Explore Port Ghalib

Port Ghalib, located on Egypt's southern Red Sea coast in Marsa Alam, offers an exceptional diving experience marked by its preserved underwater world. Here, divers are treated to flourishing corals and vibrant colors, indicative of an underwater realm relatively untouched by human interference. This area is particularly known for its deep diving opportunities, reaching depths of up to 60 meters, though most dives average between 12 to 25 meters. The majority of diving here is conducted from boats, with options ranging from day trips to more extensive liveaboard adventures, allowing divers to explore the rich marine environments the Red Sea is famed for. One of the standout attractions accessible from Port Ghalib is the renowned Elphinstone Reef. This site captivates with its vertical walls and stunning coral gardens, offering an all-encompassing experience that is memorable for divers of all levels. Day trips to this site provide a chance to encounter a diverse array of marine life, making each dive a unique exploration of the Red Sea's biodiversity. Additionally, the area features closer-to-shore shipwrecks that can be accessed by day boats, adding an element of historical intrigue to the diving itinerary. These experiences contribute to making Port Ghalib a remarkable diving destination in the Red Sea, providing vibrant underwater adventures that appeal to both novice and seasoned divers alike.

Upcoming Events

Instructor Evaluation

Coraya Divers Coraya Bay

Instructor Evaluation - IE

15 Nov 2025

Beginne noch heute - Du musst Divemaster oder gleichwertig sein, um an dem 3-stufigen Instructor Training von SSI teilzunehmen. Die Ausbildung beginnt mit der Teilnahme am Assistant Instructor / Instructor Training Course in Kombination mit Digital Learning. Nach erfolgreichem Abschluss des Instructor Training Course (ITC) nimmst du an einer Instructor Evaluation (IE) teil, um dich als SSI Open Water Instructor zu qualifizieren. Dieses 10-tägige Trainingsprogramm berechtigt dich dazu, verschiedene SSI Schlüsselprogramme wie Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress & Rescue und Dive Guide selbstständig zu unterrichten.

Wer sich zwischen den Trainings mehr Zeit zum Lernen und Sammeln wertvoller Unterrichtserfahrung nehmen möchte, kann die 3 Teile auch in Einzelschritten absolvieren - Assistant Instructor, Instructor Training Course (ITC) und Instructor Evaluation (IE) nacheinander im eigenen Tempo und mit einem flexiblen Zeitplan.

Diver Level Programs / Courses

Sea World Diving Center

Open Water Diver

02 Dec 2025 + 1 more

This globally recognized certification program is the best way to begin your lifelong adventures as a certified scuba diver. Personalized training is combined with in-water practice sessions to ensure you have the skills and experience required to become truly comfortable underwater. You will earn the SSI Open Water Diver certification.

Instructor Evaluation

Coraya Divers Coraya Bay

Instructor Evaluation - IE

13 Feb 2026

The Instructor Evaluation (IE) is the final step of SSI’s 2-Step Instructor Training Approach Divemasters or equivalent-level professionals will have to successfully complete the Instructor Training Course (ITC) first where you’ll learn how to:

• Conduct academic sessions
• Lead confined water training
• Teach Open Water Diver and various Specialty programs like Enriched Air Nitrox, Diver Stress&Rescue, Perfect Buoyancy and more
• Develop student management and communication skills

Already an experienced instructor with another agency? You may be eligible for shortened oboarding options where you will only have to complete certain parts of the Instructor Training Course (ITC) followed by passing an Instructor Evaluation (IE). Contact an SSI Training Center near you to learn more.
Already certified as an Assistant Instructor with another agency? You could continue your professional journey with SSI. Get in touch with a local SSI Training Center to explore your options.

Top Dive Sites Map

★★★★☆ Tulip Resort House Reef

The entrance to the dive site is from the jetty. There is a coral wall until 12m and then a sandy bottom with few coral gardens dropping to 40m. Beautiful hard corals.

3,361
Logs
737
Divers
19.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Abu Saile

An amazing dive site that is approx. 50 min away from Port Ghalib Marina offering daily boats. This dive site is suitable for all diver levels. You will see beautiful hard corals in the shallow areas. The shore can be accessed through the hole in the reef top.

5,288
Logs
2,413
Divers
23.0 m
⌀ Depth
21.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Marsa Shouna

A fantastic dive site that can be accessed by daily boats or as a shore dive. Shallow with a sloping bottom toward a north or south running reef. The south reef can be reached by Zodiac or from the shore.

13,918
Logs
7,271
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility

★★★★☆ Marsa Umm Gerifat South

Snorkelers and divers can enter the park via the jetty/zodiac, speedboat, or beach. The entrance is very easy because you enter the water from a staircase. This site is a slowly sloping reef with many plateaus and up to 40m depth. There is a beautiful canyon at 6 - 18m. Training platforms at 2,3,5 and 9m.

27,112
Logs
5,215
Divers
17.0 m
⌀ Depth
17.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Aqualung

★★★★☆ Marsa Shoni Bay

Also known as Shoni Bay, this site has an easy, sandy entrance with the main reef to the north and south. On the south side, around 80m from the main reef, beautiful coral blocks are found with a lot of colorful hard corals.

8,961
Logs
3,117
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
17.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

★★★★☆ Ras Um Halg

Several blocks beautifully covered with hard and soft corals. Max. Depth: 30 meters. Travel time: about 30 minutes south from Port Ghalib by boat.

226
Logs
172
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
23.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Sharm Salman

Dive Site: Several blocks beautifully overgrown with hard and soft corals. Max depth: 30m. Travel time: Approximately 30 minutes south from Port Ghalib by boat.

1,521
Logs
1,161
Divers
21.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Umm El Ros/Marsa Mubarak

Umm El Ros is one of the most well known dive sites in the port Ghalib area and only a 15 minute ride away from the marina. A natural bay formation keeps this site protected. A beautiful dive can be conducted from 1m depth through a sandy bottom to the northern reef or to the southern pinnacles.

9,049
Logs
5,057
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
20.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

★★★★☆ Coral Garden Ghalib

Dive site: very beautiful coral garden and always good for a surprise. This is the north of diving spot Imbarak. Max. Depth: 25 meters. Journey time: Approx. 15 minutes South by boat.

452
Logs
309
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
21.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Port Ghalib Fishmarket

House reef Port Ghalib - offers something for every diver. The beginner can enter the water via a sandy beach and finds a nice reef at 5 - 20m depth. At the outer reef it drops down, depending on the training, to far over 60m.

3,873
Logs
1,198
Divers
18.0 m
⌀ Depth
18.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares, Janez Kranjc

★★★★☆ Port Ghalib Palace

Entry is via the jetty from the Palace. There are several options as dives. Dive north to Port Ghalib sand oasis. Dive south to Port Ghalib Fish Market. Dive to the plateau at 35 m.

927
Logs
387
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
19.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Port Ghalib Sand-Oasis

Entry and exit is via the jetty. From here there are two options. Either head north or head south to the Palace. The dive to Palace is a one-way dive.

515
Logs
259
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
21.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Mares

★★★★☆ Villa Koraffi

Easy dive along the coast; max. depth: >40 meter; distance: about 15 minutes in north of Port Ghalib. Boat diving. mostly slight current from north to south.

3,611
Logs
1,883
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
22.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★★☆ Shaab Alaya

Shaab Alaya is dived in a northerly direction. On the stone wall are countless hard and soft corals. Because of the beautiful drop off that starts from 2m till 17m there is a lot of different marine life to find in and on the wall. The structure of the reef gives the possibility to look for the small marine life.

2,052
Logs
974
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
22.0 m
⌀ Visibility
Scubapro

★★★★☆ The Three Corners Sea Beach Resort, housereef

Main reef with a fall from 12 to 30m and slowly degrades with several pinnacles. Current: little or absent. Entry and Exit depending on sea conditions.

3,093
Logs
880
Divers
20.0 m
⌀ Depth
21.0 m
⌀ Visibility

Diving in Port Ghalib

The general atmosphere around diving in this area is relaxing and enjoyable as opposed to complex diving. The dive sites are all reached by boat departing from the port of Port Ghalib and are all approximately between 15 and 30 mins from shore, so not extremely long boat rides. The dives involve drift dives over seagrass beds and coral gardens. Some dive sites do have a deeper average depth so are more suitable for advanced divers but for the most part, these enjoyable dive sites are accessible for all diving levels. This is also an ideal area for dive courses to be conducted. This is a top spot for anyone wanting to work on their underwater photography skills as there is an incredible array of photo subjects to capture while still enjoying a relaxing dive. If divers want to experience the Red Sea on a liveaboard as opposed to from a dive centre or dive resort, then this is one of the main ports that liveaboards depart from to explore the southern parts of the Red Sea.

The best Months to dive in Port Ghalib

Throughout the year the water temperatures here in Port Ghalib are warm and pleasant with temperatures varying between 22 degrees Celsius and 29 degrees celsius. This area is known to have the hottest night temperatures out of all of Egypt and during the months of June to September the climate is very hot and dry as it is located in the desert. The Red Sea is known for its great visibility so the beauty underwater here is always visible. The weather never reaches any extremes which makes diving here not possible.

Statistics

Historical data and trends

Dive Activity & Environmental Conditions

Centers Map

ORCA Dive Club Shoni Bay

ORCA Dive Club Shoni Bay, 0000 Marsa Alam, EGY

Extra Divers Worldwide

Marina Port Ghalib, 84738 Port Ghalib, Marsa Alam, EGY

Extra Divers Fayrouz

Three Corners Fayrouz Plaza Resort, 00000 3 km South of Port Ghalib, EGY

Red Sea RE Aggressor

Port Ghalib, Port Ghalib, EGY

Coraya Divers Alaya

Marsa Alam, Marsa Alam, EGY

Red Sea Aggressor IV

209 Hudson Trace, 30907 Augusta, GA - USA

Sea World Diving Center

Three Corners Sea Beach, 0100 Marsa Alam, EGY

Coraya Divers Coraya Bay

Jaz Lamaya Hotel, 0000 Madinat Coraya - Coraya Bay, EGY