North+Safaga

Shaab El Erg Dolphin House Hurghada diving is one of the most popular dive sites near Hurghada, best known for its frequent dolphin encounters. Located north of Hurghada, this horseshoe-shaped reef features vibrant coral gardens, sandy plateaus, and rich marine biodiversity. Divers can encounter turtles, moray eels, lionfish, and large schools of colorful reef fish. With mild currents and excellent visibility, Shaab El Erg is ideal for both beginners and experienced divers. It is typically used for check dives on the first day of Northern itineraries.

The Salem Express is one of the most famous yet tragic dive sites in the Red Sea. This 400-foot-long ferry sank on December 17, 1991, after colliding with the Hyndman Reef near Safaga. Onboard were over 650 passengers, most of them pilgrims returning from Mecca. Tragically, the disaster claimed the lives of hundreds, making this site an emotionally powerful place to visit.
The wreck lies at a depth of 10 to 32 meters, resting on its starboard side. Divers can explore the cargo holds, where cars, personal belongings, and remnants of the journey remain untouched. The hull is now covered in corals and home to marine life such as barracudas, groupers, and moray eels.
This site demands respect and a thoughtful approach – many consider it not just a wreck dive but an underwater memorial.

Middle Reef is one of our favorite dive sites in the region, despite being relatively unknown among divers. This hidden gem boasts stunning coral gardens and fascinating underwater landscapes.
The site offers gentle drift dives, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced divers. Its standout features include majestic coral columns and tunnels, home to clownfish, lionfish, barracudas, and turtles. In the sandy lagoons on the western side, stingrays and leopard sharks can often be spotted.
We love diving here again and again, as Middle Reef provides a peaceful atmosphere, abundant marine life, and breathtaking scenery that makes every dive truly special.

Shaab Sheer is a large and diverse reef system in the Safaga, offering multiple dive sites with stunning coral formations, swim-throughs, and sandy plateaus. The reef is known for its healthy corals, abundant marine life, and occasional encounters with large pelagic species. Strong currents on the outer edges attract schools of barracudas, tuna, and reef sharks. Wreck enthusiasts will find additional interest here, as the remains of a small boat lie within the reef, while on the outer side, the sunken ferry Al Kafain rests at depth, offering an intriguing dive for experienced divers.

Tobia Arbaa, also known as "The Four Pinnacles," is a beautiful dive site near Soma Bay, famous for its towering coral formations rising from the sandy bottom. These pinnacles are covered in vibrant soft and hard corals, attracting an abundance of marine life, including moray eels, lionfish, scorpionfish, and schools of fusiliers. The site offers easy diving conditions with minimal currents, making it ideal for underwater photographers. With its rich biodiversity and stunning coral structures, Tobia Arbaa is one of the most picturesque and enjoyable dive sites in the area.

Giannis D is one of the most thrilling wreck dives in the Red Sea, located at the famous Abu Nuhas Reef, often called the "Ship Graveyard." This 100-meter-long Greek cargo ship was en route from Croatia to Saudi Arabia carrying timber when it struck the reef in 1983 and sank shortly after, breaking into three sections.

Resting at a depth of 5–28 meters with a dramatic tilt to the port side, Giannis D offers an exciting and slightly surreal diving experience. The wreck remains remarkably well-preserved, allowing divers to explore its spacious cargo holds, swim through the engine room, and get a close look at its massive diesel engine. The bridge is still intact, with windows providing eerie glimpses into the past.

Over time, the wreck has become an artificial reef covered in soft corals and sponges, attracting a variety of marine life. Schools of glassfish shimmer around the structure, while lionfish, stonefish, moray eels, stingrays, and barracudas patrol the wreck. Giant groupers can sometimes be spotted resting in the shadows of the hull. With great visibility, moderate currents, and an accessible depth range, Giannis D is an ideal dive site for both experienced wreck divers and those exploring sunken ships for the first time.

The Carnatic is one of the oldest and most intriguing wrecks in the Red Sea. This British steamship, built with a wooden hull, sank in 1869 on Abu Nuhas Reef while carrying a cargo of cotton, copper, gold, and bottles of wine—earning it the nickname “the wine wreck.” Check the Hurghada dive sites map below! En route from Suez to Bombay, the Carnatic struck the reef at full speed during a night crossing. Despite staying afloat for over 24 hours, the captain chose to wait for help instead of evacuating. Eventually, the ship broke in half and sank, tragically claiming 31 lives. Today, the wreck rests between 20 and 27 meters and is considered one of the most beautiful shipwrecks in the Red Sea. Its skeletal frame is now covered in vibrant soft corals, and its open structure makes for a safe and visually stunning dive. Inside, divers can swim through clouds of glassfish, while outside, giant moray eels, lionfish, and even turtles are often spotted. With its rich history, breathtaking coral growth, and diverse marine life, the Carnatic is a must-visit dive site at Abu Nuhas.

Chrisoula K (Marcus) is one of the four wrecks of Abu Nuhas Reef, a site often referred to as the "Ship Graveyard." This 98-meter-long Greek freighter sank in 1981 after striking the reef while carrying a cargo of ceramic tiles. For years, it was believed to be Chrisoula K, but later research identified it as Marcus. However, among divers, both names are still commonly used.

The wreck rests at a depth of 5–27 meters, with a well-preserved structure that allows for fascinating exploration. Divers can swim through the engine room, cargo holds filled with ceramic tiles, and even visit the bridge. The hull is encrusted with soft corals and sponges, attracting lionfish, stonefish, moray eels, and octopuses. Above the wreck, schools of barracudas and tunas are often seen hunting.

With its accessible depth and excellent visibility, Chrisoula K / Marcus is an ideal wreck dive for both experienced divers and those new to shipwreck exploration.

Gota Abu Ramada is one of Hurghada’s most famous dive sites, often referred to as "The Aquarium" due to its incredible marine life. This small oval-shaped reef is surrounded by a shallow sandy bottom scattered with coral pinnacles, creating a stunning underwater landscape.

The site is home to huge schools of yellowtail snapper, barracudas, groupers, rays, and even eagle rays. On the sandy bottom, divers often spot blue-spotted stingrays, while moray eels and scorpionfish hide among the coral formations.

With mild currents and excellent visibility, Gota Abu Ramada is perfect for divers of all levels. It is also a great spot for night dives, revealing a different side of the reef’s vibrant marine ecosystem.

Bluff Point is a picturesque reef located off the east coast of Gubal Island. It is known for its strong currents, rich marine life and magnificent walls covered with soft corals. This place attracts a large number of pelagic fish, including tuna, barracudas and even reef sharks.
One of the attractions of this place is The sunken Barge, a wrecked vessel resting at shallow depths. The exact origin of the barge remains a mystery, but it has long turned into a real underwater reef. Here you can find giant moray eels, scorpions, lionfish, octopuses and schools of glass fish.
The barge and its surroundings are one of the best places for night diving. After sunset, you can watch moray eels, cuttlefish and rare anemone crabs hunting here, and the rays of the lanterns illuminate dense schools of small fish.
In addition, Bluff Point is a great place for overnight stays. Due to its protection from the wind, this place is often used by our yachts for a comfortable stay between dives.

Panorama Reef is the largest reef in the Safaga region and one of the most spectacular dive sites in the Red Sea. This elongated underwater formation is surrounded by sheer drop-offs plunging over 200 meters deep, with vibrant coral gardens and caves decorating its eastern and western sides.

Strong currents bring large pelagic species, including tuna, barracuda, trevallies, and sharks. Divers often spot grey reef sharks patrolling the deeper areas, while oceanic whitetip sharks occasionally make an appearance. The upper reef is covered in hard and soft corals, providing shelter for moray eels, frogfish, and anemonefish.

With its diverse underwater topography and rich marine life, Panorama Reef is ideal for both experienced and advanced divers. The site offers exciting drift dives and opportunities to explore colorful coral plateaus teeming with life.

Abu Kafan is a remote reef in the Safaga region, famous for its steep walls, strong currents, and rich marine life. This elongated reef features sheer drop-offs, caves, and coral plateaus, creating the perfect setting for thrilling drift dives.

At depth, divers may encounter grey reef sharks and occasionally even hammerheads. The open water is patrolled by tuna, trevallies, and barracudas, while cracks in the reef provide shelter for groupers, lionfish, and moray eels.

The upper plateau is covered in vibrant soft and hard corals, home to butterflyfish, angelfish, wrasses, and various invertebrates.

With its strong currents and deep walls, Abu Kafan is best suited for experienced divers, offering an unforgettable dive and the chance to spot some of the Red Sea’s most fascinating predators.