Daedalus Reef

Marsa Alam, Red sea

Egypt

Image credit: Juraj Hrabovsky – HUP

Dive site

Daedalus reef is a remote divesite in “the middle” of the Red sea hosting an old lighthouse manned by a small crew of the Egyptian coast guard. You might be allowed to visit the lighthouse, although this is not guaranteed. Accessible by liveaboards only, Daedalus represents a serious dive site with depths and strong currents which can change unexpectedly. Advanced diving experience is strongly recommended. Diving can be done as wall diving, drift or deep dives, all depending on the conditions at the time of the dive. The dive boats are anchored at the plateau at the south side of the reef, close to the lighthouse, where it is possible to dive from the boat. More remote sites are accessible by zodiac.   Due to the safety reasons – sharks and currents – there is no night diving and snorkeling allowed.

What to expect

  • Dive type: Reef, Deep, Drift, Technical, Wall
  • Water: Salt
  • Access: Liveaboard
  • Experience Level: Advanced, Pro, Tec
  • Current: Strong, Moderate
  • Max. depth: 40+m
  • Visibility: 30-40m
Although the conditions can be challenging, the site offers one the best locations to see pelagic wildlife and is well worth a visit.   Oceanic white tip sharks patrol the reef reguraly, often in shallow depth so they are almost certain to spot. They are quite inquisitive and like to come close to investigate. Other species such as mantas or hammerheads are found in deeper depths.You may also encounter barracudas, napoleon wrasses and other types of sharks such as silky sharks.

Best time to dive

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While Daedalus Reef is diveable year-round, optimal conditions are typically found between April and October, when water temperatures range from 24°C to 28°C and visibility peaks. Notably:

May to June: Increased chances of encountering whale sharks and manta rays.

June to September: Prime season for hammerhead shark sightings.

October to January: Best period to spot oceanic whitetip sharks.

Autumn and Winter: Higher likelihood of encountering thresher sharks.

Boats at Daedalus reef, Red Sea
Daedalus reef pier and lighthouse, Red Sea
Daedalus reef - north-west side, Red Sea
Boats at Daedalus reef, Red Sea

WILDLIFE ... or meet the locals

Manta ray
Manta ray
Daedalus is an excellent site to dive with Oceanic whitetip sharks (Carcharhinus longimanus), but other shark species regularly visit the site as well. If you are lucky, you may be treated to an encounter with Hammerhead sharks. Manta rays also make occasional visits. Diving along the wall is a great way to observe Napoleon wrasses and Barracudas. The reef wall hosts a variety of coral species.

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Where is the dive site

Marsa Alam, Red sea
Egypt
Local Airport: Marsa Alam

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Oceanics, Hammerheads and Mantas

13/01/2025

The great site for pelagic wildlife – diving with oceanic white-tip sharks was an incredible experience. Other sharks can be seen, although they are rarer than oceanics, with the icing on the cake being hammerheads. Manta rays will make your day of diving perfect.

Conditions can sometimes be challenging with currents and depth.

JH H
​

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DIvesite credits

Dive site info – HappyUnderPressure, Wildlife image credits: Franziska Strier,

Do you have a better photos of the divesite or its wildlife?

Submit them to: hello@happyunderpressure.com

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