Diving is one of the most exciting ways to discover the Red Sea during a holiday in Sharm El Sheikh. Beneath the surface, divers can experience coral formations, tropical fish and a completely different side of the Sinai coastline.

Sharm El Sheikh offers options for different experience levels. Complete beginners can try an introductory dive under professional supervision, while certified divers can consider more advanced diving programs and different Red Sea locations.

This guide explains diving in Sharm El Sheikh, the difference between introductory and certified diving, current Alfa diving experiences, popular marine areas such as Ras Mohammed and Tiran Island, safety considerations and what to know before booking.

Browse all current Sea & Water Activities or see all Sharm El Sheikh tours and experiences .

Why Dive in Sharm El Sheikh?

Sharm El Sheikh is located on the Red Sea and is known for clear water, coral reefs and marine activities.

Diving allows visitors to spend more time below the surface than snorkeling and explore the underwater environment using scuba equipment.

Depending on your experience and selected program, diving can be combined with:

Boat trips
Ras Mohammed
Tiran Island
White Island
Private boat experiences
Professional diving courses

Diving Options in Sharm El Sheikh

Experience	Best For	Previous Experience
Intro Diving	First-time divers	Not required
Tiran Island Intro Dive	Boat day with optional diving	Suitable for beginners according to current program
Ras Mohammed & White Island	Full Red Sea day with optional intro dive	Intro option available
Advanced Diving Course	Certified divers	Open Water certification required

Intro Diving for Beginners

If you have never tried scuba diving before, you do not necessarily need to begin with a full certification course.

Alfa's Intro Diving experience is designed for beginners and does not currently require previous diving experience or a diving licence.

The published program lasts approximately four hours and currently includes:

Introductory dive
Professional instructor
Full diving equipment
Boat trip
Underwater experience

This can be a practical option for travelers who are curious about scuba diving but are not yet ready to complete a certification course.

Do You Need a Diving Licence?

Not for every experience.

Alfa's current Intro Diving program does not require previous diving experience.

More advanced programs are different. The current Diving Course requires an Open Water certification and is not designed for beginners.

Always check the exact requirements of the selected experience before booking.

Advanced Diving Course

Certified divers looking to develop their skills can consider Alfa's Diving Course .

The current program is designed for certified divers and includes:

Advanced diving course
Professional instructor
Diving equipment
Multiple dives
Certification where applicable

An Open Water certification is currently required, and medical clearance may be requested depending on the diver.

Diving at Tiran Island

Tiran Island is one of the main marine excursion areas accessible from Sharm El Sheikh.

Alfa's Tiran Island Boat Trip currently lasts approximately nine hours and combines a Red Sea cruise with snorkeling or diving when the corresponding option is selected.

The published program includes two marine stops, buffet lunch, hotel pickup and drop-off, snorkeling equipment and a professional diving instructor.

The introductory dive option currently provides approximately 10 minutes underwater with an instructor.

Who Is Tiran Island Suitable For?

The current program states that the trip is suitable for beginners, but individual suitability for scuba diving still depends on health, age and participation conditions.

Scuba diving on this program is currently not suitable for:

Children under 10 years old
Pregnant women
Guests who do not meet the required physical conditions

Sea and weather conditions can also affect the day's program.

Diving at Ras Mohammed & White Island

Another option is the Boat Trip to Ras Mohammed & White Island .

This full-day yacht experience currently lasts around nine hours and visits marine areas around Ras Mohammed before including time at White Island.

Travelers can choose snorkeling or an applicable introductory diving option.

The current Intro Diving add-on provides approximately 10 minutes underwater with a professional instructor.

The trip also includes buffet lunch, drinks, transport and Ras Mohammed entrance fees according to the published program.

Ras Mohammed or Tiran Island for Diving?

They provide different Red Sea experiences rather than one automatically being better than the other.

Consider Ras Mohammed if you want:

A Red Sea day connected with Ras Mohammed National Park
White Island in the same itinerary
Snorkeling or introductory diving
A combination of marine scenery and a famous protected destination

Consider Tiran Island if you want:

A boat trip toward the Tiran area
Two marine stops according to the current itinerary
Snorkeling or diving options
A full yacht day on the Red Sea

If you are especially interested in Ras Mohammed, read our Ras Mohammed National Park Guide .

Private Diving and Boat Experiences

Travelers who prefer more privacy can consider Alfa's Private Boat .

The current private experience can include snorkeling or diving, and the route can be arranged toward Ras Mohammed or Tiran Island depending on the selected program and conditions.

Private trips can be useful for couples, families or groups who prefer a more flexible marine day.

Participation requirements for diving still apply even when the boat itself is private.

Intro Diving vs Snorkeling

Snorkeling and scuba diving provide very different underwater experiences.

Feature	Snorkeling	Intro Diving
Position	Mostly at the surface	Below the surface with scuba equipment
Equipment	Mask, snorkel and fins	Full scuba equipment
Instructor	Depends on excursion	Professional supervision required
Previous licence	No	Not required for Alfa Intro Diving

If you prefer staying near the surface, read our Snorkeling in Sharm El Sheikh Guide .

Is Diving Suitable for Complete Beginners?

Introductory diving is specifically designed to introduce beginners to scuba under professional supervision.

The instructor controls the training, equipment and underwater experience according to the program.

However, being a beginner does not automatically mean diving is suitable for every person.

Health conditions and other participation restrictions still apply.

Health Requirements for Diving

Diving places different demands on the body than normal swimming.

Alfa's current Intro Diving page states that the experience is not suitable for guests with certain heart, ear or respiratory problems and that a medical declaration may be required.

More advanced diving may also require medical clearance.

Never hide a medical condition from the instructor or dive operator.

If you are uncertain whether diving is suitable for you, seek appropriate medical advice before participating.

Diving During Pregnancy

Current Alfa boat programs that include introductory scuba diving state that scuba diving is not suitable for pregnant women.

Pregnant travelers can consider non-diving marine experiences instead, depending on their individual circumstances and medical advice.

Can Children Go Scuba Diving?

Child rules depend on the specific program.

The current Tiran Island and Ras Mohammed & White Island programs state that scuba diving is not suitable for children under 10 years old.

Parents should never assume that a child who can swim is automatically eligible to scuba dive.

Check age, health and activity requirements for the selected program before booking.

When Is the Best Time to Dive in Sharm El Sheikh?

Diving activities are available during different seasons, but the experience changes with water temperature, air temperature, wind and daily sea conditions.

Travelers who prefer warmer water often choose summer or early autumn, while spring and autumn can provide a comfortable balance between diving and other outdoor activities.

Read our Best Time to Visit Sharm El Sheikh guide for a seasonal comparison.

Red Sea Temperature for Diving

Sea temperature around Sharm El Sheikh changes throughout the year.

The water is warmer during summer and early autumn and cooler during winter.

Equipment and wetsuit choices should be based on current conditions, the planned dive and professional advice rather than only on the calendar.

See monthly averages in our Sharm El Sheikh Sea Temperature Guide .

What Marine Life Can You See?

The Red Sea supports diverse marine life and coral environments, but diving takes place in a natural ecosystem.

Specific fish, turtles or other marine animals can never be guaranteed on a particular dive.

Conditions, location, season and natural wildlife movement all affect what you may see.

Responsible divers should observe marine life without touching, feeding or disturbing it.

Diving and Coral Reef Protection

Coral reefs are fragile.

Responsible diving includes:

Do not touch coral
Do not stand on the reef
Maintain appropriate buoyancy
Do not collect coral, shells or marine organisms
Follow the instructor's route and instructions
Do not chase or touch marine animals
Avoid leaving any waste in the sea

What Is Included in Intro Diving?

Alfa's dedicated Intro Diving experience currently includes full diving equipment and a professional instructor.

Other boat trips may structure their diving options differently.

For example, the Ras Mohammed & White Island excursion lists introductory diving as an optional add-on, while Tiran Island allows diving when the relevant option is selected.

Always check the current tour page rather than assuming the same inclusions apply to every diving experience.

What Should You Bring?

Useful items for a diving or boat day can include:

Swimwear
Towel
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Hat
Passport or identification where required
Personal medication
Cash for optional expenses
Your diving certification if required for the selected program

Certified divers should confirm any documents or certification information required before the trip.

Diving Safety Tips

Listen carefully to the instructor's briefing.
Do not dive if you feel unwell.
Declare relevant medical conditions honestly.
Never dive outside your training or certification level.
Do not separate from your instructor or assigned dive group.
Follow all instructions for descent and ascent.
Use only properly fitted diving equipment.
Do not touch coral or marine animals.
Respect weather and sea-condition decisions made by the professional team.

Current Alfa Diving Experiences

Intro Diving — designed for first-time divers with professional instruction and full equipment.
Tiran Island Boat Trip — a full Red Sea boat day with snorkeling or diving options.
Ras Mohammed & White Island Boat Trip — snorkeling and optional introductory diving during a full-day yacht experience.
Private Boat — private Red Sea experience with snorkeling or diving possibilities.
Diving Course — advanced program for certified divers.

See all available marine activities in Sea & Water Activities .

Plan More of Your Red Sea Holiday

Frequently Asked Questions

Can beginners dive in Sharm El Sheikh?

Yes. Alfa's current Intro Diving experience is designed for beginners and does not require previous diving experience.

Do I need a diving licence?

Not for an introductory dive. Advanced programs such as Alfa's current Diving Course require Open Water certification.

How long is an intro dive?

It depends on the program. The current Tiran Island and Ras Mohammed & White Island boat programs list an introductory dive of approximately 10 minutes underwater.

Can children scuba dive?

Current Alfa Tiran Island and Ras Mohammed & White Island programs state that scuba diving is not suitable for children under 10 years old. Always check the exact program before booking.

Can pregnant women scuba dive?

Current Alfa boat programs state that scuba diving is not suitable for pregnant women.

Which is better for diving: Ras Mohammed or Tiran Island?

They offer different itineraries. Ras Mohammed & White Island combines the protected area with White Island, while the Tiran Island trip follows a different Red Sea route. The better choice depends on your preferred itinerary and available diving option.

Is equipment included?

Alfa's dedicated Intro Diving experience currently includes full diving equipment. Equipment arrangements differ between other boat programs, so check the selected tour page before booking.

Diving in Sharm El Sheikh: Complete Red Sea Guide