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 Jul
🦈 Scalloped hammerheads · 🦈 Thresher sharks · 🐟 Manta rays · 🦭 Dugong
Scalloped hammerheads
SeasonalSummer schools patrol the offshore plateaus — an advanced, blue-water highlight.
Jun · Jul · Aug
Daedalus, the Brothers
Thresher sharks
SeasonalLong-tailed threshers cruise the walls of the remote offshore islands.
May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep
Little Brother
Manta rays
Rare treatAn occasional, unforgettable visitor to plankton-rich offshore waters.
May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep
Offshore reefs & the deep south
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.