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Liveaboards › Destinations › El Gouna

Diving in El Gouna

El Gouna is a resort town 25 km north of Hurghada, built around lagoons. For divers its advantage is position: it is closer to the northern wrecks than Hurghada, so day trips are shorter.

AirportHurghada (HRG), about 30 minWaterAbout 22 °C in Feb to 28 °C in AugBest forWrecks by day boat, calm coursesLevelAll levels

What the diving is like

Boats from El Gouna reach the Gubal islands and Abu Nuhas quicker than boats from Hurghada, so you spend more of the day underwater and less on the crossing. Close to the shore, sheltered reefs and sandy lagoons make it a relaxed place to learn.

The Thistlegorm is reachable as a long day trip, but as everywhere on this coast, an overnight trip is the calmer way to dive it.

Liveaboards near El Gouna

A few boats use the Abu Tig marina in El Gouna, but most liveaboards board in Hurghada, about 30 minutes away. The departures below are from Hurghada.

When to go

All year. Spring and autumn give the best balance of warm water, calm seas and fewer boats at the wrecks.

Top dive sites

  • Abu Nuhas: Giannis D, Carnatic, Chrisoula K and Kimon M
  • Shaab El Erg: a horseshoe reef known for dolphins
  • Gubal islands: reefs and the Ulysses wreck
  • SS Thistlegorm: a long day trip or an overnight

Liveaboards nearby

Boats with open departures from the nearest port, sorted by guest score.

All 60 boats from Hurghada
Blue Seas

Blue Seas

Hurghada, Port Ghalib · Blue Planet Liveaboards
4.9 /5 · 42 reviewsfrom $149/day
Ocean Lovers

Ocean Lovers

Hurghada, Port Ghalib · Sea Breeze Liveaboard
4.8 /5 · 8 reviewsfrom $164/day
Red Sea Aggressor V

Red Sea Aggressor V

Hamata, Hurghada · Aggressor Fleet
4.8 /5 · 5 reviewsfrom $125/day
Blue Horizon

Blue Horizon

Hurghada, Port Ghalib · Master Liveaboards
4.7 /5 · 64 reviewsfrom $104/day
Blue Melody

Blue Melody

Hurghada, Port Ghalib · Master Liveaboards
4.7 /5 · 89 reviewsfrom $94/day
Blue Pearl

Blue Pearl

Hurghada, Port Ghalib · Blue Planet Liveaboards
4.6 /5 · 31 reviewsfrom $122/day

Next open departures

BoatDatesNightsRouteFrom → toPrice
Iceberg1–5 Nov 20264Hurghada NorthHurghada$65110% offCheck availability
Amelie2–5 Nov 20263Best of HurghadaHurghada$484Check availability
Grand Sea Serpent5–12 Nov 20267North & DahabHurghada$1,846Check availability
Amelie6–9 Nov 20263Best of HurghadaHurghada$484Check availability
Amelie Adventures6–9 Nov 20263Best Of HurghadaHurghada$539Check availability
Aphrodite7–21 Nov 202614Best of Red SeaHurghada$4,673Check availability
Discovery I7–14 Nov 20267Brothers, Daedalus, ElphinstoneHurghada$1,00120% offCheck availability
Discovery II7–14 Nov 20267North Wrecks, Ras Mohamed, Tiran, Brothers & SafagaHurghada$1,02320% offCheck availability

Prices from Divebooker, checked 28 Oct 2026. They may change; the current price is shown on Divebooker before you book.

El Gouna diving questions

Do liveaboards leave from El Gouna?

A few do, from Abu Tig marina, but most board in Hurghada, about 30 minutes away.

Is El Gouna good for learning to dive?

Yes. The lagoons and nearby reefs are sheltered and shallow, and the town is quiet compared with Hurghada.

More Red Sea destinations

DahabShore diving and freedivingSharm El SheikhWalls, sharks in summer, the ThistlegormHurghadaLiveaboards, wrecks, easy reefsSafagaQuiet reefs, the Salem ExpressMarsa AlamSharks, southern reefs, liveaboards