About Far Garden
Far Garden is a prominent dive site located in Sharm El Sheikh, serving as the northern headland of the adjacent Middle Garden site. It is often referred to as an "underwater hanging garden" due to its abundant coral formations and unique topography. The site is characterized by a series of large coral pinnacles situated between a reef ledge and a gradually steepening drop-off, particularly towards the east. Divers typically begin their descent in a shallow area near coral crowns, which then transitions into a narrow plateau. The dive unfolds along this sloping wall, with opportunities to explore a deeper "cathedral end" featuring a crack. This section, along with any swim-throughs, should be treated as an overhead environment. Throughout the site, various hard and soft corals thrive, including delicate gorgonian fans. Marine life sightings are diverse, with notable pelagic encounters. Manta rays are frequently spotted, and eagle rays, barracuda, snappers, porcupinefish, and moray eels are common. While generally not a high-traffic site, it offers exceptional aquatic variety. The site can be enjoyed as a mooring, semi-drift, or full drift dive, catering to different preferences and current conditions. The typical dive experience involves a boat-oriented entry, progressing from the shallower plateau towards the deeper wall and cathedral crack. Snorkeling is feasible in the calmer, shallower sections, but the full drift dive across the pinnacles to the wall offers the best experience for scuba divers. The site is considered suitable for all levels, though awareness of potential currents is advised.
Highlights
Large coral pinnaclesGorgonian fan coralsFrequent Manta Ray sightingsCathedral-like crack formationDiverse reef fish speciesSteep wall topographyEast-running drift dive
Best Season
Far Garden is suitable for diving year-round. The calmer periods are particularly advantageous, providing the easiest drift lines and optimal conditions for photography due to clearer visibility.
Dive site facts: Far Garden
- Depth
- 1–45 m
- Current
- Moderate
- Entry
- Shore / dayboat
- Level
- Beginner
- Dive type
- Reef, Reef, Drift
- Region / port
- Egypt
- Coordinates
- 27.8888° N, 34.3617° E
Conditions & Currents
Currents at Far Garden are generally light, making it accessible for various dive types, including mooring, semi-drift, or full drift dives. However, an east-running current is typical, and its strength can increase closer to the headland. Divers should be prepared for moderate currents, especially along the drift line, which builds closer to the headland. Entry is typically boat-oriented, and the dive is often planned as a guided drift. While the site is considered suitable for all levels, awareness of tightening currents near the headland is crucial. Visibility is consistently good, ranging from 20 to 30 meters, and water temperatures are comfortable, from 20°C in February to 27°C between July and October.
Why dive Far Garden from a liveaboard?
Far Garden 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 Far Garden on their Egypt itineraries.
Liveaboards diving Far Garden
These liveaboards may visit Far Garden on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.
DUNE Longara
Egypt
30 guests
$150/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 Far Garden
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.
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Carless Reef
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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
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Gordon Reef
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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
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Tobia Arbaa
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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
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Alexandria
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Alexandria offers a truly unique diving experience in Egypt, differing significantly from the vibrant coral reefs of the Red Sea.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 5–8 m
- Theme
- Reef
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Big Brother
Egypt
Big Brother Island, a prominent pinnacle in the southern Red Sea, rises from significant depths approximately 60 miles off the Egyptian coast near El-Quseir.
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- Strong
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- 8–85 m
- Theme
- Drift / Wreck
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
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