Safaga is a small town located in the eastern part of Egypt, situated along the Red Sea, approximately 60 kilometers south of Hurghada. In ancient times, it was a modest fishing village, but today it is primarily known for its international port, from which pilgrimages to Mecca depart. The extraordinary sight of the azure sea blending into the desert landscape makes Safaga a remarkable city that combines oriental and Arabic cultures. Surrounding the town, there are numerous diving spots, which is why our Diving Center in Safaga chose this location to establish its operations.
Safaga is a charming place that tourists visit less frequently compared to Hurghada. This has resulted in the local reefs remaining almost pristine and untouched, teeming with more fish than divers beneath the water’s surface. If you want to ensure that diving in Safaga is anything but boring and monotonous, we invite you to join us at Dive-Top. Together, we will embark on a diving adventure in some of the world’s most beautiful reefs.
Setting off on our boat, we will encounter the first reefs just a few minutes away. These reefs are inhabited by tropical fish species, dolphins, turtles, rays, and other equally stunning marine creatures. For wreck diving enthusiasts, exploring the resting place of Al Khafain or the Salem Express ferry will be an exciting option. Beginners, on the other hand, will have the opportunity to develop their skills in calmer and shallower yet equally beautiful spots.
Venturing into the sea, Safaga diving will provide you with an exhilarating experience at Tobia Arba, Panorama Reef, and other intriguing locations.
Max depth: 16 m
distance: 35 min
difficulty level (1-5): 1
Tobia Kebira is an oval-shaped, shallow reef that is perfect for divers of all levels. The shallow depth near the boat mooring spot makes it an ideal location for the first day of diving. After entering the water and achieving buoyancy, we swim along the main reef in a northern direction. As we pass through a channel with beautiful coral walls and sandy eels near the bottom, the depth gradually increases to a maximum of 16 meters. It is possible to do a second dive on the southern formations, which extend southward all the way to Tobia Soraya. In this case, it is recommended to swim through the channel and follow the right side of the outer eastern reef.
While exploring the main reef, you may encounter typical Egyptian marine creatures such as rays, moray eels, butterflyfish, octopuses, scorpionfish, and lionfish. However, it’s worth keeping an eye on the open blue waters. With a bit of luck, you may come across eagle rays, barracudas, or Napoleon wrasses.
Max depth 13m
distance: 35min
difficulty level (1-5): 2
Tobia Soraya is a highly diverse and charming location, consisting of three distinct coral blocks that can be circumnavigated in approximately 50 minutes. The western chain of ergs is worth exploring from the perspective of shallow passages (4-6 meters), and it is essential to conclude the dive near the beautiful pinnacles. The northern formation features a stunning garden within a mini-cove and an impressive pinnacle adorned with gorgonians and glassfish. The most captivating feature of the eastern formation is the picturesque canyon and a small cave that can be swum through.
Tobia Soraya is a place full of variety and beauty. Here, you can encounter rays, octopuses, schools of glassfish, and the vibrant bigeye emperor fish. Occasionally, eagle rays or Napoleon wrasses also make their appearance in this area.
Max depth 15 m
distance: 30 min
difficulty level (1-5): 1
This shallow horseshoe-shaped reef is perfect for divers of all levels. In the center of the main reef, there is a beautiful, circular lagoon. The depth at the boat mooring spot is around 6 meters. As we swim along the main reef towards the north, we will come across stunning coral blocks, and the depth gradually increases to a maximum of 15 meters. On the southern end, there is a large coral block that forms a passage with the main reef. This area is rich in coral diversity. Here, you can encounter schools of small colorful fish, and near the bottom, you often find camouflaged marine creatures such as scorpionfish, octopuses, and even crocodile fish.
Max. depth -16m
distance: 30min
difficulty level (1-5): 2
One of the most charming reefs located near the marina, it consists of a main circular block and several smaller and larger ergs. The dive begins at the southern part of the main reef, where the depth is around 12 meters. However, the most interesting parts are the eastern and northern sections, where we can also find ergs. It’s worth exploring them thoroughly as you may encounter eagle rays, barracudas, and large rays. On the way back, near the main reef, it’s recommended to ascend to a depth of 5-7 meters to take a closer look at the beautiful garden of hard corals and schools of fish gracefully swaying with the waves. If you still have around 80-100 bars of air towards the end of the dive, it’s worth heading east from the main reef to witness a large horseshoe-shaped erg.
Max depth: 15m
distance: 35min
difficulty level (1-5): 2
A highly distinctive spot indeed. It consists of 7 closely grouped pillars at a depth of around 12 meters. They are adorned with beautiful hard and soft corals, each having its unique features. The first pillar from the north is where we always encounter several lionfish and occasionally a scorpionfish. Between the next two pillars, there is an interesting passage that we always swim through, leading directly to a small rock where moray eels often dwell. The most fascinating is the second pillar from the south. It has a small cave passing through it, too narrow to enter but intriguing enough to peep inside and admire the stunning soft corals and schools of glassfish. On the other side, we’ll find numerous lionfish, sometimes even hunting for small fish. While moving from one pillar to another, it’s worth keeping a keen eye on the seabed as we might spot a giant trevally, octopuses, scorpionfish, and even Napoleon wrasses.
Max depth: 20m
distance: 40min
difficulty level (1-5): 2
This is a long reef along the coast of Abu Soma, and as the name suggests, it’s a beautiful garden stretching for about one and a half kilometers. It begins with shallow lagoons and gradually slopes down, covered with hard corals, until reaching the sandy bottom at a depth of 15-20 meters. This place is well-known for its many moray eels that hide in various nooks and crannies. You can also encounter boxfish, trumpetfish, rays, and on shallower areas, a plethora of colorful fish in schools. It’s worth keeping an eye on the open blue water as barracudas, eagle rays, and occasionally even dolphins like to travel along this reef.
Max depth: 120m
distance: 45min
difficulty level (1-5): 3
To the north of Abu Soma Garden, we enter a place called Ras Abu Soma. Diving there is typically done from a boat moored at the last or penultimate mooring point, or alternatively, from a zodiac. The northern part of this site features a majestic wall that descends to a depth of one hundred to several dozen meters. In the southern section, a plateau emerges, which, if the currents permit, can be circumnavigated along its outer edge. Towards the end of the dive, it’s possible to cut across the plateau and finish near the wall of Abu Soma Garden. This location offers great diversity, and it’s worth keeping an eye out for encounters with larger marine creatures.
Max. depth: 30m
distance: 35min
difficulty level (1-5): 2
Tobia Hamra is located south of Ras Abu Soma and north of Sandy Island. Diving here is not complicated. The reef gradually slopes from 5 to 30 meters. There are three shipwreck sites for mooring. Tobia Hamra is popular for its beautiful coral garden, interspersed with numerous sandy channels. It is an excellent spot for underwater photography. Visitors often encounter scorpionfish, moray eels, and lionfish, while deeper areas may reveal the presence of turtles.
Max depth: >100m
distance: 60min
difficulty level (1-5): 3
Panorama Reef, located approximately an hour away from the port, is one of the well-known dive sites in Safaga frequently visited by safari boats. It stretches for 1 kilometer and has an oval shape. At both ends, there are plateaus starting at 15 meters and gradually descending to around 30 meters. The plateaus are entirely covered with both hard and soft corals, providing a habitat for various marine creatures, including stingrays, lionfish, octopuses, scorpionfish, and crocodile fish. Divers can also keep an eye out for turtles, barracudas, and even sharks in the open waters. Those who appreciate wall diving will fall in love with the beautifully sculpted shelves and the mesmerizing view of the “big blue.” Diving at the southern plateau is typically done from boats, while the northern part offers drift diving opportunities using zodiacs or boats for a one-way drift dive.
Max. depth: 30m
distance: 80min
difficulty level (1-5): 3
Located 80 minutes away from the port, there is a large circular reef with dozens of small, shallow ergs in the southeast corner. On the northern and western sides, you’ll find coral gardens that descend to around 30 meters. In the south, at a depth of 20 meters, there stands a solitary erg. Towards the east, a vast plateau stretches all the way to Hal-Hal, covering a length of nearly 500 meters. It is adorned with one of the most picturesque gardens of hard corals in the Red Sea. There is also a drop-off, but it is located far to the northeast of the main reef.
Max. depth: >100m
distance: 100min
difficulty level (1-5): 4
Abu Kafan is a long, elongated reef located over 90 minutes away from Safaga. Its name translates to “depth,” and once you dive there, you’ll understand why. The walls descend vertically to several hundred meters. On the northern and southern ends, you’ll find beautiful plateaus adorned with soft corals. The southern plateau is extensive, starting at around 18 meters and stretching southward to depths of approximately 50 meters. Near the reef, there is a large and colorful erg, and on the wall, you’ll encounter beautiful and majestic overhangs and gorgonians. Outside the reef, there is a good chance of encountering barracudas, large tunas, and turtles, and with a bit of luck, you may even spot a shark.
Max. depth: 32m
distance: 95min
difficulty level (1-5): 4
The Salem Express is the wreck of a passenger ferry that sank in 1991 while en route from Saudi Arabia to Safaga. After hitting a reef, the ferry sank and settled at a depth of 30 meters, with the port side resting at 10 meters. The over 100-meter-long wreck is adorned with corals and creates an incredible impression. For more advanced divers, there is the opportunity to explore the interior, including the dining area, corridors, and captain’s bridge. On the stern, you can admire the large propellers and the dark entrance to the aft section, which was once blocked by a massive hatch. Scattered around the wreck, both inside and outside, you’ll find personal belongings, radios, bags, clothes, and various other items reminiscent of the great tragedy that claimed the lives of several hundred people on their final journey.
Max depth: 30m
distance: 90min
difficulty level (1-5): 3
The reef has an elongated shape and is approximately 1 kilometer long. It is a fantastic dive site with two excellent diving spots at both ends. At the eastern end, Shaab Sheer, you’ll find three ergs that create a channel with the main reef. Outside the channel, there is an extensive garden of hard corals with a mystical, moonlit atmosphere that you won’t find anywhere else. Inside the three ergs, you’ll discover magnificent caves, grottos, and overhangs where beautiful light plays occur. This location is often visited by dolphins. Diving in the western part starts with a shallow passage. Sometimes you may need to swim against the current for a while before entering a beautiful and clear garden. Continuing along the main reef, you’ll encounter an inclined wall of hard corals.
Max depth: 18m
distance: 90min
difficulty level (1-5): 2
Located 800m south of Shaab Sheer is Shaab Sheer Soraya. This round-shaped reef, with a maximum depth of 18m, is one of the options for a second dive after visiting the Salem Express wreck, which is nearby. The reef itself consists mainly of hard corals with numerous small caves and grottos where you can find scorpionfish, moray eels, and nudibranchs. There are always schools of fusiliers and bannerfish present in the area as well.
Max depth: 26m
distance: 90min
difficulty level (1-5): 3
This is a large (115m) wreck lying at a depth of 22-24m. It was originally built in 1967 as a passenger and car ferry and had various names, with its last name before changing to Al Khafain being Poseidonia. On its final voyage on November 22nd, 2005, different versions of the story exist. One suggests a collision with the Abu Nuhas reef (also known as the Iron Reef), while another mentions a fire. Regardless, the entire crew abandoned the ship, which drifted southward until eventually colliding with the Shaab Sheer reef. There, it rests upside down against the reef wall. The most interesting parts of the ship to explore are the bow and stern, but it’s also worth venturing inside, particularly the large room filled with dozens of life jackets. Strong currents are common in the area, and diving can only be done by jumping off a boat or zodiac and swimming in one direction until reaching a point where the boat can be anchored (approximately 50 minutes of swimming).
Max depth: 20m
distance: 95min
difficulty level (1-5): 5
This outer reef is only accessible in calm weather conditions, as it provides no protection to boats from waves. The main dive site consists of two large blocks covered in a variety of corals. Between them, there is a channel where bannerfish can always be found. The entire reef is teeming with schools of fish, and encounters with Napoleon wrasse, turtles, tunas, barracudas, and occasionally eagle rays are common. Strong currents can be encountered in this area.
Max depth 18m
distance: 85min
difficulty level (1-5): 3
Shaab Claude is a chain of small reefs located to the south of the eastern end of Shaab Sheer. It features a distinct erg in the southeast, and in the southwest corner, there is a long ridge composed of several smaller ergs. The entire reef is situated on sandy seabed at a depth of 15-18 meters. Strong currents can be experienced in this area. The most fascinating side of the reef is the eastern side, where you can encounter schools of groupers, bannerfish, parrotfish, turtles, and even unicornfish.
Max depth: 20m
distance: 80min
difficulty level (1-5): 3
About 5 kilometers north of Ras Abu Soma lies a cape known as Ras Umm Hesiwa. To the northwest from there towards Sharm El Naga, there is a lesser-known reef called Shaab Saiman. A hard coral ridge runs parallel to the coastline and is separated from the main reef by a narrow sandy canyon. The canyon reaches a shallow depth of 8 meters and gently slopes deeper in all directions. The ridge of the reef itself lies at a shallowest point of 2 meters. Beyond the ridge, towards the open sea, there is a wide plateau ranging in depth from 15 to 20 meters. Shaab Saiman can only be visited in calm weather conditions. You can encounter various species of fish here, including barracudas, groupers, eagle rays, and even sharks.
Max depth: 80m
distance: 80min
difficulty level (1-5): 5
In a free translation: “beautiful reef,” and that’s exactly how it looks. However, to make diving in this location possible, ideal weather conditions are required. The current on this reef is almost always present and often strong. The reef consists of two smaller blocks with an abundance of soft corals and gorgonians, and it also features a beautiful drop-off starting at 30 meters and reaching 80 meters. It is one of the most beautiful, colorful, and vibrant reefs in Safaga. Due to its location, it is common to encounter large fish in this area.
