Explore Daedalus

The Daedalus reef lies to the east of Marsa Alam on the coast of the Red Sea in Egypt. It is a shallow reef which has steep drop offs along all sides. This is a mecca for large marine species and the main highlight of why divers visit here. It is located far out and has heavy currents which attracts species such as Hammerheads, Thresher Sharks, Whale Sharks, Manta Rays...and more! Even though these large species are absolutely bucket list, Daedalus also offers some incredible coral tables and coral walls, including an entire wall covered in Anemones and all the Clownfish defending their homes, an adorable sight to see.

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    Diving in Daedalus

    Even though there is a variety of depths and types of dives, it is recommended that divers have some experience before they come here due to the deeper depths and the currents. There are gorgeous coral walls to drift past, flourishing reefs to glide over and drops offs to revel over. There is also an intensely thrilling wreck lying at 80 to 100 metres for tec divers to have a truly unique experience. The dive sites are accessed by liveaboards from Marsa Alam or Hurghada.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Daedalus

    Daedalus is known for being one of the top diving areas in the Red Sea to spot sharks. There is a variety of shark species here of which many will definitely be on divers bucket lists. The species include Hammerhead Sharks, Whitetip Reef Sharks, Silvertip Reef Sharks, Whale Sharks and the elusive and adorable Thresher Sharks. Out in the blue divers can spot large pelagic species including Tuna, Barracuda and even the majestic Manta Rays! Aside from the larger species the impressive, flourishing, circular reef here also houses an abundance of marine species. Another adorable spectacle is the wall which is covered in Anemones and their inhabitants protecting their precious homes.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Barracuda

    Barracuda
    1.2k Sightings
    J
    8
    F
    0
    M
    50
    A
    53
    M
    80
    J
    99
    J
    118
    A
    62
    S
    147
    O
    225
    N
    252
    D
    74
    Alamy-Christian Zappel
    Scalloped Hammerhead

    Scalloped Hammerhead
    1.1k Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    47
    M
    114
    J
    225
    J
    165
    A
    168
    S
    125
    O
    85
    N
    136
    D
    10
    Alamy/National Geographic Image Collection
    Oceanic Whitetip Shark

    Oceanic Whitetip Shark
    967 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    22
    M
    39
    J
    39
    J
    18
    A
    15
    S
    36
    O
    309
    N
    449
    D
    40

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    iStock/ultramarinfoto
    Wrasse

    Wrasse
    736 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    38
    A
    45
    M
    92
    J
    76
    J
    57
    A
    67
    S
    74
    O
    127
    N
    122
    D
    38
    AdobeStock/G Russel Childress
    Great Hammerhead Shark

    Great Hammerhead Shark
    594 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    36
    M
    68
    J
    110
    J
    81
    A
    83
    S
    77
    O
    41
    N
    80
    D
    18

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Alamy-WaterFrame
    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel
    564 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    30
    A
    41
    M
    76
    J
    66
    J
    35
    A
    22
    S
    37
    O
    102
    N
    118
    D
    37
    iStock-crisod
    Reef Manta Ray

    Reef Manta Ray
    542 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    34
    M
    110
    J
    80
    J
    52
    A
    48
    S
    87
    O
    25
    N
    83
    D
    23
    iStock/Divepic
    Giant Oceanic Manta Ray

    Giant Oceanic Manta Ray
    524 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    26
    M
    61
    J
    77
    J
    85
    A
    67
    S
    87
    O
    34
    N
    73
    D
    14

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Alamy/imageBROKER
    Thresher Shark

    Thresher Shark
    109 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    11
    M
    0
    J
    11
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    13
    O
    19
    N
    43
    D
    12
    Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle
    106 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    14
    J
    13
    J
    15
    A
    14
    S
    16
    O
    18
    N
    16
    D
    0
    Show More

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Udo Kefrig
    Clownfish

    Clownfish
    744 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    41
    A
    40
    M
    86
    J
    67
    J
    59
    A
    53
    S
    85
    O
    135
    N
    136
    D
    42

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    iStock-burnsboxco
    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish
    679 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    35
    A
    46
    M
    76
    J
    74
    J
    53
    A
    54
    S
    87
    O
    100
    N
    122
    D
    32

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Shutterstock-Al McGlashan
    Tuna

    Tuna
    592 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    26
    A
    49
    M
    79
    J
    84
    J
    69
    A
    52
    S
    83
    O
    58
    N
    75
    D
    17
    iStock_strmko
    Silky Shark

    Silky Shark
    586 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    37
    A
    24
    M
    49
    J
    60
    J
    25
    A
    0
    S
    25
    O
    118
    N
    185
    D
    63

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish
    579 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    32
    A
    33
    M
    77
    J
    56
    J
    60
    A
    41
    S
    72
    O
    79
    N
    107
    D
    22

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Rich Carey
    Angelfish

    Angelfish
    563 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    36
    A
    33
    M
    75
    J
    50
    J
    45
    A
    37
    S
    75
    O
    81
    N
    102
    D
    29

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-wrangel
    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish
    518 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    26
    A
    28
    M
    49
    J
    62
    J
    58
    A
    43
    S
    74
    O
    73
    N
    86
    D
    19

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    iStock-Hoatzinexp
    Jackfish

    Jackfish
    440 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    17
    A
    32
    M
    45
    J
    44
    J
    49
    A
    32
    S
    54
    O
    69
    N
    76
    D
    22

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    iStock/cinoby
    Lionfish

    Lionfish
    389 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    22
    A
    23
    M
    33
    J
    38
    J
    21
    A
    21
    S
    50
    O
    64
    N
    86
    D
    31

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl
    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish
    386 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    17
    A
    25
    M
    52
    J
    39
    J
    19
    A
    23
    S
    55
    O
    72
    N
    64
    D
    20

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    iStock-mirecca
    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish
    369 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    20
    A
    27
    M
    55
    J
    29
    J
    26
    A
    27
    S
    41
    O
    39
    N
    85
    D
    20

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish
    327 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    13
    A
    20
    M
    35
    J
    47
    J
    24
    A
    25
    S
    37
    O
    50
    N
    55
    D
    21

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish
    266 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    16
    A
    20
    M
    29
    J
    19
    J
    25
    A
    11
    S
    38
    O
    43
    N
    55
    D
    10

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish
    259 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    23
    M
    30
    J
    34
    J
    16
    A
    14
    S
    34
    O
    38
    N
    55
    D
    15

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Alamy-Andre Seal
    Damselfish

    Damselfish
    252 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    20
    A
    14
    M
    33
    J
    26
    J
    18
    A
    15
    S
    37
    O
    42
    N
    33
    D
    14

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets
    236 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    15
    A
    18
    M
    21
    J
    12
    J
    27
    A
    13
    S
    21
    O
    35
    N
    58
    D
    16

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    iStock-Rainer von Brandis
    Snapper

    Snapper
    209 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    13
    A
    23
    M
    26
    J
    0
    J
    24
    A
    11
    S
    34
    O
    27
    N
    36
    D
    15

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Shutterstock-aquapix
    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts
    194 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    15
    A
    14
    M
    25
    J
    22
    J
    18
    A
    10
    S
    20
    O
    35
    N
    22
    D
    13

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Shutterstock-Miroslav Halama
    Cornetfish

    Cornetfish
    191 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    13
    A
    11
    M
    20
    J
    17
    J
    10
    A
    0
    S
    17
    O
    48
    N
    43
    D
    12

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
    Goatfish

    Goatfish
    152 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    12
    M
    27
    J
    22
    J
    12
    A
    0
    S
    18
    O
    17
    N
    31
    D
    13
    iStock-June Jacobsen
    Whitetip Reef Shark

    Whitetip Reef Shark
    126 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    12
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    29
    N
    67
    D
    18

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    iStock-Global_Pics
    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish
    103 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    15
    J
    14
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    24
    O
    17
    N
    33
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
    Boxfish

    Boxfish
    67 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    15
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    15
    O
    16
    N
    21
    D
    0
    AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
    Grey Reef Shark

    Grey Reef Shark
    66 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    10
    M
    11
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    0
    O
    12
    N
    33
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.
    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish
    59 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    13
    J
    0
    J
    0
    A
    0
    S
    13
    O
    16
    N
    17
    D
    0

    The best Months to dive in Daedalus

    One of the many reasons for the Red Sea being so popular is that divers can dive in pleasant conditions throughout the year. In the winter months (December to February), the water temperature only drops down to 20 degrees Celsius, and in the summer months (July to September) the water temperatures can reach 30 degrees Celsius. The visibility in this area is usually fantastic between 15 and 40 metres. Regarding marine life, May and June are the best months to see Whale Sharks, Manta Rays and Hammerhead Sharks. Thresher Sharks prefer colder waters so they will be present in higher numbers in the winter.

    Dive Sites

    Peter S. (#417559)
    Daedalus Reef <span class="text-color-primary text-sm"> (★4.3)</span>

    Daedalus Reef (★4.3)

    Deadalus Reef can only be reached by Liveaboard boats and is one of the top dive sites on most diver’s wish list. A stand alone 400m long reef approx. 80km away from Marsa Alam, this spectacular reef is difficult to miss as it even has its own lighthouse.