Hurghada & Giftun Islands

Hurghada is Egypt’s largest mainland dive hub and the easiest base for daily boats to Giftun, Abu Ramada and nearby wrecks. Sheltered reefs support training and relaxed reef dives, while Careless Reef is more exposed and current-prone.

Best time
Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov
Certification
Open water
Budget
$ · under $2,000
Trip length
2–7 days
Trip style
Land based, Day trip, Liveaboard
Access
Easy

The short version

Known forLarge year-round dive-centre market.

Main tradeoffBoat and diver crowding is routine.

Hurghada & Giftun Islands dive region

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Your outlook

Explore 4 dive sites

Browse the map and wildlife below, or add an optional preference to narrow Hurghada & Giftun Islands.

Most relevant wildlife

  • Hawksbill turtleJan–Dec
  • Giant morayJan–Dec
  • Great barracudaJan–Dec
  • Green sea turtleJan–Dec

Plan the trip

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4 sites shown.

Conditions referenceSeason, water and visibilityBest Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct, Nov · Mild current · 21.5–29.5°C (coldest Feb, warmest Aug)
Best months Operating
Current
Mild
Water temperature
21.5–29.5°C (coldest Feb, warmest Aug)
Visibility
10–30m: Offshore reefs are usually clearer than near-city sites; wind and boat traffic reduce visibility.
Experience
Many Giftun and Abu Ramada sites suit Open Water divers.

01 · Marine life

What you may see

rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak seasondestination closed

Sightings are never guaranteed. The bars show typical likelihood by month.

Hawksbill turtleEretmochelys imbricata
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

Possible in suitable habitat; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

Giant morayGymnothorax javanicus
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

Possible in suitable habitat; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

Great barracudaSphyraena barracuda
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

Possible in suitable habitat; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

Green sea turtleChelonia mydas
Sighting likelihood by month
MonthLikelihood
Januaryoccasional
Februaryoccasional
Marchoccasional
Apriloccasional
Mayoccasional
Juneoccasional
Julyoccasional
Augustoccasional
Septemberoccasional
Octoberoccasional
Novemberoccasional
Decemberoccasional

Possible in suitable habitat; no unsupported monthly peak is applied.

See all 8 species

02 · Dive sites

Dive sites worth knowing

A starting point, not a ranking. Conditions decide what works on the day.

See all 4 dive sites
03 · LogisticsGetting there and costsEasy. Fly to HRG. Typical trip $.

Route overview

Easy

Day trips from a coastal base, about 0.5h from the airport, then a short boat.

Airport options

HRG

Hurghada International Airport

About 15–40 minutes by road to hotels and marinas

Typical trip cost

$

under $2,000

Per person, excluding international flights.

  • Current mass-market Giftun boat trips are commonly USD 30–60 before diving supplements; multi-day dive packages vary by equipment and hotel transfer.

Permit or park fee

What you pay

Giftun and protected-area charges are normally collected through the operator

current advertised day products commonly add about EUR 6. Confirm at booking.

How it works

Operators handle protected-area and coastguard access. Use a licensed CDWS centre.

Sources & last checked

Checked September 2026

Research is source-backed, but conditions and fees should still be confirmed locally.

View 3 sources and checking notes

Note on the data: Park-fee presentation varies between operators. Coordinates and visibility are planning ranges, not surveyed values. Water temperature: Rounded central Red Sea surface bands. Access: HRG is close to the resort strip; most reef days require 30–90 minutes by boat.