Egypt

Dive Site: The Canyon, Dahab

20–54 mAdvanced Wall
© EsriSource: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar, GIS Community · Labels © Esri, HERE, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS

Which liveaboards dive The Canyon, Dahab?

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

Season calendar

Best months to dive here
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Excellent
Good

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 liveaboard at The Canyon, Dahab

DUNE Longara

Egypt

30 guests
JP Marine liveaboard at The Canyon, Dahab

JP Marine

Egypt

28 guests
Snefro Pearl liveaboard at The Canyon, Dahab

Snefro Pearl

Egypt

12 guests
Snefro Love liveaboard at The Canyon, Dahab

Snefro Love

Egypt

20 guests
Sindalahs liveaboard at The Canyon, Dahab

Sindalahs

Egypt

26 guests38 m
Hammerhead II liveaboard at The Canyon, Dahab

Hammerhead II

Egypt

20 guests
Blue Liveaboard liveaboard at The Canyon, Dahab

Blue Liveaboard

Egypt

24 guests43 m
Odyssey liveaboard at The Canyon, Dahab

Odyssey

Egypt

26 guests40 m
Discovery I liveaboard at The Canyon, Dahab

Discovery I

Egypt

20 guests
SS Serena Dreams liveaboard at The Canyon, Dahab

SS Serena Dreams

Egypt

18 guests33 m
Blue Pearl liveaboard at The Canyon, Dahab

Blue Pearl

Egypt

20 guests36 m
Alsuraya liveaboard at The Canyon, Dahab

Alsuraya

Egypt

24 guests37 m

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.
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Abu Dabbab stands out as one of the Red Sea's most celebrated dive destinations, particularly notable for being a rare location where divers can encounter the endangered dugong.

Suitable for
Beginner
Current
Strong
Access
Shore / dayboat
Depth
3–20 m
Theme
Reef
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Abu Galawa

Saudi Arabia

Abu Galawa is a prominent dive site within Saudi Arabia's Red Sea, specifically located among the Seven Sisters reefs near Yanbu.

Suitable for
Intermediate
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
5–40 m
Theme
Reef / Wall
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Abu Galawa Kebir is a premier dive site located in the southern Red Sea, situated on the northwestern edge of the extensive Fury Shoal reef system.

Suitable for
Beginner
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard or dayboat
Depth
3–18 m
Theme
Wreck
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

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
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Aida

Egypt

The Aida is a prominent wreck dive site located in the Egyptian Red Sea, frequently visited on liveaboard itineraries that traverse the central region between the northern and southern dive sites.

Suitable for
Advanced
Current
Strong
Access
Liveaboard only
Depth
25–65 m
Theme
Wreck / Drift
© EsriMaxar, Earthstar, GIS

Al Lith Mangrove Reef, located approximately 210 km south of Jeddah, serves as the primary launch point for exploring the renowned Farasan Banks.

Suitable for
Beginner
Current
Strong
Access
Shore / dayboat
Depth
3–15 m
Theme
Reef / Wall

12 liveaboards run the The Canyon, Dahab route.

Three to four guided dives a day on The Canyon, Dahab and the other signature sites in Egypt, sleeping right above the reef.