Best Time for Shark Diving Egypt

Best Time for Shark Diving Egypt — Red Sea Season Guide

The Red Sea has no fixed shark season — the right itinerary matters more than the calendar. Here is what the data shows, month by month.

From 813 € pp
Year-round
Shark encounters possible
5+
Species at key sites
Aug–Nov
Peak season
OWD+
Min. certification

In this article:

Hammerhead sharks at Daedalus Reef Egypt Red Sea
Brothers Islands Red Sea shark diving

Photos made aboard MY JPMarine during previous BDE expeditions

Does Egypt have a shark season?

Egypt’s Red Sea does not have a fixed shark season. Hammerheads, oceanic whitetips, threshers and grey reef sharks are present year-round at Daedalus, Elphinstone, Rocky Island and Zabargad. What changes month to month is depth, species dominance and water temperature — not whether sharks are there.

Peak season runs August to November: highest shark numbers, warmest water (27–30°C), best hammerhead and whitetip concentrations. Outside peak season, encounters are still regular — the difference is which itinerary you pick, not whether you go.

“

“September at Daedalus — hammerheads at 18 metres, flat water, morning light. Three dives in a row and they were there every time.”

— Catherine · Pelagic Trail guest

Month-by-month breakdown

Month Water Temp Main Species Notes
Jan–Feb 22–24°C Grey reef, whitetip, occasional thresher Fewer divers, good visibility. Hammerheads less frequent but present.
Mar–Apr 23–25°C Grey reef, oceanic whitetip building Shoulder season. Good value, quieter sites.
May–Jun 25–27°C 🦈 Hammerheads at 15–20m, OWD accessible Best months for OWD divers. Shallow formations at Daedalus.
Jul–Aug 28–30°C 🦈 Peak hammerhead numbers, 25–40m Highest numbers but deeper — AOWD recommended. Hot on deck.
Sep–Oct 27–29°C 🦈 Hammerheads + oceanic whitetip peak Best all-round window. Sharks shallowing again, whitetips at Elphinstone frequent.
Nov–Dec 24–26°C Oceanic whitetip, grey reef, occasional tiger End of peak. Still productive. Tiger sharks at Rocky Island Nov–Dec.

Choosing the right itinerary is key

The Red Sea does not have a fixed shark season — encounters depend on choosing the right itinerary. If shark diving is your priority, the route you pick matters more than the month.

Itinerary Main shark sites Cert. required From
🦈 BDE Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone AOWD + 50 dives 813 €
🔹 Pelagic Trail Daedalus, Elphinstone, Sataya OWD+ 813 €
🔹 Golden Mix Final 2026 Daedalus, Zabargad, St Johns, Sataya AOWD 813 €

🦈 BDE — Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone is the dedicated shark route: the most consistent site selection for pelagic encounters in the Red Sea.
🔹 Pelagic Trail — OWD welcome, covers hammerheads, whitetips and dolphins in one week.
🔹 Golden Mix — entire southern Red Sea circuit in 7 nights. Ends permanently after 2026 season.

Unsure which itinerary fits your certification and timing?

Check available dates or reach out — we answer quickly.

Or prefer email? info@divesafarimaster.com

Top shark diving sites in Egypt

Site Best months Depth range Min. cert.
Daedalus Reef May–Oct 15–40m OWD (Blue Trail) / AOWD (Red Trail)
Elphinstone Year-round 15–30m AOWD recommended (currents)
Brothers Islands Year-round 10–40m AOWD + 50 dives
Rocky Island Nov–Dec (tiger), year-round (reef) 10–30m AOWD
Zabargad Year-round 15–35m AOWD

Species by site

Species Main sites Best window
Scalloped hammerhead Daedalus, Brothers May–Oct
Oceanic whitetip Elphinstone, Daedalus, Brothers Year-round, peak Sep–Nov
Thresher shark Elphinstone (dawn dives) May–Jun, Oct–Nov
Grey reef shark Brothers, Daedalus wall Year-round
Tiger shark Rocky Island, Zabargad Nov–Dec
Shark diving briefing aboard MY JPMarine Red Sea liveaboard
Divers entering water at Daedalus Reef Egypt
Underwater shark encounter aboard BDE expedition MY JPMarine

Photos made aboard MY JPMarine during previous BDE expeditions

Questions about timing, certification, or which itinerary fits? Sofia answers fast.

Our Best-Selling Itineraries

Each route hand-crafted by our team. Solo divers, groups, and full charters welcome.

Pelagic Trail — Big Fish, Hammerheads & Dolphins liveaboard Red Sea
Pelagic Trail
Big Fish, Hammerheads & Dolphins
OWD & above From 813 €
View Itinerary
Brothers Daedalus Elphinstone — Ultimate Shark Diving
Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone
Ultimate Shark Diving Itinerary
AOWD + 50 dives From 813 €
View Itinerary
Final Season 2026
Golden Mix — Two weeks program in just one week
Golden Mix
Two weeks program in just one week
AOWD From 813 €
View Itinerary

Shark diving MY JPMarine — photos by Franziska Stier

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PADI Advanced Open Water Diver courses run aboard MY JPMarine every week. Complete your certification mid-trip and unlock the Red Trail at Daedalus (25–40m) and Brothers Islands on the same journey.

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FAQ

Questions we get every week

What is the best month for shark diving in Egypt?
September and October are the strongest all-round window: hammerheads present and shallowing, oceanic whitetips at peak, water at 27–29°C. May–June is best for OWD divers specifically — hammerheads hold at 15–20m on the Blue Trail at Daedalus. July and August have the highest numbers but sharks go deeper — AOWD recommended. Outside peak season, encounters are still regular; the itinerary matters more than the month.
Does Egypt have a fixed shark season?
No. Sharks are present year-round at Daedalus, Elphinstone, Brothers Islands and Rocky Island. What changes month to month is species dominance and depth. Hammerheads peak May–October, oceanic whitetips peak September–November, tiger sharks appear at Rocky Island and Zabargad November–December. Grey reef sharks are on every dive at Brothers Islands regardless of season.
Which itinerary should I pick for shark diving?
For dedicated shark diving with AOWD and 50+ logged dives: BDE — Brothers, Daedalus, Elphinstone is the right route. For OWD divers or those wanting a wider species mix including dolphins: Pelagic Trail from €813. AOWD divers wanting the full southern circuit before the 2026 final season should look at Golden Mix. Contact us on WhatsApp if unsure — we will tell you directly.
Can I dive with sharks on OWD certification?
Yes. Open Water certification is sufficient for shark diving on the Blue Trail at Daedalus Reef (15–20m) — hammerheads, oceanic whitetips, silky sharks. No shark specialty, no extra course. AOWD unlocks the Red Trail (25–40m) where the largest hammerhead formations school — that course is available aboard mid-trip and takes 2–3 days.
How warm is the water during shark season?
Peak season (August–November): 27–30°C — 3mm wetsuit sufficient. Shoulder months May–June and November–December: 24–27°C — 5mm wetsuit recommended. January–April is the coolest window at 22–25°C — 5–7mm wetsuit. Visibility is 20–40m year-round at the offshore sites.
Are there tiger sharks in the Red Sea?
Yes — tiger sharks are sighted at Rocky Island and Zabargad, most reliably November–December. They are not the primary target species on most itineraries but are encountered on the Golden Mix and BDE routes which cover the southern Red Sea sites.

Shark Diving Egypt — Check Dates for Your Season

Book directly — no agency fees, no hidden costs. Saturday departures year-round from Port Ghalib.

Or email us: info@divesafarimaster.com