Dive Sites in the Red Sea & Arabia
Historic wrecks, sheer walls and coral reefs that have captivated divers for decades. Your perfect Red Sea dive is waiting — we'll get you there.
Diving in the Red Sea & Arabia
Countries
Diving countries in the Red Sea & Arabia region
The Red Sea & Arabia spans several diving countries, each with its own liveaboard routes and signature sites. Click a country to see every dive site we cover there and the boats that visit them.
Dive by type
Dive sites by type
Wrecks, walls, drift dives, caves and pinnacles in the Red Sea & Arabia — filter by the kind of diving you prefer. Each type links to a dedicated theme page with the best sites worldwide.
Marine life
Marine life highlights
The animals that make diving in the Red Sea & Arabia worth it: sharks, rays, turtles, pelagics and macro highlights logged on these sites. Choose a species to find the dive sites and liveaboards where you are most likely to see it.
Explore the sites
Dive sites in the Red Sea & Arabia
Explore 149 dive sites in the Red Sea & Arabia, from legendary wall dives and drift dives to coral gardens, wrecks and shark cleaning stations. Every site shows depth, current, access, marine life and the liveaboard itineraries that visit it, so you can compare and book the trip that matches your experience level.
149 dive sites
Elphinstone Reef
Egypt
Elphinstone Reef, locally known as Sha'ab Abu Hamra, is an iconic dive site in the Red Sea, located approximately 12 kilometers offshore from Marsa Alam.
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- Ripping
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 1–100 m
- Theme
- Reef / Wall
Maskali Island
Djibouti
Maskali Island is a renowned dive site located within the Gulf of Tadjoura, celebrated for its pristine coral gardens and unique underwater cave systems.
- Suitable for
- Intermediate
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 3–30 m
- Theme
- Cave & cavern / Reef
The Seven Brothers Islands, known locally as Les Sept Frères or Sawabi islands, form a volcanic and largely untouched archipelago situated off Djibouti's eastern coast, at the…
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- Strong
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 5–40 m
- Theme
- Drift / Reef
Abu Nuhas
Egypt
Abu Nuhas, often called the "ship's graveyard" of the Red Sea, is a triangular coral reef situated at the northern edge of the Strait of Gubal.
- Suitable for
- Beginner
- Current
- Strong
- Access
- Liveaboard or dayboat
- Depth
- 4–24 m
- Theme
- Wreck
Conditions & practicalities
Diving in the Red Sea & Arabia: seasons, conditions and logistics
149 dive sites in the Red Sea & Arabia — here is what the season data says about the best months, water temperature, visibility and currents, plus how divers usually get there and which fees to budget for.
- Best months
- Oct–May
- Water temperature
- 22–31 °C
- Visibility
- 5–35 m
- Currents
- Mild — Most reefs can be dived without drift skills; water only picks up around channels and exposed corners. Newly certified divers with decent buoyancy are comfortable here.
- Getting there
- Most divers fly into the nearest international airport and continue by transfer or domestic flight to the departure port; liveaboards usually leave the evening before day one.
- Permits & fees
- Marine park fees, port taxes and nitrox are rarely included in the trip price — budget a few hundred dollars extra and check the visa rules before booking.
FAQ
Diving in the Red Sea & Arabia: your questions
When is the best time to dive in the Red Sea & Arabia?
How good is the visibility in the Red Sea & Arabia?
How strong are the currents and which level do I need in the Red Sea & Arabia?
Do I need a liveaboard to dive in the Red Sea & Arabia?
How many dive sites are there in the Red Sea & Arabia and where are they?
Ready to dive these sites?
Choose a destination or search every available vessel to find the liveaboard that dives the sites you want to see.