Diving in Safaga
Why dive here
Safaga is a diving destination where divers can encounter humpback whales, spinner dolphins and whale sharks. Water ranges 22-29°C, warmest July, August, September.
Safaga. It's often overlooked, sitting just south of Hurghada, but we think that's precisely its charm. You’ll find fewer crowds here, more space on the reefs, and a genuinely relaxed vibe, which we always appreciate. We particularly love the offshore sites; Tobia Arba, with its seven pinnacles, feels like a private aquarium, and we’ve often spent entire dives simply circling one coral head, spotting ocellated plesiops peeking out. The diving here really shines on the big reef systems like Panorama Reef. It’s a huge, sloping wall that just keeps giving, often with schools of diagonal butterflyfish fluttering in the blue. Keep an eye out for greenband parrotfish chomping on the coral and brownbanded wrasse darting between crevices. Of course, the Salem Express wreck is a powerful experience; it’s a sombre dive, but you get a real sense of scale and history. We always find the visibility here generous, often reaching 30 metres, especially outside of the summer months when the water is cooler and clearer. You might even hear the distinct clicks of dolphins in the distance.
Safaga Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Safaga
Safaga Dive Sites
87 dive sites in Safaga
Abu Hamra
Abu Hamra is a straightforward dive in Safaga, reaching a maximum depth of 21m. It’s a good choice for intermediate divers looking for a relaxed profile. You’ll find the typical Red Sea reef fish here, often schooling around the main coral formations. It's a decent option if you’ve already explored the more prominent Safaga sites and want something less demanding.
Abu Kafan
Abu Kafan is a classic Red Sea offshore reef, often feeling a bit exposed out there. The northern plateau can be interesting for sharks and larger pelagics, though we've had just as many quiet dives as exhilarating ones. It's usually a drift dive, so be comfortable with currents. This site suits experienced divers looking for that deeper, open-water feel.
Abu Kafan North
Abu Kafan North offers a solid drift dive along its eastern wall. Expect pelagic sightings like tuna and barracuda out in the blue, while reef sharks occasionally patrol the deeper sections. The wall itself is well-covered with soft corals, particularly at shallower depths. We'd suggest this site for intermediate divers comfortable with currents and keen on open water encounters.
Abu Kafan South
Abu Kafan South offers a solid drift dive along its eastern wall. Expect pelagic sightings here, with the occasional grey reef shark cruising by if you're lucky. The reef itself is healthy, dotted with hard corals and small gorgonian fans, providing shelter for moray eels and lionfish. It’s a good choice for intermediate divers comfortable with currents, looking for a bit more action than the inshore reefs.
Abu Saaf ED
Abu Saaf ED is a decent spot for an easy-going dive, especially if you're looking to stretch your bottom time. At a maximum depth of 21 metres, it's a relaxed intermediate dive where you'll often find blue-spotted rays resting on the sandy patches and bannerfish schooling around the coral blocks. It’s a good site for photographers wanting calm conditions or divers just starting to build their confidence in the Red Sea.
Abu Sawatyr
Abu Sawatyr offers a calm, shallow dive, maxing out at 19 metres. It’s a good spot for newer divers getting comfortable in the Red Sea, or for those looking for a relaxed second dive. You'll often find a variety of smaller reef fish here, going about their day. It’s not a thrill-a-minute site, but it’s peaceful and reliably easy.
Abu Soma Paradise House Reef
The Abu Soma Paradise House Reef is a straightforward shore dive, handy if you’re staying nearby and fancy a quick dip. We’ve found it’s a good spot for spotting some interesting smaller critters, like the sand-dusted cone snail if you’re patient, especially in the seagrass beds. You’ll often see parrotfish munching away, and we’ve had the odd surprise visit from bottlenose dolphins cruising by in the deeper sections, though that’s never a guarantee. It’s an easy entry and exit, making it ideal for a relaxed afternoon dive or getting reacquainted with your gear.
Aida
Aida is a popular wreck in Safaga, often done as a second dive after the Salem Express. The wreck sits upright, easily accessible to advanced divers. We’ve seen good staghorn coral growth on the superstructure, and if you're lucky, a passing false killer whale or even a whale shark might cruise by in the blue. Strong currents can be a factor here.
AIDA
The AIDA wreck, just off Safaga, is a solid dive for those who appreciate a bit of history beneath the waves. This steamship, which went down in 1957, sits upright, her bow at around 25 metres and her stern reaching down to 40. We've always found her to be a fascinating exploration, especially for those looking to get a feel for a classic Red Sea wreck without the strong currents of the Brothers Islands. You'll swim through what's left of her superstructure, encountering schools of glassfish and the occasional curious snapper that calls her home. It's a dive that rewards a slow pace, letting you soak in the atmosphere of a vessel reclaimed by the sea.
AL KAHFAIN
Al Kahfain is a proper wreck dive, a motor vessel that’s been down for a while and shows it. You drop down, and the first thing you notice is the way the light filters through the superstructure, all bent and twisted. It’s got that eerie, dangerous feel about it, precisely what we love in a good wreck. It sits upright, mostly, with a decent list, and you can poke around the holds, which are now home to schools of snapper and the occasional barracuda lurking in the shadows. We’ve seen blue-spotted rays resting on the sand nearby, and the soft corals are starting to really take hold on the exposed metal. It’s a site for those who appreciate the history, the slow decay, and the way the sea reclaims things. We’d suggest a nitrox blend for longer bottom times, because there’s plenty to see if you take your time, especially around the stern. Just keep an eye on your depth here, it’s a deep one.
Al Kahfain (Wreck)
The Al Kahfain wreck might not get the same press as the Salem Express, but for us, it’s a brilliant dive if you’re into exploring. It’s a small general cargo vessel, not too deep at 22 metres, which means you get decent bottom time to really snoop around. We love poking through the holds, which are often swarming with sweepers and glassfish. What makes Al Kahfain stand out is the way the wreck has settled on its side, almost inviting you to peer into its skeletal structure. You can fin right along the deck, past the wheelhouse, and imagine the old girl in her working days. Look closely, and you’ll spot crocodilefish camouflaged on the hull, or a moray eel peeking from a dark crevice. Our favourite spot is usually around the bow, where the light hits just right, illuminating schools of fusiliers so thick they almost block the light. It's an easy-going wreck dive, great for intermediate divers looking for something a bit more intimate than the region’s bigger names, and ideal for photographers wanting to capture those moody, internal shots.
Aluminium
Aluminium, off the coast of Safaga, doesn't always grab the headlines, but it holds its own quiet charm. We often drop in here for a relaxed second or third dive, appreciating the extensive seagrass beds. You'll spot wide swathes of *Thalassia* and *Halodule*, which are vital nurseries. Look carefully and you might find cloth-of-gold cone snails inching their way across the sand, or even Indian Ocean bottlenose dolphins cruising through. It's a gentle dive, good for photographers keen on macro life in the seagrass, or those just looking to unwind.
Safaga Dive Centres
35 dive shops and operators in Safaga
Aquastars Dive Centre & Dive Safaris
Atlantik Diving Center
Club Ras Soma Diving Center
Coraya Divers
Coraya Divers Naga Bay
Coraya Divers Red Sea
Dimensions Bleues-Ducks
Dimensions Bleues-Ducks Safaga
Ocean Wildlife in Safaga
29 species recorded in Safaga
Safaga Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Safaga, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
05:20
Sunset
18:13
Daylight
12h 53m
Golden Hour
17:42
First light (dawn) at 04:56 · Last light (dusk) at 18:37
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:33 | 17:13 | 10h 39m |
| Feb | 06:20 | 17:36 | 11h 16m |
| Mar | 05:54 | 17:52 | 11h 59m |
| Apr | 05:21 | 18:07 | 12h 47m |
| May | 04:57 | 18:23 | 13h 26m |
| JunLongest | 04:51 | 18:38 | 13h 47m |
| Jul | 05:00 | 18:39 | 13h 39m |
| AugNow | 05:16 | 18:21 | 13h 5m |
| Sep | 05:29 | 17:49 | 12h 20m |
| Oct | 05:43 | 17:16 | 11h 34m |
| Nov | 06:03 | 16:54 | 10h 52m |
| DecShortest | 06:24 | 16:54 | 10h 29m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Safaga.
Where to Stay near Safaga
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Marine Protected Areas near Safaga
2 protected areas near Safaga - please respect local regulations when diving
شعاب البحر الأحمر
محمية رأس محمد
Getting to Safaga
Hurghada
Marsa Alam
Sharm El Sheikh
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