The Islands - Dive site - Egypt

A guide to scuba diving at the Islands

Dive site: The Islands

Location: Egypt, North Sinai

Dive type: Reef dive, shore dive, naturalist dive

Skill level: Beginner

Visibility: The average visibility in the Islands is 20m / 65ft.

Depth: The maximum depth at The Islands is 16 m / 52 ft and the average depth is 12 m / 40 ft.

Water temperature: Water temperatures at The Islands varies according to season. The water around The Islands is warmest in September - around 27° C / 81° F - and coldest in February, when it is usually around 20° C /68° F.

Dive site information: The Islands is an intense concentration of patch reefs and coral pinnacles, forming a virtual labyrinth of peaks, corridors, bowls, valleys, amphitheatres, sand patches, deep wells and high coral peaks. This amazing display has been formed in an extraordinary sheltered location off the Dahab shore. The Islands is without doubt offering one of the best coral dives in the Sinai area.

Marine life: The elaborate seascape at The Islands is heavily covered in pristine hard and soft coral. The reef is often compared to an enormous glistering jewel. The coral diversity is outstanding, as is the density and health. Among the corals you will find a vibrant and diverse animal life as well. One of the best spots to sea barracuda is a big sand-bottomed amphitheatre situated halfway along the reef, where enormous schools of young barracuda gather together and circle around like a cyclone of silver. The Islands are also home to snappers, surgeons, unicorns and a vide range of other colourful reef species. Emperors, rabbitfish, birdnose wrasse, sea bream and big triggerfish are commonly encountered, as well as some turtles.