Balena - Hurghada

Balena, for us, is one of those sites we always try to hit when we're in Hurghada. It's not the most famous, but it delivers on those classic Red Sea vibes without the crowds you sometimes find elsewhere. We love dropping in on the northern side, letting the gentle current carry us along the reef wall. The sheer number of yellowstriped cardinalfish schooling here is incredible; they absolutely smother the corals in places, a shimmering cloud you can practically swim through. Keep an eye out for the bottleneck sea cucumbers on the sand patches – they're surprisingly charismatic – and the flash of a candelamoa parrotfish making its way across the reef. We've had a few lucky encounters with bottlenose dolphins here too, though those are always a treat, never a guarantee. The deeper sections of the reef are home to some really chunky dusky wrasse and the occasional edgeblack grouper lurking under ledges. It's a relaxed drift, perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to soak in the bustling reef life at a leisurely pace. If you're looking for a consistently rewarding dive in Hurghada that feels a little less "tour bus," Balena is our pick.

Location
Hurghada, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
27.178242, 33.831980
Type
wreck
Maximum Depth
15-30m

Best Time to Dive in Hurghada

The warmest water temperatures in Hurghada occur in August, averaging 28.9°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 22.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 23.1°C
  • February: 22.3°C
  • March: 22.0°C
  • April: 22.8°C
  • May: 24.9°C
  • June: 26.2°C
  • July: 27.5°C
  • August: 28.9°C
  • September: 28.1°C
  • October: 27.3°C
  • November: 26.6°C
  • December: 24.8°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Hurghada

Nearest Dive Centres to Balena

Marine Life in Hurghada

Home to 47 recorded species including 33 reef fish, 7 whales & dolphins, 4 seagrass & algae, 1 sharks & rays, 1 sea cucumbers, 1 hard corals.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Balena

Based on average water temperature of 25.4°C, currents 20 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 25°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories