Diving in Deep South
Why dive here
Deep South offers some of Egypt's richest diving, with 52+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, humpback whales, oceanic whitetip sharks, spinner dolphins and whale sharks. Water sits around 23°C.
The Deep South is where we send divers who think they’ve seen it all in Egypt. Forget the bustling northern sites; this is raw Red Sea, often best explored by liveaboard. We're talking Fury Shoals, St. John's, Daedalus - places where the hum of the boat is often the loudest sound. What makes it special? It’s the sharks. Not just a fleeting glimpse, but often a consistent presence. Oceanic whitetips at Daedalus are a highlight, patrolling the walls with an almost casual confidence. And the spinner dolphins at Sataya Reef in Fury Shoals? They’re famously playful. We’ve had mornings there where we’ve spent an hour just floating, watching pods of them leap and spin, a proper wildlife show. Visibility here can be phenomenal, often stretching beyond 30 metres, which is handy when you’re looking out for those pelagics. The reefs themselves are healthy, with vibrant Staghorn coral formations and plenty of smaller stuff too - Duncker's pipefish hiding in the Paddle Grass, or Cowfish pottering over the reef top. Currents can be robust, especially at Daedalus, so it’s definitely one for advanced divers comfortable with drifts. Our advice? Go in autumn for the best chance of shark encounters, and always listen to your guide; they know where the action is.
Deep South Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Deep South
Deep South Dive Sites
61 dive sites in Deep South
Abu Dabab Garden
Abu Dabab Garden is a shallow, sheltered reef that’s ideal for newer divers or those looking for a relaxed second dive. The maximum depth is 18m, making it a good spot for buoyancy practice. We often find turtles grazing on the seagrass, and there are typically plenty of smaller reef fish around the coral heads. It’s a gentle introduction to the Red Sea.
Abu Dabab II
Abu Dabab II is a shallow, relaxed dive, perfect for newer divers or those looking for a gentle second dive. The maximum depth is 16 metres, keeping bottom times long and air consumption low. You'll find a sandy bottom with a few scattered coral blocks, usually home to whip corals and small anemones. We often spot pipefish and juvenile emperor fish here, making it a good spot for macro enthusiasts too.
Abu Dabab III
Abu Dabab III is a straightforward dive, shallow at just 17 meters, making it ideal for newer divers or those looking for a relaxed second dive. The sandy bottom here is home to plenty of green turtles, often resting or munching on seagrass. Keep an eye out for resident guitarfish too, sometimes half-buried in the sand. It’s a good spot for macro photography and getting close to the bigger, slower residents.
Abu Dabab IV
Abu Dabab IV is a gentle spot, usually sheltered, perfect for newer divers getting comfortable in the Red Sea. The maximum depth is 19m, so it’s a good place for longer bottom times. You'll often find a decent collection of reef fish here, along with some resident turtles grazing on the seagrass. It's not a site for big pelagics, but for a relaxed afternoon dive or a check-out dive, it's solid.
Abu Dabab South
Abu Dabab South is a shallow, sheltered bay, ideal for beginners or those looking for a relaxed dive. The maximum depth sits at 16 meters, making it a comfortable spot for longer bottom times. You'll often find green sea turtles munching on seagrass, and there's a good chance of spotting a dugong if you're patient. It’s a solid choice for an easy second dive or for practicing skills.
Abu Dabab V
Abu Dabab V is a shallow spot, topping out at 17m, making it a good choice for newer divers or those looking for a relaxed second dive. We’ve often found green turtles grazing on the seagrass here, sometimes dugongs too if you’re lucky enough to catch them. The sandy bottom and scattered coral heads make for an easy cruise, and it’s a calm place to refine buoyancy. It's a reliable option for spotting larger, slower-moving creatures.
Abu Dabab VI
Abu Dabab VI is a mellow shore dive, well-suited for newer divers or anyone looking for an easy entry. The site is shallow, topping out around 19 meters, with a sandy bottom dotted with small coral heads. You'll often find blue-spotted rays resting on the sand, and we’ve spotted moray eels peeking out from under the coral. It’s a comfortable spot to practice skills or just enjoy a relaxed hour underwater.
Abu Dabbab
Abu Dabbab, just a few kilometres off the coast between Port Ghalib and Marsa Alam, is a collection of six distinct reefs. The name translates to "Father's Stepping Stones," a nice touch for a site that doesn’t quite hit the same dramatic depths as some of its neighbours. You won't cover all six in one dive, and frankly, you don't need to. Our pick is generally the two most eastern reefs, Ithnain and Thalata, especially if you’re looking for a relaxed dive. We’ve had some fantastic encounters here with green turtles grazing on the seagrass, and dugongs aren't uncommon, particularly in the shallower areas. It's a forgiving spot, great for extended bottom times and getting some good photographs, even if the reef itself isn't the most colourful in the Red Sea.
Abu Dabour
Abu Dabour is a good training ground, straightforward and shallow at 22m. We’ve found it reliable for spotting scorpionfish tucked into crevices and often see blue-spotted rays gliding over the sandy patches. It’s a comfortable site, ideal for newer divers getting their fins wet in the Red Sea, or for a relaxed second dive. The currents here are generally mild.
Abu Nawas Garden
Abu Nawas Garden sits at a comfortable 20 metres, making it a good spot for newer divers to get their fins wet. The reef here hosts a decent mix of Red Sea regulars. We've often seen groups of parrotfish grazing, and a few clownfish families in their anemones. It's a relaxed dive, good for shaking off the travel dust or for those just starting out.
Abu Saile
Abu Saile is a straightforward dive, topping out at 23 metres, making it comfortable for beginners. You’ll typically drift along a gentle slope, where we’ve often spotted eagle rays cruising by and plenty of crocodilefish tucked into the sand. It’s a nice, relaxed second dive of the day, perfect for getting back into the swing of things without any fuss.
Coral Garden Ghalib
Coral Garden Ghalib is exactly what it sounds like, a pretty, shallow expanse of hard corals, perfect for a relaxed dive. We’ve drifted along here often, just taking it easy, spotting the usual Red Sea suspects-clownfish darting in their anemones, pufferfish eyeing us with suspicion. It’s a great spot if you’re newer to diving or just want an easy second dive to decompress. The maximum depth of 18m means plenty of bottom time, and usually, the conditions are calm, a real bonus for photographers trying to get that perfect shot of a parrotfish munching on coral.
Deep South Dive Centres
44 dive shops and operators in Deep South
Ocean Wildlife in Deep South
52 species recorded in Deep South
Deep South Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Deep South, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:19
Sunset
18:10
Daylight
12h 50m
Golden Hour
17:39
First light (dawn) at 04:56 · Last light (dusk) at 18:33
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:29 | 17:13 | 10h 44m |
| Feb | 06:17 | 17:35 | 11h 18m |
| Mar | 05:51 | 17:50 | 11h 59m |
| Apr | 05:19 | 18:04 | 12h 45m |
| May | 04:57 | 18:19 | 13h 22m |
| JunLongest | 04:51 | 18:33 | 13h 42m |
| Jul | 05:00 | 18:35 | 13h 34m |
| AugNow | 05:15 | 18:18 | 13h 2m |
| Sep | 05:28 | 17:47 | 12h 19m |
| Oct | 05:40 | 17:15 | 11h 35m |
| Nov | 05:59 | 16:54 | 10h 55m |
| DecShortest | 06:20 | 16:54 | 10h 34m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Deep South.
Where to Stay near Deep South
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Marine Protected Areas near Deep South
3 protected areas near Deep South - please respect local regulations when diving
Wadi El-Gemal - Hamata
Tourism Development Area II
Tourism Development Area I
Getting to Deep South
Marsa Alam
Berenice Troglodytica
Luxor
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