Shaab El Erg - Hurghada

Shaab El Erg, often called the Dolphin House, is one of those Hurghada sites where a pod of dolphins might just cruise by. We’ve had a few encounters here with the Indian Ocean bottlenoses, and there’s something special about seeing them in their own element. Beyond the potential for cetaceans, the reef itself holds its own. Look for the dapple coris weaving through the coral, or a sneaky wrasse darting between crevices. It’s a good spot for a relaxed drift, not too deep, making it approachable for most dive levels.

Location
Hurghada, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
27.397500, 33.872223
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
5-20m

Marine Protected Area: شعاب البحر الأحمر

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 Shaab El Erg

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 Shaab El Erg

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