Satil wreck and sites for different experience levels. Check recent-dive and insurance requirements before arrival.
Aqaba
Aqaba combines coral gardens and shore diving with the Cedar Pride, aircraft wrecks and underwater military displays. A land-based stay can also include Petra and Wadi Rum.
Marsa Alam
Marsa Alam combines shore-access bays such as Abu Dabbab with boat trips to offshore reefs including Elphinstone. Choose the base and dive profile to suit your experience; wildlife sightings vary.
Nuweiba
Nuweiba suits unhurried shore diving and underwater photography, with coral gardens and small marine life to explore with a local guide.
Dahab
Dahab combines shore-access reefs and training sites with advanced profiles at the Canyon and Blue Hole. Choose the dive to match your experience.
Hurghada
Hurghada combines day-boat reefs, beginner training and longer wreck excursions. Match the site, transfer and dive profile to your experience.
Sharm El Sheikh
Sharm combines local reef diving with Ras Mohammed, Tiran and separately planned wreck excursions. Match the route and dive profile to your experience.
Liveaboard Reviews in Red Sea
Blue Force 3 – Red Sea
Blue Force Fleet now markets Blue Force 3 in the Maldives. In its May 2022 announcement, the operator scheduled the boat’s final Red Sea cruise for 19 November 2022 and its Maldives programme from 25 March 2023. The current operator page still presents
MY Blue
MY Blue is a Blue Planet Liveaboards vessel built in 2016, with space for twenty-four guests in twelve cabins. Its appeal lies in the choice of accommodation, comfortable shared spaces and a diving setup that caters for photographers as well as recreat
MV Snefro Pearl
Snefro Pearl keeps the guest list to twelve. That makes this King Snefro Fleet boat an appealing choice for buddies who want a sociable diving holiday without joining a much larger group. You can spend a few nights exploring the northern Red Sea or cho
MY Blue Horizon
A roomy deck, wreck-filled mornings and plenty of stories from the people who have sailed here. Our review comparison brings booking-platform feedback, a diving club’s trip report and editorial perspectives together, alongside the cabins and routes wor
JP Marine Liveaboard
JP Marine gives 28 guests a choice of upper- and lower-deck twin cabins, with room to gather in the salon or stretch out upstairs between dives. Its Egyptian Red Sea programme ranges from the offshore Brothers–Daedalus–Elphinstone circuit to longer sou
Turquoise
Turquoise has operated as Red Sea Aggressor IV since 28 February 2026. The current arrangement welcomes 26 guests in 13 cabins, with a choice of twin beds or a queen bed. Most trips spend seven nights exploring Egypt's southern Red Sea from Port G
MS Royal Evolution
Royal Evolution combines a steel-hulled, 39 m dive boat with twelve cabins for up to 24 guests. Its appeal is as much the space between dives as the sites themselves: a shaded deck, indoor lounge and a dedicated place for camera gear make a busy diving
MV Snefro Target
Snefro Target is a 37-metre King Snefro Fleet liveaboard for twenty guests. Ten en-suite cabins, two indoor lounges and three sun-deck areas give a group plenty of room to spread out between dives. Its regular Sharm el Sheikh programme ranges from shor
Blue Storm
Blue Storm combines a sociable, shaded deck with eleven en-suite cabins for up to 24 guests. This Blue Planet liveaboard sails Egypt’s Red Sea from Hurghada and Port Ghalib, with seven-night trips ranging from northern wrecks to the offshore Brothers a
Longimanus
MY Longimanus brings together a 20-guest layout, two upper-deck suites and a long history of Egyptian wreck and reef trips. The original idea belonged to Mahmoud Abd El Hady, associated with the Barakuda diving centres: a boat designed around days of d
I am traveling to Israel next summer and want to dive the Red Sea. Much of the literature on Red Sea diving, however, focuses on Egyptian dive sites. Are there equally great sites in Israel that you could recommend?
Dived in Taba, at the top end of the Gulf of Aquaba. It’s outside the main Red Sea dive areas, but is still a great dive site, benefiting from the absence of shoals of other divers. Great corals, and abundant sea life. The Dive Centre at the Hilton was very thorough and totally professional, so I would rate it highly. there are shore dives, boat dives, and longer excursions starting from here, so give it a look!
i start diving few years ago i had work with THE DIVE TRIP in elgouna after with EMPRORDIVERS elgouna in this time i had finish my divemaster so iam looking to find jop so i can dive more and see more
I have been diving in the red sea since 10 years and still in love with it.
The only difference is that now i go only for liveaboards and no more daily trips or dives from the shore
Just back from a safari in the south (st. john, fury shoals, etc) and i suggest to go if you have time, great walls, plenty of marine life, colored reefs, etc etc….. what i missed abit are the big guys, like sharks, mantas, etc etc (only 2 or 3 spotted in the blue…..
Water is a bit cooler there than my usual (78 degrees) but well worth it. Shark and Yolanda reefs are outstaning, We saw a huge school of hammerheads there on one dive. Huge Mauri Wrasse (nicknamed Bob by the locals) followed us around, schools of baracuda and coronet fish. Some of the best diving in the world.
Dived Hurghada and Sharm, the one thing you can expect is healty reefs and vivid colours .the only way you can go wrong is if you get a bad dive operator . I used Empeeror they pick you up and drop you back to your hotel ,and you can have lunch on the boat for 5 euro this includes all the soft drinks you want, they also have a loyalty discount when you book on line
Dived in Sharm El Sheikh, in Tiran Island, dived with Extra Divers at RAS NASRANI, it was fantastic, the people that look after of the Dive Centre, a German Couple. And all the Divemaster, and Instructors, where fantastic. That is where my son then 9 years old decided to do a try-dive. And there he got also the bug for diving. So for is 10th Birthday he did is course Open Water.
But going back to the place, fantastic, and the people. Recommend to anyone.
Dove the Saudi side of the Red Sea out of Jeddah 4 times this past year; terrific reefs even though the are dove often. Very cheap, $175 3 tanks, gear, boat dive with lunch. 45min-1 hour boat ride out. Desert Sea Divers in Jeddah. Obviously epic spots further out and north and south– still pristine, but very difficult to get to.
The first dive outside Holland was Safaga Egypt. Howe lucky we ware. Green turtle White tip shark seahorse al in VERY clean water. If you can take the 5 day’s boat trip 2 dive’s a day eat on the boats very good and cheap. But most of all very good instructors at Barracuda Diving LOTUS-BAY Safaga Egypt. See you next year again friends
I went diving in the Red Sea in October it was great I went 8m down but it’s plenty there was great fish look out for Adam in grand sharm one of those resorts he is the one who helped us get in to it he is brilliant
Hi,
I would like to share our incredibly scuba diving experience with Marina Divers dive center, located on” Satil” dive site in Eilat – Israel. I and my boyfriend Joshua, we found in Google a good looking web site in English. We booked an 8 days diving package “The Pearl of the Red sea”, included accommodation, meals, 10 dives, entrances to the Dolphin reef and transfers.
After we landing in Eilat airport we took taxi (7 euro), and at five minute drive we were in the lobby of a small and lovely hotel. The room was simple and clean, very friendly staff.
From hotel to dive center morning and afternoon has shuttle.
Marina Diver center located in Coral Beach in south side of Eilat.
We made 5 days dive (two dives per day).
Joshua waked me up every morning at 07:30, after a breakfast in hotel we used a shuttle to the dive center, all dive centers in Eilat are around 5-7 km from the city, so take care to close a deals with transfers. All gear we rented in dive center – 20 euro. Pay attention to the fact, that in Israel you must have diving insurance (we made in the diving center – 26 euro to 14 days).
On the very first day we started with refresh dive in local reefs , because our last dive was 2 years ago and second dive been to “Satil” shipwreck – Israeli Navy racket ship in 18-24 meter deep.
Afternoon we had nice lunch in “Village” restaurant (including in package) and then went to visit Dolphin Reef beach, watching the dolphins in their natural environment and drink a local beer.
Incredibly beautiful pictures which revealed during our dives in the Red Sea,contributed to an unforgettable vacation and an amazing experience for us,the atmosphere and the professional staff of ” Marina divers” – dive center , provided us all what we has been expected from our vacation
hi divers,
can you advise us , about the good diving center in the RED sea area’s for a diving lessons
thanks
Al
I was in 2012 there in safaga with baracuda diving. Very good instructors and divers.if i good i go again iam a divemaster in the netherlands and they are very good you will love the sea fish and people there good luck and save dive
Ronald
Videos from a 2010 live aboard excursion to the Red Sea are available at: http://oceanviewvideos.net/Red-Sea.html
Water was clear a lot of fish ,amazing my last visit I been diving every day for direct12 days ,great spot for dives ,Egypt is great spot for diving
Went diving on M/Y Sea Serpent from Hurghada. We did the wreck tour with Ras Mohammed and Abu Nuhas. Great trip – Thistlegorm was great even with a strong current. We dived 6 wrecks in total – 4 nitrox dives a day – great crew and superb boat. We went in July – vis was a little off but great sea life but no sharks. Bring your own G & T’s.
I have been diving in Dahab red sea….Its pretty amazing there…corals and reefs and the blue hole….waiting to enjoy Marsa Allam and other dive sites..visibilty is excellent….The insructors there are pretty cool…you can do both shore or boat dives
We had some great diving in the Aqaba Marine Park with Sinai Divers Aqaba based at Movenpick Tala Bay. Turtles, great coral, schools of fish. Both boat dives and beach dives are easily possible. Great instructors.
if somebody want to visit Israel, Eilat for diving i’m recommending to everybody go diving with AHLA DIVE. The best guys at this area!
Has anyone done any diving from Aqaba in Jordan? is it as good as in Egypt or Israel? Thanks for any info
Hi,
Hi,
My first dive takes place last year in Taba. It was my first diving lesson that makes me happy and eager to learn more and advance my diving skills. Since then, I started to care about wonderful corals and my second dive takes place in Pharaoh Islands in Taba too where I see colorless fish and small yellow fish. I am not skilled divers. Yet I am just starting my Journey and I want to dive more with amazing Red Sea creatures. I just need more diving knowledge for my next journey/trip.
Dived the Red Sea in July, Northern Wrecks and reefs with a company called Blue O Two, brilliant company, we dived approx 8 wrecks, numerous reefs, night dives included. Dived the Thistlegorm and Dunraven also. Well worth a visit.
hello
iam instructor PADI from Egypt
i teach scuba diving in Hurghada Red Sea and best sites in Hurghada : Wreck Elmina – South Abu Ramada
– Fanous West Reef .. i have 605 dives in my log book and when i get dive namber 1000 it will be spacial dive for me
I’ve been diving the Red Sea for over 15 years, in all that time I’ve watched this place go from a thriving with large fish vibrant corals to seeing it a little over a year ago, and seeing dead corals lack of marine life,,, devestating, it will take over a hundred years for the sites to recuperate the corals as long as we stamp out the damage that takes place every time divers enter the water… please dive streamline… for each dive site almost 2000 divers visit them each day, if each of those divers brake coral take pieces for soverners there will be no Red Sea left to visit,,, you the divers are responsible for this only you can prevent further wreckage
Nice trip.
We went to try diving in Hurghada, and it was really nice trip.
We saw Dolphins and we had a nice time on the boat, while eating they come and laugh with the divers.
Professional instructors and they can speak Polish, LOL.
We really recommend Diving Star to everyone would like to try diving.
Ema, thanks for the tips on your Israel trip. Is diving still sustainable in that area or should we be looking elsewhere for more ecologically friendly sites? Can anyone recommend the best place to take an open water Padi course while on vacation? Thank you.
Hi, I am an Egyptian, lives and works in Hurghada, Red Sea for almost 20 years.
since 2008 and my life has completely changed from being an Egyptian works with tourism to a man loves to go in the water.
I decided to do my first dive back late 2007 and after couple of days i decided to do my diving course, here was the problem!! i could not stop going on, in 2011 i did my instructor course and became a MSDT, since that moment i decided to do my diving courses, i gave up all other working life.
here i am now, teaching diving, working with diving, meeting new people every week, and even runing my own business with diving safari.
The Red Sea is simply addiction, diving is addiction, and most important makes me happy.
Hello there,
That’s a great story! Happy to read that a big life decision is turning out awesome and allows you to practice this amazing sport daily! Thank you for reading Divezone and sharing your story about scuba diving in the Red Sea here!
Safe bubbles, always!
I dived there for 5 days on a boat 2 dives a day and i loved it i hope to come vack next year with my wife she can snorkling andci dive dive dive
Hello
I dived in Aqaba, Jordan at the Dive Center in Bedouin Garden Village with Mahmmod Awartani. We were there in the hotel Bedouin Garden Village (my husband and me and my sons with 22, 19 and 16 y.). There is a housereef directly on the beach. A part of the corals are destroyed, but there are a lot of beautiful left and many fishes, that swim very close. We saw a turtle and an eagle ray too.
Mahmood is a very frendly, careful and helfpful divemaster and tried to fulfill all our wishes. He dives from the shore not from boat. 2 of my sons made a PADI-course with him. In Aqaba you can see interesting wracks as beginners (a tank, an aeroplane and the wonderful and famous ship Cedar Price, this was very special and amazing. But also in deep water a floating crane: Taiyong (35-58m depth). You can also see a lot of corrals and fishes by snorkeling directly at the beach.
I can really recommend this place and diving with Mahmood, we really enjoyed our time there. It is comparable to many places in Egypt