What's in the water, month by month.
Whale sharks in spring, hammerheads in summer, oceanic whitetips in autumn — and dolphins, turtles and coral gardens all year. Pick a month to plan around the wildlife.
Best in Oct
🦈 Oceanic whitetip sharks · 🦭 Dugong · 🦈 Grey reef sharks
Oceanic whitetip sharks
SeasonalCurious open-water sharks gather around offshore reefs in late autumn.
Oct · Nov · Dec
Elphinstone, the Brothers, Daedalus
Spinner dolphins
ResidentResident pods rest in protected lagoons by day — often seen on snorkel safaris.
Year-round
Sha'ab Samadai, Sataya, Sha'ab El Erg
Green turtles
ResidentGraze the seagrass beds of shallow bays year-round; among the easiest big animals to see.
Year-round
Abu Dabbab, Marsa Mubarak, house reefs
Dugong
Rare treatThe Red Sea's gentle 'sea cow' grazes seagrass — a rare and special sighting.
Year-round
Abu Dabbab, Marsa Mubarak
Grey reef sharks
SeasonalPatrol current-swept walls and corners on the southern and offshore reefs.
Year-round
Brothers, Daedalus, St John's
Napoleon wrasse
ResidentGiant, friendly humphead wrasse patrol healthy reefs across the Red Sea.
Year-round
Careless Reef, the Brothers, most reefs
Soft-coral walls
ResidentClouds of orange anthias over technicolour soft coral — the Red Sea's signature scene.
Year-round
Brothers, Daedalus, Panorama
Seasons reflect typical Red Sea patterns and are a planning guide only — marine life is wild and sightings can never be guaranteed. Always follow your guide and dive within your certification.