Egypt
Country Name: Arab Republic of Egypt
Capital City: Cairo
Population: Approximately 114,484,252 as of 2024
Official Language: Arabic
Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP)
Time Zone: Eastern European Time (EET), UTC +2. Egypt does not observe daylight saving time.
Diving Overview
Egypt is a top destination for adventure divers, known for its warm, clear waters and diverse underwater environments. The Red Sea offers a mix of vibrant coral reefs, historical wrecks, and dramatic drop-offs, teeming with marine life. The area is particularly famous for its WWII wrecks, like the SS Thistlegorm, which have transformed into thriving artificial reefs.
- Number of Dive Sites: Over 200
- Types of Diving: Reef, wreck, drift, wall
- Marine Biodiversity Highlights: Napoleon wrasse, lionfish, moray eels, parrotfish, and sea turtles.
- Average Water Temperatures: 21-28°C (70-82°F)
- Visibility Range: 20-50 meters (66-164 feet)
Important Information
Optimal Dive Seasons
March to May and September to November
Major Airports
Cairo International Airport, Hurghada, Sharm El Sheikh, Marsa Alam International Airports.
The Travel Tip
Pack a 5mm wetsuit for winter and a 3mm for summer.
Weather Patterns
Hot summers and mild winters, with coastal areas experiencing cooling sea breezes.
Internal Transportation
Domestic flights, trains, buses, taxis, ride-sharing services, and ferries.
Attractions
Pyramids of Giza, Red Sea diving, Egyptian Museum, White Desert, Mount Sinai.
Top Dive Regions
Egypt offers some of the world’s best dive regions, primarily located along the Red Sea. Sharm El Sheikh, renowned for its vibrant reefs and the Ras Mohammed National Park, offers diverse marine life and wreck dives like the SS Thistlegorm. Hurghada, another popular destination, is known for its accessible shipwrecks and colorful coral gardens. Dahab, famous for the Blue Hole, provides thrilling experiences for advanced divers . Marsa Alam, including sites like Elphinstone Reef, is ideal for encountering larger pelagic species and enjoys fewer crowds. Each of these regions offers unique underwater landscapes and biodiversity, making Egypt a top destination for diving enthusiasts.
Sharm El Sheikh
Renowned for vibrant reefs and the iconic SS Thistlegorm wreck
Dahab
Famous for the challenging and renowned Blue Hole dive site
Marsa Alam
Ideal for encounters with large pelagic species at Elphinstone Reef
Hurghada
Known for accessible shipwrecks and colorful coral gardens
Marine Life
Beneath the Red Sea’s surface, divers can encounter a vibrant array of marine creatures, including colorful corals, schools of anthias, and majestic napoleon wrasse. The waters teem with life, featuring everything from tiny nudibranchs to the elusive octopuses hiding among the rocks, and various species of rays gliding gracefully. Historical enthusiasts will find plenty to marvel at with the numerous WWII wrecks scattered throughout, adding a touch of history to the underwater adventure.
Common Species: Napoleon wrasse, lionfish, moray eels, parrotfish, and sea turtles.
Seasonal Highlights: Increased sightings of hammerhead sharks and whale sharks between May and August
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