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El Sheig Malik

3.4 — based on 13 community signals
4.1 9 species 9 contributors

Year-round Red Sea diving at El Sheig Malik, Egypt. Healthy corals and abundant marine life in a no-stress ecosystem.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Water temp
20–28°C
Shore entryFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Water temp
20–28 °C
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Manta ray, Bottlenose dolphin

Map

This spot POIs Airport Nearby spots
El Sheig Malik location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
10.4 kn
Wave
0.72 m
Water
29.7°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NNW (39%)
Now: NW (311°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.48m

Today: High 13:00 (+0.05m), Low 07:00 (-0.15m)

+0.3 m0 m-0.2 m
▼ 07:00 · -0.15m ▲ 13:00 · +0.05m ▼ 19:00 · -0.06m ▲ 01:00 · +0.07m Now +0.1m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV7.15 · high Air PM2.518 · moderate 06:29 18:41
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 19.2 1.22 7 0mm
09-20 17.8 1.28 7 0mm
09-21 16.8 1.24 7 0mm
09-22 14.4 0.96 7 0mm
09-23 15.3 0.88 7 0mm
09-24 17.8 1.14 7 0mm
09-25 18.5 1.46 7 0mm
🌡 Water temp: Normal for Sep (20–28°C)

About this spot

El Sheig Malik sits in the Egyptian Red Sea as a reliable year-round dive destination. The site remains unprotected by marine park designation, but shows no signs of coral stress—a strong indicator of good conditions. With nine documented species observations and three community videos on file, the spot has earned modest attention from the dive community. Divers here encounter healthy coral gardens typical of the Red Sea's northern reaches. The ecosystem supports a range of fish and invertebrate life. Visibility and depth vary, so check local conditions and dive center reports before booking. The year-round season means you can plan trips during your preferred timeframe without seasonal closures. Access through established Red Sea dive operators is standard. Egypt's entry requirements and dive permits apply. Local knowledge counts—shop around operators familiar with the site to get current conditions, proper briefings, and safety protocols. Community feedback via uploaded videos offers real-world insight into what to expect on the water.

📖 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

Manta rayBottlenose dolphin

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 First quarter · 48%
  • 🤿 Wetsuit 3/2 mm shorty
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 4108km · ~945kg · €17

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

Is El Sheig Malik good year-round?

Yes. No seasonal closure or bad months are documented. The Red Sea's stable climate supports diving throughout the calendar year. Check specific weather windows with local operators for the best conditions.

What marine life will I see?

Nine species observations are recorded at the site. Typical Red Sea fish and invertebrates are present. Corals show no bleaching stress, suggesting a healthy reef ecosystem. Exact species lists depend on season and depth; ask your dive operator for current wildlife briefing.

What are the depth and difficulty levels?

Specific depth and difficulty data are not documented. Contact established Red Sea dive operators serving El Sheig Malik for site-specific depth profiles, current strength, and skill level recommendations before booking.

How do I get there and what permits do I need?

Access is through Red Sea dive operators in Egypt. Standard Egyptian entry visas and dive permits apply. El Sheig Malik is not inside a marine protected area, simplifying permit requirements. Confirm all paperwork with your chosen operator before arrival.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

Verified marine species observations

58 records · 30 species · sources: OBIS, GBIF

Tridacna maxima

Bivalvia · Cardiidae
GBIF
Last seen:
25 Mar 2026
×5records

Porites nodifera

Anthozoa · Poritidae
GBIF
Last seen:
24 Mar 2026
×1records

Taeniura lymma

Elasmobranchii · Dasyatidae
GBIF
Last seen:
21 Mar 2026
×6records

Acanthaster benziei

Asteroidea · Acanthasteridae
GBIF
Last seen:
21 Mar 2026
×1records

Millepora dichotoma

Hydrozoa · Milleporidae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Mar 2026
×1records

Glossodoris hikuerensis

Gastropoda · Chromodorididae
GBIF
Last seen:
20 Mar 2026
×1records

Clanculus pharaonius

Gastropoda · Trochidae
GBIF
Last seen:
12 Mar 2026
×1records

Tripneustes gratilla

Echinoidea · Toxopneustidae
GBIF
Last seen:
10 Mar 2026
×5records

Hexabranchus sanguineus

Gastropoda · Hexabranchidae
GBIF
Last seen:
10 Mar 2026
×2records

Trapezia tigrina

Malacostraca · Trapeziidae
GBIF
Last seen:
10 Mar 2026
×2records

Echinometra mathaei

Echinoidea · Echinometridae
GBIF
Last seen:
10 Mar 2026
×2records

Pione mussae

Demospongiae · Clionaidae
GBIF
Last seen:
10 Mar 2026
×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.

Egypt Sheik Malek 2014 - Aquatic Divers

DaOlliwa
💬 1 top comments
  • Wow ........ wie groß ist so eine Seekuh! Tolles Video!

    @RuedigerHelbig · 👍 0

Diving with Dugong in Sheik Malik, Marsa Alam, Egypt: A Majestic Underwater Experience! 🌊🤿

Swiss-Drone-Work - Skyview Videos
💬 3 top comments
  • Wow coole Aufnahmen

    @helmuttanzer593 · 👍 2
  • So happy you were able to get this awesome footage despite the medical issues! Well done.

    @digitalkiteaerial · 👍 1
  • So schön!

    @99countries53 · 👍 1

El Sheik Malik - 3.1.2019

Michael Motal
wind peaks Jun-Sep-Aug, calmest Jan-Dec-Nov, dry Jan-Dec, water 20-28°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: Jul (100/100) Worst: Feb (0/100) Now: Sep (93/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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