Hala'ib and Gebel Elba sit at the far southern edge of Egypt's Red Sea coast, near the border with Sudan, and all diving here is done from a liveaboard. Sites include offshore reefs such as Pfeiffer Reef and Elba Reef, a wreck in the form of the SS Isola di Levanzo resting well beyond recreational depth, and wall and drop-off topography. Currents can be strong and conditions shift quickly at these exposed locations. Skill requirements span intermediate to expert, and the species list includes whale sharks, silvertip sharks, whitetip reef sharks, and green sea turtles alongside dense reef life. The area's remoteness keeps diving pressure low.
Monthly water temperature across Hala'ib & Gebel Elba's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperatures are coolest from February to April, then climb through summer to peak warmth in August and September before easing back in winter. Divers visiting in cooler months will want a thicker wetsuit, particularly at depth on sites like Elba Reef where the water stays on the lower end of the seasonal range.
5 operators
Water temperature around Hala'ib & Gebel Elba ranges from about 24°C in March to 29°C in August, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 29°C) a rash guard or 3mm shorty is comfortable in Hala'ib & Gebel Elba; in the coldest months (about 24°C) step up to a 3mm full suit.
Fin maps 9 sites in Hala'ib & Gebel Elba (9 scuba diving sites).
7 more sites to explore
