The Alternatives - Sharm el-Sheikh

Carysfort Reef, sitting at the northern end of the Keys, has a real sense of history to it. You’ll find the remains of a 19th-century lighthouse here, and diving around those old pilings, you can almost feel the presence of all the ships they guided. We love the contrast between the man-made structure and the natural reef that’s grown up around it. The reef itself is a classic Florida Keys spur-and-groove formation. Expect to drop down to about 25 feet, maybe a bit more, and then drift along the fingers of coral. On a good day, the light plays beautifully through the water, illuminating schools of French grunts and sergeant majors that seem to hang in the current. Look closely among the corals for spotted trunkfish and the vibrant blues of a dwarf seahorse if you’re lucky. We often see barberfish cleaning larger species, a neat little show to watch. The currents here can pick up, so it's a site that suits divers comfortable with a bit of a drift. It’s a classic Keys dive, solid and reliable.

Location
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Red Sea & Middle East
Coordinates
27.729261, 34.197250
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: محمية رأس محمد

Best Time to Dive in Sharm el-Sheikh

The warmest water temperatures in Sharm el-Sheikh occur in August, averaging 29.9°C. The coolest conditions are in March at 22.5°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 23.6°C
  • February: 22.8°C
  • March: 22.5°C
  • April: 23.3°C
  • May: 25.6°C
  • June: 26.9°C
  • July: 28.4°C
  • August: 29.9°C
  • September: 28.6°C
  • October: 27.8°C
  • November: 27.1°C
  • December: 25.3°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Sharm el-Sheikh

Nearest Dive Centres to The Alternatives

Marine Life in Sharm el-Sheikh

Home to 13 recorded species including 6 whales & dolphins, 5 reef fish, 1 sharks & rays, 1 crabs & lobsters.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for The Alternatives

Based on average water temperature of 26.0°C, currents 10 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 26°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