Few places in the world are as consistently jaw-dropping underwater as the Red Sea. This Red Sea diving guide distills hundreds of my dives across Egypt, Jordan, and Sudan into a practical, immersive handbook you can trust.
From Ras Mohammed’s vertical cathedrals to the SS Thistlegorm’s time-locked cargo decks, I’ll help you choose the right region, season, and gear so you surface with stories you’ll tell for life.
As a PADI-certified diver and Red Sea fanatic, I’ve logged the early-morning drifts, the blue-water pelagic hunts, and the calm, coral-cradled afternoons—this guide is the one I wish I’d had before my first trip.
What You’ll Learn
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How to use this Red Sea diving guide to pick the right region (north, central, south) for your goals.
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The top reef and wreck sites, with practical depth, difficulty, and highlights.
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Seasonal conditions, marine life expectations, and safety considerations.
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Pro gear recommendations and packing tips from The Eagle Ray Dive Shop.
Table of Contents
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Why the Red Sea Captivates Divers
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Planning Your Trip: Regions, Seasons, and Skill Levels
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Northern Highlights (Wrecks & Reefs)
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Central Brothers–Daedalus–Elphinstone (BDE Pelagics)
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Southern Egypt & Sudan (Walls & Far-Flung Wildlife)
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Aqaba, Jordan (Accessible Wrecks & Calm Bays)
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Top Sites You Shouldn’t Miss
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Ras Mohammed National Park
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SS Thistlegorm
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Brothers Islands
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Elphinstone Reef
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Blue Hole (Dahab)
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Cedar Pride (Aqaba)
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Sha’ab Rumi (Sudan)
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Data-Driven Snapshot: Ratings & Marine Life Mix
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Conditions & Safety: Currents, Visibility, Water Temps, and Protocols
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Photography & Videography Tips (Color, Light, Framing)
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Gear & Travel Checklist (with Pro Picks from The Eagle Ray Dive Shop)
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Budgeting & Logistics: Liveaboards vs. Day Boats
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FAQs
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Final Thoughts & Call to Adventure
1) Why the Red Sea Captivates Divers
The Red Sea feels designed for divers: warm, clear water, towering coral walls, reliable visibility, and a tapestry of life—from swirling anthias to oceanic whitetips. Mountains tumble into the sea; arid air keeps runoff near zero, so the water remains astonishingly clear.
Add a string of world-class wrecks and you’ve got a destination that spoils beginners and veterans alike.
Quick hits
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Visibility: commonly 20–40 m (65–130 ft).
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Water temp: ~22–24°C/72–75°F (winter) to 27–30°C/81–86°F (summer).
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Dive styles: gentle reef drifts, deep walls, blue-water pelagic encounters, and photogenic wrecks.
2) Planning Your Trip: Regions, Seasons, and Skill Levels
Northern Highlights (Wrecks & Reefs)
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Who it’s for: Beginners to advanced divers.
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Why go: Iconic wrecks (SS Thistlegorm), Ras Mohammed walls and schooling fish, Sharm el-Sheikh and Hurghada day boats, liveaboard routes are plentiful.
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Seasonal notes: Year-round diving; winter brings cooler temps and fewer crowds; spring and fall offer sweet-spot conditions.
Central BDE — Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone (Pelagics)
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Who it’s for: Advanced (AOW/Deep) with current comfort.
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Why go: Thresher sharks at Brothers, oceanic whitetips in season, sheer walls and blue-water drop-offs.
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Seasonal notes: Late spring to early winter for pelagics; currents can be sporty.
Southern Egypt & Sudan (Walls & Far-Flung Wildlife)
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Who it’s for: Experienced divers, explorers.
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Why go: Pristine walls, less traffic, classic sites like Sha’ab Rumi and Sudan’s legendary reefs.
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Seasonal notes: Spring and autumn are gold—milder winds, balanced temps.
Aqaba, Jordan (Calm Bays & Easy Logistics)
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Who it’s for: Beginners, photographers, families.
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Why go: Friendly shore diving, the photogenic Cedar Pride, artificial reefs, easy access from Amman or Aqaba airport.
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Seasonal notes: Comfortable year-round; summer is warmest.
3) Top Sites You Shouldn’t Miss
Ras Mohammed National Park (Egypt)
Profile: Vertical walls like Shark & Yolanda, where orange anthias snowstorm around spiraling pinnacles.
Depth/Skill: 5–40 m (15–130 ft), suitable for OW+ with current awareness.
Why it’s special: The park sits at a headland where water masses meet—expect schooling jacks, barracuda, snappers, and surreal viz.
Local tip: Hit early morning for glassy conditions; bring a reef-safe light to pop reds below 10 m.
SS Thistlegorm (Egypt)
Profile: WWII cargo ship, holds packed with motorcycles, trucks, and boots frozen in time.
Depth/Skill: Decks ~16–25 m (52–82 ft), deeper areas 30+ m; best with AOW and wreck specialty.
Why it’s special: A time capsule plus abundant life—lionfish, batfish, schooling fusiliers.
Local tip: Penetration only with trained guides; watch for current and boat traffic.
Brothers Islands (Egypt)
Profile: Two remote pinnacles rising from deep blue; sheer walls carpeted in soft corals.
Depth/Skill: Often 15–40 m (50–130 ft) with strong currents; advanced drift diving only.
Why it’s special: Thresher and grey reef sharks, pelagic action, immaculate soft corals.
Local tip: Keep streamlined; hug the wall to manage current and enjoy the coral detail.
Elphinstone Reef (Egypt)
Profile: Long, narrow reef with north/south plateaus and blue-water drop-offs.
Depth/Skill: 10–40 m (33–130 ft) with variable current; AOW recommended.
Why it’s special: Oceanic whitetips in season, elegant gorgonians, dramatic topography.
Local tip: Respect safety protocols around pelagics—maintain eye contact, stay vertical, avoid dangling gear.
Blue Hole (Dahab)
Profile: A vertical sinkhole dropping to the abyss; famed arch is technical depth territory.
Depth/Skill: Recreational dives along the outer reef and Bells-to-Blue-Hole route; Arch only for trained technical divers.
Why it’s special: Stark beauty, easy access from shore, meditative wall diving.
Local tip: Don’t chase depth; the outer wall is stunning within recreational limits.
Cedar Pride (Aqaba, Jordan)
Profile: A photogenic freighter sunk intentionally; upright and coral-encrusted.
Depth/Skill: 10–27 m (33–90 ft); great for OW and photographers.
Why it’s special: Clear water, resident turtles, gentle currents—perfect training ground.
Local tip: Late afternoon sunlight rakes the deck—superb for wide-angle.
Sha’ab Rumi (Sudan)
Profile: Historic Cousteau site; lagoon and outer wall with schooling action.
Depth/Skill: 10–40 m; advanced preferred due to remoteness and conditions.
Why it’s special: Wild feel, fewer boats, pelagic passes.
Local tip: Bring spare parts and redundant lights—logistics are more expedition-style here.
4) Data-Driven Snapshot: Ratings & Marine Life Mix
To help you prioritize, here’s a data-driven look at community-style ratings of top sites and a typical marine life mix from a weeklong liveaboard itinerary:
These visuals crystallize the Red Sea promise: consistently top-rated sites and a species mix that rewards both wide-angle lovers and macro hunters.
5) Conditions & Safety: Currents, Visibility, Water Temps, and Protocols
Currents: Channels and headlands (Ras Mohammed, Brothers) can funnel fast water. Plan negative entries when briefed; descend promptly and stabilize neutral buoyancy early.
Visibility: Commonly 20–40 m, but can drop near plankton blooms—often a good trade when pelagics arrive.
Temps & exposure protection:
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Winter: 22–24°C (72–75°F) — 5–7 mm with hood/vest for longer days.
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Shoulder seasons: 24–27°C (75–81°F) — 5 mm or 3–5 mm.
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Summer: 27–30°C (81–86°F) — 3 mm or shorty; sun protection on deck is critical.
Protocols:
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Pelagics: Stay calm, maintain eye contact, keep arms close, and remain vertical if approached.
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Wrecks: Respect briefings, lines, and visibility; penetration only with training.
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Reefs: Excellent buoyancy to avoid coral contact; use a reef-safe light and marker.
6) Photography & Videography Tips
Color & Light: Reds vanish past ~10 m—use a video light or strobe for color-true shots. In ambient light, angle slightly upward to capture the sunbeam “cathedral” effect on walls.
Framing:
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Ras Mohammed: Shoot divers against a curtain of anthias to convey scale.
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Thistlegorm: Highlight iconic cargo (bikes/trucks) with a tight beam in the holds.
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BDE: Keep a wider lens ready in the blue for pelagic passes.
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Macro: Even in “big-animal” zones, slow down—nudibranchs and shrimp add story diversity.
Settings: Start around ISO 200–400, f/8–f/11, 1/125s for stills with strobes; bump ISO for ambient-light wide angle.
7) Gear & Travel Checklist
(Curated with pro picks from The Eagle Ray Dive Shop)
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Mask & backup: Low-volume, true-color lens; pack a compact spare strap.
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Wetsuit: 5 mm modular system (hooded vest) handles shoulder seasons; 3 mm shorty for summer.
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BCDs: Travel BCD with secure trim pockets; D-rings for torches and SMB.
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Regulator set: Balanced diaphragm reg; swivel second stage for comfort on drifts.
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Dive computer: Multi-gas, clear OLED or high-contrast display; user-changeable battery helpful on liveaboards.
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SMB & spool: Mandatory for drifts; bright color improves surface safety.
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Lights: Primary 1000–3000 lm and compact backup; focus/video light for photo.
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Accessories: Defog, slate, save-a-dive kit (o-rings, mouthpiece, zip ties), dry bag.
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Travel: Soft roller bag + mesh boat bag; TSA-friendly tool kit.
Need a one-stop bundle? The Eagle Ray Dive Shop offers Red Sea-ready travel kits—computers calibrated for multi-day profiles, packable BCDs, and reef-safe lights selected by divers who’ve done these routes for years.
8) Budgeting & Logistics: Liveaboards vs. Day Boats
Liveaboards:
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Pros: Access to remote sites (BDE, southern sectors), four dives/day rhythm, sunrise walls and night dives, community vibe.
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Consider: Seas can be choppy on crossings; pack seasickness meds; cabin storage is compact.
Day Boats (Sharm, Hurghada, Aqaba):
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Pros: Flexible schedules, great for training, cheaper overall, easy shore logistics.
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Consider: Limited range; popular sites can see more traffic—go early.
Trip pacing: If it’s your first Red Sea adventure, combine a northern liveaboard (wrecks + Ras Mohammed) with 2–3 shore days in Dahab or Aqaba to wind down and focus on photography.
9) FAQs
Q1: When is the best time to dive the Red Sea?
Year-round. Spring and fall balance warm water, calm seas, and active marine life. Summer offers balmy temps; winter has fewer crowds and crystal visibility.
Q2: Do I need to be advanced to enjoy top sites?
No. Many northern sites are perfect for OW divers. However, BDE and some southern walls favor AOW/Deep with drift experience.
Q3: What marine life can I expect?
Reef fish carpets, turtles, barracuda schools, dolphins; in the right seasons—thresher and oceanic whitetip sharks, eagle rays, and occasional mantas.
Q4: Is a dive computer required?
Strongly recommended—liveaboard profiles are repetitive and multi-day. Choose an easy-to-read model with safety stop prompts.
Q5: How do I protect the reef?
Excellent buoyancy, no glove contact on coral, use reef-safe sunscreen, and maintain a respectful distance from wildlife.
Q6: Liveaboard packing essentials?
SMB, backup light, spare mouthpiece/o-rings, fast-dry towel, charging hub, seasickness tablets, and a labeled water bottle.
10) Final Thoughts & Call to Adventure
The Red Sea rewards curiosity. Let walls pull you into cobalt blue, hover over gardens that look hand-painted, and drift through wrecks where history rests under a skin of coral. With this Red Sea diving guide, you’re equipped to pick the perfect route, dive safely, and bring home the images—and memories—you came for.
🌊 Ready to gear up? Build your Red Sea kit with The Eagle Ray Dive Shop—from compact travel BCDs and reliable regs to color-true lights and multi-day computers. Pack smart, dive confident, and I’ll see you on the mooring line at sunrise.
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