With very few exceptions, diving in Hurghada is performed on daily or half-day boats, since the coastal area is mostly devoid of fringing reefs.

The Hurghada diving area comprises also the Protected Marine Park of Giftun Island where access is permitted only with an entrance fee (payable directly at all diving centers). The area in general is blessed with refreshing breezes from the north both in winter and summer. These breezes often turn though into strong winds which may limit access to certain dive sites.

Site: The Aquarium – Sha’ab Abu Ramada

Max Depth: 15 m.

Visibility: 35 m.

Dive Type: Moored dive

Notes: Many beginners have their first open water dive here. No wonder that they keep on coming back! Years ago, I had myself my first dive in The Aquarium. I had just hit the sandy bottom and was preparing to perform the “clear-the-mask” exercise when a curious Napoleon wrasse decided to investigate what my group was doing. Twenty seconds later, a turtle passed by and decided to join the party. When we finally managed to stop dropping our regulators in awe, a stir in the sand unveiled a blue spotted stingray. And the reef was completely covered with healthy corals, teeming with all sorts of tropical fish. I can tell you our instructor had a hard time keeping us focused! The last time I visited, we met a placid nurse shark dozing under an enormous gorgonian.

Site: Dolphin House – Sha’ab El Erg

Max Depth: 12 m.

Visibility: 35 m.

Dive Type: Moored dive

Notes: Yes this is dolphin territory. Playful flocks of bottlenose dolphins made this area their home. Whoever has been here knows that there is no such a thing as a boring dolphin. After having met one on almost every dive I have done here, I still get excited when I see them. Sha’ab el Erg is an extremely large half-moon-shaped reef, with a multitude of pinnacles scattered in the inner shallow lagoon, and Dolphin House is the pinnacle situated at the western tip of the reef. The dive is done around this pinnacle, covered with table corals and giant fans. Eagle rays are occasionally found here as well.

Site: Abu Hashish East

Max Depth: 25 m.

Visibility: 30 m.

Dive Type: Moored dive

Notes: One of the southernmost points of the area, situated at the tip of the large bay of Hurghada. It is an interesting dive with many surprises: a profusion of huge schools of yellowtail barracudas, giant groupers, Napoleon wrasses, titan trigger fish, turtles, white tip sharks, crocodile fish, stonefish, gray reef shark and occasionally, eagle rays. A feast for the eyes!

Related Article(s):

• Abu Ramada North
• Abu Ramada South
• Banana Reef
• Ben El Gebel
• Carless Reef
• Divesites in Hurghada
• El Aruk
• El Fanadir
• El Fanous East
• El Fanous West