Dive Site: The Canyon

About The Canyon

The Canyon, located in Dahab, is a renowned dive site distinguished by its unique geological formation. It features an underwater split in the rock, almost entirely closed at the top, which descends from 18 meters to a maximum recreational depth of 30 meters, before continuing to deeper sections accessible only to technical divers. The dive begins with an easy shore entry into a shallow, sandy lagoon, leading to beautiful coral gardens before reaching the main Canyon entrance. Inside the Canyon, divers encounter an ethereal experience as light penetrates through ceiling cracks, illuminating columns of plankton and soft coral-encrusted walls. This creates a mesmerizing atmosphere, particularly within the coral dome filled with glassfish at the Canyon's upper reaches. The surrounding coral gardens are home to vibrant reef fish, offering abundant photographic opportunities. Marine life at The Canyon includes various butterflyfishes, unicornfishes, octopuses, and pufferfish, alongside the omnipresent Red Sea anthias. Moray eels and shrimp are often found in the wall crevices, while schools of dusky sweepers inhabit the deepest pockets of the fissure. The site is best explored over multiple visits to fully appreciate its rich biodiversity. Typically, the morning dive of a Dahab day trip, The Canyon offers a gentler depth profile and an easier start, preparing divers for more challenging sites. The exit is usually along the outer wall, concluding in a shallow coral garden known as "the fishbowl," which is rich with anthias and lionfish, and occasionally features a Red Sea Walkman scorpionfish. Total dive time is approximately 40-45 minutes.

Dive site facts: The Canyon

Depth

1–30 m (recreational)

Typical dive

18–30 m, 40–45 min

Current

Mild

Visibility

20–40 m

Water temperature

21–30°C

Entry

Shore entry via shallow lagoon

Level

Open Water Diver

Dive type

Wall, canyon, reef

Region / port

Dahab, Sinai Peninsula

Coordinates

28.585, 34.531

Conditions & Currents

Currents at The Canyon are generally mild, making it suitable for a wide range of diver experience levels. The entry and exit points through the shallow, sandy lagoon are typically calm. Within the Canyon itself, water movement is minimal due to its sheltered, fissured structure, allowing for relaxed exploration of its unique features and marine inhabitants. While the surrounding open water may experience some gentle movement, it rarely poses a challenge for divers. Divers should still pay attention to buoyancy, especially when navigating inside the narrow sections of the Canyon to avoid contact with the delicate coral and rock formations. Visibility is consistently good, often exceeding 20 meters, though occasional plankton blooms can slightly reduce it without impacting the dive experience significantly.

Marine life & sighting chances

Butterflyfishes

common

Unicornfishes

common

Octopus

occasional

Pufferfish

common

Red Sea Anthias

common

Dusky Sweepers

common

Moray Eels

common

Shrimp

common

Lionfish

common

Red Sea Walkman Scorpionfish

occasional

Glassfish

common

Dive profile & how the dive runs

The dive at The Canyon begins with an easy shore entry through a shallow, sandy lagoon, typically 1-3 meters deep. After traversing the lagoon, divers reach open water with coral gardens and a gently sloping seabed that descends from 10 meters to around 20 meters. The main entrance to The Canyon appears as a distinct black slot in the reef. Divers enter the Canyon at its largest point, around 18-20 meters, and descend further into the fissure, which reaches a maximum recreational depth of 30 meters. Inside, light shafts penetrate from above, illuminating the soft coral-encrusted walls and resident dusky sweeper schools. After exploring the Canyon's unique internal structure and observing the various creatures in its crevices, divers exit at the deepest point and ascend along the outer wall. The dive concludes in the shallower coral garden known as "the fishbowl" (7-10m) where the safety stop is performed amidst abundant reef fish, before returning to the shore entry point.

Underwater photography

The Canyon presents exceptional opportunities for wide-angle and macro photography. For the dramatic light shafts piercing through the canyon, a wide-angle lens is essential to capture the scale and ethereal atmosphere. Internally, a dive light is highly recommended to illuminate the soft corals and details within the crevices, especially for macro shots of moray eels, shrimp, and other cryptic inhabitants. Pay close attention to buoyancy inside the narrow sections to avoid disturbing the environment. Outside the Canyon, the coral gardens and "fishbowl" are vibrant for natural light wide-angle shots of schooling fish and reef scenes. Strobes can enhance colors and reduce backscatter, particularly when shooting into the deeper, darker parts of the fissure or capturing the textures of the coral walls.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• The Bells

  Often combined with The Blue Hole for a classic Dahab drift dive.

• Blue Hole Dahab

  A famous sinkhole, typically part of a two-dive day trip with The Canyon.

• Eel Garden

  Known for its garden eels and often combined with Lighthouse for a drift.

• The Lighthouse

  A popular, accessible site often used for training and combined with Eel Garden.

• Moray Garden

  A shore dive south of Dahab, known for stony corals and macro life.

Getting there & logistics

Diving The Canyon is primarily arranged as a day trip from Dahab, or as part of a longer excursion from Sharm El Sheikh, which is a 90-minute drive away. The closest international airport for direct arrival is Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH). Most operators combine The Canyon with the nearby Blue Hole (via The Bells entry) for a two-dive itinerary, often including lunch at a Bedouin restaurant near the Blue Hole. Transportation from Dahab is typically by jeep, as both sites are accessible from shore. No specific park fees are mentioned for The Canyon itself, but some operators may include general Dahab area permits in their pricing. Trip lengths are usually full-day excursions from Dahab or Sharm El Sheikh.

Safety & environment

While The Canyon is considered a relatively safe and accessible dive site, general Red Sea diving safety protocols apply. It is crucial to dive within your certified limits, especially regarding depth, as the Canyon continues past 30 meters for technical divers only. Always dive with a reputable operator, ensure your equipment is well-maintained, and follow your dive guide's instructions. Currents are mild, but good buoyancy control is necessary inside the Canyon to avoid contact with the fragile coral and rock formations. The nearest recompression chamber is located in Sharm El Sheikh. Divers should always have appropriate dive insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation and recompression treatment. Given the remote location from major hospitals, prompt medical attention for serious incidents may involve significant travel time.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

The Canyon FAQ

Liveaboards diving The Canyon

These liveaboards may visit The Canyon 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

$172/day

Blue Liveaboard

Egypt

24 guests43 m

$172/day

Odyssey

Egypt

26 guests40 m

$185/day

Discovery I

Egypt

20 guests

$104/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