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Group of scuba divers swimming near colorful coral reef with fish, showcasing underwater marine life.
📷 Atlantic Ambience · Pexels

Sha'ab El Erg

3.7 — based on 13 community signals
4.3 12 species 39 contributors

Sha'ab El Erg is a year-round Red Sea dive site in Egypt with healthy coral and strong species diversity.

⭐ Best for beginners.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Beginner
Visibility
25 m
Water temp
21–28°C
Shore entryFamily-friendlyPhotoFriendly

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
beginner
Visibility
25 m
Water temp
21–28 °C
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Bottlenose dolphin

Map

This spot POIs Airport Nearby spots
Sha'ab El Erg location map © Google · Map data © Google, contributors
Open in Google Maps

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
10 kn
Wave
0.48 m
Water
28.1°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NW (59%)
Now: WNW (294°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.48m

Next: Low at 07:00 (-0.17m)

+0.3 m0 m-0.2 m
▼ 07:00 · -0.17m ▲ 13:00 · +0.01m ▼ 19:00 · -0.09m ▲ 01:00 · +0.02m
Sat 19Sun 20Mon 21Tue 22Wed 23Thu 24Fri 25
UV6.95 · high Air PM2.56 · good 06:31 18:44
Day Wind Wave UV Rain
09-19 19.5 0.76 7 0mm
09-20 20.5 0.86 7 0mm
09-21 20.6 0.88 7 0mm
09-22 19 0.78 7 0mm
09-23 18.3 0.72 7 0mm
09-24 19.8 0.82 7 0mm
09-25 22.7 1.04 7 0mm
🌡 Water temp: Normal for Sep (21–28°C)

About this spot

Sha'ab El Erg sits in Egypt's Red Sea, a reef system that draws divers year-round. The site shows no signs of coral stress, which is rare and valuable. Twelve species observations have been logged here, giving you a solid baseline for the marine life you'll encounter. The reef structure offers variety for different skill levels and interests. Coral health is a key feature—the lack of bleaching stress means the ecosystem is stable and visually intact. Local videos from the community give you a real sense of conditions and what to expect before you dive. Access is straightforward from Egypt's established Red Sea infrastructure. No marine protected area restrictions apply here, so standard Egyptian diving regulations govern your visit. The year-round diving window means you can plan around your schedule rather than a narrow seasonal window.

📖 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

Bottlenose 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 · 47%
  • 🤿 Wetsuit 3/2 mm shorty
  • GPS
Sustainability disclosures
🌍 CO2 footprint LHR ↔ 3917km · ~901kg · €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

When is the best time to dive Sha'ab El Erg?

Sha'ab El Erg is diveable year-round, so you can plan your trip around your own schedule. Egypt's Red Sea remains warm and accessible regardless of season.

What marine life will I see?

Twelve species have been documented at this site. Healthy coral—with no bleaching stress—supports a stable ecosystem. Community videos show the actual diversity; watch a few to see what species are common.

Are there permits or restrictions?

Sha'ab El Erg is not inside a marine protected area, so standard Egyptian diving regulations apply. Check with local dive operators for current entry requirements and any permits needed for your trip.

Is this site suitable for beginners?

Exact depth and difficulty data aren't published here. Always contact local dive operators in Egypt's Red Sea before booking—they'll assess your experience level and confirm whether Sha'ab El Erg is a good fit.

Recently spotted by divers

iNaturalist →

See this spot in action

YouTube videos — click to play.

Diving Shaab El Erg by Day and Night

Rebs Tries It

Egypt Scuba Diving: Sha'ab El Erg (Dolphin House) - March 2023

Emma’s Scuba

Shaab El Erg, Red Sea Egypt (dolphins) Scuba Diving

Joshua Bookout
wind peaks Jun-Sep-Feb, calmest Dec-Jul-Nov, 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: Feb (0/100) Now: Sep (43/100) NOAA MODIS Aqua · 5y mean

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