This article will discuss the best diving sites in the red sea. The good news is that there is no shortage of good diving sites in the Red sea, but we want to narrow down the best options so that you can easily decide.
Best Diving Sites in the Red Sea
Here are some of the best diving sites in the red sea:
Elphinstone Reef in Marsa Alam
This reef is named after George Elphinstone, who was a British admiral. The Elphinstone reef is about 18.6 miles (30 kilometres) from Marsa Alam and is a haven for Oceanic white tip and hammerhead sharks. You will often spot the sharks in the southern and northern ends of the reef plateau between the months of October and November.
Along with the sharks, the 2296-feet (700 meters) long and 1968-feet (600 meters) deep wall of the reef is engulfed in small marine life, gorgonian and vibrant soft corals. Above everything else, the strong currents of the reef attract different species of barracuda and tuna.
As the reef gets busy during the day, the best way to explore is to use a liveaboard and arrive early in the morning.
SS Thistlegom Wreck at Ras Mohammed
This shipwreck sits about 24.9 miles (40 kilometres) from the well-known tourism hot spot: Sinai, Sharm El Sheik. The ship was a vessel in the 1940s and was used for transporting military equipment in World War II; later, the ship was bombed during the war. The ship now lies at 108 feet (33 Meters).
The upright position of the ship allows divers to easily enter the cargo hold and observe the rifles, vehicles, motorbikes and trucks on the ship. The ship is also often visited by schools of fish such as snappers, batfish, barracuda, turtles and crocodile fish.
The ship has incredibly designed structures paired with beautiful marine life; it is a sight to behold. One of the best ways to explore the SS Thistlegom shipwreck is through a live board. However, due to the strong currents, this shipwreck is only accessible to experienced divers.
The Blue Hole in Dahab
While the landscape of Dahab has changed a lot since the 1970s, the Blue hole still has the same charm and prestige. The 393-feet (130 Meter) sinkhole is a challenge even for the most experienced divers. The dive starts with a gentle descent down 91 feet (28 Meters), a tunnel opens up in a reef, and out you come into the blue. This descent is followed by a drift dive along the walls of the reef on the diver’s right side. A gentle ascent and you will be able to crossover the saddle of the blue hole before entering the massive hole of the deep blue.
However, each diver takes a different route across the middle of the sinkhole. The main objective of the divers is to have an immersive experience in the hole.
Daedalus Reef in Marsa Alam
Thanks to the inconvenient location of this reef, the Daedalus reef is one of the least visited reefs in the Red sea. Since the reef receives less tourism than usual, it has a well-preserved coral reef formation. The reef sits approximately 55 miles (90 Kilometers) east of Marsa Alam’s diving hub.
The intense current of the reef makes it an ideal hunting spot for species of pelagic and a drift diver’s best friend. Sightings of thresher, white tips, hammerhead sharks and tuna species are common in the Daedalus reef. Also, the coral has been preserved since the reef is within the protected marine park. This site will surely not disappoint you.
Shark and Yolanda Reef in Ras Mohammed
It is impossible to miss the two towering towers of corals, Yoland and Shark reef, on the Ras Mohammed cape. This reef is one of the best diving spots on the planet, and the strong currents will drift you along the 2624-feet (800 meters) deep wall full of snappers and barracudas.
Once you are past the wall, you will come across the saddle, which is populated by corals, and make the entire reef a sight to behold. The dive in this reef is adrenaline-inducing, and the dive ends in the sunken freighter than is about 650 feet (200 meters) below the surface.
Fragments of shipwrecks have now been turned into homes by angelfish, blue-spotted stingrays and many more species. In addition, if you go to these shipwrecks, you will spot pelagic life accompanying you on your left side. The beauty of these shipwrecks makes them a must-see, and divers look forward to visiting them.
Thomas Reef and Canyon, Straits of Tiran
Straits of Tiran in Egypt are underwater, narrow passages that extend for about 8 miles (13 Kilometers). The narrow passageways separate the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aqaba. There are 4 reefs in Tiran such as Thomas, Woodhouse, Gordon and Jackson. These spots are undoubtedly the best diving spots in Egypt.
The Thomas canyon, founded on the Thomas reef, is one of the best diving spots in the Red Sea. The drift dive starts with lush, gorgonian fans and a bunch of black corals. After this, there is an east wall, which plummets and then explodes into a heap of soft corals. On this sandy plateau, there is a chance you will encounter sleeping sharks.
Lastly, the Thomas Canyon opening is 114 feet (35 Meters) and is a good spot for tech divers to discover. In short, the Thomas Canyon will engulf you in deep blue water, a dream for an adventurer.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed some of the best dive sites in the Red Sea. We have also thoroughly discussed the characteristics of all the diving sites in the Red Sea. While the Red Sea is full of beautiful dive sites, it is tough for people to decide.
This short list will enable you to decide which diving sites to visit. While all the diving sites are great, go for places that are not very busy.
