James & Mac Diving Center - Hurghada

Okay, so James & Mac. This isn't the kind of site that makes the cover of dive magazines, but we love it for its quiet charm and sheer fishiness. It’s a gentle introduction to the Hurghada reefs, a place we often take friends who are a bit rusty or just looking for an easy, colourful dive. Drop in and you’re immediately enveloped by the usual suspects, but here, they seem particularly bold. We’ve seen entire schools of Tail-spot Squirrelfish flitting in and out of the crevices, their big eyes reflecting our lights. Keep an eye out for the smaller stuff too; the Black Blenny and Chestnut Blenny are regulars, peering out from their little holes. Our favourite find here has to be the Red Sea Clown Surgeon, their bright colours really pop against the quieter reef. The site is pretty relaxed, so you can take your time exploring. We usually find the currents manageable, making it perfect for a long, slow drift. We’d suggest going in the morning before it gets too busy; the light hits the reef just right then, making the blues and greens of the parrotfish, especially the Greenband Parrotfish, really vibrant. It’s not about dramatic drop-offs or massive pelagics, but rather the sheer density of everyday reef life.

Location
Hurghada, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
27.183756, 33.829056
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
5-15m

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 James & Mac Diving Center

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 James & Mac Diving Center

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