About The Canyon, Dahab
The Canyon, a prominent dive site located about 10 kilometers north of Dahab, Egypt, stands as one of the region's most celebrated underwater attractions. It is renowned for a dramatic geological formation: a narrow fissure that slices through the reef, opening into an extensive underwater passage. This natural marvel is a must-explore for divers seeking a distinctive experience. The dive typically begins with a shore entry into a shallow lagoon, leading to vibrant coral gardens. From there, you can proceed towards the canyon itself. The entrance to the Canyon is often marked by a fascinating display of tiny air bubbles rising through the seabed, expelled by divers already inside. Descending through a small opening around 20 meters, you navigate the interior of the fissure, which deepens to over 30 meters and opens into a large chamber. Beams of natural light filter through the cracks above, creating a mystical and highly photogenic atmosphere within. While specific marine life seasonality is not detailed, the site is known for encounters with glassfish, lionfish, pipefish, and nudibranchs along its walls. You might also spot angelfish, butterflyfish, and sea turtles in the surrounding reef areas. However, larger pelagic encounters are not a primary feature of this specific site. Due to the depths and enclosed spaces, this dive is best suited for advanced and deep-certified divers with excellent buoyancy control. A local guide is essential for safe navigation through the entry, exit, and deeper chambers. Dives here often conclude with a return along the shallow reef wall back to the lagoon for a safety stop.
Highlights
Season calendar
Mar – May & Sep – Nov (Peak)
Best conditions with 30m+ visibility, comfortable water temps 24–28°C. Hammerhead sharks at Brothers, thresher sharks at Elphinstone.
Jun – Aug & Dec – Feb (Shoulder)
Jun–Aug: hot topside but warm water, good for southern routes. Dec–Feb: cooler water (21–23°C) attracts oceanic whitetips at Elphinstone. Still excellent visibility.
Dive site facts: The Canyon, Dahab
- Depth
- 20–54 m
- Current
- Mild
- Entry
- Shore / dayboat
- Level
- Advanced
- Dive type
- Wall, Channel, Drift, Cave & cavern
- Region / port
- Egypt
- Coordinates
- 28.5650° N, 34.5410° E
Conditions & Currents
Currents are usually mild, which makes this a relaxed dive suitable for most certified divers. Dive profiles here run between roughly 20 and 54 metres, so plan your gas and no-decompression limits around the deeper part of the site. It is usually briefed as a dive for advanced divers. Entry is from shore, so plan the swim out and back around the surface conditions of the day. Tide, wind and season all shift the picture from day to day, so the crew's briefing on the boat always overrides any general description.
Why dive The Canyon, Dahab from a liveaboard?
The Canyon, Dahab 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 The Canyon, Dahab on their Egypt itineraries.
Liveaboards diving The Canyon, Dahab
These liveaboards may visit The Canyon, Dahab on selected itineraries, the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

DUNE Longara
Egypt

JP Marine
Egypt

Snefro Pearl
Egypt

Snefro Love
Egypt

Sindalahs
Egypt

Hammerhead II
Egypt

Blue Liveaboard
Egypt

Odyssey
Egypt

Discovery I
Egypt

SS Serena Dreams
Egypt

Blue Pearl
Egypt

Alsuraya
Egypt
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