When to dive in Sharm el-Cheikh ?

Located at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Sharm el-Cheikh constitutes one of the main diving bases in northern Egyptian Red Sea.

Its location allows for varying dives during the same stay. Local reefs offer often accessible profiles from day trips, while Ras Mohammed and the Tiran Strait allow for searching for more drops, currents, and drift dives.

The region also allows for joining the SS Thistlegorm, one of the most known wrecks in the Red Sea.

This diversity makes Sharm el-Cheikh suitable for both beginner and more experienced divers.

Climate and seasons

Sharm el-Cheikh benefits from a desert climate, hot and very dry, with very little precipitation throughout the year.

Winter generally offers pleasant temperatures on land, even if evenings can be cooler. Conversely, July and August can become very hot, with high temperatures from the moment you exit the water.

Underwater, variations are much more moderate. In the Sharm and Tiran Strait sector, the temperature generally drops to around 21 to 22 °C during the coolest months and can reach approximately 28 to 29 °C at the end of summer.

February generally falls within the months where the water is the coolest, while August and September correspond to the highest temperatures.

Spring and autumn often offer a good balance between water temperature and outdoor comfort. However, choosing a period solely based on temperature would be a shame: summer is particularly interesting for large fish gatherings at Ras Mohammed.

Diving conditions

Visibility is one of the main advantages of Sharm el-Cheikh. It regularly exceeds 20 meters and can reach 30 meters when conditions are favorable.

However, the level of difficulty varies greatly depending on the site.

Some local reefs and several protected dives allow for relatively accessible immersions. Ras Ghazlani, in the Ras Mohammed sector, can also offer more tranquil conditions depending on the time.

Conversely, Ras Mohammed and the Tiran Strait are particularly known for their drift dives. At Shark & Yolanda Reef, the current can change significantly during the dive. Jackson, Woodhouse, or some exposed points can also present sustained currents.

Sharm el-Cheikh therefore allows for passing from relatively simple dives to much more dynamic profiles without changing destination.

Marine life and marine fauna

Sharm el-Cheikh's reefs welcome a typical fauna of the northern Red Sea throughout the year: butterflyfish, angelfish, clownfish, moray eels, napoleons, carangues, barracudas, rays, and turtles evolve around coral reefs rich in hard and soft corals.

However, the region becomes particularly interesting when looking towards the blue.

At Ras Mohammed, Shark & Yolanda Reef is particularly famous for its large fish gatherings. Vivaneaux, platax, barracudas, and carangues can form particularly impressive schools, with a symbolic period in July and August.

Turtles and dolphins can also be observed in different sectors around Sharm el-Cheikh and the Tiran Strait.

Sharks

Sharm el-Cheikh does not offer the same regularity for sharks as some offshore reefs in central and southern Egypt, but several sites can offer beautiful encounters.

At Ras Mohammed, grey reef sharks and other species can be spotted around the drops and in the blue.

The Tiran Strait is also interesting. Jackson Reef is particularly known for the possibility of observing hammerhead sharks in the blue, while the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, particularly from August to early October, are often considered a favorable period.

As always when it comes to wild animals, it is never a guaranteed meeting.

Where to dive in Sharm el-Cheikh?

Local reefs

Reefs located directly around Sharm allow for many dives without joining the more distant areas of Ras Mohammed or Tiran.

Ras Umm Sid is particularly known for its drop, gorgonians, and reef plateau. The currents can become faster around the point and allow for beautiful drift dives.

Further north, Ras Nasrani and Ras Ghamila combine reefs, coral gardens, and drops. Naama Bay and several coastal sites are also used for training and more accessible dives.

Ras Mohammed

At the southern tip of the Sinai, the Ras Mohammed National Park constitutes one of the emblematic areas accessible from Sharm el-Cheikh.

Drops, currents, and strong fish concentrations characterize several of its dives. Shark Reef and Yolanda Reef concentrate a large part of its reputation, particularly in summer when fish gatherings become particularly important.

The area also includes Ras Ghazlani, Jackfish Alley, and several other sites with very different profiles.

Tiran Strait

Located northeast of Sharm, the Tiran Strait marks the entrance to the Aqaba Gulf.

Its four large reefs, Jackson, Woodhouse, Thomas, and Gordon, constitute the most known sites in the area. Drops, coral gardens, and drift dives dominate the underwater landscapes.

Jackson Reef attracts attention at the end of summer for the possibility of observing hammerhead sharks in the blue, while Woodhouse can present particularly sustained currents at its northern end.

SS Thistlegorm

Accessible during a long boat trip from Sharm el-Cheikh or as part of a cruise, the SS Thistlegorm is one of the iconic wrecks of the Red Sea.

This British cargo ship, sunk during World War II, lies at a depth of around 30-32 meters. Its holds still contain part of the military cargo, while locomotives and other elements are scattered around the wreck.

Depth, site size, and sometimes significant currents make it a dive that already requires some experience. The levels and number of dives required can vary depending on the operator and the conditions at the time.

FAQ

What is the best time to dive in Sharm el-Cheikh?

There is no single ideal period.

Spring and autumn generally offer an excellent compromise between water temperature and outdoor comfort. Summer is hotter, but July and August can be particularly interesting for large fish gatherings at Ras Mohammed.

The end of summer can also offer beautiful surprises in terms of large fish.

When to see large fish schools at Ras Mohammed?

July and August constitute the most emblematic period at Shark & Yolanda Reef.

Vivaneaux, barracudas, platax, carangues, and other fish can then gather in massive schools around the reefs. This is one of the most characteristic seasonal phenomena in diving around Sharm el-Cheikh.

When to see hammerhead sharks at Sharm el-Cheikh?

The northern part of Jackson Reef, in the Tiran Strait, is one of the sectors where hammerhead sharks can be observed in the blue.

The period from approximately August to early October is often considered interesting, but their presence remains unpredictable.

Is Sharm el-Cheikh suitable for beginner divers?

Yes.

The region has several local reefs and relatively protected sites that allow for beginner dives or training in good conditions.

However, it is not necessary to generalize to the entire destination: Ras Mohammed, Tiran, or some drift dives may require more experience. The choice of site remains essential.

Can you dive on the Thistlegorm from Sharm el-Cheikh?

Yes.

The SS Thistlegorm can be reached from Sharm during a long boat trip and is also part of many cruises in the northern Red Sea.

It is simply essential to remember that it is not a small, tranquil dive on a shallow wreck: depth, current, and site size require adapted experience.