Diving and Snorkeling in Sharm el-Sheikh

Sharm el-Sheikh is consistently rated one of the world’s top dive destinations. The combination of the Thistlegorm wreck, Ras Mohammed National Park, and the Straits of Tiran gives it a range matched by very few places. Visibility is typically 20–30 metres, water temperature is warm year-round, and the marine life density — particularly at the big reef sites — is exceptional.

SS Thistlegorm

A British cargo ship sunk by German bombers in October 1941 while anchored in the Red Sea carrying military supplies to North Africa. It lies in 30 metres, about an hour north of Sharm by boat. The cargo is largely intact: motorcycles, trucks, military vehicles, rifles, and boots remain visible in the holds. The stern gun is still mounted. Jacques Cousteau’s expeditions in the 1950s brought the wreck to international attention.

Open Water certification is the minimum requirement for the shallower sections. Advanced Open Water opens access to the lower holds and the deeper stern structure at 28–30m. Night dives are available and change the atmosphere completely. Visibility on the wreck is typically excellent. It is one of the most complete and historically significant wreck dives in the world.

Ras Mohammed National Park

The protected marine area at the southern tip of Sinai is a 1-hour boat trip from Sharm. Two sites define it:

Shark Reef — a steep wall dropping into blue water; grey reef sharks and hammerheads are present year-round, with October and November bringing the largest aggregations. The wall is covered in soft corals and sea fans.

Yolanda Reef — a Spanish cargo ship ran aground here in 1980; the cargo of bathroom fixtures — toilets, bathtubs, tiles — has gradually moved deeper over the decades but remains one of the more unusual dive scenes in the Red Sea. The reef itself is healthy and the site combines good coral with the wreck component.

Straits of Tiran

Four reef systems in the straits between the Sinai Peninsula and Saudi Arabia: Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, and Gordon. Coral pinnacles and walls with strong currents — best suited to divers with at least Advanced Open Water and experience in current diving. Hammerhead sightings are possible. The trip requires a longer boat journey from Sharm (1.5–2 hours) but the reefs are in excellent condition.

Near-Shore Sites

Several sites are accessible from boats based in Naama Bay without the longer trip to Ras Mohammed or the Thistlegorm:

• Tower — a classic night dive in the Naama Bay area; coral formation dropping to around 60m; strong fish life
• Paradise, Temple, Far Gardens — moderate depth, good coral cover, accessible for Open Water divers; less dramatic than the big sites but reliable

House Reefs and Snorkeling

Hotels in Shark’s Bay have direct reef access from the beach. This is the most practical snorkeling option for visitors not booking boat trips. The reef starts close to shore and is accessible at the surface. Ras Mohammed is also excellent for snorkeling from the boat — visibility is high enough that the reef wall is visible from the surface.

Dive Centres

Camel Dive Club (Shark’s Bay), Emperor Divers, and Sinai Dive Club are among the longest-established operations. Most offer PADI courses from Open Water through Divemaster, equipment rental, and guided trips to all major sites. Book Thistlegorm and Ras Mohammed trips in advance during peak season (December–January, June–August).

For a comparison with the Red Sea diving scene generally, or the Dahab diving experience, those pages cover the broader context.