About Alexandria
Alexandria offers a truly unique diving experience in Egypt, differing significantly from the vibrant coral reefs of the Red Sea. Situated on the Mediterranean coast, this historic port city provides access to an underwater archaeological wonderland, primarily focused on ancient ruins and historical wrecks. The main draw is Cleopatra's Underwater City, which, along with other ancient structures like the Lighthouse of Alexandria and Fort Qaitbey, submerged after an earthquake around 300 BC, creating an unparalleled historical site. Dives in Alexandria typically explore locations like the Eastern Harbor, Pharos Island, and Antirodos Island. Depths are generally shallow, with sites like the Lighthouse reaching about 8 meters and Cleopatra's Palace around 5 meters, making them accessible. Divers can encounter thousands of archaeological pieces, including sphinxes, Roman and Pharaonic columns, parts of the Lighthouse, obelisk bases, statues, and inscriptions scattered across the seabed. Marine life in the direct vicinity of Alexandria’s historical sites is limited, partly due to pollution and overfishing within the harbor. However, day trips to areas like Omu Sukan, further from the city, reveal more typical Mediterranean reef ecosystems with corals, triggerfish, turtles, and eagle rays. The primary focus here remains the historical artifacts rather than abundant sea creatures. Diving in Alexandria is suitable for history enthusiasts and certified divers looking for an adventure through submerged antiquity. Operators offer guided dives from small boats, with site briefings covering the historical significance. Visibility can vary, particularly within the Eastern Harbor, impacting the overall dive experience. While generally considered an easier pace for exploring ruins, the historical context and potential for lower visibility require attentive diving.
Highlights
Cleopatra's Underwater CitySubmerged Pharos IslandAncient Lighthouse of Alexandria fragmentsRoman and Pharaonic columnsSubmerged Sphinx statuesWWII airplane wreckMark Antony's summer palaceAntirodos Island ruins
Dive site facts: Alexandria
- Depth
- 5–8 m
- Current
- Moderate
- Entry
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Level
- Beginner
- Dive type
- Wreck, Reef
- Region / port
- Egypt
- Coordinates
- 31.2156° N, 29.8970° E
Conditions & Currents
Currents around Alexandria are generally calm, particularly within the sheltered Eastern Harbor and at the shallow dive sites. The seas are often calm, contributing to a more relaxed diving experience. Visibility can fluctuate, being significantly better outside the Eastern Harbor compared to within, where water quality can be an issue. Due to the shallow nature of the sites, with maximum depths around 8 meters, dives are typically extended, allowing ample time for exploration. Dive operators facilitate boat entries and exits to access the sites, and the easy pace of these archaeological dives makes them suitable for various certification levels, with gas planning considerations focused more on bottom time than challenging conditions.
Why dive Alexandria from a liveaboard?
Alexandria is one of Egypt's signature dive sites. A liveaboard sleeps you on the water and puts you in the water for three to four guided dives per day, including dawn and night dives that day-boat operators rarely offer. You skip the daily commute back to port and reach quieter, less-crowded sites in the same region on a single trip.
Below are the liveaboards that include Alexandria on their Egypt itineraries.
Liveaboards diving Alexandria
These liveaboards may visit Alexandria on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
DUNE Longara
Egypt
30 guests
$155/day
JP Marine
Egypt
28 guests
$109/day
Snefro Pearl
Egypt
12 guests
$150/day
Snefro Love
Egypt
20 guests
$154/day
Sindalahs
Egypt
26 guests38 m
$155/day
Hammerhead II
Egypt
20 guests
$173/day
Blue Liveaboard
Egypt
24 guests43 m
$173/day
Odyssey
Egypt
26 guests40 m
$185/day
Discovery I
Egypt
20 guests
$97/day
Star Jet
Egypt
28 guests35 m
$145/day
SS Serena Dreams
Egypt
18 guests33 m
$159/day
Amelie
Egypt
12 guests23 m
$115/day
Dive sites similar to Alexandria
Same character, same waters — six more sites divers love for the exact same reasons.Compare seasons, access and liveaboard routes — then pick the site that fits your trip best.
Carless Reef
Egypt
Carless Reef is a renowned advanced dive site near Hurghada, notable for its two prominent coral pinnacles that rise from a sandy bottom at 30 meters.
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- Strong
- Access
- Dayboat
- Depth
- 15–40 m
- Theme
- Reef / Drift
Gordon Reef
Egypt
Gordon Reef is the southernmost of the four prominent coral formations situated in the narrow Straits of Tiran, which separate the Gulf of Aqaba from the main Red Sea.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- 2–300 m
- Theme
- Reef
Far Garden
Egypt
Far Garden is a prominent dive site located in Sharm El Sheikh, serving as the northern headland of the adjacent Middle Garden site.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Shore / dayboat
- Depth
- 1–45 m
- Theme
- Reef / Drift
Tobia Arbaa
Egypt
Tobia Arbaa, also widely recognized as the "Seven Pillars," is a highly regarded dive site situated in Egypt, easily accessible via a short speedboat ride from Safaga or Soma Bay.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- Mild
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 10–16 m
- Theme
- Reef
El Fanadir North
Egypt
El Fanadir North is a prominent reef system in the Red Sea, situated roughly 4 kilometers offshore from Hurghada.
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 12–70 m
- Theme
- Drift / Reef
Marsa Abu Dabab
Egypt
Marsa Abu Dabab is a distinctive, horseshoe-shaped bay located on Egypt's southern Red Sea coast, approximately 35 kilometers north of Marsa Alam town.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Shore / dayboat
- Depth
- 2–20 m
- Theme
- Reef