Diving and snorkeling in Gulf of Aqaba

Top Diving and Snorkeling Spots

The Gulf of Aqaba features a diverse range of underwater environments, from the vertical walls and deep canyons of Dahab to the expansive coral plateaus of the Straits of Tiran. This region is home to historical shipwrecks like the Kormoran and Louilla, as well as unique geological formations such as the Blue Hole and Thomas Canyon. Divers can observe black corals at the Japanese Gardens and seasonal hammerhead sharks near the northern reefs.

Japanese Gardens Coral Reefs

Shallow reef in Aqaba featuring black corals and diverse fish species distributed across two distinct reef levels.

Blue Hole

The Blue Hole is a diving location on the southeast Sinai, a few kilometres north of Dahab, Egypt on the coast of the Red Sea.

Paradise

Dahab dive site featuring a steep underwater slope characterized by massive coral towers and vibrant soft corals.

Kormoran

Wreck of a Turkish freighter that sank in 1984, located in shallow water on the northern side of Tiran Island.

Lara

Remains of a Cypriot freighter that struck Jackson Reef in 1981, with wreckage scattered across the reef top and deep slope.

Louilla

Panamanian freighter wrecked on the northern edge of Gordon Reef in 1981, with much of the hull still visible above the waterline.

Maria Schroeder

German freighter that ran aground in 1956 near Nabq, now resting in shallow water with several accessible hull sections.

3 Pools

Shore dive in Dahab consisting of three natural pools with sandy bottoms connected by shallow coral channels.

South Oasis

Dahab dive site featuring a wide coral garden and a sandy slope that leads to deeper reef formations.

The Caves

Shore dive characterized by large undercuts in the reef wall that form cavern-like shelters for marine life.

Umm Sid

Diving spot known for its steep reef wall and a dense forest of giant gorgonian fan corals.

Napoleon Reef

Crescent-shaped reef near Dahab featuring a shallow lagoon, a sandy plateau, and a variety of hard corals.

7 Pinnacles

Shallow dive site in Dahab featuring seven distinct coral pillars rising from a sandy seabed.

Moray Garden

Sloping reef site in Dahab featuring sea grass beds and coral heads, frequently inhabited by various species of moray eels.

Gabu El Bint

Remote site south of Dahab accessible by boat or camel, featuring steep walls and large gorgonian fans.

Jackson Reef

Northernmost reef in the Straits of Tiran, known for sightings of hammerhead sharks and the Lara shipwreck.

Gordon Reef

Southernmost reef in the Straits of Tiran, featuring the Louilla wreck and a large sandy plateau with garden eels.

Woodhouse Reef

Long, narrow reef in the Straits of Tiran popular for drift diving along its steep eastern wall.

Thomas Reef

Smallest reef in the Straits of Tiran, famous for the deep Thomas Canyon and three massive underwater arches.

Other Lists

Gulf of Aqaba Unmissables Viewpoints and Peaks Historical Sites & Ruins