The Ultimate Guide to Scuba Diving in the Red Sea
By Karen Malone, Retired Travel ConsultantUpdated October 2026 · 3 min read
Quick takeaways
- The Red Sea offers warm water, excellent visibility and calm conditions, with diving possible year-round.
- The best seasons are March to May and September to November, when water temperatures are warm and visibility is excellent.
- Top sites: Ras Mohammed National Park, the Brothers Islands, the SS Thistlegorm wreck and Elphinstone Reef.
- The Brothers Islands are for advanced divers who are comfortable in currents.
The Red Sea is one of the world’s top scuba diving destinations, offering an incredibly diverse range of marine life, corals, and shipwrecks. With crystal clear waters, warm temperatures, and excellent visibility, scuba diving in the Red Sea is an unforgettable experience.
Why scuba dive in the Red Sea?
Scuba diving in the Red Sea is a unique experience for several reasons. The waters surrounding the Red Sea are home to a diverse array of marine life, including reef sharks, dolphins, turtles, and an assortment of colourful fish and corals. The Red Sea is also home to many famous shipwrecks, most notably the SS Thistlegorm, which is considered one of the world’s best wreck dives. The warm temperature and excellent visibility of the Red Sea make it possible to scuba dive year-round, and the region often experiences calm diving conditions, making it perfect for beginners.
When to go diving
Scuba diving in the Red Sea is possible year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 19°C to 29°C. However, the best time to go scuba diving in the Red Sea is during the shoulder seasons, which run from March to May and September to November. During this time, the water temperature is warm and visibility is excellent, making it possible to see all the marine life and reefs in their full splendor.
Where to dive: the top Red Sea dive sites
1. Ras Mohammed National Park
Ras Mohammed National Park is considered one of the best scuba diving sites globally and is located near the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. The park boasts a vibrant coral reef system and a diverse range of fish life. The park’s famous sites include Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef, where divers can find schools of barracudas, rainbow-colored unicorn fish, and many other species.
2. Brothers Islands
The Brothers Islands are a group of two islands in the Egyptian Red Sea. These islands offer scuba divers the opportunity to see hammerhead sharks, thresher sharks, and oceanic whitetips. The Brothers Islands are not suitable for beginners, and it is recommended that divers have advanced certification and experience with currents.
Good to knowThe Brothers Islands are not suitable for beginners. You’ll want advanced certification and experience diving in currents.
3. SS Thistlegorm wreck
The SS Thistlegorm is a British ship that sank in the Red Sea during World War II, and it is now a famous wreck dive site. The wreck, which is located near Sharm El Sheikh, is home to a range of fish species, including lionfish, pufferfish, and groupers.
4. Elphinstone Reef
Elphinstone Reef is a famous diving spot located near Marsa Alam. This reef system is shaped like a tabletop and serves as a home to giant moray eels, tuna, barracudas, and reef sharks.
In conclusion, diving in the Red Sea is an experience like no other. With a wide range of scuba diving sites, shipwrecks, marine life, and coral reefs, the Red Sea is one of the world’s top scuba diving destinations. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced diver, scuba diving in the Red Sea will give you unforgettable memories. We hope that this guide will help you plan your next scuba diving adventure in the Red Sea and discover its amazing underwater world.
Planning your Red Sea dive trip
Thinking about diving the Red Sea? Here’s what to keep in mind as you plan.
- Resort or liveaboard: a dive resort in Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada or Marsa Alam is great for a mix of diving and downtime, while a liveaboard is the way to reach offshore sites like the Brothers Islands.
- Getting there from Canada: expect at least one connection, usually through Europe or Cairo, into Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada or Marsa Alam.
- Entry requirements: Canadians need a visa for Egypt, and you should check the Government of Canada’s travel advice before you book.
- Pack the right wetsuit: water can drop to around 19°C in winter, so a thicker wetsuit is a good idea from December to March.
- Bring your paperwork: your certification card, dive log and proof of dive insurance. Advanced sites will ask for experience.
- Add some land time: pair your diving with Cairo, the pyramids or a Nile cruise, and plan your sightseeing at the end so you’re not flying right after diving.
Advisor tipWant to see hammerheads at the Brothers Islands? Book a liveaboard. The islands are too far offshore for day trips.
Dreaming of the Red Sea? Our team can help you plan your dive trip, from resorts and liveaboards to Nile cruises before or after. See all our scuba diving vacations.
FAQs
When is the best time to dive the Red Sea?
You can dive the Red Sea year-round, with water temperatures from about 19°C to 29°C. The best times are March to May and September to November.
Is the Red Sea good for beginner divers?
Yes. The Red Sea often has calm conditions and excellent visibility, which makes it great for beginners, although some sites like the Brothers Islands are for advanced divers only.
What is the most famous wreck dive in the Red Sea?
The SS Thistlegorm, a British ship that sank during World War II, is considered one of the world’s best wreck dives.
What can you see diving in the Red Sea?
Reef sharks, dolphins, turtles, barracudas, moray eels and a huge variety of colourful fish and corals, plus hammerheads, threshers and oceanic whitetips at the Brothers Islands.
Do Canadians need a visa for Egypt?
Yes. Canadians need a visa to visit Egypt, which you can usually get online in advance or on arrival. Check the latest entry requirements before you go.
Should I choose a liveaboard or a dive resort in the Red Sea?
A dive resort suits divers who want a mix of diving and relaxing, while a liveaboard is the way to reach offshore sites like the Brothers Islands.
