Why Egypt is number one for diving holidays

There are over 1,200 species of fish

You won’t get bored of meeting marine life on your dives in Egypt. There are over 1,200 species of fish to see in the Red Sea, from eels and stingrays to puffer fish, angel fish and clown fish – basically, the entire cast of Finding Nemo. And that’s not all, octopus, hermit crabs, green turtles, spinner dolphins and sea cows also call this underwater paradise home. 10% of the fish species that dwell here can’t be found anywhere else in the world, so harness your inner David Attenborough and seek out some truly rare species.

You can dive down into shipwrecks

Nope, it’s not just home to hundreds of fish and coral species – the Red Sea is an amazing underwater museum, too. You’ll explore some 19th- and 20th-century shipwrecks on your dive. These coral-covered wrecks are not only a spectacular sight, they each have their own historic stories attached to them. The SS Thistlegorm is a 1940s steamship which was sunk by German bomber planes during World War II, and can be found in the reefs near Sharm El Sheikh. There’s also the huge Salem Express ferry, which can be reached from Hurghada and the spectacular Giannis D wreck which is home to dolphins, reef sharks and parrotfish.

You’ll see the most colourful coral in the world

The Red Sea coral reefs are over 5,000 years old and span across 2,000km of coastline in intriguing patterns and shapes. Over 200 types of soft and hard coral populate the diving spots in the Red Sea. When you dive or snorkel down, you’ll see fish darting in and out of all types of sponges. Take an underwater camera on your trip to get some amazingly colourful Instagram snaps, too.

There are reefs for every kind of diver

40% of the Red Sea is quite shallow, which means you don’t have to dive down seriously deep to experience the coral and marine life. And the water is so clear, you’ll see loads on a snorkeling trip, or even from a glass-bottom boat. Head to the Shaab El Erg reef and you might spot wild dolphins, or pick Umm Gammar which is where moray eels dwell. If you’re serious about your diving and already have your PADI qualification, there are plenty of professional scuba centres that will take you to all the best spots.

After your dive you can relax on gorgeous beaches

Hurghada and Marsa Alam line up plenty of white-sand beaches for you to relax on once you’ve discovered the reefs. The sands shelve gently into the paddle-friendly waters, and most are right next to our resorts. Stay at the Jaz Aquamarine and you’ll enjoy an exclusive section of beach, plus a mammoth 17 pools. Or, pick the Premier Le Reve for an adults-only private beach escape.

Ready to book your next diving holiday?

Browse our Egypt Holidays. Or, find out more about the best adventure holiday destinations and the best national parks for everyone.

Author: Selina Akhtar