Skip to content
OpenWaterAtlas
Explore vibrant marine life with divers amidst fish in Maldives' stunning underwater world.
📷 Ruben Galante · Pexels

Shaab El Erg

3.7 — based on 13 community signals
4.3 12 species 38 contributors

Shaab El Erg is a year-round Egyptian dive destination with healthy coral and diverse marine life.

⭐ Best for intermediate divers.

updated 4 months ago
Difficulty
Intermediate
Water temp
22–28°C
PhotoFriendlyFamily-friendlyMacro hotspot

At a glance

Activity
dive
Difficulty
intermediate
Water temp
22–28 °C
Best months
Year-round
Marine life
Bottlenose dolphin

Map

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

Conditions today

Conditions

Open-Meteo
Wind
12.7 kn
Wave
0.44 m
Water
28.1°C
N E S W
Wind direction (7d)
Primary: NW (59%)
Now: NW (308°)
Tide (7 days)
range: 0.48m

Today: High 13:00 (+0.01m), Low 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 Now +0.1m
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 0.84 7 0mm
09-20 20.5 0.86 7 0mm
09-21 20.6 0.92 7 0mm
09-22 19 0.8 7 0mm
09-23 18.3 0.72 7 0mm
09-24 19.8 0.8 7 0mm
09-25 22.7 1.02 7 0mm
🌡 Water temp: Normal for Sep (22–28°C)

About this spot

Shaab El Erg sits in Egypt's Red Sea and offers diving throughout the year. The site supports healthy coral ecosystems with no current bleaching stress, making it a reliable choice for reef exploration. Local species observations number 12, indicating solid biodiversity for divers seeking marine encounters. The site draws interest from the diving community, with several videos documenting conditions and marine activity. Access and logistics are typical for Red Sea diving from Egypt's established dive infrastructure. Exact depth and visibility vary by season and specific dive site within Shaab El Erg. Water temperature shifts with seasons but remains swimmable year-round in the Red Sea. The reef system and surrounding waters attract both casual and experienced divers. Shaab El Erg is not within a marine protected area, so standard Egyptian diving regulations apply.

📖 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

ReefBoat

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 ↔ 3919km · ~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 Shaab El Erg?

Shaab El Erg is diveable year-round. Conditions vary seasonally, so check recent trip reports and local operator forecasts before booking to match your preferences for water temperature and visibility.

What depth and difficulty should I expect?

Specific depth and difficulty ratings are not documented for this site. Contact local dive operators in Egypt or review recent community videos for current conditions and technical requirements before diving.

What marine life will I see?

Shaab El Erg has 12 recorded species observations. Coral health is good with no bleaching stress, supporting typical Red Sea reef fauna. Watch community videos and local trip reports for recent sightings.

Do I need permits or special access?

Shaab El Erg is not within a marine protected area, so standard Egyptian diving permits and regulations apply. Book through established Red Sea dive operators who handle local requirements.

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

Diving the Red Sea | Egypt North & Wrecks | Day 1 (Shaab el Erg & Giannis D Wreck)

Scuba Raber

Shaab El Erg - nurkowanie Egipt, diving Red Sea #1/2

Mirek Jabłoński
wind peaks Jun-Sep-Feb, calmest Dec-Jul-Nov, dry Jan-Dec, water 22-28°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

Nearby spots

Poseidon Reef Egypt Diving
🇪🇬 Egypt

Poseidon Reef

Poseidon Reef offers year-round diving in Egypt with healthy coral and diverse marine life. Explore a thriving reef system with 12 documented species observations.

Beginner Jan·Feb·Mar+
Dolphin House Egypt Diving
🇪🇬 Egypt

Dolphin House

Dolphin House is a year-round dive site in Egypt known for frequent dolphin encounters and vibrant reef life.

Intermediate 25m Jan·Feb·Mar+
Sha'ab El Erg Egypt Diving
🇪🇬 Egypt

Sha'ab El Erg

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

Beginner 25m Jan·Feb·Mar+

Similar spots

Same activity, shared marine species or similar profile.

Manta Point. Egypt Diving
🇪🇬 Egypt

Manta Point.

Manta Point is a year-round Egyptian dive site known for manta ray encounters and coral health.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+
Shaab Maksour North Egypt Diving
🇪🇬 Egypt

Shaab Maksour North

Shaab Maksour North is a Red Sea platform reef in Egypt's Wadi Gamal & Jabal Hamata Marine Protected Area, year-round diving with healthy coral.

Intermediate
Diving
🇪🇬 Egypt

Shab Sataya N-W

Shab Sataya N-W is a year-round Red Sea dive site in Egypt's Wadi el-Gemal and Gabal Hamata Marine Protected Area, known for healthy coral and consistent marine life.

Intermediate
Shark Point Madagascar Diving
🇲🇬 Madagascar

Shark Point

Shark Point offers year-round diving in Madagascar with accessible shark encounters and diverse marine life.

Intermediate Jan·Feb·Mar+

Suggest an operator

Know a great dive shop, kite school, or local guide at this spot? Tell us — we'll review and add it.

Up to 500 characters
Plan
View →