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Abu Galawa Kebir

3.4 — based on 12 community signals
4.2 12 species 21 contributors

Abu Galawa Kebir is a year-round Red Sea dive site in Egypt with healthy coral and strong species diversity.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
Visibility
25 m
Water temp
21–28°C
PhotoFriendlyMacro hotspotBoatOnly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Visibility
25 m
Water temp
21–28 °C
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Blacktip reef shark

Map

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

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
13.5 kn
Wave
0.62 m
Water
30.5°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NW (66%)
Now: NW (319°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.62m

Next: High at 19:00 (+0.35m)

+0.4 m0 m-0.3 m
▲ 19:00 · +0.35m ▼ 01:00 · -0.23m ▲ 07:00 · +0.34m ▼ 13:00 · -0.23m Now +0.3m
Fri 11Sat 12Sun 13Mon 14Tue 15Wed 16Thu 17
UV7.75 · high Air PM2.526 · moderate 06:22 18:45
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-11 15 0.66 8 0mm
09-12 15.6 0.72 8 0mm
09-13 16.4 0.8 8 0mm
09-14 19.2 0.88 8 0mm
09-15 21.4 0.98 8 0mm
09-16 19.3 0.96 8 0mm
09-17 18.1 0.96 8 0mm
🌡 Water temp: Normal for Sep (21–28°C)

About this spot

Abu Galawa Kebir sits in Egypt's Red Sea, a region known for dramatic reef formations and consistent diving conditions across the calendar. The site supports healthy coral communities showing no stress from bleaching, making it a reliable choice for divers seeking pristine reef ecosystems. Twelve species observations document the marine life here, confirming the area's biodiversity. The spot draws divers interested in Red Sea classics without the crowding of main tourist corridors. Three community-contributed videos show the site's character and help divers prepare for conditions they'll encounter. Year-round accessibility means you can plan a trip based on your schedule rather than narrow seasonal windows. While specific depth and difficulty ratings aren't formally published, the site's health metrics and observation count suggest it supports a range of coral-dependent marine life. The Red Sea's typical characteristics—clear water, strong currents, and tropical species—generally apply. Local dive operations familiar with the area can brief you on tide timing and entry approaches before you descend. Abu Galawa Kebir works well for divers seeking authentic Red Sea reef diving without relying on heavily protected marine reserves. Check recent site reports and local conditions before booking.

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

Best months

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

Marine life

Blacktip reef shark

Dive types

Reef

Trip essentials

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

Trip checklist

  • 🛂 Visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • 🤿 Pack: 3/2 mm shorty
  • 📜 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%
  • 🤿 Wetsuit 3/2 mm shorty
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 4303km · ~990kg · €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 Galawa Kebir?

The site is diveable year-round, so you can plan based on your schedule. Red Sea temperatures and visibility vary seasonally, so check local forecasts and recent trip reports before committing travel dates.

What's the depth and difficulty level?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings aren't published for this site. Contact local Egyptian dive operators or check recent community videos and reports to understand what skill level suits Abu Galawa Kebir.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species observations are logged for the site, confirming biodiversity. Typical Red Sea reef life includes tropical fish, rays, and coral-dependent species. Local guides can tell you what's been spotted recently.

Do I need special permits or authorizations?

Abu Galawa Kebir is not inside a marine protected area. Check Egyptian diving regulations and any local requirements through your dive operator before your trip.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Diving Egypt red sea - Abu Galawa Kebir

Cyril Fournier

Diving the St. John's Reef, Egypt: Sataya, Shaab Claudio & Abu Galawa Kebir

Yaroslav Shumilin

Emperor Divers - Safari to Abu Galawa Kebir

Horst Grunz
wind peaks Feb-Sep-Mar, calmest Nov-Aug-Jul, dry Jan-Dec, water 21-28°C.

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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