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Explore a diverse and colorful coral reef teeming with marine life under the ocean.
📷 Francesco Ungaro · Pexels

Napoleon Reef

4.0 — based on 20 community signals
4.3 12 species 30 contributors

Napoleon Reef in Egypt is a year-round dive destination with healthy corals and diverse marine life, backed by 12 species observations.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
Shore entryMacroFocusPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Nudibranch

Top operators here

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Map

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Napoleon Reef location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
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Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
9.9 kn
Wave
0.72 m
Water
27.4°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NNW (36%)
Now: NNW (336°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.53m

Today: High 14:00 (+0.03m), Low 07:00 (-0.19m)

+0.3 m0 m-0.3 m
▼ 07:00 · -0.19m ▲ 14:00 · +0.03m ▼ 19:00 · -0.11m ▲ 01:00 · +0.01m Now +0.0m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV6.6 · high Air PM2.514 · moderate 06:28 18:42
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 15 0.86 7 0mm
09-20 13.3 0.84 7 0mm
09-21 10.6 0.72 7 0mm
09-22 11.3 0.62 7 0mm
09-23 14.1 0.8 7 0mm
09-24 14.9 0.94 7 0mm
09-25 14.3 1.06 7 0mm

About this spot

Napoleon Reef sits off Egypt's coast as a destination that draws divers throughout the year. The reef maintains healthy coral status with no bleaching stress, making it an appealing choice for those seeking vibrant underwater scenery. The site has generated 12 documented species observations from divers, giving you a reliable record of what inhabits the reef. The reef lies outside any marine protected area, which means access is straightforward without permit restrictions. Community divers have posted 3 videos from Napoleon Reef, offering visual reference for what to expect underwater. These firsthand accounts help you prepare for your dive and understand the site's conditions and layout. Diving year-round is possible at Napoleon Reef, so timing your trip depends on your schedule rather than seasonal limitations. The combination of accessible location, stable coral health, and documented marine activity makes this a solid option for divers exploring Egypt's reef system.

📖 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

Nudibranch

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 First quarter · 48%
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 3864km · ~889kg · €16

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

Can I dive Napoleon Reef year-round?

Yes. Napoleon Reef is diveable throughout the year, so you can plan your visit based on your schedule and personal preferences rather than seasonal closures.

What marine life will I see at Napoleon Reef?

The reef has 12 documented species observations on record. Community videos show the typical inhabitants, giving you a preview of what you're likely to encounter underwater.

Do I need permits or special access to dive here?

Napoleon Reef is not inside a marine protected area, so you won't need special permits. Access is straightforward for divers visiting Egypt.

Is the coral healthy at Napoleon Reef?

Yes. The reef shows no coral bleaching stress, indicating healthy reef conditions and a stable environment for marine life.

Operators near this spot

Dive centres, kite & surf schools within 10 km, sourced from OpenStreetMap.

Planet Divers

3.2 km
4.6 (110 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 25+ times this month
Hours: Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Dahab Freedivers

3.4 km
Dive centre
Hours: Every Day 9:00-17:30

بركودا

1 km
Dive centre

Sunsplash divers center

1.8 km
Dive centre

إينمو

2.1 km
4.3 (334 reviews)
Dive centre
Verified

دايفرز هاوس

2.1 km
4.5 (129 reviews) closed
Dive centre
Verified Booked 54+ times this month
Hours: Saturday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Napoleon Wrasse! Diving Jackson Reef in Egypt

Rebs Tries It

Snorkeling Dahab Egypt -- Napoleon Reef 2

NNT Productions (Nomad Nature Travel)
💬 1 top comments
  • Beautiful

    @Snorkellovers · 👍 0

Marsa Alam, Sataya reef dolphins, turtle, napoleon . Diving Egypt

Underwater Photo Bali
💬 1 top comments
  • No sharks on this trip, but still nice landscape and dolphins .

    @UnderwaterPhotoBali · 👍 0
wind peaks Jun-Sep-May, calmest Jan-Nov-Dec, 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: Jul (100/100) Worst: Feb (0/100) Now: Sep (97/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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