Diving in El Gouna
Why dive here
El Gouna offers some of Egypt's richest diving, with 57+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, humpback whales, octopuses, seahorses and spinner dolphins. Water ranges 20-28°C, warmest July, August, September.
El Gouna is often overshadowed by its flashier neighbours, but we’ve always had a soft spot for its relaxed vibe and genuinely excellent diving. Think fewer crowds, fewer boats, and surprisingly healthy reefs just a stone’s throw from your resort. You get easy access to some of the northern Red Sea’s best, like the legendary Abu Nuhas wreck alley. We’re talking four historic wrecks in one concentrated area, each with its own character. The Ghiannis D, for instance, offers swim-throughs filled with glassfish, light filtering in through deck openings. Sha’ab el-Erg, often called ‘Dolphin House,’ is another highlight. On a good day, you’ll be in the water with pods of bottlenose dolphins, their clicks and whistles surprisingly clear even through a regulator. It’s not a guarantee, but those encounters are pure magic. We’ve found the early morning boat trips usually yield the best luck. For something a bit more advanced, Carless Reef can deliver proper shark action, though it often involves a bit more current. The reef structure itself is impressive, a deep wall draped in soft corals. We’d suggest going in the shoulder seasons, April-May or September-October, to dodge the peak heat and still enjoy superb visibility. It's a great choice for those who appreciate good diving without the hustle.
El Gouna Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in El Gouna
El Gouna Dive Sites
55 dive sites in El Gouna
ABOUDY
Aboudy is one of those Red Sea wrecks that just hits differently. It’s not about depth or a challenging dive, this 70-meter motor vessel sits upright at a modest nine meters, making it a fantastic, relaxed exploration. We love the way the light filters through the superstructure; you can really spend time poking around the bridge and cargo holds without worrying about deco. What makes Aboudy special for us is the sheer volume of glassfish and sweepers inside – they form shimmering curtains, almost alive, that part as you swim through. We often find a stonefish or two camouflaged on the deck, and the resident moray eels are always curious. It's not a dive for big pelagics, but for an immersive wreck experience that’s accessible and full of those small, intimate moments with marine life, Aboudy is our favourite. Go early to beat the boats, you'll feel like you have the whole ship to yourself.
ABOU EL-MAATY
Abou El-Maaty isn't about deep dives or dramatic drop-offs. It’s a shallow wreck, barely reaching 3m, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it's not worth your time. This site is a photographer's dream, especially if you’re into macro and natural light shots. The wreck itself is a small tugboat, completely broken up, with its pieces scattered across a sandy bottom. You’ll find the propeller, engine block, and various hull sections providing perfect homes for a surprising amount of small critters. We love poking around the debris, spotting pipefish tucked into the crevices and the resident moray eel peeking out from under a plate of steel. The light here is incredible, filtering down through the shallow water, painting everything in shades of blue and gold. It’s an ideal spot for extended bottom times, really taking your time to observe the gobies and blennies that have colonised every surface. If you’re a newer diver looking to get comfortable around wrecks, or an experienced pro wanting to perfect your buoyancy and macro skills, Abou El-Maaty is a fantastic choice. Our favourite time to visit is mid-morning, just after the sun has fully risen, when the light is at its most vibrant.
AL-QUAMAR AL-SAUDI AL-MISRI
The Al-Quamar Al-Saudi Al-Misri is our favourite El Gouna wreck. Forget the over-dived Abu Nuhas, this site has character. Dropping down, the sheer scale of the 125-metre roll-on/roll-off vessel becomes clear, resting on its starboard side at 30 metres. Built in 1970, she caught fire after a boiler explosion in 1994, sinking with a tragic loss of life. We find the twin propellers particularly striking, always worth a close look for resting groupers. Inside, the car deck is huge and open, a fantastic playground for torch exploration. You can swim the length, imagining the vehicles that once filled it. Schools of fusiliers often mill about the superstructure, so thick they occasionally dim the light. Keep an eye out for resident lionfish tucked into corners and the occasional moray eel peering from the darker recesses. We love the bridge area too, often home to glassfish clouds. This wreck is best suited for advanced open water divers comfortable with depth and overhead environments, offering a genuinely immersive historical experience without the crowds of some other Red Sea sites. Our tip: go early to have it almost to yourself.
ASHRF ABDO
ASHREF ABDO is one of those El Gouna wrecks that, for us, just hits different. It's a fishing vessel, sure, but what really grabs you is the way it’s settled, upright and proud, at 60 meters. Dropping down, you feel the depth, the slight chill in the water that always comes with going a bit deeper in the Red Sea. We've always been drawn to wrecks that still feel like a vessel, not just a pile of scrap, and ASHREF ABDO delivers. As you approach, the superstructure looms out of the blue, often swarming with schools of silver sweepers. We love drifting along the deck, peeking into the wheelhouse – it feels like you've just missed the crew. There are usually some impressive gorgonian fans swaying gently off the mast, and we’ve spotted plenty of lionfish tucked into the shadows. The real treat for us, though, is the engine room. It’s accessible, surprisingly intact, and just begs for a careful exploration. This isn't a wreck for beginners, but if you're comfortable with technical dives and love a good story written in rust, ASHREF ABDO is our top pick in El Gouna. Go early to beat any potential boat traffic, and keep an eye out for triggerfish patrolling the bow.
ATTIKI (PROBABLY)
Attiki, or what we affectionately call Attiki (Probably) because its identity was a bit hazy for a while, is a delightful El Gouna wreck. Sunk back in '78, this motor vessel is now a proper, settled home for all sorts of reef fish. We love its shallow depth – a mere five metres – making it perfect for a long, relaxed dive, even for newer divers finding their fins. You'll spend your time exploring the hull, which still holds its shape surprisingly well, despite the years. Look for the schools of silversides that often shimmer around the superstructure, creating these living walls of light. Our favourite detail has to be the way the coral has started to really take hold, especially the colourful soft corals swaying with the gentle surge. It’s a genuinely pretty wreck and ideal for photographers who want to take their time getting that perfect shot without worrying about deco. Go early in the morning, before the dive boats pile in, and you’ll often have it all to yourselves.
BACCHIS
We’ve done the Bacchis more times than we can count, and it still holds a spot among our favourite El Gouna dives. The wreck itself, an old cargo ship, is an absolute gem sitting upright in just 5 metres of water. We love the way the light filters through the shallow water, illuminating the main deck and the large, open holds. You can swim right through them, feeling the cool water shift as you move, and it always feels like exploring a forgotten warehouse. There’s a real sense of history here, knowing this ship ran aground back in '77. Shoals of snapper often swirl in the shadow of the superstructure, and we’ve seen some hefty lionfish perched on the railings, completely unbothered by divers. It’s a phenomenal spot for photography, especially with wide-angle, and it’s brilliant for divers who want to spend ages poking around without worrying about deco limits. Our top tip? Go early in the morning, before the crowds, when the light is soft and the visibility often feels limitless.
BAHRAM
Bahram is one of those El Gouna wrecks we always come back to. Not because it’s a big, famous freighter, but because it’s just so… *weird*. This isn't a ship that sank gracefully; it's a drill vessel, or rig vessel, that capsized violently in a storm in 2003, leaving it upside down and broken. The maximum depth is 20m, meaning decent bottom time for poking around the twisted metal and exploring the massive open spaces that were once machinery rooms. What we love about Bahram is the way the light filters through the breaks in the hull, creating these dramatic shafts. You swim through collapsed deck sections where schools of yellow snapper hover, almost glowing in the gloom. Lionfish are usually tucked into every crevice, and we've often seen a large Napoleon wrasse cruising by. It’s a good site for experienced divers who appreciate the unique, almost haunting atmosphere of a wreck that’s been truly mangled by the sea, not just sunk. Our favourite part is navigating the upside-down framework near the bow, where the original structure is almost unrecognisable and the corals are really starting to take hold.
BASHAYER
Bashayer, oh Bashayer. This isn't one of those grand, famous Red Sea wrecks, but it's got character, and we love it for that. She's an old yacht, sitting upright at 33 metres, her mast still reaching up towards the surface. Drop down and you’ll find the bridge largely intact, and you can swim through the saloon. It’s got that slightly spooky, 'ghost ship' feel without being too dark inside. What makes Bashayer special for us is the way the soft corals have absolutely exploded all over her railings and superstructure. They’re a riot of colour – purples, oranges, and yellows – waving gently with the current. Schools of glassfish often shimmer around the deck, creating a silver curtain you can swim right through. We’ve seen quite a few lionfish lurking in the shadows, and occasionally, a curious barracuda will cruise by for a look. It’s a comfortable dive, usually with mild currents, making it a good pick for divers looking to explore a proper wreck without the intensity of some of the deeper sites. Go a little later in the afternoon, and the light filtering through the water onto the wreck creates some truly dramatic visuals.
Blind Reef
Blind Reef is a decent drift dive, often done from a RIB. The reef itself is a long, sloping wall that starts around 10 meters and drops to its maximum at 21 meters, making it good for intermediate divers comfortable with currents. You'll often spot triggerfish, some smaller schooling fish, and we've seen a few moray eels tucked into the crevices. It’s a solid option if you’re looking for a relaxed dive in El Gouna without too much fuss.
Bluff Point (Small Gubal island)
Bluff Point, tucked into Small Gubal Island, offers a really pleasant drift dive, especially for those who like to cruise along and take it all in. We often find the gentle current here makes for an easy passage past some decent coral formations. It's a nice spot for intermediate divers, sitting comfortably at 17m, where you’ll likely spot the usual Red Sea suspects – angelfish, butterflyfish, and maybe a napoleon wrasse if you’re lucky. It's a solid choice if you're after a relaxed dive without too much fuss, a good afternoon or check-out dive.
CARINA (POSSIBLY)
The Carina, or what we strongly suspect is the Carina, is one of those El Gouna wrecks that just hits different. It’s not about grand scale or famous history here, it’s about the quiet beauty of a ship taken by the sea. We think she's a steam ship, maybe a fishing trawler, resting upright at 33 metres, her bow pointing north. Drop down and you're immediately struck by the silence, the sheer weight of water around this solitary vessel. The deck is gone, but the hull is largely intact, draped in soft corals – purples and oranges that glow under your torch. Penetration is limited to small sections, mostly the stern, where you can peek into what might have been the engine room, shafts of light filtering through corroded plates. Look for the resident scorpionfish, perfectly camouflaged on the encrusted metalwork, and schools of glassfish shimmering like liquid silver around the remaining structure. It’s a site that rewards slow exploration, letting your eyes adjust to the subtle details. This is our pick for divers who appreciate the melancholic beauty of a forgotten ship, rather than a bustling reef.
CHRISOULA K
We’ve spent a lot of time on the Chrisoula K, and it’s always a winner, especially if you love a good wreck dive without the depth stress. This old freighter, built in ‘54, grounded in ‘81 and now rests in barely 10 metres, which is fantastic. You get long bottom times, meaning plenty of opportunity to explore its 106-metre length. What we really love here is the cargo holds. They’re wide open, bathed in natural light, and perfect for a casual swim-through. Keep an eye out for batfish hanging around the superstructure and lionfish tucked into shadowy corners. Inside the holds, schools of glassfish often shimmer, parting as you glide through. It’s a photographer’s playground, particularly when the sun hits the deck in the late morning, illuminating the coral growth that’s steadily reclaiming the metal. Our top tip: go early or late to avoid the crowds, as it’s a popular spot for good reason.
El Gouna Dive Centres
4 dive shops and operators in El Gouna
Ocean Wildlife in El Gouna
57 species recorded in El Gouna
El Gouna Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for El Gouna, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:21
Sunset
18:17
Daylight
12h 56m
Golden Hour
17:46
First light (dawn) at 04:57 · Last light (dusk) at 18:41
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:39 | 17:12 | 10h 34m |
| Feb | 06:25 | 17:37 | 11h 13m |
| Mar | 05:57 | 17:55 | 11h 58m |
| Apr | 05:22 | 18:11 | 12h 49m |
| May | 04:57 | 18:29 | 13h 31m |
| JunLongest | 04:50 | 18:44 | 13h 54m |
| Jul | 05:00 | 18:45 | 13h 45m |
| AugNow | 05:17 | 18:26 | 13h 9m |
| Sep | 05:32 | 17:53 | 12h 21m |
| Oct | 05:46 | 17:18 | 11h 32m |
| Nov | 06:08 | 16:55 | 10h 47m |
| DecShortest | 06:30 | 16:53 | 10h 23m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in El Gouna.
Where to Stay near El Gouna
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Marine Protected Areas near El Gouna
4 protected areas near El Gouna - please respect local regulations when diving
شعاب البحر الأحمر
محمية رأس محمد
محمية أبو جالوم
محمية نبق
Getting to El Gouna
Hurghada
Sharm El Sheikh
Sharma
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