Red Sea, Egypt & Sudan

The Red Sea divides Egypt between the Sinai Peninsula and mainland Africa, with Sudan neighboring on the southern border. Major focus points for diving are in the northeast coast at Sharm el Sheikh and Dahab. On the west is Hurghada and Marsa Alam, with smaller towns in between. The Red Sea is a mecca for diving, where you have plentiful options for daily dives by boat as well as dozens of liveaboards. 

Liveaboards generally last for 7 nights and travel 3 main routes:

1. Northern route featuring more shipwrecks.

2. BDE: Brothers, Daedalus, and Elphinstone reefs where you're most likely to see pelagics and will be farthest off shore. This is also the most challenging route due to strong currents.

3. Southern route dipping into Sudan where the reef is even more untouched and bursting with life.

The Red Sea has incredibly vibrant coral reefs that are teaming with life. You can commonly see schools of fish, turtles, dolphins, and microspecies. On occasion you will see sharks, more typically so in the deep blue. There have been sightings of oceanic whitetips, hammerheads, and makos. to name a few.

There are also dozens of very large shipwrecks that you can explore. The SS Thistlegorm is ranked as one of the best in the world. Abu Nuhas is also a great site with 4 large wrecks within a short distance of each other where you can spend a full day.

We can also book land/ Nile River tours to see incredible historical sites such as the Great Pyramids, Abu-Simbel, Luxor and Karnak Temples, and so much more! No trip to Egypt is complete without this!

Egypt is incredibly hot during the summer months through September. That being said, the water is very warm from then until November, like bathwater. Surface temps actually get quite cold from December through February. October into early November is just right! 

You will need to fly into Cairo (CAI), Egypt to start. You can then take a second flight or a transfer to any of the following destinations where you can catch a liveaboard or stay in a hotel while taking daily dives with one of our trusted partners.

• Sharm el Sheikh (SSH)
• Hurghada (HRG)
• Marsa Alam (RMF)

It is recommended to have logged at least 40 dives and have your advanced certification before taking a liveaboard, as the diving is typically at >20m depth and currents can be quite strong. Nitrox certification is also available to use nitrox onboard during the week. This is recommended for maximizing your bottom time with the wildlife and to minimize DCS risks. Dive gear is available to rent. 

Egypt is also a great place for beginners, as its very economical to take courses here and then take daily dives with a company. All of the gear that you could need is available for rent. 

Yes, it is very safe to travel to Egypt, especially as a tourist. We have trusted partners for transit there and you will find the majority of Egyptians speak English. There is a bit of culture shock initially, but you will find Egyptians to be very kind people who look out for others and want you to have a great experience in their country. The only thing you may find irritating is the pushy salespeople in the bazaars and stores. 

You will also be pleased to learn that there are hyperbaric chambers in each of the cities listed above, so you will never have to worry about receiving proper medical care in case of an emergency.

As for Sudan, the liveaboard travel isn't based from Sudan. You will only be traveling through their waters. That being said, the tourist areas near the coast are said to be fairly safe and very welcoming to tourists, as they are just excited to have foreigners visiting their home, a rarity!

*2023 Update* Due to civil unrest, it is not recommended to travel onto land in Sudan at his time.