ScubaDahab
Updated 28 Oct 2026. Written by the ScubaDahab team, divers based in Dahab on the Red Sea.
The species and the season
Oceanic whitetip sharks are the headline: they appear mostly from October to December, often close to the surface and near the boat. Scalloped hammerheads gather at Daedalus and the Brothers mainly from May to July, usually deep and early in the morning. Thresher sharks are seen at Little Brother, grey reef and silvertip sharks all year, and whale sharks occasionally pass in late spring and summer.
Where to go
The Brothers Islands (Big and Little Brother) are two small islands in the open sea with steep walls, two wrecks and the widest variety of sharks. Daedalus is a remote reef with a lighthouse, famous for hammerhead schools. Elphinstone, close to Marsa Alam, has plateaus at both ends where oceanic whitetips and hammerheads are seen. St. John's in the far south has grey reef sharks and very few boats.
What level you need
These are offshore dives in open water, with currents, deep blue descents and zodiac pick-ups. Operators normally require Advanced Open Water, at least 50 logged dives and your own surface marker buoy. Nitrox is strongly recommended.
Diving safely with sharks
Follow your guide's briefing: stay close to the reef or your group, keep calm and vertical when oceanic whitetips approach, and leave the water calmly if asked. Most operators no longer allow snorkelling or swimming off the back of the boat at the marine parks. Never feed or touch sharks.
