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Red Sea Suggestions
Hey everyone! I’m planning my first dive trip to the Red Sea later this year and wanted to ask—where are the absolute best places to dive? There are so many options—Sharm, Hurghada, Marsa Alam, liveaboards—it’s overwhelming. Any favourites or must-see sites?
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7 Replies
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Great question, Tess. You’re in for a treat—the Red Sea is stunning. If this is your first time, I’d recommend starting with Marsa Alam. It’s quieter than Sharm and Hurghada, and the reefs are in excellent condition. Elphinstone Reef is a must-do—especially if you’re into sharks. I saw oceanic whitetips there last November.
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Richard’s right—Elphinstone is legendary. But if you’re open to a liveaboard, you could see a lot more. Some of the southern Red Sea itineraries hit places like Daedalus, Brothers, and St. John’s—super remote, pristine, and full of big life. That’s where I had my best encounters with hammerheads and manta rays.
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That sounds incredible. I’ve only done shore dives so far—do you think a liveaboard is too much for a first Red Sea trip?
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Not necessarily! If you’re comfortable in the water and okay with diving multiple times a day, liveaboards are an amazing way to see the best sites. But if you’d prefer something more relaxed, day trips from Marsa Alam or Hurghada can still be really rewarding.
But keep in mind, the northern Red Sea has some great wrecks too. If you’re into history, the Thistlegorm is one of the world’s top wreck dives. You can do it from Sharm el Sheikh or on a northern liveaboard. It’s packed with WWII artifacts—motorbikes, rifles, trucks—all still inside the wreck.
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Whoa, that sounds epic. Do I need a special cert for those deeper or wreck dives?
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For Thistlegorm, Advanced Open Water is usually required because it’s around 30 meters. And a wreck specialty helps, especially if you plan to penetrate the structure. For places like Brothers or Daedalus, guides often prefer you to have 50+ dives, since currents can be strong.
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Also worth noting: Sudan’s Red Sea is mind-blowing if you’re up for a more adventurous trip. Less crowded, amazing walls, and sites like Sha’ab Rumi—Jacques Cousteau’s old underwater base is still there!
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