Dahab: Lighthouse Dive Site – Egypt
Site Overview
Lighthouse is a beginner-friendly reef dive site located off the Dahab coastline in Egypt's Red Sea, offering an extraordinary combination of vibrant coral reef ecosystems and rich marine biodiversity in one of the world's most celebrated diving destinations. The site is accessible directly from shore, making it one of the most convenient sites in the region. Lighthouse reaches a maximum depth of 15 meters with the most productive diving occurring between five and 12 meters where the coral walls and reef structures provide shelter and feeding grounds for an incredible diversity of marine species. The underwater topography features dramatic coral formations including vertical walls encrusted with soft corals, massive coral pinnacles, and sandy channels that create a mosaic of distinct ecological zones. Marine life encounters commonly include Red Sea Nudibranch, Moray Eel, Seahorse, Cleaner Shrimp, along with numerous Red Sea endemic species that inhabit the coral substrate. The Red Sea's uniquely stable conditions, with water temperatures ranging from 21 degrees in winter to 28 degrees in late summer and visibility typically between 15 and 35 meters, create an underwater environment of extraordinary clarity and biodiversity. Seasonal visitors including oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, and manta rays add an extraordinary dimension to dives in this region. The Red Sea is home to over twelve hundred species of fish with approximately twenty percent endemic, and more than two hundred species of hard and soft coral that create some of the most vibrant underwater landscapes on Earth. Dahab is increasingly recognized as one of Egypt's finest diving destinations, offering the perfect combination of world-class marine life, excellent infrastructure, and reliable year-round diving conditions. The gentle conditions and shallow profile make this an excellent site for training and relaxed exploration of the Red Sea's incredible biodiversity.
Dive Briefing
"The entry is made from the shoreline or jetty with a short surface swim to the descent point marked by the reef edge. The dive profile typically begins with a gradual descent along the reef wall to approximately 8 meters where the current-facing side offers the best marine life encounters in the nutrient-rich Red Sea waters. Red Sea Nudibranch are frequently observed patrolling the wall at 5 to 13 meters, while Moray Eel inhabit the coral gardens and overhangs throughout the mid-section of the dive. The coral substrate between 3 and 16 meters is encrusted with colorful soft corals, gorgonian sea fans, and Red Sea endemic hard corals that provide excellent macro photography opportunities between the larger species encounters. Seahorse can be found in crevices and ledges throughout the site. Your guide leads you progressively shallower along the reef contour, ensuring adequate bottom time for the safety stop at five meters. The final portion of the dive is spent exploring the shallow reef flat at three to eight meters where coral diversity is highest and sunlight creates ideal conditions for wide-angle photography. The safety stop is conducted along the upper reef before surfacing and swimming back to the shore entry point for a total dive time of approximately 40 to 50 minutes."
Signature Marine Life
Red Sea Nudibranch
Chromodoris spp.
Best: March, April, May
Moray Eel
Gymnothorax javanicus
Best: March, April, May
Seahorse
Hippocampus spp.
Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Best: March, April, May
Clown Triggerfish
Balistoides conspicillum
Best: March, April, May
Napoleon Wrasse
Cheilinus undulatus
Best: March, April, May
Safety & Hazards
- Red Sea current variability requiring constant awareness and SMB deployment capability
- Fire coral and sharp coral formations requiring careful fin and hand placement
- Venomous lionfish and scorpionfish on ledges requiring careful hand placement during wall dives
- Boat traffic on the surface near popular dive sites requiring safety stop vigilance
- Sea urchins on rocky substrate and rubble patches throughout the dive site
Traveler Notes
Who is this for?
Lighthouse is perfectly suited for Open Water certified divers and those new to Red Sea diving who want to experience Egypt's extraordinary underwater world in a controlled and accessible environment. The shallow depth profile, generally mild conditions, and excellent visibility make this an ideal site for building confidence and refining buoyancy skills on healthy coral reef structures. The site also appeals to snorkelers and freedivers who can enjoy the rich shallow reef communities from the surface. Underwater photographers will appreciate the crystal-clear Red Sea water and abundant marine life including colorful Red Sea endemic fish and intricate coral formations. The site is also excellent for experienced divers seeking a relaxed dive focused on coral garden exploration and marine life identification rather than challenging conditions. Non-diving companions can enjoy nearby beaches and the rich cultural attractions of Dahab while divers are in the water.
Quick Stats
Dive Logistics
- Big Blue Dahab
- H2O Divers Dahab
- Poseidon Divers
- Red Duck Dive Center
Photography Info
Best for: wide_angle, macro
Nearby Stay
Swiss Inn Dahab
Dahab • 1km away
Dahab Paradise
Dahab • 2km away