Can Open Water Divers Dive with Sharks? | Red Sea Guide

Can Open Water Divers Dive with Sharks in the Red Sea?

Yes. Four shark species patrol depths of 5–18 m in the southern Red Sea — within OWD limits. Here’s where to find them aboard MY JPMarine.

From 813 € pp
4
Shark Species
18 m
Max OWD Depth
OWD
Min. Certification
Hurghada
Departure Airport

In this article:

Whitetip reef shark resting on sandy bottom in the southern Red Sea
Grey reef shark swimming along a coral wall at Elphinstone reef
Oceanic whitetip shark with pilot fish in blue open water

Sharks in the Red sea

Shark Species You Can See as an Open Water Diver

Open Water Divers are certified to 18 metres. Four shark species in the southern Red Sea patrol well within that limit.

Species Depth Range Key Sites Behaviour
Oceanic whitetip 5–15 m Elphinstone, Daedalus, Brothers Approaches divers during safety stops
Whitetip reef shark 8–16 m St Johns, Habili Ali, Habili Gafar Rests under ledges, passive
Grey reef shark 10–18 m Elphinstone north plateau, Big Brother Patrols reef edges, often in groups
Hammerhead 12–18 m at dawn Daedalus, Brothers Schools deeper, individuals rise at dawn

“

“The oceanic whitetip came up during our safety stop at 5 metres — nobody expected it that shallow.”

— Marco, dive guide aboard MY JPMarine

Ready to book your shark dive trip?

Check available dates or reach out — we answer quickly.

Or prefer email? info@divesafarimaster.com

Where to Dive with Sharks — Sites Within 18 m

Four reef systems in the southern Red Sea put sharks within OWD depth limits. Site conditions vary — check certification requirements per itinerary.

Site Shark Depth Species Itinerary
Elphinstone 5–18 m Oceanic whitetip, grey reef BDE, Golden Mix
Daedalus 10–15 m (reef top) Hammerhead, oceanic whitetip Pelagic Trail, BDE
St Johns 8–14 m Whitetip reef shark St Johns
Big Brother 5–18 m Grey reef, oceanic whitetip BDE

OWD vs AOWD: What Changes for Shark Diving?

Dive Sites Within 18 m
Where OWD divers see sharks.
Elphinstone — oceanic whitetip, grey reef
5–18 m
Daedalus — hammerhead, oceanic whitetip
10–15 m
St Johns — whitetip reef shark
8–14 m
Big Brother — grey reef, oceanic whitetip
5–18 m

Dark dots — sites on BDE and Pelagic Trail (AOWD + 50 dives). Light dots — available on St Johns and Golden Mix (OWD accepted).

Want access to deeper sites?

Upgrade to AOWD During Your Trip

PADI Advanced Open Water Diver courses run aboard MY JPMarine every week. Complete your certification mid-trip and unlock Pelagic Trail and BDE sites on the same journey.

View Courses Aboard →

What to Expect on a Shark Dive Aboard MY JPMarine

Shark-focused liveaboard week

MY JPMarine departs from Hurghada, Saturday–Saturday. 19–21 dives scheduled per week.

🚐 Airport transfers included — within the defined timeframe from Hurghada airport. Transfer details →
🦈 3–4 dives per day — including early morning hammerhead dives
✔️ Dedicated shark briefings — species, positioning, safety signals
✔️ Nitrox available — longer bottom time on deep sites
✔️ Full equipment rental onboard
18–21
dives / week
7 nights
aboard
3–4
dives daily
AOWD
minimum level

Shark Dive Safety — Briefings, Protocols, Behaviour

Shark dives are routine on every MY JPMarine trip. Briefings cover species-specific behaviour: oceanic whitetips approach closely at the surface — stay still, maintain eye contact. Grey reef sharks keep distance but react to erratic movement. Whitetip reef sharks are passive unless disturbed.

🔹 No touching, chasing, or feeding sharks

🔹 Stay with your buddy and guide at all times

🔹 Neutral buoyancy — no dangling equipment

🔹 Follow guide signals to ascend or reposition

🔹 Dive insurance mandatory — see options

Full protocol breakdown: shark dives safety guide.

Dive guide giving shark briefing on the dive deck of MY JPMarine
Diver with shark in the Red Sea

Photos made aboard MY JPMarine

Not sure which route fits your certification? Ask Sofia — she answers in minutes.

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
AOWD + 50 dives 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

JPMarine Red Sea liveaboard scuba diving trips Egypt
Dive team preparing for Shark discovery
Divers on the sundeck between dives aboard MY JPMarine

Photos made aboard MY JPMarine

We are in business since 1999

Your Safety is Our Standard

MY JPMarine — built and maintained to the highest safety standards

PADI Logo
Water activities according to PADI Standards
28
Smoke Detectors
33
Fire Extinguishers
2
Life Rafts (25 seats each)
2
Zodiacs
O₂
Emergency Supply
EPIRB
Satellite Beacon
PADI Certified HEPCA Member CDWS Licensed Card Payment 30-Year Captain

FAQ

Questions we get every week

Yes. Several shark species in the Red Sea — including oceanic whitetips, whitetip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, and hammerheads — regularly appear at depths between 5 and 18 m, which is within the OWD depth limit.
Not always. Some itineraries like St Johns and Golden Mix accept OWD divers and include sites where shark encounters happen within 18 m. Other routes like Pelagic Trail and BDE require AOWD + 50 logged dives due to currents and deep walls.
Oceanic whitetips (5–15 m), whitetip reef sharks (8–16 m), grey reef sharks (10–18 m), and hammerheads (individual animals sometimes rise to 12–18 m at dawn).
Yes. MY JPMarine conducts dedicated shark dive briefings before every dive, covering species behaviour, positioning, and safety protocols. Guides accompany every group. The crew has over 25 years of experience running shark dives in the southern Red Sea.
Yes. MY JPMarine offers PADI courses aboard, including the Advanced Open Water Diver course. You can complete the certification during your trip and access deeper dive sites on the same week.
Oceanic whitetips are present year-round but peak between September and November. Hammerhead schools are most common between June and September at Daedalus and the Brothers. Grey reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks are resident species visible throughout the year.

Ready to See Sharks in the Red Sea?

Book directly — no agency fees, no hidden costs.

Or email us: info@divesafarimaster.com