St John's Reefs - Marsa Alam

St. John’s has a reputation, and we think it earns it. Down in Egypt’s southern Red Sea, these reefs really pop, feeling healthier than many we’ve seen further north. You’ll find walls draped in soft corals, punctuated by swim-throughs and small caves that make for some dramatic light play, especially when the visibility is good, which it often is here. Keep an eye out for reef sharks patrolling the deeper sections; we’ve had some good luck spotting silvertips and even a hammerhead or two on dawn dives. It's a solid choice for divers who appreciate vibrant coral and don't mind a bit of a journey to get there.

Location
Marsa Alam, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
23.700000, 36.100000

Best Time to Dive in Marsa Alam

The warmest water temperatures in Marsa Alam occur in August, averaging 31.1°C. The coolest conditions are in February at 22.7°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 23.6°C
  • February: 22.7°C
  • March: 22.9°C
  • April: 23.8°C
  • May: 26.0°C
  • June: 28.1°C
  • July: 29.9°C
  • August: 31.1°C
  • September: 30.4°C
  • October: 28.8°C
  • November: 27.1°C
  • December: 25.6°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Marsa Alam

Nearest Dive Centres to St John's Reefs

Marine Life in Marsa Alam

Home to 39 recorded species including 10 seagrass & algae, 8 whales & dolphins, 8 reef fish, 7 sea snails & nudibranchs, 3 sharks & rays, 1 clams & mussels.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for St John's Reefs

Based on average water temperature of 26.7°C, currents 3 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 27°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