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
Narrow vertical crackLarge underwater chamberSunlight filtering through cracksGlassfish caveMystical photogenic atmosphereShallow coral gardensTiny air bubbles rising
Best Season
The underwater gems of Dahab are accessible throughout the year. Water temperatures range from approximately 21°C in February, increasing to 25-27°C in autumn, and reaching their warmest at about 28°C from July to September.
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
30 guests
$148/day
JP Marine
Egypt
28 guests
$108/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
$171/day
Blue Liveaboard
Egypt
24 guests43 m
$171/day
Odyssey
Egypt
26 guests40 m
$183/day
Discovery I
Egypt
20 guests
$103/day
Star Jet
Egypt
28 guests35 m
$145/day
SS Serena Dreams
Egypt
18 guests33 m
$168/day
Amelie
Egypt
12 guests23 m
$115/day
Dive sites similar to The Canyon, Dahab
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.
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Cape Rouge
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- Liveaboard or dayboat
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- 15–40 m
- Theme
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Farasan Islands
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The Farasan Islands, situated in the southern Red Sea off the coast of Jazan, represent Saudi Arabia's premier destination for biodiverse diving.
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- Strong
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- 10–40 m
- Theme
- Wall / Reef
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Gota Soraya
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Gota Soraya stands out as one of the Red Sea's premier wall dives, located in the southern region near the Sudanese border.
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- Moderate
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- ≤ 20 m
- Theme
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© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
Umm Kharalim
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Umm Kharalim, also known as St. John's Caves, is a distinctive dive site nestled within the remote St. John's reef system in the southern Red Sea, close to Egypt's border with Sudan.
- Suitable for
- Advanced
- Current
- Strong
- Access
- Liveaboard only
- Depth
- 3–15 m
- Theme
- Cave & cavern
© Esri — Maxar, Earthstar, GIS
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