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Abu Fendira

3.4 — based on 12 community signals
4.1 12 species 17 contributors

Abu Fendira is a year-round Red Sea dive site in Egypt's Elba Marine Protected Area, known for healthy coral and diverse marine life.

⭐ Best for beginners.

🐢 MPA · محمية علبة updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
MPAFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Best months
Year-round

Map

This spot Airport Nearby spots
Abu Fendira location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
9 kn
Wave
0.48 m
Water
31°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: N (51%)
Now: N (2°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.57m

Next: High at 19:00 (+0.36m)

+0.4 m0 m-0.2 m
▲ 19:00 · +0.36m ▼ 01:00 · -0.18m ▲ 07:00 · +0.32m ▼ 13:00 · -0.17m Now +0.3m
Fri 11Sat 12Sun 13Mon 14Tue 15Wed 16Thu 17
UV7.55 · high Air PM2.517 · moderate 06:22 18:45
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-11 15.3 0.58 8 0mm
09-12 13.8 0.56 7 0mm
09-13 16.1 0.66 8 0mm
09-14 18.7 0.86 8 0mm
09-15 19.4 0.94 8 0mm
09-16 18.5 0.86 8 0mm
09-17 17.2 0.76 8 0mm

About this spot

Abu Fendira sits within Egypt's Elba Marine Protected Area, a designation that has helped preserve its reef systems and marine ecosystems. The site offers year-round diving opportunities, making it accessible for divers planning trips at almost any time. The coral here shows no signs of thermal stress, indicating a healthy reef environment where you can expect vibrant hard and soft coral formations. The dive site supports a rich variety of marine species documented through multiple community observations. With 12 recorded species observations, Abu Fendira demonstrates the biodiversity typical of Red Sea reef environments. Local divers and videographers have contributed documentation of the site, providing insights into what you'll encounter underwater. These community resources offer genuine perspective on conditions and marine life encounters. Diving Abu Fendira means exploring a protected reef system where conservation efforts are active. The Elba Marine Protected Area status means the site is managed to prevent overuse and maintain ecological balance. Whether you're planning a first Red Sea experience or adding to an existing collection of Egyptian dive sites, Abu Fendira's year-round accessibility and healthy reef conditions make it a solid choice. Check with local dive operators in the region for current access details, current conditions, and any permit requirements before your trip.

📖 Guide: Diving in Egypt: 258 Sites From Wrecks to Hammerheads

Best months

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

Everything you need before you pack — checklist, sun, logistics.

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 📜 C-card + dive insurance (DAN)
  • 📔 Dive logbook
  • 🧴 Reef-safe sunscreen SPF 50+
  • 🔌 Plug type C/F · 220V adapter
  • 💊 Seasickness meds + ear drops
  • 📱 Offline maps + emergency contact

Quick facts

  • 🌑 Moon New moon · 0%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 4362km · ~1003kg · €18

From your departure country

United States
Origin score: 59/100
  • Visa: Visa on arrival · 30 days max
  • Flight: 8h · direct
  • Jet-lag: 7h east · 5 days recovery

FAQ

When is the best time to dive Abu Fendira?

Abu Fendira is diveable year-round, so you can plan your trip based on your schedule rather than seasonal windows. However, Red Sea conditions do vary by season—consult local operators for current visibility, water temperature, and current forecasts for your specific travel dates.

What depth and difficulty level is Abu Fendira?

Specific depth ranges and difficulty ratings for Abu Fendira are not documented in current public data. Contact local dive operators or check recent dive logs from community members to get accurate information about depth zones and suitable experience levels before booking.

What marine life will I see?

Abu Fendira hosts diverse Red Sea species across 12 documented observations. Expect reef fish, hard and soft corals, and typical Red Sea fauna. Community videos (3 available) can give you a preview of specific species and behaviors you're likely to encounter on the reef.

Are there access or permit requirements?

Abu Fendira is located within Egypt's Elba Marine Protected Area. Access may require permits or be restricted to authorized dive operators. Verify current regulations and operator permissions with the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency or your dive operator before planning your trip.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

7 records · 7 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Echinopora forskaliana

Anthozoa · Merulinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
3 Aug 2023
×1records

Taeniura lymma

Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
GBIF
Last seen:
4 Oct 2022
×1records

Goniastrea stelligera

Anthozoa · Merulinidae
GBIF
Last seen:
2 Aug 2010
×1records

Linckia multifora

Asteroidea · Ophidiasteridae
GBIF
Last seen:
7 Dec 2005
×1records

Cinetorhynchus reticulatus

Malacostraca · Rhynchocinetidae
GBIF
Last seen:
7 Dec 2005
×1records

Phyllidiopsis sinaiensis

Gastropoda · Phyllidiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
6 Dec 2005
×1records

Thelenota ananas

Holothuroidea · Stichopodidae
GBIF
Last seen:
5 Dec 2005
×1records

Data: 187,991 observations from OBIS (Ocean Biodiversity Information System) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). CC-BY 4.0.

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

croisière Abu Fendira/St John's - juin 2014

icarus59623

SAFARI Abu Fandera 2012

Piotr Pawlik

Croisière Plongée Abu Fendira et Saint John's février 2013

Patrick Valsecchi
wind peaks Feb-Mar-Jan, calmest Nov-Aug-Jul, dry Jan-Dec.

5-year monthly climate

60 samples
0 5 10 15 20 25 JFMAMJJASOND
p25–p75 range Median Wind (kn) Air (°C)
Visibility (month-by-month)
Best: Aug (100/100) Worst: Jan (0/100) Now: Sep (100/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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