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Best diving destinations in Africa

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Sharm el-Sheikh
Coral Reefs, Desert Safaris, Endless Sun
7.4
German bombers sank the SS Thistlegorm in 1941 and it lies about 30 metres deep near Ras Muhammad National Park. Jacques Cousteau found the wreck in the early 1950s. Recreational diving resumed in the 1990s. Divers see trucks, motorcycles and two steam locomotives on the seabed.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Enjoy nightlife and shopping at SOHO Square
  • 🏖️ Relax and swim at the popular Naama Bay Beach
  • 🤿 Explore vibrant coral reefs at Ras Mohammed National Park
Hurghada
Red Sea Bliss and Adventure
7.0
Dive sites surround the Giftun Islands off this resort city. Shipwrecks such as the El Mina and the Rosalie Moller can be seen near Abu Ramada and Fanadir. Hurghada was founded in 1905 as an Ababda fishing village. Investment from the 1980s turned it into a major Red Sea resort.
Highlights:
  • 🚢 Ride a submarine tour to explore Red Sea depths
  • 🐠 Discover marine life at Hurghada Grand Aquarium
  • 🤿 Snorkel vibrant coral reefs at Giftun Islands
South Africa
Where wildlife meets diverse landscapes
7.6
Visibility can reach 30 metres over the reefs of Sodwana Bay on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast. About 35,000 scuba divers visit each year. The bay lies within a marine protected area and has reef building corals. A resident population of coelacanths was found in a submarine canyon there in 2000.
Highlights:
  • 🌄 Explore the scenic Blyde River Canyon
  • 🥾 Hike to Maclear’s Beacon on Table Mountain
  • 🐘 Go on safari in Kruger National Park
Sudan
Ancient pyramids beyond the crowds
5.0
Sha'ab Rumi reef is about 35 kilometres from Port Sudan. Jacques Cousteau placed underwater habitats there in 1963 and relics remain for divers to see. The Umbria wreck was scuttled in 1940 with a cargo of bombs and lies near the port. Liveaboards also visit Sanganeb for hammerhead sharks.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Wander through Khartoum’s bustling Omdurman Souq
  • 🚤 Cruise along the Nile and visit archaeological sites
  • 🏜️ Explore the ancient pyramids of Meroë in the desert
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